CND Staff
Ann Houston, Executive Director, ext. 12, ahouston@chelseand.org
Chelsea is an exciting cosmopolitan city with great potential to do interesting work in a community committed to revitalization. I began work in Chelsea in 2004, taking over after a period of reorganization sparked by a Board of Directors dedicated to creating more housing opportunities in Chelsea. My work in affordable housing and community development began more than 25 years ago. I learned my trade and developed a broad network of colleagues by working in leadership positions at Massachusetts Housing Partnership, Codman Square NDC, Valley Opportunity Council in Chicopee and Holyoke, and as a residential and commercial lender for Mass Development/Mass Government Land Bank. I enjoy lecturing and serve on numerous boards and policy committees; currently I serve as President of Citizen’s Housing and Planning Association (CHAPA). I earned a masters in Real Estate Development from MIT, and a BA in Community Planning from UMass Boston.
Wendy Barrientos, Receptionist, ext. 10, wbarrientos@chelseand.org
My name is Wendy Barrientos. I was born in Mazatenango, a small town in Guatemala. I moved to Chelsea when I was 18. I have two boys, Eduardo who is 7 years old and Abraham who is 5, both attend Chelsea Public Schools. I have worked at CND since 2003 and I enjoy the friendly environment that both the office and the city of Chelsea represent.
Marissa Guananja, Director of Resident Asset Development, ext. 20, mguananja@chelseand.org
I received my undergraduate degree from Mount St. Mary’s College (Los Angeles, CA) and my Master’s of Public Policy from The George Washington University in 2005.? At GW, I participated in research on the role that collective remittances play in development in El Salvador. While in Washington, I worked at the Local Initiatives Support Corporation analyzing high-performing homeownership programs. I also worked at the National Committee for Responsive Philanthropy which shares my commitment to work toward social and economic justice for disadvantaged and disenfranchised populations and communities.? As the Director of Resident Asset Building here at CND, I manage the Financial Literary courses and the Individual Development Account program. I currently serve on the Advocacy and Legislative Organizing Committee of MACDC, and on the Financial Education and Communications Committees of the FDIC’s Boston Alliance for Economic Inclusion and enjoy a game of soccer in what little time I have to myself.
Ben Faust, Communications Manager & Community Engagement Coordinator,
ext. 11, bfaust@chelseand.org
I joined CND as the Community Engagement Manager in May 2006 fresh off of a Peace Corps tour in central Ecuador. I graduated from George Washington University in 2004 with degrees in International Relations and Spanish, the Spanish degree was an afterthought at the time, but now is indispensible. At CND I help organize a variety of community engagement programs including the NeighborCircles and our Neighborhood Planning efforts. I also handle all in house communication issues including posters, flyers, managing the website, name change and new logo. CND’s growth is directly impacted by how many residents buy into our programs and ideals. As the Community Engagement Coordinator it is my job to make sure people are connected to CND’s services and to each other.
Meg Kiely, Real Estate Team Manager/ Senior Project Manager, ext 19, mkiely@chelseand.org
Joining the CND team in January 2007 was a great decision! My colleagues are dedicated, fun and professional; the residents I’ve met are cheerful and kind; and the city is vibrant. At CNHS, I manage the real estate development team and serve as a project manager for various developments. My role also involves working with our property manager to manage our residential housing portfolio. I have a Masters in Spanish and Latin American Studies, serve on the board of Fort Point Cultural Coalition, am a LeadBoston alumnae and recently took on the role of motherhood. During soccer season, I look forward to a good match against Marissa’s team.
Amin Ahmad, Project Manager, ext. 18, aahmad@chelseand.org
I grew up in India, have degrees from Vassar College and MIT, and 11 years experience as an architect. I’ve designed and overseen construction of many affordable housing projects in the Boston area, as well as managed construction projects for Harvard University. At CND, I utilize my architectural background within a larger development role. The level of commitment at CND and the focus on community building make it a great place to work!
Nadhia Ojeda, Office Manager & Bookkeeper, ext. 14, nojeda@chelseand.org
I was born in Ciudad Guzman Jalisco, Mexico. I grew up in a very loving family with strong moral values. After finishing high school, I moved to Guadalajara, Mexico to study at ITESO University. After obtaining my degree in business administration, I moved to Boston and started working at the Consulate General of Mexico as Administrator. I began working at CND as the Office Manager/Bookkeeper in February 07. I am a very energetic person with a cheery disposition who is always willing to help others. I live in Chelsea and I love it here!
David Keene, Director of Finance and Operations, ext. 13, dkeene@chelseand.org
My involvement with affordable housing is both personal and economic, at first by accident and later by design. I worked with affordable housing as a senior property accountant for national real estate syndictor, Boston Financial now MMA financial. During this time I continued my education at night at Northeastern University, where I earned my degree in Business Administration. It was here, at Boston Financial, that I began to learn the complexity involved in owning and running multi-family affordable housing. With this experience my next choice of employment was Abrams Management Co., a local developer/owner/manager of affordable housing. As a Controller I was responsible for management and development accounting for several properties totaling approximately 1,400 units. I next went on to join Beacon/Corcoran Jennison Partners as the Development Controller. Here I developed the accounting systems and requisition processes for three HOPE VI projects. In 2001 I joined Maloney Properties, a New England based management company specializing in mixed income housing. I was responsible for the accounting of over 100 properties and 8,000 units of housing. In 2007 Chelsea Neighborhood Developers invited me to join their development and finance committees. This quickly led to the opportunity I now enjoy as Chief Financial Officer. My experience with many affordable housing programs, being born in Chelsea and growing up in affordable housing in Chelsea gives me a unique prospective and makes this job especially rewarding and enjoyable. My wife and I are homeowners just blocks from where I grew up.
