Leadership

Vice President of Governance

Katessa Archer

As Vice President and Project Partner at Dominium, Katessa Archer is responsible for new project development, acquisition, and financing. Her daily responsibilities include analyzing new acquisition and development opportunities, determining project feasibility, overseeing design and construction, structuring partnerships, and negotiating with lenders, investors and third-party vendors. Since joining Dominium in 2018, Archer has worked on a variety of project types including general partner interest acquisition, acquisitions and rehabilitation of existing apartment communities, ground-up new construction projects, as well as adaptive reuse projects.

During her tenure, Archer has been involved in the acquisition and/or development of more than 2600 units, placement, or assumption of nearly $500 million in debt, over $200 million in equity and totaling more than $500 million in total development costs. Archer graduated Cum Laude from the University of Minnesota as an Honors Scholar with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies. She recently moved from Minneapolis to Atlanta to help grow Dominium’s development team throughout the Southeast region.

Vice President of Strategic Partnership

Julia Kaercher

Julia Kaercher serves as the Executive Director of Merchants Foundation, where she champions the organization’s mission to improve lives and strengthen communities by facilitating access to quality housing, healthcare, and education nationwide.

Her journey in the affordable housing sector began with her role as the Vice President of Program Development at Merchants Affordable Housing Corp (now rebranded as RDOOR Housing Corp.). During this tenure, Julia played a pivotal role in project development and funding applications for the company and its consulting clients. Additionally, she was instrumental in coordinating various community events.

Julia’s proficiency in writing funding applications has led to her success in securing funding from multiple institutions, further bolstering the efforts to make affordable housing a reality for many. Her commitment to the cause of affordable housing and her not-for-profit expertise have been instrumental in shaping her passion project, Women’s Affordable Housing Network. This national nonprofit organization is dedicated to promoting women’s empowerment and fostering workplace equity for all individuals within the affordable housing sector. Julia serves on the National WAHN Board of Directors as Treasurer and is the President of the Board of Directors for the Indiana WAHN Chapter.

With her diverse expertise, Julia Kaercher is devoted to ensuring that Merchants Foundation leaves a profound and enduring impact of hope and well-being in the communities it serves. Her unwavering dedication to expanding opportunities for individuals to access quality housing, healthcare, and education is a driving force behind her contributions at Merchants Foundation.

National Secretary

Esmeralda Montalvo

Esmeralda Montalvo serves as the Business Development Coordinator and Client Liaison at Longwell Riess, L.L.C., a nationally recognized, women-owned transactional law firm focused on affordable housing, community and economic development transactions. With more than 20 years of experience in the affordable housing industry, Esmeralda brings a strategic, relationship-driven approach to client engagement and firm growth. She plays a central role in identifying and evaluating new business opportunities, researching market trends and competitors, and developing data-informed growth strategies that expand the firm’s reach and impact. 

In her role, Esmeralda manages and executes responses to Requests for Proposals, tracks return on investment, and collaborates closely with attorneys and practice leaders to craft tailored client-pursuit and business development plans. She secures speaking engagements, sponsorships, and visibility opportunities aligned with firm goals while serving as a primary point of contact for key clients to ensure satisfaction and cultivate long-term partnerships. Her work also includes facilitating cross-selling initiatives across practice areas, anticipating client needs, and proactively delivering solutions that strengthen relationships and drive results. 

Esmeralda partners with marketing and leadership teams to develop content, coordinate public relations efforts, and establish measurable metrics for business development success. She regularly assists attorneys on networking, client development, and relationship-building best practices, and provides progress reporting that supports informed strategic decision-making. In addition to her professional responsibilities, Esmeralda serves as the National Secretary of the National Women’s Affordable Housing Network, and is an active industry leader through her service on the TAAHP Conference Committee and the TAAHP LAMA Houston Events Committee, where she helps shape educational programming, networking opportunities, and industry engagement across the affordable housing sector. 

President & CEO

Ashley Northcutt

Ashley Northcutt is the President of the National Women’s Affordable Housing Network (WAHN), a 501(c)(3) organization focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. WAHN provides support to and empowers women working in the industry with intentional connection, education, and active allyship. The Network includes representatives from government agencies, lenders and other financial institutions, investors, developers, professional service providers, and nonprofit organizations.

Ashley’s prior career was in public accounting and she worked at PricewaterhouseCoopers and other national accounting firms. Northcutt left her job as Tax Partner at an accounting firm that specialized in the Affordable Housing industry in December 2022 due to the growth of WAHN. She specialized in the areas of real estate taxation, not-for-profit organizations, and affordable housing. Northcutt is deeply committed to serving historically underrepresented communities and advocates for fair and equitable housing practices and policies.

Ashley has more than 10 years of experience in tax planning and compliance for multifamily real estate, commercial real estate, and construction companies. She has extensive knowledge of tax credit programs at the federal and state levels, including low-income housing tax credits and historic tax credits. Her focus was partnership and individual tax law. Ashley also reviews, implements, and applies cost segregation studies. Additionally, Ashley was a key member of the tax leadership team and excels at training, supervising, and mentoring.

She is a native of Charlotte, N.C., and moved to the Atlanta area in 2013.

National Vice President

Sadie Nott

Sadie Nott is Vice President, Relationship Manager at National Equity Fund, Inc. (“NEF”), a national tax credit syndicator based in Chicago, IL. In her current remote role based out of Durham, NC, she focuses on Low Income Housing Tax Credit (“LIHTC”) transactions on the East Coast and works directly with NEF’s investor partners on the placement of deals across proprietary funds. Prior to joining NEF, Sadie worked at WNC & Associates, where she wore hats in Investor Relations and Originations, and previously in Underwriting. As a result, Sadie has significant experience in the structuring and underwriting of both 9% and 4% deals as well as transactions benefiting from state credits or RD and HUD financing. Sadie began her LIHTC career in Acquisitions at CAHEC, a regional tax credit syndicator based in Raleigh, NC, where she was responsible for both originating equity offers and underwriting deals throughout the mid-Atlantic and Southeast.

In 2018, Sadie attended a WAHN luncheon in Atlanta, and her world was forever changed. She was a founding member of NCWAHN and stepped down as President of the chapter in 2023. Sadie received a master’s degree in City and Regional Planning from UNC-Chapel Hill and a B.A. from Bowdoin College in Visual Art. Originally from the New York City area, you’ll find her on the frisbee field or pickleball court when she’s not exploring North Carolina with her husband and son.

Vice President of Ally

Mark Shelburne

Mark Shelburne is a housing policy consultant with Novogradac. His work includes consulting with state agencies, local governments, equity providers, lenders, attorneys, and developers on topics including allocation, compliance, HOME, revitalization, supportive housing and tax-exempt bonds. Shelburne previously served as Counsel and Policy Coordinator at the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency and Director of the Office of Housing Finance and Development at the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. In his career he has revised and/or implemented 38 qualified allocation plans in 16 states, testified before Congress, administered resources to create more than 30,000 affordable apartments, and led work resulting in four national awards. He has degrees in law, planning, and public policy from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Vice President of Communications

Angie Truitt

Angie Truitt, J.D., is a Executive Partner at Joseph Chris Partners, where she helps companies and organizations add skilled professionals to their teams and professionals take new career steps in the real estate development and construction industries. Angie also manages the team’s social media, web content, branding, internal recruiting, onboarding, hiring, and training efforts, and she has led many internal and external company initiatives.

A practicing commercial litigator in her former life, Angie enjoys working in the affordable housing industry, a niche she has been dedicated to for the decade. Angie’s network of affordable housing professionals spans the country, and she was thrilled for the opportunity to connect that network to the wonderful opportunities WAHN offers its members. Angie currently serves as the Board’s Vice President of Communications. Angie is a member of the State Bar of Texas and the Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers.

Angie grew up a military brat and has lived all over the country and in Panama. Kansas is home, and she earned her BBA in Marketing from her dad’s alma mater, Washburn University, there in 1994. But she’s lived in the Houston, Texas, area since 1999 after graduating from Baylor University School of Law. She’s got a daughter in college and five rescue pups. Angie loves to travel with her daughter, is an avid Dallas Cowboys and Houston Astros fan (and gets plenty of grief for both) and is writing her first book. She is passionate about all issues related to equality and makes the most amazing banana bread in the world.

Board Member

Jenn H. Wilkinson

As Regional Vice President, Jenn is responsible for supporting and advancing UDG’s development opportunities across the Southeast. Jenn has developed more than 5,700 units of affordable housing and market rate housing over nine southern states.

Jenn has been involved in all facets of multi-family housing since 1991 and focused on affordable housing in the Southeast since 2005. Her roles in the industry have led her to diverse experience with property search, acquisition, underwriting, funding, design, construction, third-party supervision, marketing, relocation, placed in service, lease-up, management and compliance. In addition, her responsibilities for development also include working with lenders, investors, local municipalities, state housing agencies and legislation at state and federal level. She has experience with public housing authorities, Housing and Urban Development as well as Rural Development.

Jenn studied Business Administration from the University of Alabama with a minor in Advertising/Marketing, Public Relations. She has completed the universities courses for Real Estate Management and Construction. Jenn is a Board Member of Women’s Affordable Housing Network (SCWAHN) and a Member of CREW Charleston, Urban Land Institute South Carolina and certified Accredited Residential Manager with IREM.

Board Member

Katrina Washington

Katrina Washington is the Executive Director of Neighborhood Housing Services Oklahoma (NHSOKLA) and Managing Broker of Stratos Realty Group. With more than 30 years of experience in affordable housing, community development, and residential and commercial real estate, she has represented clients in more than 2,500 transactions across Maryland, Oklahoma, and Georgia.

Katrina is recognized for her expertise in real estate market analysis, affordable housing, homeownership, and community development. Her work is centered on expanding access to housing, strengthening neighborhoods, and creating opportunities for underserved households to build long-term economic stability and generational wealth.

She currently serves as Board Chair of Neighborhood Alliance of Central Oklahoma and is a past Chair of the Oklahoma City Branch Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. She has also served on the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City’s Community Development Advisory Council and held leadership roles with numerous state and local real estate, housing, and community organizations.

Professional Development

Beth Baar

Beth Baar is Vice President of Asset Management, Construction and Stabilized Assets at Cinnaire, where she leads teams responsible for the oversight of construction-phase and stabilized affordable housing portfolios. With more than 20 years of experience in affordable housing and real estate, Beth is a respected leader known for her deep operational expertise, regulatory knowledge, and commitment to expanding access to safe, high‑quality, affordable housing.

Beth has extensive experience managing complex real estate portfolios and leading large, cross‑functional teams. During her tenure at Cinnaire, she has held multiple leadership roles, including Construction and Lease‑Up Manager. Prior to joining Cinnaire, she served in several senior positions at CAP Services, Inc., most notably as Director of Real Estate Services. Throughout her career, Beth has focused on compliance and performance across key housing programs, including LIHTC, HOME, AHP, and Section 8. She has also contributed to workforce development through teaching at Fox Valley Technical College and instructing entrepreneurial courses for CAP Services.

A strong advocate for people‑centered leadership, Beth emphasizes emotional intelligence and the “speed of trust” as foundational elements of effective team performance. She is also a recognized innovator in the affordable housing industry, leading efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into asset management workflows. At Cinnaire, she has developed AI tools such as LIZA, the LIHTC Expert, and Charlie, the Compliance Agent, to improve efficiency, consistency, and access to technical expertise.

Beth was elected to the WAHN National Board of Directors in May 2026, and serves on the Professional Development committee of the organization.

Beth’s leadership and impact have been recognized through multiple professional honors, including the WAHNderful Woman of the Year Award (2025), WAHN 50 Over 50 2026, NASLEF Emerging Leader of the Year (2022), and the Federal Home Loan Bank Community First Emerging Leader Award (2016).

Strategic Partnership

Jeanne Marie Coronado

Jeanne Marie Coronado is a member of CBRE Affordable Housing where she originates refinance, bridge, re-syndication, construction, and permanent loans, with particular focus on tax-exempt bond financing, both LIHTC and non-LIHTC executions. Since joining CBRE in 2017, Ms. Coronado has been involved in the origination of over $1.5 Billion in affordable housing loans.

An affordable housing advocate with more than fifteen years of experience, Ms. Coronado started her career as an asset manager for a nonprofit developer in southern California, and also worked in construction lending and portfolio management for US Bank. Leveraging this prior experience in asset management enables Ms. Coronado to assist her clients in portfolio level financial analysis, assessing properties on a micro and macro level within the context of the organization and its long-term ownership goals. Additionally, Ms. Coronado’s prior work overseeing new construction tax credit lease-ups and occupied rehabs uniquely suit her in assisting clients with permanent financing of resyndication and new construction affordable housing transactions.

Prior to joining CBRE, Ms. Coronado graduated at the top of her class with an MBA from the University of Bath in the United Kingdom. She served as an inaugural member of the national CREW Affordable Housing Council and is currently on the Women’s Affordable Housing Network Advisory Board. Ms. Coronado is 2024 recipient of the Affordable Housing Finance Rising Star award and has dedicated her career to affordable housing in the belief that everyone deserves a safe place to call home.

Professional Growth

Jill Cromartie

Jill brings a wide berth of experience to the real estate and housing industries with vast knowledge in all parts of the real estate life cycle from acquisition, underwriting, asset management, property management, and dispositions. She possesses strong technical knowledge of government funding programs including the LIHTC, HOME, and NHTF.

Jill provides consulting services in Development, State Relations, and DEI in Affordable Housing. She is HCCP certified, and currently serves on the HCCP Board of Governors and Women’s Affordable Housing Network (National) Advisory Panel.

HR

Debbie Dancy

Debbie’s career in Human Resources and specifically, public accounting began in 1996 with a then Big 8 Accounting Firm.  Subsequently, the bulk of her career has been spent with a large national firm before transitioning to her current role where to leads the People and Culture function for the Risk Advisory and Compliance practice for Moss Adams.

Her focus has been in the areas of Staff Development and Performance Management, Strategic Planning, Workforce Planning, Manpower Planning, Compensation Analysis, Human Resources Operations, Executive Coaching, Employee Relations and Succession Planning.  Debbie has lent her expertise to a variety of organizations including but not limited to:

• Women’s Affordable Housing Network, Advisory Counsel
• North Carolina Women’s Affordable Housing Network, Policy Chair
• Appalachian State University, Accounting Advisory Board
• North Carolina State University, Accounting Advisory Board
• Wake Forest University, Accounting Advisory Board
• Charlotte Mecklenburg Schools Childrens Advocacy Group

Development & Construction

Fred Dodson

Fred Dodson has devoted his professional career to providing affordable housing. He is the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of DreamKey Partners, Inc., where he manages the organization’s real estate development and construction activities. Before joining DreamKey in 1997, he gained experience directing the Hospitality House of Boone, a North Carolina homeless shelter, the New River Valley Habitat for Humanity Affiliate, and the Montgomery County Community Shelter in Virginia. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Appalachian State University and a Juris Doctorate from the University of Tennessee College of Law. During his 27 years with DreamKey, he helped the organization grow its real estate portfolio from 400 to over 3000 units. He has also led the organization in its geographic footprint to South Carolina and Georgia.

Legal

Mattye Jones

Mattye is a Director with Coats Rose, where she assists developers with tax credits and bond financing, community development, and legislative matters in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, California, Oklahoma, Kansas, and U.S. Virgin Islands. She has supervised the handling of diverse legal matters before federal and state courts in the areas of fair housing, tax matters, insurance, landlord/tenant issues and civil rights discrimination and construction issues. She has also handled the oversight of employment issues, procurement, compliance and other public housing matters. Mattye has closed transactions financed by 9% tax credits, as well as mixed finance transactions utilizing 4% tax credits plus bonds including rebuilding of the Gulf Coast utilizing Go Zone financing after the 2005 and 2007 hurricanes and assists clients with developments that utilize disaster relief funds. She has experience in the U.S. Department of Treasury’s New Market Tax Credit program, Community Development Entities (CDE), commercial and community development, legislation, and governmental affairs. Prior to joining the

of the Dallas Housing Authority (DHA). During this time, she managed the initiatives to leverage millions of dollars to revitalize distressed sectors of Dallas, Texas. She also coordinated efforts to ensure redevelopment through the management of tax credit awards, coordination of public meetings and supervision of historical clearance issues and other regulatory compliance issues. Ms. Jones has supervised the handling of diverse legal matters before federal and state courts in the areas of fair housing, tax matters, insurance, landlord/tenant issues and civil rights discrimination and construction issues.

Development & Innovation

Stacy Kaplowitz

Stacy Kaplowitz is Vice President and Managing Regional Partner at Lincoln Avenue Communities, where she leads the Regional Project Partner Development platform. With more than 21 years of experience in affordable multifamily development and public–private partnerships, Stacy is a proven relationship-builder and strategic leader who delivers market-responsive, affordable communities by aligning public and private resources and executing creative financing strategies that ensure long-term vitality and measurable community impact.

Previously, Stacy served as Vice President at KCG Development, where she founded and scaled the firm’s Mid-Atlantic platform, growing it to a portfolio exceeding $210 million. Prior to KCG, Stacy worked at Brailsford & Dunlavey, where she developed student housing master plans for clients such as Rutgers University and George Mason University and advised clients on positioning workforce housing as a strategic recruitment tool. Earlier, as Development Director at Herman & Kittle Properties (Kittle Property Group) and as Project Manager at DMA Development Co., she oversaw the development of more than 650 affordable rental housing units totaling approximately $119 million across Texas, Louisiana, and the Mid-Atlantic. She also previously served as a real estate officer for the District of Columbia, where she managed a portfolio of District-owned properties.

Stacy currently chairs the Board of Commissioners of Rockville Housing Enterprises in her hometown of Rockville, MD.

Developer & Consultant

Richelle Patton

Richelle has been in the affordable housing development field since 1994 and has been involved in the development or preservation of over 25,000 units of affordable rental housing. She serves as an owner/developer as well as provides development consulting to owners and housing authorities, with a specialty in LIHTCs, Section 8 rental assistance, and HUD’s Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) program. Prior to founding Collaborative Housing Solutions, she founded and co-led Tapestry Development Group for nine years, a successful development and consulting organization.

She previously served with a large non-profit development organization for twelve years, serving as the President of its real estate development arm in her last position. Her expertise includes multi-layered financing and fostering collaboration between public and private sectors to develop mixed-income housing. She serves as subject matter expert in efforts with state and federal agencies to create new and creative financing programs and policies for affordable housing development.

She has served as a speaker and trainer to a variety of stakeholder groups in the affordable housing field. She is active with several trade associations to advocate for sound public policies that support affordable housing. She is currently a member of the Board of Directors of the National Housing & Rehabilitation Association and serves as Chair of the RAD Committee of the Georgia Association of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities. She co-founded and for 11 years, co-chaired the Women’s Affordable Housing Network, an Atlanta-based effort to support women in the industry, which has expanded to multiple chapters across the country, and she currently serves on the Advisory Board of the national WAHN.

She has earned several recognitions in the real estate industry including a Women in Real Estate Award from the national commercial real estate online platform Connect Media; was named one of “The Leaders” from the Women’s Leadership Initiative of the Atlanta chapter of the Urban Land Institute for her extraordinary contribution to the built environment; was named as one of the top 12 Young Leaders in Affordable Housing in the nation by Affordable Housing Finance magazine; received the Founders Award from WAHN; and received a POW! Award from the online publication Womenetics for serving as a model of a purposeful businesswoman.

She is a graduate of the Leadership Atlanta Class of 2010. She earned a B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Master of City Planning from Georgia Tech. She completed an Executive Education program within the Social Enterprise Initiative at the Harvard Business School. She serves on several committees at her church and her children’s schools, as well as mentoring younger developers in the affordable housing industry.

Finance

Heather Perry

Heather has specialized in the real estate industry since 1998. During that time, she has provided a variety of accounting and auditing services for numerous limited liability companies, corporations, partnerships, and not-for-profit entities owning various real estate developments. These audits have been prepared for HUD, RD, and various debt and equity providers. She has prepared and reviewed numerous Certificates of Actual Cost for both the contractor and mortgagor as required by HUD, and cost certifications required by different state agencies for utilization of LIHTC. Heather is very experienced with audits that adhere to HUD, IRC Section 42 and RD guidelines. Heather’s portfolio of clients includes primarily multi-engagement affordable housing clients in both the for-profit and nonprofit sectors. These organizations have entities financed with low-income housing tax credits, RD loans, HUD 202/811 mortgages and direct loans, 223(f), 221(d)(3), 221(d)(4) and 236 HUD-insured mortgages.

Heather serves as DOZ’s Managing Member and Chief Executive Officer, responsible for overseeing the management of the firm, and working directly with the Executive Committee, Members and various department directors to ensure all areas of the firm are working together to meet our clients’ needs and achieve the firm’s goals.

Heather’s duties as an Audit Member include overseeing all aspects of the audit process. Her audit duties include ensuring engagements are properly staffed with the required experience and abilities, scheduling the fieldwork, reviewing financial statements, and meeting all applicable audit and tax deadlines. Throughout the engagement, Heather is in contact with the audit team and client to ensure exceptional client service is provided. In addition, she provides resources for the client concerning acquisition and rehabilitation strategies, grant and loan considerations, and accounting treatment of complex transactions.

Heather annually exceeds the minimum levels of continuing education required for Certified Public Accountants. Heather has also spoken at a number of conferences and trade association meetings on the topics of affordable housing finance and compliance.

Chapter Relations Advisor

Stephanie Rhodes

Stephanie Rhodes, Senior Portfolio Manager at National Church Residences, leads strategic asset management for the organization’s HUD Section 202 PRAC portfolio. She develops and executes asset plans for over 70 properties, driving optimal financial performance through successful HUD Budget-Based Rent Increases (BBRI), capital planning, and RAD for PRAC conversions. Stephanie serves as the primary liaison with HUD, shaping policy and procedure strategies and overseeing recapitalization efforts using innovative funding tools such as the HUD Green and Resilient Retrofit Program (GRRP).

Since joining National Church Residences in 2017, Stephanie has held progressive roles in development and asset management. Her accomplishments include securing over $15 million in GRRP funding across five states, leading the nation’s first RAD for PRAC conversion, and managing a portfolio of complex affordable housing transactions. She has successfully closed deals using 9% and 4% LIHTC, paired with soft financing sources such as Capital Magnet Funds, HOME, FHLB, and Ohio Housing Trust Funds. Stephanie also secured and led the implementation of two Capital Magnet Fund awards totaling $11M and developed sustainability strategies that integrate green standards across the organization’s portfolio.

Stephanie is the past President and a founding board member of the Ohio Women’s Affordable Housing Network (OWAHN), where she has launched scholarship and mentorship programs and secured substantial sponsorships to advance women in the affordable housing industry. She holds a Master’s in City and Regional Planning and a Bachelor’s in Social Work from The Ohio State University.

Property Management

Kimberlee Schreiber

Diversity, Equity & Organizational Culture Strategy

Malaika Marable Serrano, Ph.D.

Malaika Marable Serrano, Ph.D. is a mission-driven scholar-practitioner with more than 20 years of leadership experience across higher education, nonprofit, corporate, and association sectors. Access to safe, affordable housing transformed her mother’s life and set a new trajectory for her family, grounding her long-standing commitment to equity, stability, and opportunity for women and families. She is honored to serve on the Women’s Affordable Housing Network Board in support of policies, programs, and partnerships that advance housing justice.

Dr. Serrano currently serves as Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Computer Science at Morehouse College and previously served as Vice President for Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging at Guild, where she led organization-wide inclusive practices. Her career includes senior leadership roles at WorldStrides and Semester at Sea, along with faculty and administrative appointments at the University of Maryland, the University of Tennessee, and multiple nonprofit organizations. Known for her expertise in inclusive program design, leadership development, and organizational effectiveness, she has led large-scale programs, multimillion-dollar budgets, and cross-functional teams. She holds degrees from the University of Southern California and the University of Maryland, and a Ph.D. from the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, and also serves on the boards of NAFSA, Fulbright Canada, and the Fund for Education Abroad.

Policy

Tracey Scott

Acquisitions

Cat Vielma

Born in Chile and raised in Chicago, my definition of “home” is simple: affordable, safe, and filled with those you love. I’ve focused my life’s work around low-income housing to ensure that hard-working families can benefit from the prosperity that a stable and affordable home brings.

I am tasked with identifying, securing, and closing tax credit investments in the beautiful Pacific Northwest, Rockies, & Midwest. I believe in the tax credit program and I balance that faith with the understanding that our communities and developers need more tools at their disposal to fight our housing crisis – preservation funds, state housing tax credits, workforce housing equity, and so much more… I’m grateful to have played a small role in financing approximately 100,000 apartments of affordable housing and counting…

I’ve had the pleasure of speaking at AHF Live, NCSHA, NAHRO, Illinois Housing Council, Housing Colorado, Housing Oregon, Housing Washington (sensing a trend?) and more… Right now, I am thinking about the potential upcoming changes to CRA and structuring capital accounts given the rise of (much needed) secondary funding. I’m equally passionate about equity and inclusion issues – as a woman of color, I see the disparity in the financing industry and tenant outcomes.

A few of my favorite acronyms:
LIHTCs, PABs, PSH, RAD, PRAC, ACC, 236, AHF Live!

Vice President of Governance

Katessa Archer

As Vice President and Project Partner at Dominium, Katessa Archer is responsible for new project development, acquisition, and financing. Her daily responsibilities include analyzing new acquisition and development opportunities, determining project feasibility, overseeing design and construction, structuring partnerships, and negotiating with lenders, investors and third-party vendors. Since joining Dominium in 2018, Archer has worked on a variety of project types including general partner interest acquisition, acquisitions and rehabilitation of existing apartment communities, ground-up new construction projects, as well as adaptive reuse projects.

During her tenure, Archer has been involved in the acquisition and/or development of more than 2600 units, placement, or assumption of nearly $500 million in debt, over $200 million in equity and totaling more than $500 million in total development costs. Archer graduated Cum Laude from the University of Minnesota as an Honors Scholar with a Bachelor of Science in Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies. She recently moved from Minneapolis to Atlanta to help grow Dominium’s development team throughout the Southeast region.

Professional Development

Beth Baar

Beth Baar is Vice President of Asset Management, Construction and Stabilized Assets at Cinnaire, where she leads teams responsible for the oversight of construction-phase and stabilized affordable housing portfolios. With more than 20 years of experience in affordable housing and real estate, Beth is a respected leader known for her deep operational expertise, regulatory knowledge, and commitment to expanding access to safe, high‑quality, affordable housing.

Beth has extensive experience managing complex real estate portfolios and leading large, cross‑functional teams. During her tenure at Cinnaire, she has held multiple leadership roles, including Construction and Lease‑Up Manager. Prior to joining Cinnaire, she served in several senior positions at CAP Services, Inc., most notably as Director of Real Estate Services. Throughout her career, Beth has focused on compliance and performance across key housing programs, including LIHTC, HOME, AHP, and Section 8. She has also contributed to workforce development through teaching at Fox Valley Technical College and instructing entrepreneurial courses for CAP Services.

A strong advocate for people‑centered leadership, Beth emphasizes emotional intelligence and the “speed of trust” as foundational elements of effective team performance. She is also a recognized innovator in the affordable housing industry, leading efforts to integrate artificial intelligence into asset management workflows. At Cinnaire, she has developed AI tools such as LIZA, the LIHTC Expert, and Charlie, the Compliance Agent, to improve efficiency, consistency, and access to technical expertise.

Beth was elected to the WAHN National Board of Directors in May 2026, and serves on the Professional Development committee of the organization.

Beth’s leadership and impact have been recognized through multiple professional honors, including the WAHNderful Woman of the Year Award (2025), WAHN 50 Over 50 2026, NASLEF Emerging Leader of the Year (2022), and the Federal Home Loan Bank Community First Emerging Leader Award (2016).

Member Engagement

Tonya Beeler

Tonya Beeler is a Senior Manager at Quadel with over a decade of experience in affordable housing. She channels her passion for meaningful engagement into both nurturing Quadel’s internal culture and shaping its external marketing strategy. In both spaces, Tonya creates environments where people connect authentically with Quadel’s mission and voice. She also project manages Quadel’s ChangeMakers podcast, amplifying industry voices and innovative solutions—and YES, she welcomes your guest suggestions!

When she’s not at her computer or hanging with her fam, Tonya can likely be found on stage at an improv class. Through improv, she’s learned that the best-laid plans often shift and that flexibility and presence are just as vital in affordable housing and mental wellbeing as they are in comedy.

Policy

Emily Cadik

Emily Cadik is the Chief Executive Officer of the Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition (AHTCC), where she leads advocacy to support affordable rental housing financed using the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (Housing Credit). Prior to joining the AHTCC, she was a Senior Director of Public Policy at Enterprise Community Partners, where she led policy and advocacy related to the Housing Credit and other affordable housing and community development issues. While at Enterprise she served on the board of the AHTCC, chairing the Legislative Committee, co-chairing the Marketing Committee, and serving on the Executive Committee since 2016. She also helped to lead the A Call To Invest in Our Neighborhoods (ACTION) Campaign, the nationwide coalition of more than 2,000 organizations and businesses advocating on behalf of the Housing Credit, and remains active in this nationwide advocacy effort. In 2017 she received the NHP Foundation’s inaugural Advocacy Award, and in 2016 was named one of Affordable Housing Finance’s Young Leaders.

Before joining Enterprise, she was a Presidential Management Fellow at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, where she served as a program coordinator for the Moving to Work demonstration and in the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs. She earned a master’s degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Texas at Austin.

National Treasurer

Alison Fossyl

Alison is a Real Estate and Construction Partner at Aprio where she has worked for more than two decades. She works with a variety of clients including controllers, CFOs, and presidents of real estate development firms, property management corporations, S-corporations, and partnerships. With a concentration in affordable housing, Alison specializes in the audit requirements of the construction and real estate industries, with extensive experience in commercial real estate and multifamily. While at Aprio she has performed more than 3600 audits and 220+ HUD cost certifications.

Director of Media Strategy & PR

Nina Galluzzo

Ms. Galluzzo brings over 25 years’ experience to her role at leading financial services provider, Merchants Capital, where she oversees communications, PR and marketing efforts as Vice President, Marketing. Prior to Merchants Capital, she served in the roles of Senior Vice President of Real Estate Banking Communications and Affordable Housing Administrative Manager at a regional bank. Ms. Galluzzo began her career at First Sterling Financial, Inc., a mid-sized real estate syndication firm, where she grew to the role of Senior Vice President, Director of Administration and Communications, leading the HR, Marketing and Administration functions for the firm. She currently serves as Co-Chair of the National Events Committee for the Women’s Affordable Housing Network (WAHN).

Ally

Ben Goates

Since 2006, Ben has originated and underwritten nearly $2B of commercial real estate debt and equity throughout the U.S. As Vice President and Director of Originations for Churchill Stateside Group, he leads a team of talented Originations Officers to provide developers of affordable and workforce housing with a variety of robust finance solutions. Having worked for both regional and national syndicators and banks, he has extensive experience in LIHTC and LP equity, Federal and State lending programs, construction and bridge facilities, traditional and private permanent debt placements, and overall capital stack structuring. Ben is a proud graduate of both The University of Utah and The Ohio State University where his business school studies focused on finance, real estate development and corporate strategy. He serves on several boards and committees, including Council for Affordable Rural Housing (CARH), Ohio Council for Affordable Rural Housing (OCARH), Kentucky Affordable Housing Coalition (KAHC), Women’s Affordable Housing Network (WAHN) Ally Committee, and the BYU Management Society of Central Ohio.

State Policy/Advocacy

Katlynn Kretz

Katlynn Kretz joined Cinnaire in 2017 and is currently serving as Manager, Capital Raising Underwriting out of our Lansing, MI office. As a Manager, she is responsible for training and developing emerging underwriting personnel as well as serving as a global resource for the organization. Katlynn has a strong background in structuring and closing affordable real estate investments across Cinnaire’s multi-state footprint, with expertise in Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), state housing tax credits, Historic Tax Credits (HTC), and opportunity zone investments. She would describe herself as a firm advocate for racial equity, accessibility, and community development. She enjoys speaking about her experience in tax credit underwriting, real estate investments, and economic development which is what excites her about getting involved in WAHN’s Policy & Advocacy Committee.

Ally

Abe Kruger

Policy

Jennifer Schwartz

Jennifer Schwartz is the Director of Tax and Housing Advocacy at the National Council of State Housing Agencies (NCSHA), where she manages NCSHA’s policy and legislative advocacy work with specific focus on the Low Income Housing Tax Credit and tax-exempt private activity Housing Bonds. On behalf of NCSHA, Jennifer co-chairs the Steering Committee of the A Call To Invest in Our Neighborhoods (ACTION) Campaign and heads the ACTION Legislative Subcommittee.  She also leads NCSHA’s work on the Emergency Rental Assistance program and oversees other NCSHA housing policy priorities, including HUD funding and programmatic issues.  She rejoined NCSHA in 2014 after previously holding the role of Senior Legislative and Policy Associate at the organization from 2001-2005.

Prior to returning to NCSHA, Jennifer was the Director of Policy and Programs for the Southern Governors’ Association, where she focused on facilitating bipartisan collaboration on policy areas including economic development, healthcare, trade, workforce development, and energy/environment. Earlier in her career, she worked as a counselor and case manager at Women’s Protective Services, a domestic violence shelter and rape crisis hotline and counseling center in Massachusetts, and as a project consultant for the Massachusetts Advocacy Center (now Massachusetts Advocates for Children), a Boston-based nonprofit children’s advocacy organization.

Jennifer earned a Master of Science degree in Public Administration and Public Policy from the London School of Economics and Political Science and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Brandeis University with a double major in Psychology and Sociology, graduating magna cum laude with Phi Beta Kappa honors.

Director of Operations & Technology

Andrea Waldrop

Andrea Waldrop is an accomplished operations, technology, and organizational leadership executive serving as Director of Operations & Technology for the National Women’s Affordable Housing Network (WAHN). With more than 20+ years of experience spanning executive administration, technology systems, operations management, research, and strategic program execution, she provides leadership across organizational operations, governance, member engagement, technology infrastructure, and large-scale initiatives that drive sustainable growth throughout the national network.

Prior to joining WAHN in 2023, Andrea built an extensive career in real estate valuation research and consulting, where she collaborated with legal professionals to conduct detailed deed and commercial property sales research, prepare exhibits for eminent domain hearings and trials, and manage bookkeeping, recordkeeping, fee allocation, and public-sector accounting coordination. Her professional background also includes information systems research and consulting, where she provided technical support for software and hardware systems, demonstrating both analytical expertise and technical proficiency.

In her role at WAHN, Andrea leverages her diverse experience to strengthen organizational infrastructure, improve operational efficiency, and support strategic growth initiatives. She manages major organizational projects from planning through execution, prepares executive-level reports and presentations, oversees daily operations, and serves as a critical liaison between the National Office and more than 35 local and university chapters. Her leadership has been instrumental in streamlining processes, enhancing organizational effectiveness, and creating scalable systems that support WAHN’s expanding membership and mission.

Recognized for her ability to align strategy with execution, Andrea has led several transformative initiatives that have strengthened WAHN’s national presence and operational capacity. She played a key leadership role in the successful implementation of WAHN’s Member and Leadership Portal, the execution of the organization’s largest National Summit with more than 580+ attendees, and the launch of the inaugural 50 Over 50 Women of Influence program. Her expertise spans technology management, process improvement, event operations, communications, data systems, compliance oversight, organizational development, and member engagement.

A trusted advisor to executive leadership, board members, chapter leaders, and strategic partners, Andrea is known for her visionary thinking, collaborative leadership style, and exceptional ability to transform complex challenges into sustainable solutions. Through her leadership, WAHN’s teams are empowered to advance the organization’s mission, enhance member experiences, and drive continued growth and success across its national and global community.

Committed to organizational excellence, innovation, and service, Andrea continues to lead initiatives that strengthen WAHN’s impact, support its evolving community, and position the organization for long-term success.