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NLIHC Announces Appointment of Interim President and CEO Renee M. Willis

Washington, D.C. – NLIHC’s Board of Directors announced today the appointment of Renee M. Willis, NLIHC’s senior vice president for racial equity, diversity, and inclusion, as the organization’s new interim president and CEO, effective January 3, 2025. Renee brings more than 30 years of experience in organizational management, stakeholder engagement, and coalition building to her new role as interim president and CEO.   

Renee joined NLIHC in June 2015 as vice president for field and communications, in which role she oversaw the development and execution of all campaign, membership, and communications strategies in support of the coalition’s mission, goals, and objectives. In November 2021, she assumed her current role as senior vice president, working to ensure that NLIHC’s commitment to racial equity, diversity, and inclusion is woven throughout its internal policies, programs, and practices, as well as in the public policies it advances.

“The Board of Directors welcomes Renee to her new role leading NLIHC during this time of transition,” said Dora Leong Gallo, chair of NLIHC’s Board of Directors. “Renee has worked with NLIHC in increasingly senior positions, and her proven management and leadership at NLIHC makes her well-suited to take on this important role.”

“She deeply understands NLIHC’s priorities, culture, and the needs of our partners and stakeholders,” said Dora. “The board has full confidence in Renee’s ability to maintain our growing momentum during this transition period.”

As previously announced, NLIHC’s current president and CEO, Diane Yentel, will depart NLIHC at the beginning of next year. Renee will begin the transition into her new role as interim president and CEO over the next seven weeks and will remain in the role until a permanent president and CEO is appointed. Renee will work directly with NLIHC’s talented and dedicated staff, Board, and other stakeholders to ensure the continuity and stability of the organization.

“I am deeply honored and grateful for the opportunity to help steward such an incredible organization,” said Renee. “I have long admired NLIHC’s steadfast commitment to achieving housing and racial justice since its inception in 1974. As our fiftieth anniversary as an organization comes to a close, I look forward to leading NLIHC in ushering in a new chapter of growth, stability, and success.”

The NLIHC Board of Directors will soon launch a nationwide search for the organization’s next permanent president and CEO. The Board has selected BoardWalk Consulting as its partner in the search. Email inquiries can be sent to [email protected].