REACH Welcomes Celia Smoot to its Board of Directors

REACH is pleased to announce the appointment of Celia Smoot to its board of directors. Ms. Smoot brings over two decades of dedicated experience in the affordable housing sector and a comprehensive background in finance, legal, and regulatory compliance, her expertise is a valuable addition to the board.

“We are thrilled to welcome Celia Smoot to our Board of Directors,” said Margaret Salazar, CEO at REACH. “Her wealth of knowledge and experience in affordable housing finance and legal matters will be invaluable as we navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead. Her dedication to community empowerment and sustainability aligns perfectly with REACH’s vision, and we look forward to her guidance and expertise.”

Currently serving as the Senior Vice President at KeyBank, Ms. Smoot heads up the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC), Preservation, and Small Business Investment Company (SBIC) investments. Her responsibilities also include leading the Community Development and Investment (CDLI) impact strategy.

In her previous roles, Celia has made significant contributions to the field of affordable housing. Celia served as Vice President at National Affordable Housing Trust focused on various duties including developing focused funds for BIPOC developers, providing technical support to nonprofit organizations and housing authorities and managing Y15 dispositions. She also served as Director of LISC Housing and managed a national team setting housing strategy and policy as well as structuring, raising capital and managing housing funds.

A respected attorney with a rich history in community development real estate finance, Ms. Smoot’s career has been marked by a strong commitment to fostering sustainability and growth in the sector. Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Celia received a J.D. from The George Washington University and a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.

“I am deeply committed to addressing the needs of affordable housing in communities and bringing my experience in the field to the work at REACH.”