Changemakers - NYCHA Now

On March 26, a proud and grateful gathering of NYCHA staff came together to celebrate the graduation of CMLA Cohort 3: the newest graduating class of the Authority’s Coaching and Mentoring Leadership Academy (CMLA) . “This isn’t just a graduation,” said Yvette Andino, Vice President of Employee Engagement and founder of the CMLA program. “It’s a… Continue Reading Growing Leaders from Within: NYCHA Celebrates CMLA Cohort 3 Graduation

Celebrations Changemakers Health & Safety Highlighted May 2026

May 11, 2026 Joshua Olesker

From Training to Career: NYCHA Celebrates New Heating Plant Technicians at City Tech

Eighteen NYCHA residents took a major step toward new careers this winter, graduating from the Authority’s Heating Plant Technician (HPT) training program in a ceremony held at New York City College of Technology in Brooklyn on April 2. For this latest cohort, the moment marked the culmination of six months of intensive, hands-on training, as… Continue Reading From Training to Career: NYCHA Celebrates New Heating Plant Technicians at City Tech

April 2026 Celebrations Changemakers

April 1, 2026 Joshua Olesker

CMLA Alumni Reunite to Celebrate Leadership, Mentorship, and the Program’s Growing Impact

Alumni of the first three cohorts of NYCHA’s Coaching and Mentoring Leadership Academy (CMLA) gathered on March 5 in the 90 Church Street Ceremonial Room for a reunion of the program’s “first generation” of mentors and mentees. The event reunited a majority of the mentors and mentees who have participated in the CMLA program since… Continue Reading CMLA Alumni Reunite to Celebrate Leadership, Mentorship, and the Program’s Growing Impact

Changemakers Employee Voices Exceptional Colleagues Highlighted November 2025

November 26, 2025 Joshua Olesker

Building Leaders by Building Each Other: Inside a Transformative NYCHA Mentorship

When Miguel Ballena and Avik Das first crossed paths at NYCHA, they didn’t share much more than a nodding acquaintance in the hallways of 90 Church Street. Each man worked in a different corner of this vast organization — Mr. Ballena in Performance Tracking and Analytics, Mr. Das in Internal Audit and Assessment. Then NYCHA’s… Continue Reading Building Leaders by Building Each Other: Inside a Transformative NYCHA Mentorship

August 2023 Changemakers Highlighted

August 3, 2023 Nii Akrofi Smart-Abbey

Meet Andrea Williams, Caretaker at Riis Houses and NYCHA Changemaker

Until recently, Andrea Williams had worked mainly as a security guard. But when the COVID pandemic hit, she had to seek other opportunities when she lost her job. That search led her to NYCHA, where she secured a role as a Seasonal Aide in 2021. After giving the position her all, she became a permanent… Continue Reading Meet Andrea Williams, Caretaker at Riis Houses and NYCHA Changemaker

Changemakers Exceptional Colleagues October 2021

October 19, 2021 Michael Corwin

Making a Difference for Residents

Meet Shekeiva King NYCHA is celebrating National Customer Service Week 2021 during the week of October 18-22. This year’s theme, “Power of Service,” reaffirms and celebrates our commitment to excellent customer service. As part of the celebrations, we are highlighting NYCHA Changemakers – employees who use our core values to create meaningful, sustainable change in… Continue Reading Making a Difference for Residents

Changemakers Exceptional Colleagues October 2021

October 15, 2021 Michael Corwin

Making a Difference for Residents

Meet Linda Padilla NYCHA is celebrating National Customer Service Week 2021 during the week of October 18-22. This year’s theme, “Power of Service,” reaffirms and celebrates our commitment to excellent customer service. As part of the celebrations, we are highlighting NYCHA Changemakers – employees who use our core values to create meaningful, sustainable change in… Continue Reading Making a Difference for Residents

Changemakers Employee Voices October 2021

October 12, 2021 Michael Corwin

Making a Difference for Residents

Meet Vincent Donohue NYCHA is celebrating National Customer Service Week 2021 during the week of October 18-22. This year’s theme, “Power of Service,” reaffirms and celebrates our commitment to excellent customer service. As part of the celebrations, we are highlighting NYCHA Changemakers – employees who use our core values to create meaningful, sustainable change in… Continue Reading Making a Difference for Residents