ChangeMakers with Katie Goar Katie Goar

This week on ChangeMakers, Katie sits down with Mariah Hayden, the Executive Director of New Life Village. Mariah has been tirelessly dedicated to providing safety and stability for children affected by trauma and mental health challenges, drawing from her academic training and personal experiences to oversee the expansion of New Life Village's campus with more affordable housing and amenities. Before taking on this essential role, Mariah had a successful career spanning marketing, project management, and education across various sectors, giving her a unique professional background that she has channeled into making a positive impact. In this inspiring conversation, Mariah shares her journey of combining skills and passion to create meaningful change for vulnerable youth, discussing innovative approaches, overcoming challenges, and her vision for the future of the organization and those it serves—a powerful example of how one person's commitment can transform lives and communities.

Learn more about New Life Village here and find out more about Generations of Hope here.

The conversation turns to the Tulsa Housing Authority's major recent accomplishment: being awarded two significant and highly competitive Choice Neighborhoods Implementation grants by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Katie congratulates Aaron, noting that these federal grants are extremely difficult to obtain, and asks him to discuss his innovative strategy that made THA's proposals stand out. Darden explains his team's approach, sharing exciting details about the transformative redevelopment plans for the targeted neighborhoods that will catalyze comprehensive community revitalization efforts with new mixed-income housing, improved services, amenities, and economic opportunities. He also covers the profound impact these awards will have on the organization's broader initiatives and objectives, reflecting THA's commitment to creating sustainable, vibrant communities. Darden outlines how the dedicated team that drove this successful grant pursuit exemplifies this mission, providing insights into the long-lasting effect these achievements will have on uplifting Tulsa residents for years to come.

This week on ChangeMakers, Katie welcomes Aaron Darden, the President and CEO of the Tulsa Housing Authority. With nearly a decade of leadership experience at the Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency in Nashville, Darden has hit the ground running since taking the helm at THA, securing $80 million in Choice Neighborhoods Implementation grants and undergoing a portfolio conversion of its public housing properties. Since Darden's arrival, THA has leveraged over $350 million towards affordable housing development. Under his direction, the housing authority is driving transformative change through innovative public-private partnerships aimed at uplifting communities and increasing housing access in Tulsa. Tune in as Darden discusses his inspiring vision for revitalizing urban neighborhoods and creating equitable opportunities.

In the second half of this inspiring conversation, Mike Loftin dives deeper into the long-term impact and vision behind his pioneering work at Homewise. During part one, Mike discussed leveraging HUD and FHA programs to open up homeownership opportunities for underrepresented groups that have historically faced barriers to achieving this core aspect of the American dream. Katie presses Mike further, asking, "What specific policies or actions would need to be implemented at a broader level to truly achieve those goals of increasing homeownership equity?" Mike draws upon his decades of experience and deep understanding of housing policy to outline potential solutions. From reforming creditworthiness criteria to developing more low-cost financing options, he provides an inside look at the systemic changes needed to level the playing field. Don't miss this candid discussion that gets to the heart of what it will take to make the dream of homeownership a reality for all families, regardless of their background or circumstances. Mike's wisdom and innovative ideas will inspire you and could serve as a blueprint for real, lasting change in increasing access to affordable housing nationwide.

About Mike Loftin: Mike joined Homewise in 1992 and provides strategic leadership for the company by working with the board of directors and the executive management team to drive the long-term vision, strategy, goals, and financial well-being of Homewise.With over 35 years’ experience in community and homeownership advocacy, Mike led the creation and implementation of Homewise’s customer-centric, comprehensively integrated homeownership business model. Mike drafted and led the campaign to pass Santa Fe’s inclusionary zoning law, one of the most ambitious in the country and which has served as the model for similar ordinances in other municipalities.More recently, he spearheaded the creation of Homewise’s catalytic community development strategy to revitalize targeted disinvested neighborhoods in Albuquerque and create new mixed-use, mixed-income communities in Santa Fe.Mike serves on the board of Excellent Schools New Mexico and previously served on the boards of the University of New Mexico Anderson School of Management Foundation and the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority. Mike holds a BA in History from Northwestern University.

Katie Goar sits down with ChangeMaker Mike Loftin, a true visionary in the affordable housing space. For over 30 years, Mike has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Homewise, a nonprofit organization dedicated to making homeownership accessible in New Mexico. Under Mike's steadfast leadership, Homewise has pioneered an innovative and comprehensive model to guide individuals and families through every step of achieving the American dream of homeownership. From financial education to affordable mortgage lending, Homewise provides families with the support and resources needed to successfully become homeowners. Tune in as Mike shares his inspiring story, the challenges he's faced, the victories he's achieved, and his unwavering commitment to building stronger communities through homeownership. You won't want to miss this insightful conversation with one of the true ChangeMakers transforming lives and communities through the power of affordable housing.

About Mike Loftin: Mike joined Homewise in 1992 and provides strategic leadership for the company by working with the board of directors and the executive management team to drive the long-term vision, strategy, goals, and financial well-being of Homewise.With over 35 years’ experience in community and homeownership advocacy, Mike led the creation and implementation of Homewise’s customer-centric, comprehensively integrated homeownership business model. Mike drafted and led the campaign to pass Santa Fe’s inclusionary zoning law, one of the most ambitious in the country and which has served as the model for similar ordinances in other municipalities.More recently, he spearheaded the creation of Homewise’s catalytic community development strategy to revitalize targeted disinvested neighborhoods in Albuquerque and create new mixed-use, mixed-income communities in Santa Fe.Mike serves on the board of Excellent Schools New Mexico and previously served on the boards of the University of New Mexico Anderson School of Management Foundation and the New Mexico Mortgage Finance Authority. Mike holds a BA in History from Northwestern University.

In the second half of the episode, Jennifer reflects on her tenure as Deputy Executive Director at the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority during the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic and the civil unrest following the murder of George Floyd. She opens up about the lessons learned from navigating those turbulent times while continuing to serve some of the community's most vulnerable residents. Katie also asks Jennifer to gaze into her proverbial crystal ball. Jennifer provides an inside look at the company's long-term vision for disrupting the single-family rental space through affordable housing initiatives, sustainable building practices, and innovative community programs. Don't miss her inspiring insights and bold predictions for making rental living more accessible and enriching for families nationwide in the years ahead.

About Jennifer Keogh: Jennifer brings over 25 years of experience in affordable housing to her role as Vice President of Affordable Housing at Progress Residential. With a deep commitment to ensuring low-income families have access to thriving neighborhoods, Jennifer has dedicated her career to making a difference in this field.Prior to joining Progress Residential, Jennifer served as the Deputy Executive Director of the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority, one of the largest Housing Authorities in the country with Moving to Work Status and a HUD Mobility Program. During her career, Jennifer played a pivotal role in designing and implementing one of the initial mobility programs in the country, demonstrating her passion for economic and social mobility.Jennifer is currently the Strategic Planning Advisory Chair for the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO), where she is leading the development of their first 5-year Strategic Plan. Locally, she serves on the Affordable Housing Connections Board, further demonstrating her commitment to addressing housing challenges at both the national and local levels.