July 16, 2026 — NAHRO is pleased to celebrate the two winners of the 2026 International Research and Global Exchange (IRGE) award at the Summer Symposium in Nashville. Betsy Morris and Laurie Putscher (posthumous), both former members of NAHRO’s IRGE committee, have each demonstrated decades of commitment to advancing international collaboration at their respective agencies and nationally as members of NAHRO.

Morris, who served as chair of NAHRO’s IRGE committee from 2009 to 2011, has led multiple formative international initiatives at NAHRO across her 40-year career, including 14 years as the President and CEO of the San Diego Housing Commission in California. She was instrumental in aligning the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals with NAHRO priorities and helping housing and community development professionals across the United States recognize their role in addressing broader global challenges, including housing affordability, sustainability, equity, and community resilience. From leading discussions on housing as a human right to serving as an emissary of NAHRO in Canada, Europe, South America, and South Africa, Morris’ efforts built lasting relationships and strengthened member knowledge of new global developments and best practices.

Putscher, who passed in October 2023, was also a long-time member of the Middle Atlantic Regional Council (MARC NAHRO) and highly active in her community. As mentioned by numerous letters submitted by her peers, Putscher consistently demonstrated a strong interest in the challenges and solutions related to affordable housing at home and abroad. This led to a long and multifaceted career in housing and community development: first as an architect, and then as the Director of Asset Management for the District of Columbia Housing Authority and the Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis in Maryland. She authored multiple research papers in addition to leading international discussions and study exchanges.

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