Blog

We are delighted to welcome Bridgit Adamou as our new Board President. Bridgit brings both deep community roots and a genuine commitment to our mission. Since joining the Board in January 2024, she has shown thoughtful leadership, a collaborative spirit, and a strong passion for expanding access to affordable homeownership.

Her path to board leadership reflects a lifelong dedication to community involvement, from serving as PTA Vice President and School Improvement Team representative at her children’s local elementary school to serving in the Peace Corps in Vanuatu. She has been volunteering since her teenage years, making service a constant in her life.

That connection became even more personal when she became a CHT homeowner in January 2011. Grateful for the opportunity, she was inspired to give back in a more meaningful way.

Originally from Wisconsin, Bridgit moved to Chapel Hill from Boston in 2009 to work at UNC’s Carolina Population Center. She, her husband, and their two daughters have built a life here rooted in community. Their family has loved growing in their neighborhood; walking to school, spending time in the neighborhood parks and pool, and exploring nearby trails. Their younger daughter was born just a year after they purchased their home, making their connection to CHT even more meaningful.

When invited to step into this leadership role, Bridgit gave it thoughtful consideration before accepting. Today, she describes the opportunity as both meaningful and energizing. “It’s exciting to be part of CHT in such a meaningful way,” she shared, especially at a time when the organization’s work feels more important than ever.

As she steps into this role, she highlights two key themes. First is the growth ahead for both CHT and the larger community, an important priority for both the board and staff. Second is the broader housing landscape. As home prices continue to rise, homeownership is slipping out of reach for many, and more people are recognizing the urgency of finding solutions.

In Chapel Hill alone, about 40,000 people commute into town each day but cannot afford to live here. This reality highlights CHT’s impact. “CHT already has solutions in place,” she notes, emphasizing the organization’s unique role in addressing this need.

As both a board member and a parent, she sees how housing affordability shapes the broader community. Declining school enrollment and shifting demographics point to the need for more accessible homeownership. She believes this is key to welcoming more families, strengthening schools, and supporting vibrant neighborhoods.

Since stepping into her new role, she has gained an even deeper appreciation for CHT’s impact beyond the local level. “I didn’t fully realize how much CHT is seen as a model for best practices,” she shared. The organization’s effectiveness, structure, and long-standing success have made it an example for other community land trusts across the country.

Looking ahead, she is eager to explore important questions about CHT’s future, how it can grow, where it can expand, and how it can continue to stay grounded in its mission. “It’s important to keep an open mind about what role CHT can play,” she says.

 Bridgit brings not only professional expertise and community experience, but also the perspective of a homeowner and parent deeply invested in Chapel Hill’s future.

“I’m excited for this opportunity and truly grateful,” she says. “The staff and board are incredible people, and it’s really special to work alongside them.”

We are honored to welcome her as Board President and look forward to the leadership, insight, and energy she will bring in the years ahead.