About

Catherine Peña joined the Economic Progress Institute Board in October 2024.

Catherine is a driven Business Representative for Carpenters Local 330, which represents hundreds of carpenters, pile drivers, shop and millmen, millwrights, and floor coverers working in Rhode Island. She is a builder — literally — having served most of her career in the field as a carpenter and carpenter foreman. Whereas she once built structures, now, as a Business Representative, she is helping to build a shared future for her brothers and sisters at Local 330 and for all working carpenters in the field.

Catherine advocates for labor rights, promotes union contractors, and recently spoke on the dangers of wage theft in support of the Don’t Steal Act at the US Capitol. She believes that well-paid, well-trained carpenters mean well-made, safe, and long-lasting construction that will serve the community well over time. A mom of three boys, Catherine deeply values family, life, and improving opportunities for working families. 

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