NYCHA CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt Honored for Public Service at Settlement Housing Fund Gala

NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt received the Public Service Award at Settlement Housing Fund’s 2026 annual gala on October 15, in recognition of her leadership and commitment to affordable housing.

Held at Tribeca Rooftop in Manhattan, the evening was themed “The Power of Place,” and it brought together more than 450 housing advocates, developers, public officials, and community partners in support of Settlement Housing Fund’s mission.

For decades, Settlement Housing Fund, a nonprofit affordable housing developer, has worked to strengthen neighborhoods and expand housing opportunities for low-income New Yorkers. Its longstanding partnership with NYCHA includes efforts to improve residents’ homes and quality of life at Harlem River Houses and Murphy Private, among other developments.

That shared mission was central to Ms. Bova-Hiatt’s remarks as she accepted the award.

“Understanding your purpose and using your gifts and talents in service to others,” Ms. Bova- Hiatt said,
“leads not only to an impactful career but also to a meaningful life.”

“It’s truly an honor to receive Settlement Housing Fund’s Public Service Award,” she told the gathering, before dedicating the recognition to the thousands of NYCHA employees whose daily efforts sustain the nation’s largest public housing authority.

“I would like to accept this recognition on behalf of my more than 12,000 NYCHA colleagues, who work so hard on behalf of the NYCHA families we serve.”

The award recognized Ms. Bova-Hiatt’s leadership in advancing investments to preserve and improve public housing, strengthening NYCHA’s operations, and expanding opportunities for residents. Settlement Housing Fund credited her leadership with helping secure billions of dollars in investments to improve affordable housing for hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers.

But NYCHA’s CEO used the occasion to emphasize not simply the achievements of public service but also its deeper purpose.

“Public service is indeed a special calling,” she said. “Understanding your purpose and using your gifts and talents in service to others leads not only to an impactful career but also to a meaningful life.”

She acknowledged the significant challenges NYCHA faces, including decades of federal underfunding and the urgent need to modernize aging buildings. Addressing those challenges, she emphasized, requires sustained investment, organizational transformation, and strong partnerships across government, housing development, finance, and social services.

The evening’s theme offered a fitting framework to celebrate that kind of collective work.

“The Power of Place,” Ms. Bova-Hiatt observed, invites reflection on how affordable housing helps create strong communities, expand opportunity, and enable families and neighborhoods to thrive.

Ms. Bova-Hiatt’s co-honorees included (left to right) Christine Coletta of Hirschen Singer & Epstein LLP,
Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, and Yarojin “Roj” Robinson of Gilbane

Three other housing leaders were also recognized that evening: Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, recipient of the Carol Lamberg Visionary Award; Yarojin “Roj” Robinson of Gilbane, honored as Developer of the Year; and Christine Coletta of Hirschen Singer & Epstein LLP, who was named Partner of the Year.

Together, the honorees represented the public, private, and nonprofit partnerships that are needed to confront New York City’s housing challenges.

For Ms. Bova-Hiatt, the occasion was both a celebration of progress and a reminder of the work ahead.

“The challenges are great,” she said, “but thankfully, our passion is even greater.”