WAHNcast

In celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month, WAHN is thrilled to feature the incredible Cat Vielma, a trailblazer in the affordable housing industry, and member of our Advisory Board. With over 20 years of experience spanning public, private, and nonprofit sectors, Cat has dedicated her career to ensuring that hardworking families have access to safe, affordable housing.  Born in Chile and raised in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood, Cat brings a unique and deeply personal perspective to her work as the Director of Acquisitions at Red Stone Equity Partners LLC, where she leverages tax credit investments to tackle the housing crisis across the Pacific Northwest, the Rockies, and the Midwest.

We're excited to announce the latest episode of the #WAHNcast with Kamilah McAfee, CEO of Wesley Housing in DC, as her and the company celebrate their 50th Anniversary!  Their theme is "celebrating the legacy of our past, inspiring hope for our future".  Kamilah shares her inspiring journey, starting from her first internship at a Big 5 accounting firm to leading one of the most impactful affordable housing developers, which was named Nonprofit Developer of the Year in 2022. Hear her thoughts on servant leadership, the power of adaptability, and the lessons she's learned from her unique career path in both the public and private sectors.  Some key takeaways from the episode: '- How growing up in a family business shaped her leadership approach, -'- The pivotal role of resilience and innovation in affordable housing, especially during COVID, -'- Wesley Housing's continued mission to serve the most vulnerable communities with inclusive and sustainable housing solutions.  Tune in to get inspired by Kamilah's story and the impact she's making in our industry. 

We’re thrilled to share our latest episode of the WAHNcast featuring the incredible Stacy Bliagos, Executive Director of HANAC.  It is great timimg because you can help support them at their GALA in October!!  In this inspiring conversation, Stacy dives into her journey— from growing up in an immigrant family to her early job at a fake fur factory, to building her leadership in affordable housing. Stacy shares how lessons learned from her parents and her determination to make a difference shaped her career.  Key Highlights: 🎤 The value of hard work and why compassion is key in leadership. 🎤 Navigating career transitions and the confidence it takes to embrace new challenges. 🎤 The importance of providing quality, affordable housing for seniors and why community support is vital for our aging population.  Stacy’s passion for creating safe, affordable housing, especially for seniors, shines through as she discusses the intersection of housing security and dignity.  Don’t miss this empowering episode full of practical insights and heartfelt moments.  🎧 Tune in now and get inspired by Stacy's leadership journey! #AffordableHousing #WomenInLeadership #WAHN #CommunityBuilding

In our latest episode, we are thrilled to sit down with Lopa Kolluri, Senior VP at M&T Bank, whose international and stateside journey in housing finance has transformed lives across sectors. From her early work in global development to leading affordable housing efforts here in the U.S., Lopa shares the powerful story of migration, community, and the pivotal role of home. Tune in to hear her insights on navigating challenges, breaking barriers as a woman of color, and the importance of mentorship. Don’t miss it! 

Hear from the 3rd Generation leaders of the Atlanta Chapter

Join us for an inspiring power hour with Commissioner Eileen Higgins, a trailblazer and someone who has a lifetime of community service in communities she has lived around the world. She delves into her impactful work with innovative mixed-income projects and transformative community initiatives. An especially insightful part of the discussion is around logical interaction between government, legislators, and the housing authority to ensure budgeting, permitting and more do not hold us to the development of new projects.  This dynamic discussion highlights her dedication to improving lives and fostering vibrant, inclusive communities.

Hear from the leaders of the original Ohio Chapter. 

Sharon's enthusiasm is truly infectious. Her unwavering commitment to aiding individuals with health and housing needs is unparalleled, and we consider ourselves fortunate to have her passion driving our industry forward. She articulates the profound impact of housing shortages, highlighting the alarming statistic that only one in four individuals in need of housing assistance actually receive it. Sharon compellingly argues that this crisis extends beyond shelter, framing it as a critical national security issue. Tune in to discover why housing is a security concern!

Hear from the leaders of the original Indiana Chapter. 

Join Ms. Hazel Ann Harris as she reflects on her upbringing in Georgia's cotton fields and the joy of her family's first home, highlighting the resilient community spirit and her mother's influence as a community leader. Enjoy hearing Ms. Harris's pride in her accomplished children, including Malaika Serrano who joins her for this episode, and her heartfelt bond with her grandchildren, topped off with a touching recital of a cherished poem passed down through generations.