WinnDevelopment Hires SVP
Affordable housing industry veteran Abby Goldenfarb has joined WinnDevelopment as senior vice president.
She previously spent more than two decades with Trinity Financial in Boston, where she has led complex new construction and adaptive-reuse projects across New England.
Her notable neighborhood revitalization projects include the development of Avenir and One Canal Street in Boston’s Bulfinch Triangle, as well as the historic adaptive reuse of Appleton Mills and 110 Canal Street in Lowell’s Hamilton Canal Innovation District. Additionally, she has led affordable homeownership projects and several major transit-oriented, mixed-use, and multi-phased developments.
Overall, Goldenfarb managed teams responsible for more than $1.4 billion in total project costs, comprising the creation of more than 2,300 apartment homes and 100,000 square feet of commercial space.
“Abby will immediately become a key leader for the team serving New England, our most active development market,” said WinnDevelopment president Adam Stein. “Her track record, reputation, and range of expertise align perfectly with the opportunities we have in front of us.”
Part of Boston-based WinnCompanies, WinnDevelopment creates and revitalizes high-impact mixed-income apartment properties through award-winning new construction, renovation, and adaptive-reuse techniques.
Wallick Names Senior Vice President of Construction
Christopher Italiano has been appointed senior vice president of construction at Wallick, a leading developer and owner of affordable, workforce, and senior living housing.
In this role, Italiano leads the Ohio-based company’s construction team with a focus on alignment, accountability, operational excellence, safety, quality, and disciplined project delivery. He works closely across the development, construction, operations, and finance business divisions to support Wallick’s mission, growth strategy, and long-term success.
His experience spans large-scale multifamily, student housing, affordable housing, senior living, industrial, mixed-use, and residential construction projects across multiple markets, helping deliver more than 11,000 multifamily units, 2,500 single-family homes, and over 6,500 student housing beds, with a combined construction value exceeding $2 billion.
NeighborWorks Capital Expands Leadership Team
Nancy Wagner has become executive vice president at NeighborWorks Capital, a newly created leadership role that reflects the organization’s continued growth and expanding commitment to connecting affordable housing and community development organizations with the capital, expertise, and partnerships they need to strengthen communities.
Wagner, who joined the organization in 2023 as chief of consulting, will lead NeighborWorks Capital’s core lending business, overseeing lending, credit and risk, and portfolio management while continuing to provide executive leadership for NeighborWorks Capital Consulting. In this expanded role, she will drive strategy and growth across these areas, provide leadership for loan and portfolio approvals, and help advance innovative capital and advisory solutions that strengthen organizations and the communities they serve.
Prior to joining NeighborWorks Capital, Wagner served as chief investment officer at Reinvestment Fund, where she managed a $700 million loan and investment portfolio and led annual originations exceeding $200 million.
Grow America Appoints Director of Asset Management
Mary Smigelski has been named director of asset management for housing at Grow America, a national leader in community and economic development.
She brings more than 30 years of financial leadership and operational expertise within the affordable housing sector.
Before joining Grow America, Smigelski served as chief financial officer at CHN Housing Partners since 2008. In that role, she directed the financial strategy for the nonprofit, managing complex funding streams, budgets, and compliance. Her deep expertise in capital project financing, fund accounting, and federal regulations gives her a complete understanding of the housing asset lifecycle, making her an incredible asset to the Grow America team.
Berkadia Names Chief Revenue Officer
Blake Okland has been appointed chief revenue officer at Berkadia, bringing nearly three decades of leadership experience in multifamily capital markets, mortgage banking, investment sales, and strategic growth.
He will be responsible for client growth, relationships, and leading the strategic direction of Berkadia’s investment sales and mortgage banking platforms. In addition to accelerating the growth of Berkadia’s national debt origination, international alliance with Knight Frank, and property brokerage businesses, Okland will be working to further integrate the capital markets platforms.
Okland joins Berkadia following senior executive roles across the multifamily and capital markets sectors at Cushman & Wakefield, Greystone, Newmark, and ARA.