Building Leaders Together: Mentorship Strengthens NYCHA Careers and Community
For most of the last 15 years, Deneisha Dixon has built her NYCHA career around helping residents exercise one of the most fundamental rights we all share as Americans: electing the leaders of the communities in which we live. As Manager of Voting Engagement in the Bronx, she oversees resident association elections — ensuring each development has a properly elected board, facilitating meetings, preparing materials, and guiding residents through the democratic process.
Her work is grounded in service, trust, and accountability. But even after offering 28 years of public service, Ms. Dixon knew she still had professional perspectives to gain and skills she was ambitious to refine. When she joined NYCHA’s Coaching and Mentoring Leadership Academy (CMLA) last fall as a mentee, she embarked on a partnership that has expanded her sense of what is possible.
Through the CMLA program, Dixon was paired with Lauren Gray, NYCHA’s Senior Vice President of Quality Assurance, Safety, and Technical Programs. Although both women have given significant portions of their professional careers to service at the Authority, they had never met before being matched.
“Yes, I had seen Lauren’s name on emails,” Ms. Dixon recalled, “but we had never actually connected before meeting in the CMLA.”
Over the ensuing months, they met regularly — in structured mentoring sessions, reviewing professional materials, and cultivating shared knowledge and expertise in leadership and growth.
“I’ve been here at NYCHA for 28 years, but I really didn’t know much about Lauren’s department,” Ms. Dixon said. “Learning about the amazing work Lauren does — as well as just getting to know her as a person — has opened my eyes. This whole experience has taught me so much – and not just about leadership or about being a manager, but also about myself.”
Their meetings have combined practical guidance with deeper encouragement. Ms. Gray has helped Ms. Dixon think more strategically about her career trajectory, for instance.
“Mentorship is really about pairing experience with emerging talent,” Ms. Gray said. “Our conversations have focused on building Deneisha’s confidence, strengthening her skills, and helping her see the full range of opportunities that are just waiting for someone of her caliber – and she’s also begun to see for herself just how powerful she truly is.”
“Mentorship doesn’t end when a program ends,” Ms. Gray also said. “Just because we may not meet formally every two weeks forever doesn’t mean she can’t reach out. I’m always going to be here for her, period.”
“Lauren has truly encouraged me to grow,” Ms. Dixon said. “She makes things feel possible.”
The opportunity the CMLA has afforded to both women has been a two-way gift. For her part, as Ms. Gray learned about Ms. Dixon’s role facilitating resident elections, she also gained a much deeper appreciation for the indispensable work Ms. Dixon and so many dedicated experts do every day, all across the Authority.
“She opened up my eyes to her world – which is really the same world I and we all serve in this work,” Ms. Gray said. “Deneisha’s and my work together has reminded me of a larger harmony that’s here all the time, and of how much talent and dedication there is everywhere at NYCHA.”
Inspired by Ms. Dixon’s growth, Ms. Gray is now planning to apply to NYCHA’s Learning Leaders program.
“I’m just about to sign up,” Ms. Gray said. “Seeing Deneisha’s commitment has encouraged me and reminded me that I can continue growing too!”
For Ms. Dixon, the CMLA has both fostered connection and expanded her understanding of NYCHA.
“It has really helped me to understand this amazing organization better,” she said. “I met people from different areas, learned what they do, and now can see better how everything connects.”
“I tell everyone: you should do this!” she said. “The CMLA is a fabulous opportunity!”
Not sure, TBH; I hadn’t heard of it before she named it and should have investigated before including it. I’ll do so next and update the piece.
