For Immediate Release
New York, NY | March 11, 2024 - CSH (Corporation for Supportive Housing), the national nonprofit and Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) dedicated to advancing supportive housing, is pleased to announce two new directors to its 18-member voluntary board of directors and new board officer appointments.
The newly elected board directors are:
Christine James-Brown served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Child Welfare League of America (CWLA), a role she held for 16 years before retiring in December 2023. Previously, James-Brown was president and CEO at United Way International and held other leadership roles at United Way in a career that spanned more than 28 years. Ms. James-Brown has been a guiding voice for children, families, and communities.
Tracey Scott is the Chief Executive Officer at the Chicago Public Housing Authority, the nation's third-largest housing authority serving more than 64,000 families. Previously, Ms. Scott led the Minneapolis Housing Authority and Atlanta Housing Authority and has extensive experience in affordable housing and community revitalization.
CSH also appointed existing board members to the board officer roles of Chair, Vice-Chair, and Secretary. These appointments are:
Michelle Norris, as Chair. Ms. Norris is Principal at N-Sights Consulting, LLC., Ms. Norris served at National Church Residences for 30 years, most recently as Executive Vice President of External Affairs and Strategic Partnerships. She has extensive leadership and practical industry expertise in affordable and supportive housing.
Carolyn Powell, as Vice-Chair. Ms. Powell is President of CP Integrated Solutions and previously was Chief Financial and Administrative Officer at CSH. Powell has more than three decades of strategic management and organizational development experience.
Paula Morabito, as Secretary. Ms. Morabito is a consultant with Morabito Consulting, LLC. Previously, Morabito was an audit partner at Ernst & Young, LLP, where she led real estate, construction, and hospitality work in the firm's Southeast region.
“I am honored to be the Chair of the CSH Board of Directors, an organization that understands the importance of housing and services to help people thrive. My time to date on the CSH Board has been rich in collaboration with such an amazing group of people dedicated to CSH’s mission, and we are thrilled to welcome Christine and Tracey to this great board of directors,” said Michelle Norris, the newly elected chair of CSH’s board of directors. “They bring extraordinary knowledge around the challenges families and communities face and the proven solutions like quality affordable housing and essential services that help individuals and families thrive. As the new chair, I am excited about the knowledge and passion they add to our board of directors who represent a cross-section of sectors and expertise.”
Deborah De Santis, CSH’s President and CEO, added, "We are delighted to welcome Michelle, Carolyn, and Paula as our board officers and Tracy and Christine as new Board members. Our board of directors and board officers have a deep understanding of CSH and bring vast experience on successful approaches and policies communities can put into action to prioritize affordable housing, quality services, and drive economic security."
Ms. Norris succeeded Stephen Norman as board chair, and Ms. Powell succeeded Rachel Diller as vice chair. Both Norman and Diller completed their terms on the board of directors.
On their final board meeting, De Santis expressed gratitude for their years of dedicated board service, saying, "We extend heartfelt thanks to Stephen and Rachel for their insights, leadership, and support as CSH navigated the COVID-19 pandemic and historic organizational growth. Also, we gratefully recognize their deep reflection, guidance, and collaboration with the board and staff in developing the CSH Race Equity Framework and the 2023-2027 Strategic Plan."
About CSH
CSH (Corporation for Supportive Housing) advances affordable and accessible housing aligned with services by advocating for effective policies and funding, equitably investing in communities, and strengthening the supportive housing field. Since our founding in 1991, CSH has been the only national nonprofit intermediary focused solely on increasing the availability of supportive housing. Over the course of our work, we have created more than 467,600 units of affordable and supportive housing and distributed more than $1.5 billion in loans and grants. Our workforce is central to accomplishing this work. We employ approximately 170 people across 30 states and U.S. Territories. As an intermediary, we do not directly develop or operate housing but center our approach on collaboration with a wide range of people, partners, and sectors. For more information, visit www.csh.org.
