Connecticut Municipal Development Authority Welcomes Two Key Hires to Advance Statewide Growth and Partnerships

Connecticut —November 17, 2025— The Connecticut Municipal Development Authority (CMDA) announced today the addition of two new team members who will play key roles in expanding the agency's mission to create vibrant, walkable, and transit-oriented communities across the state.

Natalie Deduck joins CMDA as Director of Operations and Finance. Natalie brings more than a decade of experience creating partnerships, growing organizations, and implementing projects that reimagine underutilized spaces for the public’s benefit.

In her previous role as the Deputy Director of Dispositions for the City of Boston, Ms. Deduck led the creation of public-private partnerships that brought new life to publicly owned land—transforming sites into public libraries, affordable housing, commercial spaces, and parks. Before her time with the City of Boston, she worked in leasing and community engagement at Bok in Philadelphia, a historic school adaptively reused into a center for over 200 local small businesses and artists.

“Natalie’s experience leading transformative public-private partnerships and her deep understanding of the financial tools necessary to bring underutilized properties back to life will be an enormous asset to CMDA’s work,” said David Kooris, Executive Director of CMDA. “Her insight into both government and community-driven redevelopment aligns perfectly with our mission to help municipalities grow sustainably and inclusively.”

A second key addition, Emily Hultquist, recently joined CMDA as a Program Manager, focusing on expanding municipal engagement and supporting implementation of Housing Growth Zones across Connecticut, all while documenting CMDA’s growth and success. 

Ms. Hultquist has two decades of professional experience in land use, transportation planning, economic development and urban design in Connecticut. She has spent the majority of her career working in regional planning, most recently serving as the Deputy Director of the Northwest Hills Council of Governments (NHCOG) in the 21 towns of the northwest corner of CT. Prior to NHCOG, Ms. Hultquist served as Director of Policy and Planning/Community Development at the Capitol Region Council of Governments in Hartford, CT, an agency she worked at for 13 years in both the Transportation and Planning Departments. 

“Emily’s deep understanding of Connecticut’s regional dynamics and her two decades of leadership in planning and development make her an exceptional addition to the CMDA team,” said Kooris. “Her experience working directly with municipalities across the state—combined with her expertise in land use, transportation, and community development—will be invaluable as we continue to partner with towns to implement transformative, locally driven projects.”

Together, these hires strengthen CMDA’s capacity to partner with cities and towns across Connecticut to streamline development processes, increase housing production near transit, and support economic vitality through community-centered design. With 30 municipalities across the state now engaged, CMDA has established itself as a key player in shaping Connecticut’s housing future.

About the Connecticut Municipal Development Authority (CMDA): 

The Connecticut Municipal Development Authority (CMDA) is a quasi-public state agency dedicated to empowering Connecticut municipalities to achieve their housing and economic development goals. CMDA specializes in facilitating the development of vibrant, walkable downtowns near transit hubs, fostering sustainable and equitable communities across the state.