Staff Presentations
B8. Building Resilience in Energy Efficiency: Strategies for Programs and Property Owners
Periods of uncertainty can stall energy efficiency efforts—yet the need is greater than ever. This workshop explores strategies to sustain progress by strengthening partnerships, adapting to funding shifts, and building resilient programs. Learn how initiatives evolved before and after the Inflation Reduction Act, and how advocacy can guide new approaches. The session covers legal and financial tools like capital stacks, audits, and technical assistance. It also offers practical advice for multifamily property owners facing rising energy costs, showing how efficiency can drive savings and support housing stability.
Elizabeth Marx, Esq. Executive Director, PULP
Jack Stucker, Supervising Attorney
Joshua Galloway, Director of Partnership Development New Ecology, Inc.
Sarah Ralich, Senior Energy and Construction Manager ACTION-Housing, Inc.
C1. Value of Partnerships Among Mission Aligned Groups in this Changing Environment
Recent changes in the affordable housing landscape have created new obstacles for providers. Costs of building and operating have risen sharply while public resources remain largely the same, and policy instability makes planning and compliance more difficult. Addressing these challenges requires resources and expertise that many organizations struggle to mobilize alone, leaving smaller nonprofits at a disadvantage when competing for scarce funding. Partnerships are more important than ever, allowing mission-driven groups to pool resources and complement each other’s strengths in development, services, operations, and community engagement. Join us to explore collaboration models, share lessons learned, and discuss strategies for building effective partnerships that expand affordable housing opportunities.
Dina Schlossberg, Executive Director
Vidhi Anderson, Vice President of Development HumanGood
Judith Memberg, Executive Director Genesis Housing Corporation
Renée Cunningham, Executive Director Center in the Park
C4. Community Land Trusts: The History and Future of Permanently Affordable Housing
This session will introduce community land trusts (CLTs), exploring their roots in the American Civil Rights movement and the framework that makes them a tool for creating permanently affordable housing. Building on this foundation, panelists will share how CLTs in Pennsylvania are innovating to meet community needs—through approaches such as rental cooperatives, self-help housing programs, modular development, and the use of New Market Tax Credits to expand affordable housing opportunities. Join us to learn how CLTs are shaping housing solutions and discover practical strategies for creating lasting affordability in your community.
Kelly Prokop, Senior Staff Attorney
Julie Wilson, Executive Director Common Roots
Julie Nigro, Director of Real Estate City of Bridges CLT
Stefanie Clark, Family Program Director Habitat for Humanity of Bucks County
C6. Preserving Affordable Homes: Strategies for Long-Term Stability
Jack Stucker, Supervising Attorney
Kim Krauter, Senior Vice President of Real Estate Development HDC MidAtlantic
Matt Madia, Vice President of Real Estate Services Neighborhood Allies
Carolyn Placke, Director of Housing LISC Philadelphia
E9. Creating Successful Majority/Minority Partnerships to Build Affordable Housing
Pennsylvania faces a shortage of up to 600,000 affordable housing units across 67 counties. The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA) has encouraged the partnering of small/minority developers with large established developers to build capacity and increase supply. Join a lively discussion on how to find partners; successful negotiation tools for both large and small developers; pitfalls to avoid; and how to create win/win partnerships to successfully execute projects.
Raina Metha, Supervising Attorney
Blane F. Stoddart, President and CEO BFW Group of Companies
Ryan Sanders, RB Development LLC Affordable Housing Developer
Trey Barbour, Affordable Housing Developer SVP, Pivotal Housing Partners
Board Presentations
A5. The Current State of the LIHTC Markets
Chris Paul, President and Principal Diamond and Associates
Lindsay Soyka, Executive Vice President R4 Capital
Celia Smoot, SVP- Head of Fund of CDFI Investments Key Bank
Lopa Kulluir, Head of Affordable Housing Lending M&T Bank
B5.Setting Up for Success in PA: Cost Limits and Cost Certifications
Christine Paul, President Diamond and Associates
Karen Harris, Partner CohnReznick
Michael Arnst, Project Manager Diamond and Associates
D6. Racial Wealth Gap Simulation
Created by the Bread for World Institute, the Racial Wealth Gap Simulation is an interactive tool to help people understand the connections between racial equity, hunger, poverty, and wealth. It is a good first step for people unaware of structural inequality, a tool for those who want a deeper understanding, and a source for those who want to know the quantifiable economic impact of each policy that has widened today’s racial hunger, income, and wealth divides. The simulation guides participants to understand why racial equity is so important to ending hunger and poverty in the United States. Participants learn how federal policies created structural inequalities and how these policies increase hunger and poverty in communities of color.
Fred Bañuelos, Community Investment Business Development Manager
Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh
Melissa Morse, Director of Housing Programs Housing Authority of the County of Warren
Tonya Mitchell Weston, President/CEO Housing Authority of the County of Warren
E2. Managing, Developing and Preserving Affordable Housing During Uncertainty
In 2024, affordable housing development faced mounting challenges, from labor shortages to rising insurance costs. This year brings additional pressures—lower equity pricing, tariff-driven material costs, and uncertainty around federal funds. This panel will offer insights on navigating today’s environment, highlighting programs, creative transactions, and strategies to keep development and preservation moving forward, even amid funding shifts.
Vidhi Anderson, Vice President of Development HumanGood
Michelle Yarbrough Korb, Partner Nelson Mullins
Leah Eppinger, Executive Director & President Housing Authority of the County of Dauphin & Affordable Housing Associates of Dauphin County
Quianna Wasler, Chief Housing Officer Urban Redevelopment Authority of Pittsburgh
