The City of Roswell has appointed Michelle Alexander as its new Senior Director of Community Development. With more than two decades of experience in strategic planning and placemaking, Alexander brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to this vital role. She officially joined the team on May 6, 2024.
Alexander’s career began in international development, focusing on institutional capacity building. She later transitioned to local government and consulting roles, where she has been instrumental in shaping development strategies across Metro Atlanta. Her work emphasizes equity, access, implementation, resource planning, and delivery.
Before joining Roswell, Alexander served as the Director of Economic Development and Planning in the City of College Park, where she managed a $70+ million real estate portfolio and was instrumental in generating land sales for the ambitious 300-acre “Six West” Master Plan. Her prior roles also include leading the Planning and Development Department in Chamblee, the Community Development Department in Sandy Springs, and strategic planning at The Collaborative Firm, LLC.
We are incredibly excited to welcome Michelle as the City of Roswell’s Community Development Director,” said Mayor Kurt Wilson. “Michelle’s extensive background in strategic planning and community development, along with her proven track record of transformative leadership, makes her the ideal choice to guide our City’s development initiatives. Her dedication to enhancing community engagement and her visionary approach to community planning will undoubtedly propel Roswell towards a vibrant and sustainable future. We look forward to the innovations and positive changes she will bring to the City of Roswell.”
Mayor Kurt Wilson, City of Roswell
As Roswell’s Community Development Director, Alexander will oversee the City’s development initiatives, including zoning, revitalization studies, and comprehensive plans.
I’m thrilled to work with the dynamic City of Roswell,” Alexander said. “It’s a privilege to serve a community that is so invested in its vision for a superior quality of life—whether through trails, parks, the arts, or through smart infrastructure and land planning. I’m excited to be a part of the team as the City works with its sister cities to lead the region.”
Michelle Alexander, Senior Director of Community Development
Alexander received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison and Friedrich Wilhelm Universität (Bonn, Germany). She earned a master’s degree in Development Studies and Regional Planning and completed doctoral work at Cornell University.
Alexander is multilingual, being fluent in Spanish and near-fluent in German. She actively participates in regional housing policy efforts and is a member of various economic and planning organizations.
