Photo Credit: Halistry
Alexandria, VA – November 28, 2022: The Wesley Housing Board of Directors has unanimously selected Kamilah McAfee as its next President and CEO, effective January 2, 2023. She will succeed Shelley Murphy, who has successfully led one of the region’s leading nonprofit affordable housing developers, owners, and operators for the last 15 years.
McAfee has held progressive leadership roles for the award-winning organization since 2008. Currently serving as Senior Vice President of Real Estate Development, she led Wesley’s real estate development team through an unprecedented five-year period of growth, initiated by the successful award of four competitive funding projects in 2018 and capped by the 2022 construction completion of seven communities (571 units), representing $231 million in total development costs. Most importantly, the new units will house an estimated 1,500+ low- and moderate-income individuals in need of high-quality and stable housing with access to employment, educational, healthcare, and other opportunities.
Wesley Housing’s success has garnered national recognition as one of Affordable Housing Finance’s “Top 50 Affordable Housing Developers of 2020” and regional accolades as the 2022 Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers (HAND) “Developer of the Year.” In 2020, the Virginia Housing Governor’s Conference named Wesley’s Housing Stability Initiative “Best Housing Program or Service,” a testament to the commitment and care team members extend to residents.
“The Board has always been deeply impressed with Kamilah’s vast knowledge of affordable housing and commitment to Wesley Housing’s mission,” said Wesley Housing Board Chair John Gibb. “We are confident she is the right person to lead the organization during this important period of growth,” added Gibb.
In addition to her 14 years of service at Wesley Housing, McAfee brings public sector and private sector experience, previously serving as Director of Public Finance for the DC Housing Finance Agency and a Development Associate for Forest City Washington.
“Housing is a foundational human need that paves the way for an individual’s or family’s success in so many areas. I am deeply committed to the work that Wesley Housing does in this area, and I am honored to be selected as the next President and CEO at this important time in the organization’s history,” said McAfee.
About Wesley Housing: Wesley Housing, a leading nonprofit developer in Northern Virginia and the District of Columbia, has been working to provide affordable rental housing for individuals and families for nearly 50 years. Since its founding, Wesley Housing has emerged as a premier developer of affordable housing. Wesley Housing has acquired or developed over 2,800 rental units, providing quality housing for thousands of at-risk persons each year. Wesley Housing supplements housing with supportive services to build up the lives of its residents, including low- and moderate-income families, older adults, and individuals with disabilities and/or chronic disease. For more information, please visit www.wesleyhousing.org and follow @WesleyHousing on social media.
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