Ask the CEO
Interim CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt Answers Your Questions
Every month, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NYCHA will respond to questions from staff on topics such as operations, the future of the agency, and how we’re overcoming everyday challenges. Have a question for the CEO? Send it to AsktheCEO@nycha.nyc.gov and check back here to see if it was selected to be answered. Please be advised that featured questions will be published with the names of the employees who submitted them. Here is the selection for October:
From Renia Covington, Administrative Manager in Healthy Homes: “What does it mean now that the Chair and CEO positions are separate? What are the job duties for each role?”
Interim CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt: “To deliver better for residents and ensure that NYCHA is here to serve the coming generations, it is quite clear that the Authority must transform in various ways. That includes strengthening our organizational structure and building a more effective, accountable, and nimble leadership team. In line with these efforts and as envisioned in our Transformation Plan, NYCHA’s Board amended the Authority’s by-laws earlier this year to separate the roles of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and Chair of the Board of Directors.
This leadership model is consistent with the structure of other public housing authorities across the nation. It strengthens accountability and better distinguishes the roles and responsibilities of each position. The role of the Chair, and other Board members, is to set policy and drive the strategic mission of the organization. The Chair and Board Members vote on contracts and approve board resolutions at our regularly scheduled Board meetings.
The CEO is responsible for running the organization on a day-to-day basis, implementing the Board’s policy direction, hiring and managing NYCHA’s senior leadership team, and providing effective leadership to the organization. I am excited to be in this role, continuing the transformative work that is underway to improve residents’ quality of life and strengthen our organization.”
