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NYCHA Now
August 2023 Exceptional Colleagues 

Meet the Coaching and Mentoring Leadership Academy Participants

Nii Akrofi Smart-Abbey

In January 2023, NYCHA launched its first-ever Coaching and Mentoring Leadership Academy (CMLA). Participants in the 16-week program received training and coaching in areas such as strategic communications and crisis management, and they had the opportunity to enhance their leadership and management skills through mentorship.        

Read on to learn more about a few of the mentors and mentees participating in the Leadership Academy.   

Property Manager Georgena Campbell-Bland and Senior Director of the Emergency Management and Services Department Rudy Murillo  

Georgena Campbell-Bland is Property Manager at Rangel Houses

Georgena Campbell-Bland’s NYCHA career started in 1988. She served as a Housing Assistant at several locations in the Bronx until 2014, when she became an Assistant Manager at Rangel Houses. Between 2015 and 2022, she served as Assistant Manager at Butler Houses. In 2022, she returned to Rangel Houses, where she now serves as Property Manager.  

Ms. Campbell-Bland joined the CMLA because she wanted to gain more knowledge about being a manager that will help her plan effectively and assist residents and the community.  

“My participation in the CMLA was great,” said Ms. Campbell-Bland. “Having the opportunity to hear the personal experiences of NYCHA executives and how they dealt with managing their teams was helpful. My mentor, Rudy Murillo, was open to guiding me as a new manager. Our weekly discussions about my day-to-day challenges encouraged me to get better at communication. The CMLA taught me team building and to not be afraid to reach out when I need assistance.” 

Rudy Murillo is Senior Director of the Emergency Management and Services Department

Rudy Murillo joined NYCHA in 2018 as Director of the Office of Emergency Management. In 2022, he was appointed acting Senior Director of the Emergency Management and Services Department, which led to his permanent appointment in the role. Mr. Murillo is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He holds a bachelor’s degree in homeland and corporate security and a master’s degree in homeland security and criminal justice leadership from St. John’s University.  

Mr. Murillo joined the CMLA because he believes in the power of mentoring to guide and assist mentees while enabling mentors to evaluate themselves in the process.  

“I was excited to be part of NYCHA’s initial CMLA program,” said Mr. Murillo. “I think it is a great opportunity for professionals to get together and share common challenges and experiences. I hope I was able to be helpful to my mentee.”