Jacinda Barbehenn
Josh McCabe
Greg Richane
Edd Hamzanlui
Boston, MA — Abundant Housing Massachusetts (AHMA) is proud to announce the appointment of several new members to its Board of Directors. These leaders bring deep expertise in housing policy, planning, community development, organizing, and public service — strengthening AHMA’s mission to build more homes and expand housing opportunities across the Commonwealth.
Joining the Board are:
- Jacinda Barbehenn, President of Board of Directors for CNU New England
- Josh McCabe, Director of Social Policy at the Niskanen Center
- Greg Richane, Housing Advocate and Planner
- Edd Hamzanlui, Founding Principal of MassCan Capital
Each new board member brings a strong commitment to addressing Massachusetts’ housing shortage and advancing policies that make it easier to build homes of all types, in every community.
“Our housing crisis demands bold thinking and collaborative leadership,” said Jesse Kanson-Benanav, Executive Director of Abundant Housing Massachusetts. “We are thrilled to welcome these accomplished leaders to our Board. Their experience and dedication will help us accelerate our work to ensure that everyone in Massachusetts can find a home they can afford.”
Barbehenn started her career in Chicago as a transportation planner at CATS, a regional planning agency. She went on to help develop GIS tools for the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers that evaluate how varying economic conditions impact a region. She served as an elected planning board member in Bedford, MA for eight years. And currently, she serves the President of the Board of Directors for CNU New England.
“Well functioning democracies are built on healthy communities,” said Barbehenn. “Communities are built on the foundation of the home – a safe, stable, and supportive structure from which to thrive. We all need one.”
McCabe is the Director of Social Policy at the Niskanen Center where he oversees the team’s work related to family economic security, healthcare, and housing and transportation. He was born and raised in the great city of Lowell and lives there with his wife and two young children.
“Massachusetts is a great place to work and raise a family but decades of counterproductive housing policy has put that dream increasingly out of reach for the next generation,” said McCabe. “Abundant Housing Massachusetts’ has been the leader in the movement to make housing more affordable and accessible for Massachusetts families and I’m excited to support that vital work in this role.”
Richane is a policy advocate, community facilitator and accidental planner. His professional work has been with and among campaigns, nonprofits and local governments, with a focus on local/state housing policy and programs. Across three states, Greg has worked to build more just and resilient housing systems. He lives with his family in Easthampton, where he tries to hike, bike and eat local veggies.
“We can build better, more affordable homes across Massachusetts, and AHMA can help lead the way. I’m proud to join them in working to broaden what’s possible,” said Richane.
Hamzanlui is the Founding Principal of MassCan Capital and a real estate developer with more than 20 years of experience delivering complex housing projects across the United States and internationally. Over his career, he has led or financed more than $7 billion in real estate value, including large-scale mixed-income, workforce, and affordable housing developments across 14 states.
“Real estate should create dignity, mobility, and long-term value — not just buildings,” said Hamzanlui.
As AHMA continues to advocate for pro-housing policies at the state and local levels, the expanded Board reflects the organization’s growing statewide impact and its commitment to inclusive, sustainable, and equitable housing solutions.
The new board members will support AHMA’s work to advance zoning reform, promote smart growth, and champion policies that increase housing production across Massachusetts communities.