MEET ADAM
Adam Greenman is a former educator and nonprofit leader who believes Pawtucket deserves a mayor that works as hard as its residents. Shaped by his upbringing in a small family business and a career of service, Adam’s priorities are rooted in community, accountability, and building a future grounded in Pawtucket’s history as the original start-up city and birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution.
A MAYOR WHO WORKS HARD FOR YOU
Adam wants to harness the energy and diversity of the city’s residents and communities to make Pawtucket the start-up city again. He saw the value of hard work and community firsthand growing up in his family's corner deli, and hearing stories about his family giving store credit to the customers who had recently fallen on hard times and extra food to the local church pantry. At 14, Adam began working in the back of the deli, stocking shelves, and cutting 50 bags of onions. Although his last name was on the front of the store, Adam’s parents made it clear that he would need to earn responsibility, just like his colleagues. The values Adam learned then are the same approach that he would bring to city hall - no job is too small, communities care for one another, commitments are honored, and hard work moves us forward.
SERVICE IN THE CLASSROOM AND COMMUNITY
Adam’s work ethics, values, and faith in community grew when he joined Teach For America after college. As a middle-school social studies teacher in Camden, New Jersey, Adam came to understand that education is more than a classroom. He restarted the student government program, co-created a school newspaper with students, and organized school and community clean-up days. Adam’s experiences teaching in Camden showed him the connection between education, health, housing, and affordability, propelling him into a career of service focused on these issues.
CHOOSING PAWTUCKET
Teach For America also led Adam to meet his Rhode Islander wife, Erin, who is also a Teach For America alum. When Adam and Erin were expecting their first child, Alex, in 2009, they decided to grow their family right here in Pawtucket. They couldn’t think of a more perfect place - their kids would be able to walk to Potter Burns and Goff for school, play at Slater Park, and the whole family could bike ride over to a PawSox game or a show at the Gamm Theater. Adam and Erin took comfort in knowing that a hospital was only minutes away. Most importantly, they loved Pawtucket’s diversity and the strong sense of community. Ever since Adam and Erin moved here, Pawtucket has been their home.
WORKING ON THE ISSUES THAT MATTER HERE
While growing their family, Adam built his career in Rhode Island’s nonprofit sector, focusing on the issues that matter most to Pawtucket - education, housing, affordability, and building community. He expanded access to afterschool and summer programs, led efforts to pass state affordable housing bonds, and increased access to workforce training through partnerships. While working full time, Adam went back to school at night to get his doctorate in education because he believes that we never stop learning and improving.
For the last nine years Adam served as a CEO, leading a $10 million organization focused on building and improving community for the state’s Jewish population. He led the organization through a period of tremendous growth, while navigating the community’s hardest moments, during the COVID-19 pandemic and dramatic rise in antisemitism, Adam will bring this experience to Pawtucket - building growth from within and navigating community challenges with strength and resilience.
READY TO LEAD A NEW DAY FOR PAWTUCKET
Adam has spent his career working hard for people and communities, building skills and knowledge along the way that he will put to work every day on behalf of the people of Pawtucket. He believes we can restore the pride in our city, with a mayor and city government that works as hard as the people of Pawtucket. With deep roots in service and a clear vision for the future, Adam is ready to lead a new day for Pawtucket.
