MassDevelopment Hires Misha Thomas as TDI Fellow 

MassDevelopment has hired Misha Thomas as a new transformative development initiative (TDI) fellow, who will work full-time in the Taunton TDI district for the next two years. TDI is MassDevelopment’s place-based economic development program for Gateway City downtowns and  commercial districts, with a focus on real estate development, small business growth, arts and cultural amenities, placemaking, and targeted technical assistance and strategic planning.  

“Misha Thomas will serve as MassDevelopment’s point-person for Taunton, providing expertise and collaborative leadership to help local stakeholders implement their vision for economic growth in the city’s Whittenton neighborhood,” said MassDevelopment president and CEO Dan Rivera.  

In her previous role as the director of business development at CommonWealth Kitchen, Thomas played a key role in achieving over $200,000 in total sales revenue during her first year. Before that, Misha took the lead in reopening the Haley House Bakery Cafe in Roxbury. Demonstrating creative initiative, she curated a Black-Owned beer garden, orchestrated an Indigenous non-Thanksgiving event, and took the lead in organizing Roxbury’s inaugural Pride Concert.