Sunia has over thirty years of experience in affordable housing issues at the federal, state, and local levels. She is the Executive Director of the Council of Large Public Housing Authorities (CLPHA), and she serves on the board of the Emerald Cities Collaborative. In 2010, Sunia was nominated for the Hanley Award for Vision and Leadership in Sustainable Housing. She has also served as the Executive Vice President of the Housing Research Foundation, Board Trustee of Global Communities (formerly CHF International) and the National Housing Conference as well as the advisory boards of Affordable Housing Finance and Housing and Development Reporter. Sunia holds a master’s degree in urban planning from Princeton University and a bachelor’s degree in history from Barnard College.
Gerard is the former executive director of the congressionally mandated Commission on Affordable Housing and Health Facility Needs for Seniors in the 21st Century, popularly known as the Seniors Commission. Prior to the Commission, Gerard served as executive director of the Senior Housing Council for the Assisted Living Federation of America, a membership organization of senior housing providers. He also spent 10 years at the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging, as the associate director for housing policy. Gerard has over 35 years of experience in policy and government, including congressional and intergovernmental relations at HUD and on a congressional staff in Washington, DC. He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Hobart College.
Trena joined CLPHA in August 2006. Prior to CLPHA, she was the Membership Operations Manager for AcademyHealth, managing all aspects of retention and recruitment for 4500 members. Trena has over 20 years of experience in membership and operations. Her primary responsibilities at CLPHA include operations, membership recruitment and retention and meeting logistics. Trena holds an MBA, concentration Project Management from Strayer University, Alexandria VA, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies and Psychology from William Smith College.
David Greer has more than 20 years of experience in senior communications and public affairs. Over the course of his career, he has worked for Fortune 250 corporations, the federal government, a 1.4-million-member trade association and a non-profit foundation. For the past 13 years, David has worked in the real estate arena serving as Director of Communications for the Appraisal Foundation, and as Vice President, Media and Consumer Communications for the National Association of Realtors. David holds a B.A. in English from the University of Nebraska.
Abra joined CLPHA in 2014 where she created and manages the Housing Is Initiative, an effort aimed at better aligning housing with other systems like education and health to improve life outcomes for low-income individuals and families. Abra previously analyzed and advocated for housing, education, place-based, early childhood, and dual-generation initiatives with the Center for the Study of Social Policy and Illinois Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie's office. She also worked as a practitioner with low-income and homeless individuals in Washington, D.C. and Chicago, focusing on workforce development. Abra holds a Master of Public Policy from the Harris School of Public Policy and a Master’s in Social Work from the School of Social Service Administration, both at the University of Chicago, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in sociology and women and gender studies from Brandeis University.
Nicole joined CLPHA as a Research & Policy Analyst in September 2015 and now works as the Moving to Work (MTW) Program Director. In this role, Nicole leads research, policy analysis, and advocacy for the MTW program on behalf of the current 39 MTW public housing agencies. Prior to joining CLPHA, Nicole worked at the National Housing Trust engaging in analysis and public policy advocacy around the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and other place-based affordable housing programs, as a management assistant in the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations at HUD, and as a legislative intern in Congress. She also has a background in social services, helping to manage a volunteer peer support program for individuals in long-term recovery at Baltimore Substance Abuse Systems, Inc. and serving as a Residential Counselor for at-risk youth. Nicole earned a Master’s degree in Philosophy and Social Policy from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University.
Kirsten joined CLPHA in January 2016. She has an MA in art history from George Washington University and a BA in English and art history from the University of Alabama.
Cynthia works closely with the organization's Legislative Director. Cynthia has over five years of experience working with various communities through direct services, community outreach, and advocacy. Cynthia recently worked as a homeless outreach specialist in Montgomery County, Maryland, where she engaged with people experiencing homelessness to help them move into housing. Cynthia also previously worked for the U.S. House of Representatives and was responsible for housing and homelessness legislative priorities for her office. She earned her bachelor’s in philosophy at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Cynthia holds a master's in urban planning from Georgetown University.
Malcolm joins CLPHA with experience in development finance, specializing in research and advocacy for locally driven financing initiatives and programs. Malcolm also has a background in government and legislative affairs, helping state and local agencies and practitioners build and expand their development finance toolbox. Malcolm has engaged with federal agencies including HUD, Treasury, USDA, EDA, SBA and EPA. Malcolm believes that “housing is so much more than just a roof over one's head.” Malcolm graduated from The Ohio State University with a bachelor's degree in Political Science, and with Minors in City and Regional Planning as well as in International Relations. In the fall, Malcolm is starting a master’s degree program in Public Policy at the American University School of Public Affairs. At CLPHA, Malcolm focuses on placed-based affordable housing programs to help advance CLPHA’s policy and advocacy efforts to assist members with addressing challenges, as well as provide research and analytical support.
Madeline joins CLPHA with experience in public policy research and analysis at the federal, state, and local level, as well as knowledge of the housing choice voucher program gained while working as a policy fellow with the Delaware State Housing Authority and Wilmington City Council. Madeline holds a bachelor's degree in international relations and a master’s degree in urban affairs and public policy from the University of Delaware. During her graduate studies, Madeline focused on research around equitable health outcomes among minorities and low-income communities. Madeline hopes to contribute to policymaking that improves long-term health outcomes for families experiencing housing insecurity and high levels of cost-burden.
Senait joined CLPHA in January 2024 as the Administrative Assistant, where she works closely with the Director of Operations. Senait has a background legislative affairs and policy and external affairs. As an experienced and highly adaptable executive assistant, she's dedicated to optimizing operations, empowering executives to excel, and contributing to the success of organizations globally. Senait earned her BS in public administration and graduated magna cum laude from North Carolina Central University. Senait believes in vision and having a vision in every aspect of life; therefore, being a part of positive changes and improving communities is a passion of hers.