Meet Lauren Colella, PMU Project Manager 

Working within NYCHA’s Planning and Project Management Department, Lauren Colella can attest to the impact of various initiatives to improve residents’ quality of life. 

For more than a year, Ms. Colella has served as a Project Manager in the department’s division that is dedicated to the planning, organization, and execution of complex operational projects and programs. The Project Management Unit (PMU) works to deliver project management services that drive operational excellence, foster compliance, and enhance the Authority’s overall success. 

A Staten Island native, Ms. Colella previously worked as a research assistant at the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene before pursuing another opportunity to serve the community (at NYCHA). She joined the Planning and Project Management Department after starting her NYCHA career in the Office of Mold Remediation.  

“I was born and raised in New York, and I’ve always known that I wanted to give back to the city in a meaningful way,” Ms. Colella said. “I thought this would be a great fit for me and it has been, because you can definitely see how you impact the lives of residents in a positive way while doing this type of work.” 

Ms. Colella and her PMU colleagues develop, coordinate, and manage project activities and resources across NYCHA to meet operational goals related to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Agreement and various federal requirements. The team is also responsible for analyzing existing processes and programs to identify areas of improvement and recommend solutions. 

As a Project Manager, Ms. Colella is focused on efforts that help improve services for both the residents and employees at NYCHA developments. 

“My goals when I’m doing my projects and leading them are that I really want to create outcomes that benefit the residents and also the property staff,” she said. 

Former Planning and Project Management Deputy Director Ella Santos commended Ms. Colella’s dedication to the job. 

“She’s been instrumental in driving several impactful projects across Operations and continues to go above and beyond in her work,” Ms. Santos said. “I believe her contributions truly deserve recognition.” 

One of Ms. Colella’s key priorities has been advancing a resident safety project focused on improving practices related to window-mounted air conditioners. Known as Safe AC at NYCHA, the initiative is currently focused on identifying effective strategies to strengthen oversight and promote safer conditions for residents. 

“It’s something I feel very passionate about,” she noted of the safety effort. 

Ms. Colella’s Project Management team has also been helping to revamp a stair climber program at developments to assist elderly residents and people with disabilities when elevators have planned outages during modernization upgrades. She is overseeing asset management for the stair climbers, portable wheelchair lifts for stairs which allow qualified volunteers to easily and safely help people get up and down stairways. The PMU has also worked with the Learning and Development Department to conduct stair climber training and outreach to NYCHA staff so they can assist as volunteers at the properties.  

While witnessing the positive impacts of projects on residents’ quality of life is among the most rewarding aspects of her job, Ms. Colella is equally thankful for the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues as she grows her career at the Authority.  

“I really love working with my team,” she said. “I feel like I’ve made a lot of professional growth here, including with my leadership skills.”