INHS Executive Director started their tenure with the organization on January 2, 2024. Learn more about Kate, their leadership style, and goals for the organization below. You can also learn more by reading the Ithaca Times cover story featuring Kate here.

How would you define leadership?

Leadership for me is all about seeing the strengths of an individual and team clearly, so that each person can be recognized, coached and motivated to not only be their best in their respective role, but also to achieve our common goals together as an organization. More than anything, this involves the willingness and ability to build a very strong foundation of trust.

How do you describe your leadership style?

I was asked this by the Board during my process and at the time I said a little bit of each of the following styles: servant, coaching, strategic. I will be in the trenches with you working as hard as I can in my role (servant). I will want you to achieve your dreams and goals in working with me/us (coaching). And I will want us to chart a strategic direction for INHS with people/residents/clients at the center of all our work (strategic).

What compelled you to accept the executive director role at INHS?

First and foremost, having worked with INHS for several years in my role at Key Bank, I was absolutely impressed by everyone I met here, no matter the line of business. INHS also has a stellar reputation as one of the best affordable housing nonprofits across Upstate NY. And the chance to work in Ithaca and the surrounding six counties…when you combine it all, it was basically an opportunity I absolutely could not turn down.

What was your first impression of INHS?

My first impression of INHS was that I have never met a harder working and dedicated group of people.

How has your most recent role at KeyBank positioned you for success at INHS?

My position at KeyBank allowed me to work with affordable housing organizations and companies across New York State (NYS) and New England, financing affordable multi-family housing developments. This gave me an incredible window into not only the NYS landscape and funding for our work, but the kinds of developments our partner organizations are undertaking. At any given time, I was working on a pipeline of 5-10 projects at Key with a diverse number of internal partners and external clients in various locations, so managing dynamic and fast-moving teams really prepared me for jumping back into the nonprofit world.

What is your long-term strategy and vision for the organization?

If there is one constant thing about INHS, it is our ability to change with the needs of our community and region. As Ithaca has grown more and more unaffordable in recent years, we have focused our work not only in Ithaca proper, but in the surrounding region, whether homeownership, home repair, multi-family development or most recently, acquisition/rehabilitation of a manufactured home community. One of my biggest priorities is maintaining the fiscal health of each business line across our regional footprint. We must have this stability prior to any further expansion or business line growth. In order to do this, we have to center the wellbeing of our staff and our residents and clients. Providing a home for people is the at the heart of what we do.

How will you inspire others to drive and fulfill the vision of INHS?

I couldn’t be more excited to be driving impact here at INHS. I bring a lot of energy and passion to this work. It is my life’s purpose. And connecting with my colleagues about how we can do better or grow and change in the future is how every day starts for me. I think I mostly work to inspire people by hearing their ideas and then empowering them to turn them into reality.

What has surprised you the most about working at INHS?

Well, I currently have a pretty long commute and I don’t hate it yet!

What do you wish people knew about INHS?

I think I have found that most people are familiar with one or two of the things we do, but perhaps not the whole picture of INHS. Because for a modest sized non-profit, we do a lot. My hope is that we can continue to tell our story in a way that demonstrates that we can help you with affordable housing no matter where you are in life: coming out of homelessness, renting a modestly priced apartment or manufactured home, buying your first home or manufactured home, repairing your house…we really provide the whole spectrum of affordable housing services.

Why should the community support the INHS mission?

I am of the opinion, and I think data backs this up, that housing will continue to become more and more unaffordable in both urban and rural areas in Central and Upstate New York. Between the student population, climate change, and natural beauty of our region, we will continue to see pressures on the housing market here into the future. INHS ensures that our communities remain open to and inclusive of all people, no matter their income. This is critically important for healthy and well-functioning communities.

What would you tell someone thinking about donating to INHS?

That every dollar given to INHS not only stabilizes someone in housing, but stabilizes community too.

What might we be surprised to know about you?

That I was an All-American Division III Field Hockey player in college.

What do you do when you’re not working?

I have two children, 13 and 9, so a lot of my time outside of work is spent with my family. We love to travel, be outside, and spend time with my wife’s family in Syracuse.