Settlement Housing Fund appoints Sewell new CEO

According to Settlement Housing Fund, Alexa Sewell has been appointed as the organization's new chief executive, effective February 1st of this year. Sewell takes the reins from Carol Lamberg who has led the nonprofit affordable housing and community development organization since 1983, helping to create and sustain nearly 9,000 units of economically and ethnically diverse housing with neighborhood amenities and community programs throughout New York City. "We are delighted to welcome Alexa as our new chief executive," said board president, Charles Warren. "Her deep appreciation for Settlement Housing Fund's mission and her professional experience in the housing field at the local and national levels will enable us to build on our past successes and create more affordable housing units and improved neighborhoods around New York City." Most recently Sewell was Senior Vice President for Corporate Strategy and External Affairs at The Community Preservation Corporation, a nationally recognized leader in affordable housing finance. Before that she was Deputy Commissioner and Chief of Staff for the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, responsible for policy development and external affairs. She also worked in Washington as staff to the Appropriations Committee, as a policy analyst for The National Alliance to End Homelessness, and as a Presidential Management Fellow with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Ms. Sewell has a Bachelor of Arts from Georgetown University and a Master of Public Policy from the University of Southern California. "I am honored to carry out the housing and community development work that Carol, the Board of Directors and staff of Settlement Housing Fund have championed over the past 44 years," said Sewell. "Settlement Housing's approach to strengthening New York's neighborhoods through investments in affordable housing combined with comprehensive services that create opportunities for upward mobility for residents and neighbors is what has made it a singular partner in communities across New York City." Sewell will carry out Settlement Housing Fund's immediate and future housing and community development projects and oversee the stewardship of its current portfolio of 31 buildings, including housing for formerly homeless families. Immediate plans include securing the financing to develop more than 500 units of additional housing in the Bronx, including 60 units at New Settlement Apartments where the organization recently opened a new community center with swimming pool and two public schools.