Cultivating the Next Generation of Affordable Housing Leadership 

AHIC's Emerging Leadership program creates opportunities for the next-gen LIHTC leaders to develop their peer networks, acquire leadership experience and learn from top industry leaders.

After a COVID-imposed hiatus, the program re-launched in 2025 by creating a new Emerging Leaders Advisory Group.  Its members are emerging leaders themselves who are working to rebuild the program and ensure it reflects the needs, interests, and realities of their peers. We hope to announce our first events in the near future.  

2025 Emerging Leaders Advisory Group 

• Madison Berger, TD Bank

• Claire Catanzaro, U.S. Bank Impact Finance

• Christopher Cerulli, Citizens Bank

• Brittney Desmond, Fifth Third Bank

• Lauren Kew, Truist

• Crystal Locke, First Citizens Bank

• Kyle Pluta, Huntington National Bank

• Austin Richardson, TowneBank

• John Simpson, Regions Affordable Housing

• Joseph Slamm, Fannie Mae

• Kyra Smolkis, Aetna/CVS Health

• Armen Yurkhanyan, American Express

Who Can Participate in Emerging Leader Events?  

Anyone employed by an AHIC investor member firm (e.g., bank or insurance company) and working in an Investor role with seven years or less experience in LIHTC equity investing are eligible to participate.

• Not sure if your firm is an investor member? Use our online membership directory.
  
  
• Not sure what it means to be working in an investor role? See our Explainer on Investor Representatives versus Affiliate Representatives for banks that invest and syndicate federal housing tax credits.