Executive Director Bootcamp
NAHRO Fellows will present the NAHRO Executive Director Bootcamp on Wednesday, October 14, 9:00am – 4:30pm.
The NAHRO Fellows Executive Director Bootcamp is a full-day professional development program for new and emerging executive directors, held on committee day at the NAHRO National Conference. The day is structured around four sessions — two in the morning and two in the afternoon — covering the leadership priorities that matter most in the early stages of an executive directorship. Attendees must be registered for the conference and must pre-register for the Bootcamp at a fee of $100 for members/non-members. The Bootcamp includes a box lunch. Space is limited and admission is first come, first serve. A waiting list will not be maintained.
Session 1: 9:00am – 10:30am
The First 90 Days: Building the Relationships that Matter Most
The early days of an executive directorship are defining ones. The priorities you set, the relationships you invest in, and the trust you establish in your first 90 days – and throughout your first year – will shape your effectiveness for years to come. This session is designed for new executive directors who want to lead with intention from day one. We’ll examine why certain relationships must come first – your board, your HUD regional contact, and local government partners – and how to cultivate them in ways that build credibility and confidence. We’ll also discuss how to pace your external engagement so that involvement in broader NAHRO activities comes at the right time and strengthens rather than stretches your leadership. Attendees will leave with a practical framework for navigating their first year with focus and purpose.
Moderator:
Richard Herrington Jr., NAHRO Fellow
Panelists:
Shaundra Clark, NAHRO Fellow and Executive Director, Housing Authority of the City of Tifton
Bobby Collins, NAHRO Fellow and Chief Executive Officer, Housing Authority of the City of Shreveport
Clifton Martin, NAHRO Fellow and CEO and President, Clif Martin Enterprises, LLC
Session 2: 10:45am – 12:15pm
Trust, Transparency, and the Power of Financial Storytelling
Strong board relationships are built on clear communication, shared information, and the ability to make data meaningful. This session brings together two essential leadership skills: fostering board transparency and mastering financial storytelling. We’ll explore how executive directors can create a culture of openness, ensuring board members have access to the documents and data they need to govern confidently and withstand scrutiny at audit time. From there, we’ll dig into the art of financial storytelling: how to move beyond spreadsheets and reports and pair numbers with the human narratives behind them. Because the most effective leaders don’t just know their numbers, they use them to inspire, persuade, and build lasting trust with their boards, their staff, and their communities.
Moderator:
Patricia Wells, NAHRO Fellow, Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oakland Housing Authority
Panelists:
Carol Branham, NAHRO Fellow
Bobby Collins, NAHRO Fellow and Chief Executive Officer, Housing Authority of the City of Shreveport
Michael Gerber, NAHRO Fellow and Chief Executive Officer, Housing Authority of the City of Austin
12:15pm – 1:15pm: Networking lunch for attendees and NAHRO Fellows
Session 3: 1:15pm – 2:45pm
Development, Redevelopment, and Resident Relocation: Stories from the Trenches
Repositioning a property is one of the most consequential decisions a housing authority can make. From RAD conversions to full-scale redevelopment, the process involves significant complexity – and the outcomes affect residents, staff, and agency operations in lasting ways. This session draws on the firsthand experience of executive directors who have led repositioning efforts, offering practical insight into what the process looks like in practice. Discussion will cover resident engagement, relocation planning, and the important question of organizational readiness, including how to assess whether and when your agency is well-positioned to move forward.
Moderator:
Kurt Wiest, NAHRO Fellow
Panelists:
Milet Hopping, NAHRO Fellow
Patti Webster, NAHRO Fellow, Chief Executive Officer, HomeFront
Michael Wong, NAHRO Fellow and Executive Director, Harrisonburg Redevelopment and Housing Authority
Session 4: 3:00pm – 4:30pm
Navigating Uncertainty: Leading with Transparency in Challenging Times
The operating environment for public housing authorities has rarely felt more unpredictable. Shifting federal priorities, funding volatility, evolving compliance requirements, and personnel changes are testing leaders at every level. Drawing on firsthand experience, panelists will share how they have managed funding disruptions, navigated complex HUD relationships, sustained partnerships under pressure, and kept their teams focused amid constant change. The conversation will be candid, practical, and grounded in the realities that today’s executive directors are facing.
Moderator:
Marsha Parham-Green, NAHRO Fellow and Executive Director/CEO, Housing Authority of the City of South Bend
Panelists:
Rob Fredericks, NAHRO Fellow and Executive Director/CEO, Housing Authority of the City of Santa Barbara
Pamela Parr, NAHRO Fellow and Executive Director, Spokane Housing Authority
Wayne Pollard, NAHRO Fellow and Executive Director, Tarrant County Housing Assistance Office