New York State Homes & Community Renewal Executive and Leadership Team

Maurice Barrett, the Chief Executive Officer at New York State Homes & Community Renewal, directs the overarching strategic vision for state-wide affordable housing initiatives. This leadership role involves managing complex public-private partnerships to increase housing stock and preserve existing residential infrastructure. By aligning agency goals with broader state economic objectives, the Chief Executive Officer ensures that development projects meet rigorous safety and affordability standards. Maurice Barrett monitors the progress of large-scale housing programs, ensuring that capital investments translate into tangible community benefits. Through constant collaboration with government stakeholders and private developers, the Chief Executive Officer maintains a focus on long-term sustainability and equitable access. This executive leadership position requires balancing fiscal responsibility with the urgent need for housing solutions, ultimately fostering economic vitality in diverse regions throughout the state while maintaining the integrity of the agency mission.

Ruth Visnauskas, the President & Chief Executive Officer at New York State Homes & Community Renewal, architects the comprehensive policy framework governing affordable housing development and community preservation. This role demands high-level coordination across multiple state departments to streamline the delivery of housing resources and maximize the impact of public funding. Ruth Visnauskas oversees the implementation of innovative financing models that incentivize private sector participation in affordable housing projects. By driving policy initiatives that address housing shortages, the President & Chief Executive Officer ensures that the agency remains responsive to evolving market demands and demographic shifts. This leadership function involves frequent engagement with legislative bodies to secure necessary support for housing programs. Through meticulous oversight of agency operations, the President & Chief Executive Officer guarantees that all initiatives align with the core mission of creating safe, healthy, and affordable living environments for every resident.

Theodore Podest, the Chief Financial Officer at New York State Homes & Community Renewal, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies for the agency. This role involves overseeing the complex financial structures required to fund affordable housing developments and community revitalization projects. Theodore Podest directs the budgeting process, ensuring that public funds are deployed efficiently to maximize the creation of affordable units. By monitoring financial risks and maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations, the Chief Financial Officer protects the integrity of the agency investment portfolio. This leadership position requires close collaboration with banking partners and bond issuers to secure favorable financing terms for housing initiatives. Through rigorous financial analysis and reporting, the Chief Financial Officer provides the data necessary for informed decision-making at the executive level. This executive function ensures that the agency maintains the financial stability required to fulfill the mission of protecting and expanding affordable housing.

Elizabeth Mallow, the Executive Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer at New York State Homes & Community Renewal, directs the internal operations and administrative functions that support the agency mission. This role involves optimizing organizational workflows to ensure that housing development programs operate with maximum efficiency and transparency. Elizabeth Mallow oversees the implementation of technology and process improvements that enhance the delivery of housing services to communities across the state. By managing the day-to-day operations of the agency, the Executive Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer ensures that all departments remain aligned with strategic objectives. This leadership position requires constant monitoring of operational performance and the proactive resolution of administrative hurdles. Through the coordination of cross-functional teams, the Executive Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer maintains a focus on operational excellence. This executive function supports the agency mission by creating a robust infrastructure that facilitates the preservation and construction of affordable housing.

Crystal Loffler, the President, Office of Community Renewal at New York State Homes & Community Renewal, directs the investment strategies aimed at revitalizing neighborhoods and fostering economic growth. This role involves overseeing grant programs and community development initiatives that provide essential resources to local municipalities and non-profit partners. Crystal Loffler manages the allocation of funds to projects that improve infrastructure, support small businesses, and enhance the quality of life in diverse communities. By driving the mission of the Office of Community Renewal, the President ensures that state investments create lasting economic impact and promote social equity. This leadership position requires close engagement with community stakeholders to identify local needs and tailor development strategies accordingly. Through the effective management of community-focused programs, the President, Office of Community Renewal supports the broader agency goal of building vibrant, sustainable communities where all residents can thrive and access affordable housing.

Elana Shneyer, the Chief of Staff at New York State Homes & Community Renewal, coordinates the daily operations and strategic priorities of the executive leadership team. This role involves managing internal communications, streamlining decision-making processes, and ensuring that agency initiatives receive the necessary support from cross-functional departments. Elana Shneyer facilitates the alignment of departmental goals with the broader mission of affordable housing preservation and community investment. By overseeing the flow of information to the executive office, the Chief of Staff enables efficient responses to emerging housing challenges and policy shifts. This leadership position requires balancing administrative oversight with strategic planning to maintain organizational focus on key performance indicators. Through the management of high-priority projects, the Chief of Staff ensures that the agency maintains operational excellence. This executive function supports the overall mission by fostering a cohesive work environment that prioritizes the delivery of safe and affordable housing solutions.

Karis Rasmussen, the Deputy Chief of Staff at New York State Homes & Community Renewal, supports the executive office by managing special projects and facilitating inter-departmental collaboration. This role involves tracking the progress of key agency initiatives and ensuring that leadership receives timely updates on critical housing developments. Karis Rasmussen coordinates the preparation of briefings and reports that inform strategic decisions regarding community investment and housing policy. By assisting with the management of internal workflows, the Deputy Chief of Staff helps maintain organizational momentum on high-priority tasks. This leadership position requires strong analytical skills to evaluate the impact of various housing programs and identify opportunities for process improvement. Through the effective management of administrative tasks, the Deputy Chief of Staff enables the executive team to focus on long-term goals. This executive function contributes to the agency mission by ensuring that operational support remains consistent and effective across all departments.

Farhana Choudhury, the Associate Counsel & Legal Chief of Staff at New York State Homes & Community Renewal, provides the legal framework and operational guidance necessary for the agency to execute its housing mission. This role involves navigating complex regulatory environments to ensure that all development projects comply with state and federal housing laws. Farhana Choudhury manages the legal review process for contracts, financing agreements, and policy documents, mitigating risk while facilitating project advancement. By serving as a bridge between the legal department and executive leadership, the Associate Counsel & Legal Chief of Staff ensures that strategic decisions are grounded in legal compliance. This leadership position requires a deep understanding of housing legislation and the ability to translate legal requirements into actionable operational strategies. Through the provision of expert legal counsel, the Associate Counsel & Legal Chief of Staff protects the agency interests and supports the successful delivery of affordable housing opportunities.

Jennai Gaskin, the Deputy Director at New York State Homes & Community Renewal, manages the tactical execution of housing programs and community development projects. This position requires close collaboration with regional teams to ensure that development goals align with local needs and state-wide standards. Jennai Gaskin monitors project timelines, budget allocations, and compliance requirements to maintain operational efficiency across all active housing initiatives. By facilitating communication between internal departments and external partners, the Deputy Director resolves bottlenecks that impede the progress of affordable housing construction. This leadership role involves analyzing performance metrics to optimize resource distribution and improve service delivery. Through consistent oversight of project lifecycles, the Deputy Director supports the agency mission of building and preserving housing stock. This executive function ensures that every development project contributes to the creation of economically vibrant communities while adhering to the highest standards of quality and accessibility.