Paul Kealey Retires after Eight Years as Chief Operating Officer

Paul Kealey, who served as chief operating officer (COO) at NLIHC for eight years, concluded an exemplary career in public service when he retired  from our organization this summer. Even before joining NLIHC in 2014, Paul had distinguished himself in a series of nonprofit and government leadership roles at organizations including NeighborWorks America, the Corporation for National and Community Service/AmeriCorps VISTA, the World Wildlife Fund, and Peace Corps, at which he began his career in public service as a volunteer in Guatemala. In his role as COO at NLIHC, Paul drew on his years of leadership experience to manage a wide-ranging portfolio. Not only did he oversee the Coalition’s financial and human resources management, but he helped run program planning, resource development, field outreach and organizing, and communications. Year after year, Paul made sure all field operations objectives were met, including the retention and expansion of membership and membership revenue, and he ensured that NLIHC received “clean” audits throughout his e tenure as COO. In his role leading development efforts, Paul oversaw exponential growth in revenue, fundraising, and grant awards. He was also instrumental in establishing the NLIHC Housing Policy Forum as a flagship annual event in the field of housing policy and advocacy. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Paul managed the transition to a remote and then hybrid work model, and he played a central role in ensuring that NLIHC was able to continue advancing its organizational mission throughout the pandemic. In addition to excelling in his capacity as COO, Paul was beloved among staff and partners for his kindness, humor, and helpfulness, as well as his unyielding commitment to NLIHC’s mission. Paul will be sorelymissed at NLIHC, but we wish him the best of luck as he embarks upon a much-deserved retirement.