(above: some of my favorite moments from over the years)
Letter to the AHMA network
Dear Friends,
I am writing with big bittersweet news! After nearly three years at AHMA, I’ll be stepping down as Associate Director of Operations at AHMA, effective Friday, October 4.
I joined AHMA in 2021 and have loved every minute of my time and working with all of you. Together, we’ve advanced our collective pro-housing vision towards making MA a state for everyone and building an inclusive movement of housing advocates that stand in solidarity with one another.
During my tenure at AHMA, it’s been incredible to grow our team from 2 to 7, to help lead organizing in communities all over the state; from supporting MBTA-CA compliance to seeding the launch of a new pro-housing groups, to passing ADU’s in single family districts statewide, to traveling across the country and building our national connections through the Welcoming Neighbors Network, and serving on my hometown of Haverhill’s Zoning board of Appeals. None of this would have happened without our network’s support and I am a more confident and courageous leader advocate because of my time here. Thank you thank you!
As I begin my next chapter, I leave an incredibly talented team in charge to steer AHMA’s next stage of growth. I know that our work is just getting started! If you haven’t already met the amazing team at AHMA, I would encourage you to get to know them more at our recently updated team page and contact them here.
What’s next for me, you ask!? Luckily I’m not going too far! With a heart full of gratitude, I’m proud to announce that I will be the inaugural Director of Inclusion & Engagement at Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP). Not too long ago, AHMA was recognized as a Housing Hero through MHP– it’s truly serendipitous to be in this work! I am excited to build and sustain cultures and policies, within the housing ecosystem, that are centered on the values of equity, inclusion and belonging. At a time of heightened toxic polarization and disillusionment from the very political systems that need transformation, this work is deeply personal to me and feels like an extension of my pro-housing passion. I am eager to wield my passion and expertise for DEI towards positive change.
In the coming months and years, I look forward to remaining an active AHMA member and hope that you will join us for our annual Celebration of Abundance, on Nov. 21, where we will have much to celebrate and many folks to honor!
With so much gratitude,
Kassie Infante