WAHNcast

Conversations with CohnReznick: 2025 Affordable Housing Credit Study

In this episode of WAHNcast, we sit down with leaders from CohnReznick to unpack insights from the 2025 Affordable Housing Credit Study, one of the most widely referenced performance benchmarks in the LIHTC industry.

Hosted by Stephanie Sleva, Senior Assurance Manager at CohnReznick and Founding Member and Board President of the Pennsylvania chapter of WAHN, the conversation explores how LIHTC portfolios are performing post-pandemic, what trends are holding steady, and where new pressures are reshaping underwriting, operations, and policy.

Stephanie is joined by:

• Cindy Fang, Partner at CohnReznick and Tax Credit Investment Services Leader, as well as a member of WAHN’s National Sponsorship Committee, who shares key takeaways from nearly 25 years of the study and what they signal for investors and developers.

• Regan St. Pierre, Director at CohnReznick and Co-Author of the Affordable Housing Credit Study, who highlights what makes the study unique and how stakeholders can use its interactive tools to inform smarter decision-making.

The episode also includes a special moment honoring Beth Mullen, CohnReznick’s Affordable Housing Industry Leader and WAHN’s Lifetime Achievement Award Winner, recognized for her extraordinary impact on the industry, her mentorship, and her unwavering commitment to advocacy.

Together, this conversation reinforces a powerful message: the LIHTC program remains resilient, effective, and essential—and the data behind it matters more than ever.

Access the full 2025 Affordable Housing Credit Study and interactive tools:
https://creditstudy.cohnreznick.com

Holding the Line for Rural America: A Conversation with Colleen Fisher

What does it take to steward an entire housing portfolio for nearly three decades?

In this episode, hosts Ashley Northcutt and industry legend Babbie Jaco sit down with Colleen Fisher, Executive Director of the Council for Affordable and Rural Housing (CARH), for a deep and candid conversation about leadership, legacy, and the future of rural affordable housing.

Colleen reflects on her 28-year tenure leading CARH, tracing the organization’s origins, the evolution of rural housing policy, and the high-stakes challenges facing the USDA rural housing portfolio today, from mortgage maturity and preservation to technology gaps and workforce strain. Together, Colleen and Babbie unpack what makes rural housing distinct, why it remains one of the most stable yet misunderstood asset classes, and how community, trust, and long-term commitment define success.

The conversation also explores women’s leadership in affordable housing, the importance of patience and institutional memory, and why mentoring the next generation matters more than ever. This episode is both a masterclass in rural housing policy and a powerful reminder of the human impact behind the work.

WAHN Birthday Celebration with Ashley Northcutt & Angie Truitt

This episode of WAHNcast is a celebration of growth, community, and six years of building something powerful together.

Angie Truitt, Vice President of Communications for the Women’s Affordable Housing Network (WAHN), is joined by WAHN’s CEO and President, Ashley Northcutt, to mark WAHN’s birthday and reflect on how far the organization has come. From the early days of explaining that “WAHN isn’t a person,” to sold-out national summits, national recognition through the Giving List, and a rapidly growing chapter network, this conversation captures the heart of what WAHN has become.

Whether you’ve been part of WAHN from the beginning or are discovering it for the first time, this episode is a reminder of why this work matters and why it’s better when we do it together.

The Art of Housing with Bob Moss

In this rich and wide-ranging conversation, host Ashley Northcutt interviews Bob Moss, one of the most respected champions of affordable housing policy in the United States. Bob traces his unexpected entry into the industry—from renting apartments in Maine to working alongside pioneers like Herb Collins and David Resnick—and shares how early lessons in advocacy shaped his approach on Capitol Hill.

He discusses the pivotal formation of the ACTION Campaign, the power of unified messaging, and why true housing equity requires creativity, bipartisan collaboration, and relentless persistence. Bob also reflects on women’s leadership, mentorship, innovation in housing finance and technology, and the need to rethink how we build.

In a heartfelt turn, Bob opens up about the role art and painting played in grounding him during the pandemic and how creativity continues to influence his professional life. This episode is both a history lesson and a masterclass in leadership—delivered with humility, humor, and decades of hard-earned insight.

From Family Resource Days to Scholarships; Emma Schumaker on Fairview's Resident First Mission

In this episode of WAHNcast, host Ashley Northcutt sits down with Emma Schumaker, Senior Associate at Fairview Housing Partners and Lincoln Avenue Communities, whose work exemplifies resident-centered, heart-driven leadership in affordable housing. Emma shares how Fairview’s mission—to strengthen communities through direct services, deep partnerships, and creative approaches to financing—comes to life through programs like Family Resource Days, youth enrichment initiatives, and their powerful new scholarship and grants program for residents.

Emma offers an inside look at what it means to build trust with residents, collaborate with local nonprofits, and listen deeply to community needs. She also reflects on stories from scholarship recipients that continue to fuel her passion for this work, reminding us that breaking down barriers to opportunity can transform generations.

This conversation is a celebration of compassion, partnership, and the belief that stable housing paired with meaningful support opens doors to brighter futures. A perfect reflection heading into the season of giving.

CHAMpioning Affordable Housing: A Conversation with CHAM’s Julia Pierson

In this episode of WAHNcast, hosts Angie Truitt and Ashley Northcutt sit down with Julia Pierson, Executive Director of the Consortium for Housing and Asset Management (CHAM) and one of the most respected voices in affordable housing. Julia reflects on her four-decade career, from her start as a HUD intern to becoming a nationally recognized leader shaping the field of asset management.

Julia breaks down what asset management really is, why it matters, and how strong partnerships between owners, syndicators, lenders, and HFAs can mean the difference between stable properties and those at risk. She also discusses the evolution of the field, the growing demand for skilled asset managers, and the importance of technical knowledge paired with strong soft skills.

As Julia prepares for her upcoming retirement, she shares her vision for CHAM’s future, the culture she has intentionally cultivated, and why she believes “housing policy is human policy.” This conversation is full of insight, clarity, humor, and heart, just like Julia herself.

Leadership Beyond Titles: Practicing Empathy, Presence, and Purpose with Michele Stowe & Shannon Wallis

In this deeply moving episode of WAHNcast, host Ashley Northcutt sits down with Michele Stowe, founder of Skyrocket Coaching and former COO of Mercy Housing, and Shannon Wallis, founder and managing director of Cascade Leadership and former global director of High Potential Leadership Development at Microsoft.

Together, they explore how profound loss can reveal the truest forms of leadership. Drawing from their essays in the new anthology Lives Lost and Leadership Found, Michelle reflects on the legacy of Sister Lillian Murphy, the visionary CEO of Mercy Housing, while Shannon shares lessons learned from her mother’s journey through resilience, disability, and love.

This conversation challenges the notion that leadership is about titles — instead, it’s a practice rooted in presence, empathy, and action. From “assuming positive intent” to “underlooking” others, Michele and Shannon remind us that leadership begins in the smallest acts of compassion.

Tune in for insights that connect loss, love, and legacy — and rediscover the heart of what it means to lead.  And get your copy of Lives Lost and Leadership Found and Shannon's new book, WE the Change: Launching Big Ideas and Creating New Realities, on our website.

Building Valor: Housing and Hope for America’s Veterans

In honor of Veterans Day, this special episode of WAHNcast spotlights the inspiring work of Gorman & Company and their veteran-centered housing developments.

Host Angie Truitt speaks with Rachel Snethen, Director of Development Operations, and Sally Schwenn, Arizona Market President, about the company’s efforts to build communities that go beyond shelter—providing wraparound services, mental health support, job training, and a true sense of belonging for America’s veterans.

From the Valor on Eighth development in Tempe, Arizona—a pioneering community for women veterans and families—to the Fort Whipple Project in Prescott and Valor in Washington (Madison, WI), Rachel and Sally share how public–private partnerships, local service providers, and dedicated nonprofit partners are transforming lives through housing.

They also discuss national progress in reducing veteran homelessness by 50%, the importance of supportive services, and how to connect veterans in need with help right now.

Resources and Links Mentioned:

• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs – Housing Assistance: va.gov/housing-assistance

• VA Benefits Hotline: 1-800-827-1000

• National Call Center for Homeless Veterans: 1-877-424-3838

• Veterans Crisis Line (24/7): Dial 988, then Press 1

• Gorman & Company: www.GormanUSA.com

• US VETS (Veteran Nonprofit Partner): www.usvets.org

• Save the Family (AZ Nonprofit Partner): www.savethefamily.org

• Dryhootch (WI Nonprofit Partner): www.dryhootch.org

Thank you to Gorman & Company for generously sponsoring this episode! Listen wherever you get your podcasts and join us in honoring veterans by supporting the organizations that build safe, stable, and supportive homes for those who served.