Thought Leader Events Address Diversity, Resiliency 

As the largest public housing authority in the country, NYCHA is served by numerous thought leaders, employees whose expertise in a specific field can help shape policies and develop innovative solutions to challenging problems.   

NYCHA regularly participates in a variety of thought leadership events, which provide opportunities for staff to promote programs and initiatives centered on improving the lives of Authority residents and the greater community.   

In recent months, NYCHA has been actively engaged in thought leadership functions that focus on themes such as workforce diversity, resiliency programs, affordable housing, and the role of women leaders in the city’s construction industry. Here are some highlights: 

On March 21, NYCHA’s Vice President for Comprehensive Modernization (Comp Mod) Michele Basic Moore participated in a roundtable discussion as part of the Women Builders Council’s 2024 AIM Forum at the CUNY City College of Technology.  

The event, a national women’s leadership forum, featured speakers from various organizations and companies, breakout sessions, and workshops to spotlight strategies for navigating new trends, unpredictable market influences, and innovations in the construction industry.  

Ms. Basic Moore was among several panelists on the “Diversity Disruption Roundtable,” which explored what large organizations are doing to increase diversity in their workforce and on development projects. The panel was moderated by Tanya Pope, Assistant Vice President of University Supplier Diversity at Columbia University.  

In addressing some of NYCHA’s large-scale investments, Ms. Basic Moore said that the Comp Mod initiative is using large design-build contracts to invest nearly $1 billion into revitalizing several developments. She noted that these contracts require 30 percent of the contract value to be awarded to a Minority- or Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE), providing opportunities for both small and large firms as well as Section 3 businesses. Notably, Bronx Pro Group, a women-owned affordable housing firm, is working on the Authority’s largest design-build contract for Comp Mod at Saint Nicholas Houses in Harlem.   

The Authority’s recently signed Project Labor Agreement also aims to increase opportunities for MWBEs, Section 3 businesses, and other small firms to participate in capital contracts across NYCHA, Ms. Basic Moore said.   

Highlighting NYCHA’s efforts to increase workforce diversity in the rebuilding of properties citywide, Ms. Basic Moore pointed to resident training programs such as Pathways to Apprenticeship, which helps create a pipeline for residents to enter careers with construction unions. Comp Mod has been collaborating with organizations, including the Building and Construction Trades Council, Laborers’ International Union Local 78 and Local 79, and other construction groups, to create more opportunities for NYCHA residents to join unions. 

On March 27, NYCHA’s Senior Vice President for Capital Programs Joy Sinderbrand was featured on a Resiliency Lunch and Learn Series virtual panel hosted by the NYC post of the Society of American Military Engineers (SAME).  

The discussion, moderated by Meredith Jones, director of program management at APTIM, focused on community and regional resilience efforts in New York. Other speakers included Paul Tschirky, Vice Chair of the SAME National Resilience Community, and Amy Chester, Managing Director of Rebuild By Design.  

Ms. Sinderbrand, who previously served as Vice President of the Authority’s Recovery and Resilience (R+R) Department, provided an overview about NYCHA and its R+R program, including an examination of retrofit case studies at Red Hook Houses and Baruch Houses. Since Superstorm Sandy struck the city in 2012, the Recovery and Resilience Department has worked to provide safer homes for NYCHA residents in coastal developments, through building reinforcement projects, storm surge protection, and various infrastructure upgrades. 

Ms. Sinderbrand was also invited to participate on a “Celebration of Women in Construction” panel presented by the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) and National Association of Women in Construction’s New York/New Jersey Chapter on March 28. Moderated by Iris Giboyeaux, Operations Director at STV Construction, the Women’s History Month-focused event was held at Club 101 in Manhattan.  

Ms. Sinderbrand discussed some current and future capital programs at NYCHA and her role as a woman leader in the city’s construction industry. Other panelists included Jessica Goldstein, Senior Director of External Partnerships at Amtrak, and Amanda Rogers, Deputy Chief Engineer at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. 

On April 9, Ms. Sinderbrand gave a presentation at the Urban Land Institute’s spring conference at the New York Hilton Midtown. Speaking on “Climate Adaptation at Waterfront Affordable Housing,” Ms. Sinderbrand discussed NYCHA’s investments of over $3 billion in the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy to repair damage and protect 60,000 New Yorkers from future climate hazards.    

The group of housing experts will speak about efforts to address issues such as the city’s high costs of rent, low rental vacancies, and the rate of construction to meet housing demand. Mr. Kawitzky works closely with residents and the affordable housing community to bring comprehensive repairs and investments to NYCHA developments.