The Investment Team

Portrait of Susan Schlesinger

Susan Schlesinger

sschlesinger@lifeinitiative.com
617-450-9639

Susan Schlesinger joined The Life Initiative in 1999 and became President in 2008. Prior to that, she was the Assistant City Manager for Community Development for the City of Cambridge. In that capacity, Ms. Schlesinger led the effort to establish the City’s Affordable Housing Trust Fund, and Inclusionary Zoning Initiative. Ms. Schlesinger serves on the Boards of CHAPA, CEDAC and the State Affordable Housing Trust, the City of Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust and Community Preservation Act Board. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Tufts University.

Portrait of Michael Gondek

Mike Gondek

mgondek@lifeinitiative.com
617-536-2850

Prior to joining The Life Initiative in 2008, Michael Gondek was the Executive Director of the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation (CEDAC). CEDAC offers technical assistance, consulting services, and a range of financial assistance to the non-profit development industry. Prior to CEDAC, Mr. Gondek was the founding Executive Director of the Neighborhood Development Corporation of Jamaica Plain (NDC). He has also served as President of the NDC board of directors, President of the Board of the Southwest Corridor Coalition, and is currently the chair of the Boston Neighborhood Housing Trust. Mr. Gondek holds a bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Wisconsin at Madison, and completed the coursework for a master’s degree in urban and environmental policy from Tufts University.

Portrait of Kristen Harol

Kristen Harol

kharol@lifeinitiative.com
617-450-9638

Kristen Harol joined The Life Initiative in 2008. In her prior role as Deputy Director of Lawrence CommunityWorks, Ms. Harol was integral to building a nationally recognized community development corporation known for the development of innovative affordable housing, community and recreational space, community organizing, and family asset building. Ms. Harol serves on a number of boards including the Mill Cities Community Investments CDFI, Groundwork Lawrence and Immigrant City Housing. She holds a master’s degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Department of Urban Studies and Planning and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Chicago.