Meet Millie Molina, Senior Manager for Events & Communications Services 

Former Resident, Seasoned Manager Is Retiring After Nearly 25 Years at NYCHA 

NYCHA has held a prominent place in the life and career of Millie Molina.  

A native New Yorker, Ms. Molina spent her childhood as a resident of Patterson Houses in the Bronx before her family eventually purchased a home in Queens Village. After working with a State government agency earlier in her career, Ms. Molina returned to NYCHA, where she has proudly served as a longtime employee in the Department of Communications (DOC).  

“I am a proud product of Patterson Houses. And I’m really proud of now being part of NYCHA’s team, where I feel as if I’m giving back,” said Ms. Molina, who moved back to the Bronx more than 15 years ago.  

The DOC Senior Manager for Events and Communications Services, who just celebrated her 24th year of serving the NYCHA community, has decided it’s time to begin a new chapter and will retire on June 1. She has spent her entire NYCHA career in the department, having joined the Authority in 1999 as the Director of what was then the Public and Community Relations Department.  

“I am excited about retiring,” she said. “I’m proud to have served in my current and past roles, and I feel that I have helped contribute to NYCHA’s mission.”  

Ms. Molina came to NYCHA with 13 years of affordable housing industry experience at the New York State Housing Finance Agency. She supervised a staff of 26 when she first took over as the Authority’s Director of Public and Community Relations, helping to lead efforts to establish policies and standards in support of NYCHA’s mission. Among the early initiatives she oversaw was the ombudsperson program, which then had offices in each borough to address service issues and provide a “voice for the residents.”     

As the Senior Manager for Events and Communications Services for the past 10 years, Ms. Molina has been the supervisor of DOC divisions such as the Language Services Unit (LSU), Audiovisual Unit, and Photography. Under her leadership, the LSU team – which translates NYCHA’s vital documents, resident-facing program collateral, and other critical notifications for the limited English proficient community – was recognized with the Mayor’s Office’s Excellence in Customer Service Award. 

Other responsibilities have included serving as the language access coordinator to ensure compliance with language assistance services policies, managing the departmental budget, and serving as DOC’s procurement manager for contracts. She also previously coordinated special events for the Authority’s executive department, such as leadership retreats and agency holiday parties.    

“I think the team that I’ve managed over the years are very proud of the services that they provide,” she said. “One of the things I’ve most valued is communicating with colleagues from all different departments, whether they’re at the central office or in the field.”  

Throughout NYCHA, Ms. Molina is well respected for her leadership and highly regarded by her colleagues for her jovial and personable nature. 

“It has been a pleasure to work with Millie Molina,” Chief Communications Officer Barbara Brancaccio said. “Millie is an extraordinary colleague and a role model, and her contributions to the Department of Communications – specifically her work to advance language access for public housing residents – are significant and deeply appreciated. We thank her for her friendship and service.”    

A self-described “people person,” Ms. Molina said she has been grateful for the many years of interacting with residents and staff at functions like Family Days and NYCHA milestone anniversary events. For several years, she also hosted “road shows” in which she briefed staff across the five boroughs on NYCHA’s language policy.     

On Friday, June 9, Ms. Molina will be joined by colleagues to celebrate her more than two decades of NYCHA service at a luncheon event from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. in the Fifth Floor Ceremonial Room at 90 Church Street.  

As she heads into retirement, Ms. Molina noted it is a fitting time to move on after recently completing her 24th year as a NYCHA employee. She may not have any concrete plans other than an upcoming cruise vacation and visits to see her family, but she is looking forward to the next phase of life and is gratified by her fulfilling years in public service.  

“I’m proud that between my State and City experience, I will be retiring with 37 years as a public servant,” she stated. “I thought I’d start the summer off right, and I just plan to enjoy life and stay healthy, number one.”