Mission First Housing Group is excited to announce it welcomed four members to its Board of Directors August 21, 2024. Introducing:

Terry Booker, Co-Founder, CEO and Director for Collective Impact Health: Terry has spent the last 30 years as an entrepreneur, investment banking and health care insurance executive focused on innovative transactions that were at the forefront of their industries - solutions that focus on health care for commercial, government programs, managed care and health equity for people of color. He also spent 10 years as senior executive with a large health plan serving all product areas – Fully insured, Self-Funded, ASO, government programs, Medicare, Medicaid. Moreover, Terry’s network among Blue Cross Blue Shield affiliates across the country and entrepreneurs in the sector is unparalleled.

Shay K. Dugan, Chief Operating Officer for Humphrey Management: Shay is responsible for the long-term growth and strategic direction of Humphrey Management, an affordable housing property management firm serving the Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia markets. With over 28 years of industry experience, she provides oversight, guidance and direction for property operations, executing management initiatives in accordance with the company’s strategic vision. In addition to Property Operations, Shay oversees the Corporate Support Services Departments which include Marketing, Training & Development, Maintenance & Procurement, Compliance, HR & Recruiting and Client Services. This oversight includes ensuring that these departments provide support and collaboration resulting in the development of sound processes to ensure complete execution. 

Lianna Petroski, Senior Vice President, Head of Acquisitions & Deputy Fund Manager, Real Estate Equity for Enterprise Community Investment, an Enterprise Community Partners affiliate: Lianna assists in the overall management of the Real Estate Equity business. Lianna oversees the team responsible for acquisitions and capital deployment, including the origination, underwriting and closing of investments in affordable and workforce housing for a variety of preservation equity funds. She also supports the management of existing funds and portfolio assets, where she collaborates with senior leadership and asset management in monitoring investment and fund performance, serving as a key decision maker with a focus on maximizing financial performance and impact outcomes. The team’s portfolio includes more than 10,000 affordable and workforce homes and represents over $1 billion of assets under management. 

Leigh N. Whitaker, Esq., Principal, Government Relations for Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney: In her role, Leigh advocates for clients before local and state governments, and advises clients on how to implement short and long term strategies to advance their business interest. Prior to joining Buchanan, Leigh was the Director of City Relations for the University of Pennsylvania. There she was Penn’s liaison with the City of Philadelphia and City Council and advised the University community on matters related to local government. Leigh has spent more than 20 years in government relations, including serving as the Vice President of Communications for SugarHouse (now Rivers Philadelphia) Casino, Deputy Chief of Staff for the School District of Philadelphia and as Chief Legislative Aide for former Philadelphia City Council President (then Councilman) Darrell L. Clarke.

We look forward to benefiting from the vast expertise and insight from Terry, Shay, Lianna and Leigh and welcome their support of our mission to develop and manage affordable, equitable, safe, sustainable homes that support residents and strengthen communities.

Come meet our new Board Members and reconnect with the rest of our board at Welcome Home on October 17, 2024. More details below.

Camp Upward, Mission First’s fun and educational summer camp in Washington, DC, hosted 29 young residents for four weeks in July.

Camp Upward offers a summer youth program that creates a positive, safe place for children to gain academic enrichment, build healthy relationships, increase socialization skills and improve their physical health. The program is specially designed for youth residents, ages 5-13, of Mission First’s affordable housing communities in the Mount Vernon Triangle Neighborhood of Northwest Washington, DC.

This year, our team presented many fun STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) activities like making foam paint, marshmallow towers, volcanos, crystal flowers and elephant toothpaste, as well as provided our younger residents and neighbors with educational lessons around language arts and reading. The campers were able to get out and about for field trips to Six Flags, Cameron Run Water Park and Association of American Medical Colleges, too.

Our summer camp programs are a valuable resource for the parents and children living at our properties.

Check out more photos of our campers’ activities on X (formerly Twitter) at www.twitter.com/MissionFirstHG and Instagram at www.instagram.com/MissionFirstHG.