WAHNcast

Military Equity Advocate: Dominique Dove, Government Appellate Attorney with the U.S. Army JAG Corps

In honor of Veterans Day, we’re excited to share our latest WAHNcast episode featuring the inspiring Dominique Dove, Government Appellate Attorney with the U.S. Army JAG Corps and a powerful advocate for veterans and affordable housing! Join us for a deep dive into her journey championing equitable military policies, including groundbreaking changes in parental leave and support for women in the armed forces. Dominique’s work has impacted 400,000 soldiers, reshaping military policy and setting a powerful example of change.

Beyond her role as a government appellate attorney, Dominique has been recognized by the ABA as a "Top 40 Young Lawyer on the Rise" and serves as a trusted advisor to our WAHN Network. Tune in to hear her stories of resilience, her advocacy for women veterans, and her insights on shaping policies that support both family life and housing equity.

#WAHNcast #Leadership #Equity #VeteransDay #HousingAdvocate

Creative Leadership and Affordable Housing Innovation with Katie Goar

We are beyond excited to bring you the latest episode of WAHNcast, featuring Katie Goar from Quadel Consulting. In this inspiring episode, Katie shares her journey from babysitting at age 12 to leading an innovative company at the forefront of affordable housing solutions. We dive deep into the importance of creativity, leadership, and work-life balance, including how Katie empowers her team to bring their best ideas forward by creating space for innovation.  Katie also opens up about Quadel’s groundbreaking Homeownership Program, a creative initiative that supports employees in becoming first-time homeowners. The personal and professional care Katie brings to her role is nothing short of transformative. Plus, you won’t want to miss her thoughts on mentorship, leadership in affordable housing, and how she balances a career with raising a family of Five kids!

Revitalizing Communities: Insights from Nicole Ferreira

We are excited to feature Nicole Ferreira, President of CPC Mortgage Company at the Community Preservation Corporation, in our latest WAHNcast episode! Nicole has forged a remarkable career in affordable housing, holding key leadership roles across the public and private sectors, including Beacon Communities and New York State Homes and Community Renewal. As an adjunct professor at both Pratt Institute and NYU’s Shack Institute of Real Estate, she continues to shape future leaders in real estate development and finance.  In this episode, Nicole shares her inspiring journey—from her early career days at NYCHA to spearheading large-scale urban revitalization projects. She delves into the complexities of affordable housing finance and the power of community transformation. Join us for an engaging conversation with one of the industry’s most impactful leaders!  Listen now to hear Nicole’s insights and leadership strategies, and don’t forget to tune in for more upcoming WAHNcast episodes! 

Year 15 Insights from Technical Experts

In this latest WAHNcast episode, technical experts Christina Reick Loukas and Quin Seiler, shareholders at Winthrop & Weinstine, take a deep dive into the complexities of Year 15 issues in affordable housing. With decades of combined experience in construction and real estate litigation, Christina and Quin break down key red flags, legal strategies, and practical advice to help developers and partners navigate the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program.

 

What to Expect:
- Spotting potential Year 15 disputes before they arise  
- Drafting partnership agreements to avoid conflicts  
- Managing investor exits and understanding purchase options  
- Preparing early for smooth LIHTC compliance transitions  

 

If you're a developer in affordable housing or real estate, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you plan strategically and mitigate risks. 

Women Who Lead: Cat Vielma on Affordable Housing, Community, and Impact

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.

From Accounting to Advocacy: Kamilah McAfee’s Impressive Path to CEO

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. 

The Importance of Dignity in Affordable Housing: Lessons from Stacy Bliagos

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

From Global Impact to Local Change: Lopa Kolluri’s Affordable Housing Story

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!