Celebrating Administrative Professionals Day

Meet Evelyn Sanchez, Executive Assistant to the CEO 

Evelyn Sanchez has a front-row seat to the demanding work schedule of NYCHA’s top leader.  

Working as Executive Assistant to Lisa Bova-Hiatt, the Chief Executive Officer of the nation’s largest public housing authority, may come with an imposing list of tasks on some days, but Ms. Sanchez has found her niche at NYCHA. After joining the Authority team five years ago, Ms. Sanchez has served under four CEOs, three of whom also held the position of Chair of the Board of Directors. 

She believes her ability to thrive in the administrative role can be attributed to the welcoming workplace atmosphere, cooperative interaction between colleagues, and support from NYCHA leadership to succeed in her duties.  

“It’s been an amazing experience for me here, and my approach is that I’m happy to be at work,” she said. “The connections are just phenomenal, and my work colleagues are people that I appreciate; they treat you with respect and give you the opportunity to earn your own credibility. My overall experience has been a very fruitful one and the support has been phenomenal.”  

Ms. Sanchez is among the Authority’s administrative employees whose contributions and service are recognized as part of National Administrative Professionals Day on April 24. 

A native New Yorker and former resident of Soundview Houses in the Bronx, Ms. Sanchez previously served as an administrative professional in the city’s private sector for many years. When she came to NYCHA, it was an opportunity to return to working in Lower Manhattan, while bringing prior experience with social services and assisting NYCHA families at the Board of Education.    

First hired as Executive Assistant to former CEO and Chair Stanley Brezenoff, Ms. Sanchez has worked for nearly two years with Ms. Bova-Hiatt, who first held an interim role and was later named CEO by Mayor Eric Adams in July 2023. Ms. Bova-Hiatt commended her Executive Assistant’s tireless efforts and commitment to the job.   

“In recognition of Administrative Professionals Day, I am proud to celebrate the hard work of Evelyn Sanchez, and I am so appreciative for all she does to help coordinate my duties on a daily basis,” Ms. Bova-Hiatt said. “She is very attentive, dedicated, and compassionate regarding residents’ needs, and she is someone whom I consistently depend on for navigating our work in service to the NYCHA community.” 

During her career in the administrative field, Ms. Sanchez has managed a range of services from bookkeeping to job placement, including helping connect youth to entry-level positions. She enjoys the continuous learning environment inherent in administrative work and has valued the relationships she’s developed over the years.  

“Every day is a learning day because you’re learning something new,” she described. “I really appreciate the connections and the respect I’ve received.”  

Her day-to-day responsibilities as the CEO’s Executive Assistant include overseeing the calendar, addressing various administrative tasks for Ms. Bova-Hiatt and her office, and assisting with community outreach. Additionally, she works with agencies and partners to facilitate event appearances and speaking engagements across the city for Ms. Bova-Hiatt.  

An effective administrative professional, she notes, is one who can not only fulfill the many tasks at hand, but listens well, understands their principal’s work style, and anticipates their needs and expectations.  

“It’s always good to have an idea of what your boss needs,” she said. “I think it’s basically about being a good listener, trying to focus on what you’re doing, and also retain. On a daily basis you’re making sure you handle what needs to get done, that the follow-ups are accurate, you’re available as needed, and making whatever their needs are possible.” 

Ms. Sanchez called Ms. Bova-Hiatt an encouraging leader who inspires confidence in her staff and fosters an uplifting environment for employees to succeed in the workplace. 

“She is a person that treats you with a lot of respect and she’s very kind,” Ms. Sanchez said. “She’s a great listener, a great supporter, and with her, it’s always ‘you can.’”  

Along with the supportive atmosphere among colleagues and leaders at NYCHA, Ms. Sanchez is gratified for the connections she’s made as part of a team that is dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents.  

“For me, it’s been an honor to come here and to have an opportunity to be there for the residents,” she concluded. “I have a lot of good dialogue with the residents.”