Moderator

Katrell Lewis

Principal

Cozen O’Conner Public Strategies

Katrell advocates on behalf of the firm's clients in Albany and New York, and serves as a strategic adviser to our land use clients. He is a highly regarded public policy strategist, with a proven track record of building consensus with legislators and government agencies, having spent his early career successfully paving the way for affordable housing for New Yorkers.

Most recently, Katrell served as vice president of government and community partnerships at Habitat for Humanity New York City and Westchester County. During his tenure at Habitat for Humanity, Katrell helped to create hundreds of affordable homeownership units and affordable LGBTQ senior housing, successfully advanced bipartisan state legislation to reform the state’s affordable homeownership program, and advocated for the addition of $400 million in affordable homeownership funding for NYS Division of Housing and Community Renewal. As a result of his leadership, Crain’s New York Business honored Katrell with their annual 40 under 40 recognition in 2022.

Katrell also brings experience in community fundraising, helping to secure funding from donors, corporate sponsors, and government partners for community organizations, including the Harlem YMCA and the Brooklyn United Marching Band. Katrell also served as a government relations fellow for the William J. Clinton Foundation (Clinton Global Initiative).

Katrell earned his M.P.A. at The City University of New York, Baruch College Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, and his B.A. in political science at The City University of New York, College of Staten Island. He speaks American Sign Language. In recognition of his professional accomplishments, Katrell has been named a Crain’s New York Business 40 Under Forty 2022 and a City & State Albany 40 Under Forty 2023.

Panelist

Carlina Rivera

President and CEO

New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH)

Carlina Rivera, President and CEO of the New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH), is a deeply rooted community leader with a background in grassroots organizing, nonprofit social justice work, and legislative leadership. Carlina has over a decade of experience in public service, housing policy, and community advocacy.

As a New York City Council Member for two terms, Carlina left a substantial impact on Manhattan’s District 2 and beyond, prioritizing affordable housing, helping secure millions of dollars in funding for housing preservation and production, and advancing key legislation to address apartment vacancies and expand stable housing opportunities. She played a key role in passing the landmark City of Yes for Housing Opportunity rezoning law.

Raised by a single mother in Section 8 housing on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, Carlina Rivera began her activism early—organizing alongside neighbors to fight for the renewal of Section 8 housing contracts. She began her career in after-school programming for high-needs schools, later becoming the Director of Programs at the nonprofit Good Old Lower East Side (GOLES). Rivera also served as an officer of Manhattan Community Board 3 and as Legislative Director for Council Member Rosie Mendez.

As a City Council Member, Carlina chaired the Committee on Hospitals during the COVID-19 crisis, led the Committees on Criminal Justice and Cultural Affairs, and served on the Land Use Committee and Budget Negotiation Team. Carlina also served on the City Council Speaker’s Leadership Team in both of her terms.

Panelist

Leila Bozorg

Executive Director for Housing

NYC Office of the Mayor

Leila Bozorg serves as the executive director of housing in the New York City Mayor’s Office, where she oversees the city’s housing agencies and strategies. She has extensive experience with affordable housing and land use policies, having served as a commissioner on the New York City Planning Commission from 2021-2023, and as a deputy commissioner for neighborhood strategies at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) from 2016 to 2020. In her role at HPD, she co-led the creation of the city’s first comprehensive fair housing plan, “Where We Live NYC.” She was also a chief of staff at HPD from 2014 to 2016, and before that worked at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development from 2010 to 2014, helping develop and launch the Rental Assistance Demonstration. From 2020 to 2023, Bozorg worked as the chief of strategy and policy at New York City Kids RISE, where she helped facilitate the citywide expansion of the Save for College program to every New York City school district and public elementary school. She holds a B.A. in Government Studies from Wesleyan University and a master’s degree in city planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.