Sessions
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Affordable Housing Industry
11:10 AM - 12:10 PM Wed
Melissa has over 10 years of experience in real estate investment throughout the US. Prior to founding Vaya, Melissa served as Director of Development at a leading firm in NYC affordable housing preservation and rehabilitation with expertise in the development, construction, and ownership of affordable and mixed income multifamily housing throughout the New York metro area.
Over the last five years, she managed the entitlement and development of over 2,000 units of new affordable, workforce, supportive, senior, and transitional housing as well as the preservation of over 8,000 units of existing regulated housing with a total capitalization of over $1.5B.
Prior to affordable housing, Melissa worked in private equity, overseeing investment in distressed commercial and industrial properties throughout the US.
Melissa earned her undergraduate degree in Finance at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles and Master’s Degrees in Urban Planning and Real Estate Development from Columbia University in the City of New York. Melissa serves on the board of the Mosholu Montefiore Community Center and is a member of the Urban Land Institute’s Urban Revitalization National Product Council.