Why we do what we do …

From left: Courtney Mulligan, Michelle Zenga, Donna Brown, Maureen Menconi, Christine Kelly, Ginger DeShaney. (Not pictured: Owen McCarthy.)

At South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation (South Boston NDC), our mission is rooted in community. We don’t just build and preserve affordable housing — we build connections, stability, and opportunity. For our team, this work isn’t just a job; it’s personal.

Most of us live in the neighborhood we serve, grew up here, or found our way to South Boston NDC through the same doors our residents walk through every day.

Executive Director Donna Brown has led South Boston NDC with steady dedication and a deep belief in the power of community. Under her leadership, South Boston NDC has expanded its affordable housing portfolio, supported small businesses, and created programs that strengthen quality of life for residents of all ages.

“What makes South Boston NDC special is that the people who work here care deeply about this community — because it’s their community, too,” says Donna, who has been executive director since 2007 and on the South Boston NDC board from 1990-2007. “Every project, every partnership, and every event is about keeping South Boston a place where everyone belongs.”

When Michelle Zenga first walked into South Boston NDC 28 years ago, she was simply looking for an apartment — and instead found a lifelong career. Over the years, she’s grown from Secretary to Property Manager and Programs Director, helping countless families find and keep safe, affordable homes. “I like serving the community I grew up in,” she says. “It’s rewarding. When I can help someone in need, it’s a nice feeling.”

For her, South Boston NDC is more than an office — “we are family here,” she adds, noting tenants are family, too.

Behind the scenes, Finance Manager Maureen Menconi keeps the South Boston NDC family running smoothly. Thirty-four years ago, she answered a South Boston Tribune ad for a part-time bookkeeping position — and found her life’s work.

“I’ve stayed with South Boston NDC all these years because I believe deeply in our mission — keeping residents in the town they might otherwise be forced to leave due to a lack of affordable housing,” she says.

In the early years, Maureen helped the organization navigate the displacement caused by South Boston’s condominium boom, when triple-deckers were sold and long-time renters lost their homes. Over time, she’s helped South Boston NDC expand our reach — developing housing for seniors and veterans, growing our portfolio of affordable properties, and increasing our community involvement.

When she does retire, she’ll know she “helped make a small difference in the town my dad always called ‘God’s Country.’”

That sense of care also drives Christine Kelly, Residential Coordinator, Patriot Homes/Assistant Property Manager and a resident of South Boston NDC housing. A lifelong South Boston resident and former teacher, Christine brings compassion and understanding to her work supporting veterans — a calling shaped by her own family’s military background.

“Serving veterans is especially meaningful to me,” she says, “because it gives me the chance to honor their service by helping them access the resources and support they deserve. This work aligns with my values and gives me the opportunity to make a positive, lasting impact in the community.”

Whether she’s organizing a shopping trip or simply checking in on a resident, Christine sees community as something built in small, everyday moments.

For Owen McCarthy, that connection runs especially deep. Owen first came to South Boston NDC as a tenant (and is still a tenant), later became a contractor, and today serves as Maintenance Manager — taking care of the very properties that give him stability. “I’m close to [the residents]. I connect with them,” he says. “I know everything they are going through, too, because I’m in the same situation.”

For Owen, the work is powerful: fixing what’s broken, helping where he’s needed, and keeping home safe for his neighbors.

Courtney Mulligan’s journey started young at South Boston NDC — at just 13 years old as a Youth Ambassador. Today, as the Farmers Market and Community Gardens Manager, she continues to invest in her neighborhood’s future. “Growing up in affordable housing, I understand how important it is to have a safe, supportive place to live.”

From planting flowers as a teen to leading community events as an adult, Courtney embodies what it means to grow with — and give back to — South Boston.

As Director of Development & Communications, Ginger DeShaney helps share those stories of impact. “Behind every apartment door is a story of resilience, hope, and community,” she says. “Sharing those stories helps people understand that affordable housing isn’t just about buildings — it’s about people.”

The South Boston NDC team is united by a single purpose: to keep South Boston a place where everyone — regardless of income — can build a life, raise a family, and feel at home.

This work is personal. It’s not just what we do — it’s who we are.