WAHNcast

Linda Mandolini didn't plan on a career in affordable housing. Like so many leaders in our industry, she discovered it almost by accident during a college internship and never looked back.

In this episode of the WAHNcast 50 Over 50 Women of Influence in Affordable Housing series, host Babbie Jaco sits down with Linda, CEO and President of Eden Housing, to explore nearly four decades of leadership, innovation, and impact.

Their conversation goes far beyond development. Linda shares why preserving affordable housing matters just as much as building it, how sustainable organizations are created, what today's leaders need to succeed, and why mentorship has shaped every stage of her career.

Along the way, she reflects on the women who opened doors for her, the importance of helping emerging leaders "jump into the pool," and why solving complex problems has always been a team sport.

As Linda reminds us, affordable housing isn't just about buildings. It's about creating the stability that allows people, families, and entire communities to thrive.

As part of WAHNcast's special 50 Over 50 Women of Influence in Affordable Housing series, host Babbie Jaco sits down with fellow honoree Kimberlee Schreiber, President of Michaels Management, for a conversation about leadership, mentorship, and preparing for what's next.

Kimberlee reflects on her journey from leasing agent to executive leadership, sharing the lessons that shaped her career along the way. She talks about promoting from within, training the next generation of leaders, asking questions without fear, and why the best leaders never lose sight of the people behind the work.

As she prepares for retirement, Kimberlee also opens up about the emotions of stepping into a new chapter and the legacy she hopes to leave: developing people, creating opportunities, and making a difference that lasts long after the job is done.

Many people find affordable housing by accident. The best ones stay because they discover purpose.

In this episode of WAHNcast, Jennifer Green talks with fellow 50 Over 50 Women of Influence honoree Michele Stowe, former COO of Mercy Housing, about the unexpected career that led her from human resources into affordable housing leadership and, ultimately, executive coaching.

When she's not coaching leaders, Michele can usually be found on a mountain trail. She believes the view changes above the tree line, and after listening to this conversation, you'll realize the same is true of leadership.

From finding the right organizational culture to building a trusted circle of advisors and never losing sight of the communities we serve, Michele shares the experiences that shaped her career and the perspective she's gained along the way.

Whether you're just beginning your journey or leading others, this episode offers thoughtful advice for building a career that aligns with your values and your purpose.

What does a lifetime of leadership look like?

In this episode of WAHNcast's 50 Over 50 Women of Influence in Affordable Housing series, Jennifer Green sits down with Laura Archuleta, President and CEO of Jamboree Housing, for a thoughtful conversation about the experiences that shaped nearly four decades in affordable housing.

Laura reflects on how her family's own housing journey inspired her career, why staying curious opened doors she never expected, and how meaningful connections have shaped both her leadership and her organization's growth. She also shares why, after 37 years in the industry, she feels a deep responsibility to help develop the next generation of affordable housing leaders.

From mentorship and family to kindness, collaboration, and lifelong learning, this episode is a reminder that the most meaningful careers aren't built by having every step planned. They're built by staying curious, investing in people, and finding ways to contribute along the way.

Linny Simkin didn't plan on a career in affordable housing.

She dreamed of becoming a singer-songwriter, moved to Los Angeles to pursue music, and took a job with an executive search firm simply to pay the bills. What she discovered instead was a career helping people find meaningful work and, eventually, a calling within affordable housing.

Over the next two decades, Linny built one of the industry's most respected executive search firms, connecting talented professionals with organizations where they could make the greatest impact. Along the way, she learned that some of life's biggest opportunities begin when someone tells you that you can't.

In this conversation with WAHN President & CEO Ashley Northcutt and Vice President of Communications Angie Truitt, Linny shares lessons on entrepreneurship, mentorship, taking risks, and why bringing your authentic self to work isn't just good advice, it's the key to building meaningful relationships and lasting success.

She also talks about the affordable housing talent pipeline, the importance of welcoming new voices into our industry, and why now is the perfect time for bold ideas.

And don't miss the special surprise at the end of the episode, when Linny shares one of her original songs, Someone Stop That Girl.

As part of WAHN's 50 Over 50 Women of Influence in Affordable Housing series, Ann Cone and Diana McIver welcome fellow honoree Deborah Welchel, Vice President of Real Estate Development–Texas for Volunteers of America National Services.

Debbie's path into affordable housing was anything but conventional. Over a career spanning underwriting, consulting, development, asset management, and nonprofit leadership, she has learned that success isn't just about closing deals—it's about helping others find their place in the industry.

In this candid conversation, Debbie shares lessons from three decades in affordable housing, the mentors and friends who shaped her career, why she believes knowledge should be shared rather than guarded, and the advice that has carried her through every challenge: never give up.

Filled with wisdom, laughter, and the warmth of a decades-long friendship between Debbie and Diana, this episode is a celebration of mentorship, perseverance, and opening doors for the next generation.

What happens when someone who once needed affordable housing dedicates her career to helping others find stability, opportunity, and hope?

In this episode of the WAHNcast 50 Over 50 Women of Influence in Affordable Housing series, hosts Ann Cone and Jennifer Green welcome Flynann Skeen, Executive Director of Rainbow Housing Assistance Corporation. Flyn shares her extraordinary four-decade journey through nearly every facet of the housing industry—from leasing apartments and earning HVAC certifications to leading a national nonprofit serving more than 88,000 residents across 26 states.

Along the way, Flyn reflects on the mentors who shaped her career, the importance of staying connected to residents and site teams, and why affordable housing is about far more than buildings. It's about creating spaces where people can build families, celebrate milestones, overcome challenges, and pursue their dreams.

This conversation explores leadership, resilience, resident services, and the responsibility all housing professionals share in creating communities that foster both stability and possibility.

Whether you're a seasoned housing professional or just beginning your journey in the industry, Flyn's story offers inspiration, wisdom, and a powerful reminder of the human impact behind the work we do every day.

When a team of WAHN University students entered the 2026 Bank of America Affordable Housing Challenge, they weren't just designing housing—they were reimagining community recovery.

In this episode of WAHNcast, host Angie Truitt is joined by student team members Emily Jessup and Mia Spero, developer partners Leslie Weiss and Monte Heaton of Highridge Costa, and faculty advisor Mark Shelburne to discuss the award-winning proposal that earned WAHN U first place in the competition.

Tasked with redeveloping the Front Street Apartments lost in the devastating 2023 Maui wildfires, the team created a vision for Lahaina that balanced affordability, cultural preservation, resiliency, and long-term community rebuilding.

The conversation explores affordable housing as a career path, the realities of post-disaster redevelopment, the value of mentorship, and the lessons learned from tackling a real-world development challenge. Along the way, Emily and Mia share what it was like to compete on a national stage, work alongside industry professionals, and discover just how many people and disciplines come together to make affordable housing possible.

Whether you're a student exploring the industry or a seasoned professional passionate about housing solutions, this episode offers an inspiring look at the next generation of affordable housing leaders.