WASHINGTON, D.C.(August 5, 2026) Windham & Windsor Housing Trustannounced this week the graduation of Anne O’Connor-Chapmanfrom the NeighborWorks® America Excellence in Governance Program and received the NeighborWorks America Board Governance Leader Certification. The program – over 60 hours of governance training over 18 months – is designed for board members, chief executives and board support staff who are ready to sharpen their leadership skills, strengthen their governance strategies and experiment with promising practices. This credential recognizes board leaders, senior executives and board support staff who demonstrate a strong understanding of governance fundamentals, value multiple perspectives and help organizations navigate decisions with confidence and care.
Each cohort accepts just over70 participants to work on these strategies through peer learning, training and tailored resources.
“At NeighborWorks America, we know how important it is to have an engaged and informed board that keeps us connected – and looking forward – in the communities we serve,” said NeighborWorks President & CEO Marietta Rodriguez. “It not only helps the organization; it helps the whole community. I’m already anticipating the impact our newest graduates will make in their respective communities.”
Jennifer Christian, senior director of Network Leadership Development, said that NeighborWorks invests in board members knowing that the training will have what she calls a “multiplier effect.” “Participants become leaders not just on this board, but in other ways in the community. Their impact grows exponentially.”
Windham & Windsor Housing Trust Executive Director, Elizabeth Bridgewater said they were proud to have a graduate of the program.
“Anne is one of our Resident Board members and as a long-term tenant, brought valuable insights to our board discussions. She has a finance background and currently serves as our Treasurer,” Bridgewater shares. “Anne is also a voracious learner and jumped at the chance to broaden her board governance skills through the NeighborWorks® America Excellence in Governance Program. As she moved through the program, it’s been exciting to see her engaging in new ways at the board table and asking new questions that were informed by the content she was learning. Investing the time to graduate this program and bring that knowledge back to our board and community is a reflection of our organizational commitment to excellent board governance. It’s one more reason we are grateful that Anne is a WWHT board member.”
“I committed myself to this NeighborWorks educational program hoping to strengthen my knowledge regarding affordable housing.” O’Connor-Chapman shares, “I personally feel that my confidence in myself increased by investing my time in this program. I have utilized many governance strategies as I participate in our monthly board meetings as well as sharing insights as a member of our executive committee. I encourage other board members to take advantage of this excellence in governance training program.”
The success of O’Connor-Chapman adds to the strength of Windham & Windsor Housing Trust, which serves the needs of Windham and Windsor counties through their mission of strengthening southeastern Vermont through development and stewardship of permanently affordable homes and through ongoing support and advocacy for its residents.
WWHT builds concrete solutions to the region’s housing challenges, and provides better housing opportunities to more than 1,900 Southeastern Vermonters each year. WWHT is a charter member organization of NeighborWorks America. For more information, visit HomeMattersHere.org.
About NeighborWorks America
For nearly 50 years, Neighborhood Reinvestment Corp., a Congressionally chartered national nonprofit known as NeighborWorks® America, has strived to make every community safer and more prosperous. Our network of excellence includes nearly 250 nonprofits in every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and on Native lands. NeighborWorks offers grant funding, peer exchange, technical assistance, evaluation tools and access to best-in-class training as the nation’s leading trainer of housing and community development professionals. NeighborWorks network organizations build homes and apartments, expanding the supply of affordable housing in every community; provide financial counseling and coaching that increases self-sufficiency; encourage resident leadership, and collaborate with local stakeholders in the areas of health, economic development, employment and education. In Fiscal Year 2025, for every dollar received from Congress, NeighborWorks network and NeighborWorks America attracted an additional $74 of investment from other sources. For more information, visit neighborworks.org.
