Conversations for Change: Advancing Supportive Housing in NH

NH Housing invites supportive housing service providers, developers, and community stakeholders to a collaborative event focused on the future of supportive housing in New Hampshire. Through dynamic presentations and real-world examples, the event will spotlight the challenges, innovations, and partnerships driving successful supportive housing solutions across the region.

Whether you're a seasoned developer, a service provider exploring housing partnerships, or curious about how to navigate the affordable housing landscape, this event is your opportunity to build relationships and shape the future of supportive housing in our state.

Attendees will have the opportunity to:

Connect with peers
Engage with regional leaders in funding and development
Gain practical insights into NH Housing’s supportive housing programs.

This seminar will be offered in a hybrid format, with limited in-person attendance at our Bedford office and a virtual option available for all other participants. There is no cost to attend this event. Breakfast and lunch will be provided for those attending in-person.

IN-PERSON REGISTRATION

VIRTUAL REGISTRATION (Microsoft Teams Webinar)

Instructions for virtual attendees will be provided in a Teams confirmation once registration is complete.

AGENDA AT A GLANCE

9:00 AM - 9:30 AM Breakfast & Networking (for in-person attendees)

9:30 AM - 9:45 AM Welcome and introductions by Ryan Pope, Senior Director, Multifamily Development & Finance

9:45 AM - 10:15 AM Presentation 1: Maria Devlin, President & CEO, Families in Transition

10:15 AM - 10:45 AM Presentation 2: Robyn Wardell, Chief Program Officer and John Egan, Sr. Program Officer for Strategic Initiatives from Genesis

10:45 AM Break

11:00 AM - 11:30 AM Presentation 3: Cullen Ryan, Executive Director, Community Housing of Maine

11:30 AM - 12:00 PM Panel Discussion moderated by Ryan Pope

12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Networking Lunch (for in-person attendees)

MEET THE SPEAKERS

MARIA DEVLIN, President & CEO, Families in Transition

Maria E. Devlin is CEO of Families in Transition and has more than 30 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector. She has led both local and national organizations, from children’s advocacy and higher education to housing, homelessness, and humanitarian services. Maria holds master’s degrees in Organizational Leadership and Community Psychology, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership. Throughout her career, she has been recognized with honors including the NH Business Review Non-Profit Excellence Award and the Business Leader of the Year Pinnacle Award, and has been named among the Top Women-Led Nonprofits by Business NH Magazine.

JOHN EGAN, Sr. Program Officer for Strategic Initiatives, Genesis

John is the Senior Program Officer for Strategic Initiatives at Genesis, where he helps communities across Maine and northern New England overcome barriers to affordable housing and projects that support health and wellbeing. He leads a statewide partnership providing training and guidance to municipalities, developers, and community groups, reaching eight regions and more than 60 groups in 2023. With over 30 years in community development, John has held leadership roles at CEI, Inc. and MaineHousing, and has developed multifamily and special-needs housing in Alaska. He also shares expertise with policymakers to advance housing solutions, particularly in rural areas.

ROBYN WARDELL, Chief Program Officer, Genesis

Robyn Wardell is a Program Officer at Genesis, where she helps communities overcome barriers and access financing to develop affordable housing and critical facilities. She brings experience in supportive housing development, project management, and nonprofit leadership, with past roles at Community Housing of Maine and FoodCorps. Robyn’s expertise spans the full development process—from opportunity identification to financing, design, and construction—and her work is grounded in a commitment to equitable development. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Colby College and a Master of Regional Planning from Cornell University.

CULLEN RYAN, Executive Director, Community Housing of Maine

Cullen Ryan has served homeless and special-needs populations for nearly four decades and is Executive Director of Community Housing of Maine, the state’s largest supportive housing provider. A former licensed clinician, he has extensive experience in counseling, advocacy, and policy development. Cullen has held numerous leadership roles focused on ending homelessness and improving services for people with disabilities, including co-chairing Maine’s Statewide Homeless Council and chairing the Maine Developmental Services Oversight and Advisory Board. His advocacy has earned multiple honors, including Spurwink’s Humanitarian of the Year Award and the Portland Chamber of Commerce Collaborator Award.

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

New Hampshire Housing | PO Box 5087 | Manchester, NH 03108 US

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