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NYCHA Now
Exceptional Colleagues May 2023 

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 are receiving training and coaching in areas such as strategic communications and crisis management, and they get 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.    

Supervisor of Caretakers Angela Purcell and Neighborhood Planner Elizabeth Diaz 

Angela Purcell is a Supervisor of Caretakers at Red Hook West Houses

Angela Purcell is a Supervisor of Caretakers at Red Hook West Houses. She started her NYCHA career in 1998 working with youth as a Community Service Aide in the Community Operations unit. After three years in that position, she moved on to become a Grounds Seasonal before becoming a Caretaker J. Ms. Purcell, who has worked throughout the five boroughs, was a Supervisor of Exterminators before being promoted to her current position.  

Ms. Purcell describes herself as hardworking, driven, and not afraid to take on a challenge; she joined the CMLA to gain knowledge and career guidance.  

“The Coaching and Mentoring Leadership Academy has helped me connect with people who have more experience and knowledge to pass on to me and others,” said Ms. Purcell. “My mentor has been a source of knowledge, and she is assisting me with my career goals. My next step is to become an Assistant Superintendent, and she is encouraging me on my path.”  

Elizabeth Diaz is a Neighborhood Planner, Brooklyn Property Management

Elizabeth Diaz, a Neighborhood Planner in Brooklyn Property Management, has been with NYCHA for over 23 years. Over those two decades, she has worked in several departments and in several positions; she started her NYCHA career as a Caretaker and worked her way up to Administrative Superintendent and then Neighborhood Planner.  

Ms. Diaz joined the CMLA to help other colleagues succeed through the knowledge and experience that she can share.  

“This opportunity and experience thus far has been very empowering, not only for the mentees but also to the mentors as well,” said Ms. Diaz. “It has been full of great information and nuggets to empower the multi-tasking NYCHA employees that we are. It is definitely a rich investment that will yield great returns. I expect to see many employees benefit from this program in the years to come. I have a great mentee who is like-minded. We don’t aspire to be the best on the team, but to be the best for the team!”