Our Mission
The mission of West Roxbury Main Streets (WRMS) is to promote West Roxbury’s commercial district as an appealing destination and dynamic center of our community.
Our Vision
WRMS envisions our commercial district as a vibrant force driving an equitable local economy and fostering a vibrant, inclusive community that is welcoming to people from all walks of life.
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As the cultural and social center of our community, Centre and Spring Streets will present a thriving mix of retail, dining and entertainment options, public gathering spaces, and housing opportunities for all ages and incomes.
The district will be easily walkable, prioritizing a safe pedestrian and cycling experience and providing multiple transit connections to downtown Boston.
Our Approach
As a nonprofit organization, WRMS brings together volunteers, businesses, and public agencies to strengthen the district’s economic vitality, physical appearance, and unique local character.
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Our approach embodies core values of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion outlined in the Main Streets of America (MSA) Main Streets are for Everyone initiative.
We also apply MSA’s Four Point model of community transformation, which dynamically integrates four areas: Economic Vitality, Design, Promotion, and Organization.
Strategic Plan
The work of WRMS follows our 2021-22 Strategic Plan as approved by our Board of Directors. An updated plan is in development. Areas of strategic focus, each with priority initiatives overseen by our Committees, appear below.
View the Presentation Deck (PDF) from our 2023 Annual Meeting.
Contact our Executive Director for details and find out how you can join us!
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Redesign Tim White Way into a pocket park
Develop and implement streetscape beautification and maintenance plan
Increase public art
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Conduct market analyses and research
Develop engagement strategy and establish guiding principles for new developments
Develop business recruitment strategy
Host small business workshop and networking event series
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Organize new community events, including Westie Fest
Enhance live music and arts in the district
Organize Winter Market and seasonal initiatives
Develop new promotional campaigns to increase foot traffic for local businesses
Develop Communications and Digital Media Strategy
The Main Streets Model
Main Streets America
The Main Streets model originated in rural America, where it was designed to protect small-town business districts from the growth of strip malls and national chains. For a brief historical overview, What Happened to America’s Main Streets, click here.
Main Streets America™ today is a network of 1,600 chapters across the United States. These grassroots volunteer organizations are dedicated to improving life at the local level in collaboration with related programs at the municipal, regional, and national levels.
Boston Main Streets
Main Streets was adapted to the urban setting in Boston in the 1980s through then-City Council member Tom Menino. WRMS, established in 2001, is one of twenty Boston Main Streets chapters. Each is a separate 501(c)3 nonprofit organization and an independent contractor with the City of Boston, working closely with the Office of Economic Development.
Staff
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Lindsey joined WRMS in December 2023. Full bio coming soon!
Board Executive Committee
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Brian Trabish joined the Board of West Roxbury Main Streets in October 2019, having previously served for several years as a volunteer at WRMS events. As a member of the Board, Brian has continued to support this WRMS mission as the co-chair of the Marketing and Events committee. He also serves as Treasurer and is the former Board Secretary.
Brian has held several roles in operations process improvement in the financial and medical technology industries, and eagerly brings that approach to planning events and supporting Main Streets marketing and communications.
He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and continues to enjoy learning, with certifications in change management, process design, and Lean Six Sigma. Brian lives with his wife and daughter in West Roxbury, where he takes pleasure in the many DIY projects associated with maintaining his 125 year-old home.
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Kanessa Alexander is the Owner and Head Stylist at Perfect 10 Unisex Salon located on West Roxbury's renowned Centre Street. Perfect 10 has been a part of the West Roxbury Community since 2015, however Kanessa started her entrepreneur journey over 23 years ago when she opened her first salon.
Kanessa was born and raised in Boston and grew up in the neighborhood of Hyde Park. She decided to combine her passion for business, people, and the beauty industry by creating Perfect 10.
"I'm passionate about the work I do because it's the best feeling to see the confidence boost a client has after a service. My goal was always to create a space that was welcoming and uplifting, an oasis where people can feel and look like the best version of themselves". Kanessa also enjoys mentoring and coaching other stylists and salon owners.
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Jason joined the WMRS Board in January 2023, having volunteered with the Economic Vitality Committee Since 2021.
With a professional background in Mechanical Engineering, he has worked for 21 years with the Federal Government, starting in the U.S. Department of Defense and moving to the Veterans Health Administration, with roles in Mechanical Design, Lean Six Sigma Process Improvement, and Healthcare Data Analysis.
Jason has a life-long love for Boston, and is excited to bring his organizational and problem solving energies to create a more connected, active, and beautiful neighborhood. He is active in the West Roxbury community, serving on the Steering Committees of Progressive West Roxbury/Roslindale and West Rox Bikes, and is a member of the local Parkway Running Club.
Jason grew up in South Boston, a mere 6 miles from West Roxbury, and is a graduate of Boston Latin School, Northeastern University, and the Naval Postgraduate School. He lives with his spouse and their five bicycles in West Roxbury, where he enjoys running, ice hockey, and, despite lack of visibility, scuba diving in the cold waters of New England.
Directors
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Meaghan Keenan, born and raised in West Roxbury is the proud owner of Good Karma Candles. Meaghan has experience with fundraising for local non-profits and event planning for non-profits and local artisan pop ups! Meaghan also works in the corporate development technology space at a company called M&A Science. She loves using the skills she has honed at her day job and applying them to small business strategy to ensure success.
Meaghan is on the Economic Vitality Committee which aims to retain and expand successful business to provide a balanced commercial mix, sharpen the competitiveness and merchandising skills of business owners, and attract new business that the market can support Meaghan, now residing in Roslindale, loves meeting new people (and dogs), hanging out on Cape Cod and trying new restaurants!
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Danielle M. O’Brien is a resident of West Roxbury and the owner of Parkway Real Estate on Centre Street. She has been a real estate sales agent since 2008, and a Broker since 2013.
Before real estate, Danielle spent 10 years in the technical divisions of a Boston financial giant. She obtained her Bachelor of Science (BS, 2002) Degree from Bridgewater State College focusing on Management, Information Systems, Accounting & Finance, and Mathematics. In 2009, she graduated from the University of Massachusetts Boston with her Masters in Business Administration (MBA).
Danielle has furthered her real estate education by earning designations as an Accredited Buyer’s Representative (ABR) and Short Sales & Foreclosure Resource (SFR). In 2018, she completed the Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI) coursework, her At Home With Diversity (AHWD) certification, and obtained her Professional Coaching Certificate (PCC) from the University of Miami.
Danielle is passionate about educating the community and empowering local business. She is excited to bring her skillset to the WRMS board.
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Sara K. Ward is a partner at Maiona Ward Immigration Law and has exclusively practiced immigration law since 2003. Attorney Ward represents families and employees worldwide with immigrant and non-immigrant visa processing at US Consulates, as well as legal permanent residency at USCIS offices across the United States, Naturalization, adjustment of status, asylum, waivers of inadmissibility and business immigration matters.
Attorney Ward is a former member of the Federal Bar Association Board of Directors and has served in various liaison positions for the NE Chapter of the American Immigration Lawyers Association. A WRMS Board member since 2020, Attorney Ward operates her law practice on Centre Street in West Roxbury.
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Bridget Marquis joined the Board of West Roxbury Main Streets in 2024. She is an independent consultant who works out of her home in West Roxbury.
Professionally, Bridget serves as the director of Reimagining the Civic Commons, a national initiative transforming public places to foster engagement, equity, environmental sustainability and economic development in cities across the country. She has a Bachelor’s of Business Administration with a minor in Art from The College of William & Mary, and a Master of Business Administration in Arts Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Bridget is passionate about place. She is a frequent speaker and author on public space as critical civic infrastructure for thriving cities.
You'll often find Bridget strolling or running errands on Centre Street. Her family's favorite afternoon pick-me-up is bubble tea at Sharon Korean with sweet treats from Sugar Baking Co.
2023 Main Street Now Conference, Boston
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