The Chelsea Economic Development Corporation has named Alice Woods as its new president, effective Jan. 1, 2026, marking a leadership transition as the organization advances long-term redevelopment efforts in Atlantic City’s Chelsea neighborhood.
Woods succeeds Elizabeth Terenik, who stepped down at the end of 2025 after serving as the organization’s founding president. Established in 2019, CEDC works with residents, businesses, and community partners to drive neighborhood revitalization and improve quality of life in one of Atlantic City’s key residential and commercial districts.
As president and chief operating officer, Woods will oversee daily operations, fiscal management, and implementation of the Chelsea Neighborhood 10-Year Plan. She manages an annual operating budget of approximately $1 million and leads a team of staff and contractors delivering programs focused on small business support, housing stability, public safety, workforce development, and community wellness.
“It is an honor to step into the role of president at this pivotal moment for both our organization and the Chelsea neighborhood,” Woods said. “We have a strong foundation, a clear vision, and a deep commitment to inclusive growth.”
A lifelong area resident, Woods brings more than 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience across New Jersey and Philadelphia, spanning human services, health care, higher education, and arts and culture. She is a graduate of Atlantic Cape Community College and Stockton University, and holds certifications as a Certified Fund Raising Executive and from the Society for Human Resource Management.
CEDC Chairman Ken Calemmo said the appointment positions the organization for its next phase of impact. “We see great opportunity in the coming years to positively affect the community—block by block,” he said.
CEDC’s service area spans roughly 0.75 square miles and includes approximately 10,000 residents and 150 small businesses, making leadership continuity and execution central to the neighborhood’s ongoing redevelopment strategy.
