The Board of Directors of the Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) has announced the appointment of Kate G. de la Garza as the new Executive Director, effective January 2, 2024.
De la Garza’s appointment follows the resignation of the previous Executive Director Johanna Anderson and the interim leadership of Patricia Paolangeli. De la Garza, a seasoned professional in community development, brings over two decades of experience in community-based affordable housing development and finance to the role. Most recently, de la Garza worked as Vice President & Senior Relationship Manager at KeyBank in its Community Development Lending & Investment Division and has held significant roles in affordable housing development in Washington state.
De la Garza’s educational background includes a Master of Urban Planning & Public Administration with a concentration in Real Estate Development from the University of Washington and a Bachelor of Arts in Government from Smith College. Expressing honor and excitement about their new role, de la Garza stated, “I am honored to be chosen as INHS’s next leader and thrilled to join such a longstanding and impactful organization whose mission and values align with mine.” This enthusiasm is a testament to their alignment with INHS’s mission and goals in affordable housing.
The INHS Board extended its gratitude to Patricia Paolangeli for her leadership during the transition period. Paolangeli, who has over 26 years of service with INHS, played a crucial role in ensuring a seamless transition of leadership. She expressed confidence in de la Garza’s capabilities, saying, “I feel confident that Kate’s experience and knowledge will continue to lead the organization to further success, and I look forward to working with them.” The executive search was conducted by Ann L Silverman Consulting and included a committee of staff, board representatives, and community leaders. Board President Jeremy Thomas lauded de la Garza’s skillset, leadership perspective, and communication style, expressing confidence in their ability to guide INHS in its next growth phase.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].