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Julie Savin, MPA 2004

Director of Real Estate Development, SE Region for Mutual Housing Association of SC CT, d/b/a NeighborWorks® New Horizons

How did you find yourself in the MPA program?

I was 33 and finally finishing up my BA at Connecticut College and for all intents and purposes to attend law school.  However, my goal was never to actually practice law and was more intrigued with the analytic approach of law.  My Conn College advisor introduced me to the MPA program and it seemed the ideal fit—quite a bit of analytic thought, strong in government, nonprofit and finance.  I chose to concentrate in finance because I recognized it was my weakest area.  The program was very challenging at times but rewarding just the same.  Most of the principles introduced to me (including many of the challenging ones) have had a direct impact on the direction my career has taken and my successes. 

What do you do now for work?

I was the Deputy Director of Administrative Services (lead department for housing and finance) for the City of New Haven until July, 2008.  The position was prestigious and the politics of it all, very exciting.  However, the one hour commute was keeping me from family far too much.  Fortunately, because of this position, I was recruited by a New Haven based nonprofit housing developer with an offer to lead the opening of its new southeastern Connecticut office…5 minutes from my home.  I am now the Director of Real Estate Development, SE Region for Mutual Housing Association of SC CT, d/b/a NeighborWorks® New Horizons.  The agency is headquartered in New Haven with about 30 employees.  My office is in North Stonington with one administrative assistant and 2 project managers. 

Our Mission:  “To develop and operate permanently affordable quality housing that builds strong, healthy and vibrant communities through active resident and community participation and leadership.”  We also strongly believe in mixed income projects and projects with a commercial element. 

I love this job! I have come full circle from when I first started at the City of New Haven in that I am back on the front lines directly interacting with key players and the families I serve.  Working for the City, I lost that the higher up the latter I climbed.  I was bogged down in bureaucracy and no longer found myself creating projects but rather pushing papers. It is important to note that the relationships with HUD, DECD, CHFA, private bankers, other nonprofits that I cultivated at the City has been invaluable with my new position.  I bring to the table confidence, knowledge, and expertise in nonprofit housing finance that is not very common in SE CT.

My favorite thing about my job is the opportunities to think outside the box.  I have carte blanche to find unique ways and to come up with financial strategies that will ensure successful housing deals.  This has been especially critical as we find ourselves in this fragile housing market and economy.   I never thought I would leave government for a nonprofit but now I see how this a perfect fit for me. 

How does your MPA degree help you on a daily basis? What skills do you directly use?

The finance skills have been instrumental and I use them every day.  I create complex sources development budgets for submission to all levels of government, banks, municipal leaders that must be flawless.  I have been able to draw on experience and training in government and non-profit finance administration regarding capital and operating budget analyses.  Rely on working knowledge of GAAP and the principles established by FASAB.

  • Make initial assessments of project feasibility including local approvals, development costs and long-term viability; Identify property sites and negotiate acquisitions for very small to multi-million dollar developments
  • Coordinate funding applications to the State of Connecticut, local municipalities, conventional lenders and private foundations for acquisition, pre-development and construction
  • Create detailed project specific development budgets with cash flow and subsidy layering analyses for deal structuring and grant applications as well as operating pro forma demonstrating project feasibility and subsidy need
  • Conduct bidding process and negotiate contracts for architectural, engineering, and construction services

What advice would you give to a current student in the MPA program?

Two suggestions:

  • Recognize your weakness and rather than shy away from it, focus on it.  I have never been strong in math and never thought I would have a job where expertise in finance would be my bread and butter.  Now, it is what opens doors for me EVERY day.
  • Have an open mind.  You may have no idea how marketable you will be when you graduate from the program.  You will have tools that may not surface until you are on the job.  When I was in the program, I would not consider a nonprofit course because I was never going to go down that path and assumed nonprofit employees earned a low wage.  Now, I run a regional division of a nonprofit and enjoy every minute of it.  Oh, and make plenty of money doing it!