Events

Past Events

• Monday, September 19, 2022 at 05:30 PM

  Linen Hall in New York, NY

  Welcome Back Happy Hour

  Join Women in Housing and Finance for a Welcome Back Happy Hour to launch our 2022-2023 educational programming year and our newly re-vamped Member Meet Up Program! Light appetizers are on us. Cash bar. Feel free to drop by at any time between 5:30-7:30PM!

  Cash Bar

  COVID-19 vaccination and booster(s) are highly encouraged. COVID protocols may be adjusted, as necessary, to comply with the CDC requirements.

  Thank you to our Happy Hour sponsor:

  

• Wednesday, July 13, 2022 at 04:00 PM

  Gotham Point in Queens, NY

  WHF Summer Tour: Gotham Point

  

  WHF is pleased to resume our annual summer outings with an in-person tour of the new Gotham Point development in Long Island City. Please join us to learn more about this transformative mixed-use project, developed by Gotham and RiseBoro Community Partnership in collaboration with NYC HPD and Goldman Sachs Urban Investment Group. More on the project here.

  Date: Wednesday, July 13
  Rain date: Thursday, July 14
  Time: 4:00pm – 5:30pm
  Happy hour to follow! (Cash bar)
  Place: Gotham Point, 57-28 2nd St, Queens, NY
  Cost: Members: $20; Non-Members: $40; Students: $10
  RSVP Deadline: Thursday, July 7

  Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test within 24 hours is required.

  Registration is now closed.

  sold out

• Monday, June 06, 2022 at 06:30 PM

  Hotel Chantelle Rooftop in New York, NY

  2022 Annual Members Meeting

  Please join us for an evening of food, drink, and great company as we celebrate another year of WHF programs and events!  Members will have the opportunity to vote for the upcoming year’s slate of the Board of Directors, and Officers, and reflect on the last year of events.

  Below are the nominees:

  Board of Directors: Leslie Cook, Katelyn Meehan, Sharmi Sobhan, Suzanna Tharian, and Saiydah Walls

  Board of Directors (Second Term): Danielle Ash, Simone Gross, Pam Razo, Jennifer Steinberg

  Vice President of Membership (Second Term): Amy Chandra

  Co-Vice President of Programming: Emily Chen

  Note: Board Directors and Officers are elected to a term of two years with the option to be re-elected for a two-year second term.

  RSVP deadline: Friday, June 3rd, 5 PM

  Registration for this event is now closed.

• Friday, May 13, 2022 at 12:00 PM

  Zoom

  Virtual Lunch & Learn -- The Ins and Outs of the DOB and the New DOB Now System

  Please join WHFNY for our final quarterly VIRTUAL lunch and learn! The Lunch and Learn will provide an opportunity to have a discussion with a leading building consultant about the recently released Department of Buildings procedures and requisites for filing projects in NYC. The presentation by Mark DeCeglie will include information on the process, milestones and the biggest problems one might encounter utilizing DOB Now.

  Featuring:
  Mark DeCeglie, Vice President, William Vitacco Associates

  Date:  Friday, May 13th, 2022
  Time:  12pm to 1pm
  Place:  Virtual - ZOOM link will be provided after registration
  Cost:  Free  - Event is for Members Only
  RSVP:  by Wednesday, May 11th, 2022

  This event is limited to 20 attendees, reserve your spot today!

• Wednesday, March 30, 2022 at 06:00 PM

  Zoom

  2022 Women's Executive Roundtable

  Women in Housing and Finance is pleased to invite you to meet and converse with six women executives in the following industries:

  Architecture: Satpal Kaur, Founder & Design + Building Science Principal at Satpal
  Development: Elaine Braithwaite, Senior Director, L+M Development Partners, Inc.
  Finance: Page Travelstead, Managing Director, Wells Fargo
  Government: Ruth Moreira, Executive Vice President of Development, New York City Housing Development Corporation
  Law: Christine A. Coletta, Partner, Hirschen Singer & Epstein LLP
  Nonprofit: Nicole Clare, Chief Real Estate Development Officer, BRC

  Attendees will rotate between the executives in small groups, participating in intimate 15-minute conversations and Q&A sessions. The event will feature dynamic video introductions and provide attendees with the opportunity to hear the expert’s take on their experiences in housing development in New York, reflections, and ask questions about their professional growth and development.

  RSVP Deadline: March 25, 2022

  Registration is closed for this event.

• Thursday, March 10, 2022 at 12:00 PM

  Panel: Supporting Emerging MWBE Developers

  Join Women in Housing and Finance for our upcoming panel: Supporting Emerging MWBE Developers, exploring capital sources and other resources for emerging women- and minority-owned developers.

  We’ll hear from developers about their experiences breaking into the real estate development field, as well as from capital providers about the resources they are offering for emerging women and minority-owned developers, and what gaps remain that must be addressed for MWBE developers to thrive in this competitive industry. This event will be virtually hosted by the Community Preservation Corporation.

  OUR MODERATOR & PANELISTS:

  Moderated by Raquel Vazquez, CEO, The Empowered Block

  Melissa Bindra, Principal, Vaya Development

  Vogue Jackson, Director of Development, JP Design

  Sara Myerson, Managing Director, MSquared

  Wilhelmena Norman-Hernandez, Manager of Community Impact – ACCESS, Community Preservation Corporation

  The Community Preservation Corporation WebEx webinar link provided on registration.

  RSVP Deadline: March 7, 2022

  REGISTRATION IS CLOSED

• Friday, March 04, 2022 at 12:00 PM

  Zoom

  Virtual Lunch & Learn -- Insurance

  Please join WHFNY for our third quarterly VIRTUAL lunch and learn! The Lunch and Learn will provide an opportunity to have an intimate discussion on insurance as a critical component of risk management in affordable housing development, the key types of coverage for a project, and the role of the insurance broker, with the chance to ask questions of our expert presenter.

  Featuring:
  Cherita Perry, Vice President, Insurance Risk Management, National Equity Fund

  Date:  Friday, March 4, 2022
  Time:  12pm to 1pm
  Place:  Virtual - ZOOM link will be provided after registration
  Cost:  Free  - Event is for Members Only
  RSVP:  by Wednesday, March 2, 2022

  This event is limited to 20 attendees, reserve your spot today!

  sold out

• Wednesday, February 16, 2022 at 01:00 PM

  Zoom

  2022 Annual Keynote Speaker Event

  Please join us for our Annual Keynote Speaker Event with keynote speaker Denise Scott

  President of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), board member of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, and longtime leader in both local and national affordable housing and community development.

  Live event to be held remotely via Zoom. Zoom link will be provided after registration.

  RSVP deadline: February 14, 2022

• Friday, December 17, 2021 at 12:00 PM

  Zoom

  Virtual Lunch & Learn -- Affordable Housing Finance Guaranties

  Please join WHFNY for our second quarterly VIRTUAL lunch and learn!  The Lunch and Learn will provide an opportunity to have an intimate discussion on identifying typical guaranty obligations required for affordable housing financing, the lender’s perspective and analyses on the guaranty requirements, with the chance to ask questions and receive answers from the presenters.

  Featuring:
  Niki Tsismenakis, Partner, Goldstein Hall PLLC
  Sharmi Sobhan, Executive Director, Community Development Banking, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A.

  Date:  Friday, December 17, 2021
  Time:  12pm to 1pm
  Place:  Virtual - ZOOM link will be provided after registration
  Cost:  Free  - Event is for Members Only
  RSVP:  by Monday, December 13, 2021

  This event is limited to 20 attendees, reserve your spot today!

  sold out

• Monday, November 15, 2021 at 05:30 PM

  The Perfect Pint EAST in New York, NY

  Join us for a Happy Hour!

  Proof of COVID-19 vaccination is required.

  COST:   Cash Bar

• Friday, November 05, 2021 at 12:00 PM

  Zoom

  Virtual Lunch and Learn -- Reading Floor Plans 101

  Learn to tackle your fears and master the skill set of reading floor plans.

  Please join WHFNY for our fall VIRTUAL lunch and learn! The Lunch and Learn will provide an opportunity to have an intimate discussion on how to read architectural plans, ask questions and receive answers from an expert.

  Featuring:
  Susan Wright, VP Design and Construction at Selfhelp Realty Group, Affordable Housing Specialist, Registered Architect, LEED AP

  Date:  Friday November 5, 2021
  Time:  12pm to 1pm
  Place:  Virtual - ZOOM link will be provided after registration
  Cost:  Free  - Event is for Members Only
  RSVP:  by Friday October 29, 2021

  Registration for this event is closed.

   

• Saturday, October 09, 2021 at 06:00 PM

  Mentorship Program

  Join Women in Housing and Finance’s Inaugural Mentoring Program!

  The one-on-one mentoring program is designed to empower talented women leaders in the Affordable Housing Industry achieve their full potential and cultivate a community of thought leaders and influencers. 

  Please consider participating as either a Mentor or Mentee.

  Program Benefits:

  • Exclusively available to WHF membership.
  • Mentees may learn from mentors, guest speakers, and fellow colleagues / peers.
  • Mentors have the opportunity to support the professional growth of women in our industry.
  • The program creates a structured and supportive environment in which to:
    • Assess personal strengths and identify opportunities for development
    • Focus on building capabilities for current role and potential “future roles”
    • Accelerate the learning process

  Please select one of the links below and complete the application questionnaire, which is due on October 8, 2021:

  • MENTOR APPLICATION
  • MENTEE APPLICATION

  Date: One meeting per month, between October-May 2022

  Time: Minimum of 1 hour per month

  Place: Virtual / In-Person (your choice)

  Cost: Free

  Remember to log in to WHF's website for new, industry-related job opportunities. New postings occur often. Click here for more information: https://www.whf-ny.org/job_board

  Interested in participating in the mentorship program? Join WHF! Click here for more information: https://www.whf-ny.org/

• Wednesday, July 14, 2021 at 06:00 PM

  WHF 40th Anniversary Virtual Celebration

  

  Connecting & Inspiring Women for 40 Years

  Wednesday, July 14th, 2021 Pre-show: 6 pm /Main Event: 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm

  Please join Women in Housing and Finance, Inc. (WHF) as we celebrate 40 years of connecting and inspiring women (and men) for their professional growth in the housing and community development industry. This lively and interactive celebration of our past, present AND future will include reflections and perspectives from our founders, past presidents, board members, advisors, key industry leaders and more. We will have LIVE BREAKOUT ROOMS for networking and toast our four decades with a special sparkling cocktail crafted just for our event! Join in the fun starting with our Pre-Show at 6 pm where you can chat, participate in polls and games for prizes and meet virtually with us at 6:30 pm for the Main Event.

  

  Consider joining our current sponsors to strengthen WHF’s on-going work supporting almost 2000 members and counting. WHF continues to evolve and expand its impact for our members by creating a wide variety of unique programs and events that inform, support, enhance and expand opportunities for women in our industry while sharing knowledge and exploring issues. View sponsorship opportunities here.

  Event Registration is now closed, if you are still interested in attending the event, please email Laura D'Aprix at [email protected]

• Wednesday, May 26, 2021 at 06:00 PM

  Zoom

  2021 Annual Members Meeting

  The Women in Housing and Finance (WHF) Annual Members Meeting is an opportunity to virtually network with fellow members, vote for the upcoming year’s Board of Directors, and reflect on the last year of events.

  Those participating in the virtual meeting will have an opportunity to vote on the slate of 2021 Board of Directors and Officers.  Stay tuned for an upcoming announcement of the nominees.

  Date:    Wednesday May 26, 2021

  Time:   6:00 to 7:00 PM

  Place:   Zoom link will be sent upon RSVP

  Cost:    FREE

• Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 12:00 PM

  Zoom

  Lunch and Learn--A Good Deal: How Investors Value Tax Credit Projects

  Please join WHF NY for our spring VIRTUAL lunch and learn! The Lunch and Learn will be provide an opportunity to have an intimate discussion on evaluating tax credit projects from the perspective of the investors and syndicators.

  Featuring:
  Emily Chen: Team Leader, East Region, National Equity Fund

  Date: Tuesday May 11, 2021
  Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
  Place: ZOOM link will be provided after registration
  Cost: FREE 

  RSVP Deadline: Friday 5/7/2021

  This event is limited to 20 attendees, reserve your spot today!

   

  sold out

• Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 02:00 PM · $15.00 USD

  100 Days: Biden Administration’s Recovery Plan

  Join Impact and Community Development Finance Investors as they reflect on the Biden Administration’s first 100 days in office. We’ll discuss how the American Rescue and Infrastructure Plan will factor into their equitable rebuilding strategies to address the multiple and on-going crises. Our panelists will weigh in on which innovative financing tools and policies they think are most suitable for improving health, increasing housing and growing the workforce. They’ll also look to the future and discuss their near-term plans to deploy capital in service of aiding the recovery.

  OUR MODERATOR & PANELISTS:

  Moderated by Gina Nisbeth, Director, Citi Community Capital
  Bea De la Torre, Managing Director, Trinity Church Wall Street
  En Jung Kim, Executive Director, JPMorgan Chase
  Andrea Phillips, Co-Founder & Managing Partner, Maycomb Capital

  Cost:
  Members – Free – RSVP here
  Non-members – $15 – Purchase tickets below

  Nixon Peabody webinar link provided on registration
  RSVP Deadline: April 26 ,2021

  All event proceeds will benefit the Project REAP’s Open Access Fellowship Program in Community Development Finance which provides a pathway for black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) to work in a sector of real estate finance that can help build new communities and improve the health, education and access to wealth of economically disadvantaged populations.

  Visit https://www.projectreap.org/open-access for more information.

• Wednesday, April 14, 2021 at 06:00 PM

  Zoom--Link to follow registration

  WHF Happy Hour!

  Please join us for our first Spring Virtual Happy Hour of 2021. This will be an opportunity to catch up with colleagues from across our industry.  As well as an opportunity to provide input on future events.

• Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 06:00 PM

  Zoom!

  Women's Executive Round Table 2021

  Women in Housing and Finance are pleased to invite you to meet and converse with five women executives in the following industries:

  • Not for Profit Development: Nicole Branca, Executive Director, New Destiny Housing Corporation
  • Urban Planning: Rebecca Karp, Managing Principal and CEO, Karp Strategies
  • Government: Emily Lehman, Assistant Commissioner, Division of Special Needs Housing, NYC HPD
  • Law: Lillian Plata, Co-Founding Member, Nee Plata Law LLC
  • Architecture: Suzanna Tharian, Principal, STAT Architecture

  Attendees will rotate between the executives in small groups, participating in intimate 18-minute conversations and Q&A sessions. The event will provide attendees with the opportunity to hear the expert’s take on their experiences in housing development in New York, reflections and lessons of the past year, and ask questions about their professional growth and development.

  Date: Thursday, February 25, 2021

  Time: 6 PM – 8 PM

  Place: Zoom--Link will be sent one week prior to event

  Non-Members: $40

  Members: $20

  RSVP Deadline: February 18, 2021

  Thank you to our sponsors!

  

  Registration for this event is now closed.

• Thursday, January 28, 2021 at 12:00 PM

  Zoom

  Virtual Lunch & Learn--Hail to the Chiefs of Staff

  Virtual Lunch & Learn
  Join us for an intimate conversation with the Chiefs of Staff of HPD and HDC.

  Please join WHFNY for our winter VIRTUAL lunch and learn! Join us for a peak behind the curtain at what goes into running our City housing agencies.

  Featuring:
  Libby Rohlfing: Chief of Staff, NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development

  Elizabeth Strojan: Chief of Staff & Director of Strategic Initiatives, NYC Housing Development Corporation

  Date: Thursday January 28, 2021
  Time: 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
  Place: ZOOM link will be provided after registration
  Cost: FREE for Members
  RSVP Deadline: Monday 1/25/2021

  This event is free and limited to 20 attendees.  First come first served so reserve your spot today!

  This event is now sold out.  See you at the next WHF event!

   

   

   

   

   

  sold out

• Monday, November 16, 2020 at 01:00 PM · $15.00 USD

  Nixon Peabody webinar link to be provided on registration

  Moving Towards Racial Equity and Inclusion in Your Organization and Beyond

  In the wake of renewed national focus on the impacts of systemic racism on every facet of American life throughout 2020, leaders in every industry have been reexamining their own organizations and the role that they play in the larger community in an effort to better understand the experiences of members of the BIPOC community and other marginalized groups. Many in the affordable housing and community development sector have long been focused on these issues and have approaches that could serve as a blueprint for others. This panel will focus on what the future of racial equity and inclusion can look like in your organization, including the steps you and your organization can take to make progress towards racial equity and to amplify marginalized voices within and beyond your office walls. Our panelists come from an array of different organizations that make racial equity central to their internal programming and external mission – and the program will focus on their practices in and around racial equity and inclusion, as well as their predictions and goals for 2021.

  
  Our Moderator & Panelists:

  Moderated by Brittany S. Hale, Chief Culture Architect, BND Consulting Group

  Lori Chatman, President, Enterprise Community Loan Fund, Inc.

  Elizabeth M. Harris, General Counsel, Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Economic Development Corporation

  Kerry McLean, Vice President of Community Development, Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco)

  Event Co-Chairs Tatiana E. Gutierrez and Danielle Ash

  Cost:
  Non-members $15 - Purchase tickets below
  Members - Free - RSVP here

  Make a voluntary donation to Project REAP

  All event proceeds will benefit the Real Estate Associate Program (Project REAP), an industry-backed, market-driven program with a mission to advance diversity, equity and inclusion in the commercial real estate industry through education, mentorship, and partnerships.

  Visit https://www.projectreap.org/ for more information.

• Monday, October 26, 2020 at 01:00 PM

  ZOOM

  Lunch & Learn: NYCHA PACT

  Please join us for our fall VIRTUAL Lunch & Learn!

  Join us to learn all about NYCHA’s strategic plan to repair public housing through identifying resources and opportunities to make major improvements to developments, while preserving long-term affordability and maintaining strong resident rights.

  Featuring:
  

  Hannah Blitzer: Executive Director, Public Housing Finance & Lending Strategies, New York City Housing Development Corporation

  Lovaeta Amoako: Director, Project Implementation & Inclusion, Real Estate Development, New York City Housing Authority

  Jennifer Hiser: Senior Advisor to EVP of Real Estate Development, New York City Housing Authority 

  Date: Monday October 26, 2020 Time: 1 pm
  Place: ZOOM link will be provided after registration
  

  Cost: FREE!
  RSVP Deadline: Friday 10/23/2020

  sold out

• Monday, October 26, 2020 at 10:00 AM

  Zoom

  Recorded Session--Lunch & Learn NYCHA PACT

  Due to overwhelming demand, our live Zoom event is filled to capacity!  Click RSVP below to receive a link to the recording of our Lunch & Learn, all about NYCHA’s strategic plan to repair public housing through identifying resources and opportunities to make major improvements to developments, while preserving long-term affordability and maintaining strong resident rights.

  Featuring:

  Hannah Blitzer: Executive Director, Public Housing Finance & Lending Strategies, New York City Housing Development Corporation

  Lovaeta Amoako: Director, Project Implementation & Inclusion, Real Estate Development, New York City Housing Authority

  Jennifer Hiser: Senior Advisor to EVP of Real Estate Development, New York City Housing Authority 

• Tuesday, October 13, 2020 at 05:00 PM

  Zoom

  WHF Member Vote on Amended and Restated Bylaws and Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation

  Women in Housing and Finance (WHF) proposes amending its Bylaws and Certificate of Incorporation (COI), utilizing Manatt Phelps & Phillips, LLP as pro bono attorneys, as a first step in the process of applying for our 501(c)3 tax status. The Board of Directors approved the draft amended and restated Bylaws and COI at its meeting on September 15, 2020. This special member meeting on October 13, 2020 is being held so that the membership can also approve the updated organizational documents, including the authorization for the President, Deputy Vice President and Secretary to make any necessary changes to the document, as may be desired, all in consultation with counsel.
  
  The nitty gritty: This notice is being sent at least 15 days in advance of the meeting and vote with revised documents attached for your review. Please register for this event so that we can anticipate quorum. We need at least 20% of the membership present and voting in order to proceed with our 501(c)3 application process.
  
  Why the changes? WHF is currently a 501(c)6.Changing our tax status will allow organizations and individuals to make tax deductible contributions, as well as a NYS sales tax exemption. We think this tax status change will help WHF be more flexible in future fundraising around the educational programming and opportunities for its members, other nonprofit organizations doing great work and supporting women in their careers in housing and finance, and save on certain expenses. For your review, attached is an informational summary of changes, primarily to align our mission description with the 501(c)3 application and also to clarify and align descriptions of operations with current practices. Please reach out to Board President, Jen Trepinski ([email protected]) with any questions prior to the vote.

• Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at 05:30 PM

  Zoom

  Annual Members Dinner

  Please join Women in Housing and Finance (“WHF”) for a unique virtual Annual Members Meeting on June 23rd starting at 5:30PM.  This will be an opportunity to network with fellow members, vote for the upcoming year’s Board of Directors, and recap the last year of events. We will also be joined by two special guests:

  Liz Oakley, Deputy Commissioner for Development at NYC Department of Housing Preservation & Development

  Baaba Halm, Executive Deputy Commissioner of Operations

  RSVP Deadline: Wednesday, June 17, 2020

  Cost: FREE

  If you are unable to attend the Annual Members Meeting on June 23rd and would like to submit your vote please e-mail Niki Tsismenakis, WHF Secretary, at [email protected].

  Those participating in the Virtual Member Meeting will have an opportunity to vote in the Slate. 

  WHF 2020 Slate for Elections

  New Board Directors:

  • Danielle Ash, Duvall & Stachenfeld
  • Emily Chen, National Equity Fund
  • Pam Razo, Bronx Pro
  • Jennifer Steinberg, West Side Federation for Senior and Supportive Housing (WSFSSH)

  New Officers:

  Amy Chandra, Vice President, Membership

  Re-election of Officers to 2nd term:

  Karen Heller, Vice President, Communications

  Re-election of Board Directors to 2nd term:

  • Liz Bieber
  • Julie Gonzales
  • Mar Granados
  • Tatiana Gutierrez
  • JaVonna James
  • Akiko Kie-Aboagye
  • Kristin Nelson
  • Katie Vail

  Board Directors and Officers are elected to a term of 2 years with the option to be re-elected for a 2nd term of two years. 

• Tuesday, April 28, 2020 at 08:30 AM

  New York Athletic Club in New York, NY

  Annual Keynote Breakfast

  This event has been cancelled due to the Covid crisis and ongoing social distancing regulations. 

  Please join us for our

  ANNUAL KEYNOTE BREAKFAST

  with keynote speaker

  COUNCILMEMBER CARLINA RIVERA

  Representative of New York City’s 2nd Council District, Co-Chair of the City Council’s Women’s Caucus, Chair of the Council’s Committee on Hospitals and longtime affordable housing advocate

   

  Date:
  Tuesday, April 28, 2020

  Time:
  8:30am – 10:30am

  Location: 
  New York Athletic Club
  President’s Room
  80 Central Park South
  New York, NY 10019

  Cost:
  Members/Students: $60
  Non-Members: $80 

  RSVP Deadline:
  April 14, 2020

  Please be advised that the New York Athletic Club has a Dress Code. Jeans and T-shirts are not permitted. Business attire suggested.

  Thank you to our sponsors: