NAHRO Presents Chonda Tapley with 2024 Emerging Leader Award

Washington, D.C. — On Tuesday, April 9, the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) presented Chonda Tapley, Executive Director of Harrison Housing Authority, with the Emerging Leader award. This award highlights an individual who has been involved in NAHRO at the national, regional and/or chapter levels for at least five years and has distinguished themselves as an emerging leader.

“Chonda is not just a consummate housing professional, but also an effective leader,” said NAHRO CEO Mark Thiele. “Besides running the Harrison Housing Authority, she’s also very active at the state, regional and national levels of NAHRO. She’s planned and executed successful legislative meetings and social media pages, served on several committees, and she’s also an avid learner and teacher. Rising leaders like Chonda are the present and future of affordable housing, and I am so pleased to present her with this well-deserved award.”

Ms. Tapley has been active in the planning and success of Arkansas NAHRO’s legislative meetings at the national and state levels since 2019, and has served on numerous national, regional and state leadership committees. A keen learner, she consistently avails herself of professional development opportunities and plans to achieve her Certified Management Executive certification soon. As head of the Harrison Housing Authority, she has overcome many challenges within the organization, increased her lease-ups, and developed partnerships with community landlords and other stakeholders.

About NAHRO

NAHRO, which was established in 1933, is a membership organization of more than 26,000 housing and community development providers and professionals throughout the United States. NAHRO members create and manage affordable housing for low- and middle-income families, and support vibrant communities that enhance the quality of life for all. They administer more than 3 million homes for more than 8 million people.