Experience

Home Forward

• United States
• Housing and Community Development
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Chief Executive Officer

  • Mar 2022 - Present

  United States As Chief Executive Officer of the largest provider of affordable housing in Oregon, Mathews oversees an annual budget of $315 million-dollar serving 18,000 households; a team of 370 plus employees; a housing portfolio of more than 7,000 apartments; and the administration of a variety of rent assistance programs, including 11,859 Housing Choice Vouchers, a short-term rent assistance program that consolidates funding from several different sources and provides assistance through 19 social service… Show more As Chief Executive Officer of the largest provider of affordable housing in Oregon, Mathews oversees an annual budget of $315 million-dollar serving 18,000 households; a team of 370 plus employees; a housing portfolio of more than 7,000 apartments; and the administration of a variety of rent assistance programs, including 11,859 Housing Choice Vouchers, a short-term rent assistance program that consolidates funding from several different sources and provides assistance through 19 social service partners; and partnerships with more than 100 community organizations. Under Mathews leadership Home Forward continues fostering cooperation and partnerships among a congeries of external constituencies and stakeholders, including federal, state, and local government officials; private and non-profit agencies; jurisdictional partners; housing clientele; and the community as a whole. She also continues the implementation of Home Forwards vision, mission, strategies, policies, and operational objectives, towards its evolution of becoming a diverse, anti-racist, equitable and inclusive organization. In addition, Mathews continues to lead the work of attracting, developing, managing and retaining an effective, diverse workforce. Show less



Columbia Housing

• United States
• Real Estate
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Chief Executive Officer

  • Jul 2020 - Mar 2022

  United States Provided overall strategic organizational leadership and operational accountability to the Housing Authority of the City of Columbia, the Housing Authority of the City of Cayce, and the Columbia Housing Authority Development Inc., and leads a workforce of 115 full and part-time employees. Administered a $53 Million Annual Operating Budget; $118 Million in Assets; and a housing portfolio of over 6,000 units (1,684 low rent public housing units, 266+ market rate/LIHTC units, and 4,598 Housing… Show more Provided overall strategic organizational leadership and operational accountability to the Housing Authority of the City of Columbia, the Housing Authority of the City of Cayce, and the Columbia Housing Authority Development Inc., and leads a workforce of 115 full and part-time employees. Administered a $53 Million Annual Operating Budget; $118 Million in Assets; and a housing portfolio of over 6,000 units (1,684 low rent public housing units, 266+ market rate/LIHTC units, and 4,598 Housing Choice Vouchers); provided affordable housing options to over 16,000 Richland and Lexington County, SC residents. ■ Launched VISION 2030; a $500 Million Asset Repositioning Plan in partnership with 8 nationally known affordable housing development enterprises. ■ Launched an Affordable Housing Bond Program, serving as a conduit for the issuance of $859 Million in bonds to preserve and create 3,465 affordable units throughout Richland County and the city of Cayce, SC. ■ Increased United Way Employee Giving from the beginning of tenure in 2019 to the present by 18%. ($50,468.84 in 2020, $46,956.00 in 2019, prior tenure giving in 2018 was $41,472.00) – securing the United Way “Best in Class” Public Sector 100 or More Employee Award. ■ Deployed and completed an organizational restructuring, identifying inefficiencies, risks and opportunities. ■ Restored partnerships with 200+ community stakeholders through launching The Power of Partnerships. ■ Developed and launched Columbia Housing’s Employee Empowerment Apprenticeship Program (for Maintenance Employees); a USDOL registered apprenticeship program in partnerships with Midlands Technical College and Carolina Apprenticeship. ■ 46 NAHRO Merit Awards in the categories of Administrative Innovation and Resident Services.

• Interim Executive Director

  • Jul 2019 - Jun 2020

  1917 Harden Street, Columbia SC ■ Rebranded the agency with the emphasis on four principles; Residents First, Rebuilding Public Trust, Increasing Organizational Efficiency, and Creating a Climate of Transparency and Accountability. ■ Testified at the Senate Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs Committee in support of CO ALERTS ACT of 2019 – cosponsored by Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Robert Menendez (D-NI) – that would require all Public Housing Authorities nationwide to install carbon monoxide detectors in all units. – Nov… Show more ■ Rebranded the agency with the emphasis on four principles; Residents First, Rebuilding Public Trust, Increasing Organizational Efficiency, and Creating a Climate of Transparency and Accountability. ■ Testified at the Senate Banking, Housing & Urban Affairs Committee in support of CO ALERTS ACT of 2019 – cosponsored by Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Robert Menendez (D-NI) – that would require all Public Housing Authorities nationwide to install carbon monoxide detectors in all units. – Nov 2019



Housing Authority of the City of Greenville | Greenville Re-Development Corporation

• Executive Director | President

  • Aug 2014 - Jun 2019

  Greenville, South Carolina Oversaw the overall strategic and operational accountability for the organization. Responsible for consistent execution of the mission, financial objectives and strategic initiatives to advance the Authority's vision. Administered a housing portfolio of over 4,000 units (3,049 Housing Choice Vouchers and 1,117 LIHTC/RAD/HOPE VI units) serving over 10,000 tenants. ■ Preserve at Logan Park, mixed-financed 4% multi-family tax exempt bond deal – 193 unit new construction & comprehensive… Show more Oversaw the overall strategic and operational accountability for the organization. Responsible for consistent execution of the mission, financial objectives and strategic initiatives to advance the Authority's vision. Administered a housing portfolio of over 4,000 units (3,049 Housing Choice Vouchers and 1,117 LIHTC/RAD/HOPE VI units) serving over 10,000 tenants. ■ Preserve at Logan Park, mixed-financed 4% multi-family tax exempt bond deal – 193 unit new construction & comprehensive renovation | TDC $30M ■ Harbor & Gallery of West Greenville, mixed-financed 4% multi-family tax exempt bond deal – 123 unit comprehensive renovation | TDC $28M ■ Acquired GP Interest in three 9% LIHTC Deals: Valley Creek, Charleston Place and Forest View | TDC $500k ■ Manor at West Greenville, 9% LIHTC new construction development – 55 unit senior living community | TDC $7.3M ■ Heritage at Sliding Rock, 9% LIHTC new construction development – 60 unit senior living community | TDC $8.5M ■ RAD Portfolio Award: Convert all Public Housing Units to Project Based Voucher rental assistance – 90% complete. ■ Comprehensive renovation of 109 detached single family scattered site rental units | TDC $2M Housing & Community Development Honors ■ 2018 | SC Housing Finance & Development Authority's Palmetto Housing Achievement Award in the category of creative housing development - Heritage at Sliding Rock ■ 2017 | U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs: Secretary’s Award for Outstanding Achievement in Service to Homeless Veterans ■ 26 NAHRO Awards in the categories of Housing & Community Development ■ 13 Academic Scholarships for residents from Nelrod & Associates & CCHRCO Show less



Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority

• Deputy Executive Director

  • Oct 2011 - Aug 2014

  Toledo, Ohio Area Oversaw day to day operations of a $53 Million Annual Operating Budget, $84 Million in Assets and a housing portfolio of over 7,600 units (2,777 low rent public housing units, 264 market rate/LIHTC units and 4,588 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers) serving over 18,000 tenants. Provided policy direction and monitored and evaluated the activities and services of various departments to include; Low Rent Public Housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, Modernization and Redevelopment, Section 3… Show more Oversaw day to day operations of a $53 Million Annual Operating Budget, $84 Million in Assets and a housing portfolio of over 7,600 units (2,777 low rent public housing units, 264 market rate/LIHTC units and 4,588 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers) serving over 18,000 tenants. Provided policy direction and monitored and evaluated the activities and services of various departments to include; Low Rent Public Housing, Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, Modernization and Redevelopment, Section 3, Resident Services, Safety & Security and Program Analyst. Worked with Executive Administration on the development of all policies affecting the housing authority including strategic initiatives, economic feasibility, sound business planning and management. ■ Received 9% LIHTC for FY 2013 for the development of Collingwood Green Phase II. $15.9 Million TDC. ■ One of 2 housing authorities in the state of Ohio to be awarded HUD's new Rental Assistance Demonstration Program (RAD), for the rehabilitation of 134 unit affordable housing community for seniors (Parqwood Apartments). $10.7 Million TDC. ■ Orchestrated and led a team of individuals within the first 6 months of employment to develop the agency’s Asset Management Portfolio Repositioning Plan to address an aging portfolio through demolition, disposition, new construction and rehabilitation utilizing capital funds, LIHTC’s and other private & public funding sources. The plan was approved by the Board of Commissioners and subsequently by the Cleveland HUD Field Office. ■ Received a “AA” Rating from Standards and Poors for issuance of $5.4 Million Capital Fund Housing Revenue Bonds. ■ Spearheaded the integration of new technology to include the deployment of I-Pads and I-Phones, increasing operational efficiency. Show less



Housing Authority of the City of Aiken

• Chief Executive Officer

  • Jan 2008 - Oct 2011

  Aiken, South Carolina Planned, organized, directed and coordinated the efficient operations and overall management of the United States Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Low-Rent Public Housing, Capital Fund and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Assistance Program; the United States Department of Agricultural (USDA) Summer Food Service Program; the Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) AmeriCorps VISTA Program and AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates; the United States Department of Labor… Show more Planned, organized, directed and coordinated the efficient operations and overall management of the United States Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) Low-Rent Public Housing, Capital Fund and Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Assistance Program; the United States Department of Agricultural (USDA) Summer Food Service Program; the Corporation for National & Community Service (CNCS) AmeriCorps VISTA Program and AmeriCorps VISTA Summer Associates; the United States Department of Labor (DOL) Workforce Investment Act Program; several Business Enterprises and related programs as approved by the Board of Commissioners. Oversaw forty one (41) employees with an annual budget of over $11 million. ■ Transitioned the agency from a B+ Standard and Poor's Credit Rating to an A+. ■ Recipient of the United States Department of Housing & Urban Developments Section 8 Management Assessment and the Public Housing Asset Management Assessment High Performer Designation (2003 – 2008 and 2010 and 2011). ■ Wrote all of the agency’s grants from 2003 to 2011, garnering over $20 Million from entities such as the United States Department of Labor, the United States Department of Agricultural, SC State Housing Finance & Development Authority and the Corporation of National & Community Service. ■ In 2010, transformed the agency’s internal operations through the deployment of automated systems to include; Cisco’s WebEx Connect, VOIP, I-Phones and a Managed Access System for the enhancement of safety and security. ■ Only housing authority in the state of SC as grant recipient of the USDOL Workforce Investment Act Program; provided financial resources to over 4,300 Adults, Dislocated Workers and Youth with valuable career skills through obtaining General Equivalency Diplomas (GED’s), High School Diplomas, Short-term Prevocational Training, Basic Skills Training, Occupational Skills Training, Work Experience, On-the-Job Training, Career Counseling and Job Placement.

• Chief Operating Officer

  • Oct 2005 - Dec 2007

  Aiken, South Carolina Secured funds for operations, housing projects and programs empowering residents to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Prepared and led the successful implementation of the Five Year Operating Plan exceeding all established goals. Implemented appropriate internal controls for all of the agencies programs to include; Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, Low Rent Public Housing, Summer Food Service Program, AmeriCorps Vista, and Tenant Based Rental Assistance which served over 3,000 residents… Show more Secured funds for operations, housing projects and programs empowering residents to achieve economic self-sufficiency. Prepared and led the successful implementation of the Five Year Operating Plan exceeding all established goals. Implemented appropriate internal controls for all of the agencies programs to include; Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, Low Rent Public Housing, Summer Food Service Program, AmeriCorps Vista, and Tenant Based Rental Assistance which served over 3,000 residents throughout Aiken County. ■ Increased the company's annual revenue by $2 million, since fiscal year 2004, by securing the operations of the workforce investment act programs for Aiken County. ■ Fiscal Year 2005 Employee of the Year

• Director of Operations

  • Apr 2003 - Oct 2005

  AIken, South Carolina ■ Developed an agency policy and procedures manual in November of 2003, which increased process accuracy, and improved staff's awareness of required actions to reach programmatic and financial goals.



Augusta Neighborhood Improvement Corporation

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care

• Director of Operations/Operations Manager

  • Aug 2001 - Apr 2003

  Augusta, Georgia Area Directed operations and provided back-up coverage to the President & CEO in development of various programs, policies and procedures. Managed, mentored and oversaw the office and professional staff ensuring efficient, appropriate and culturally competent provision of services. Developed and implemented annual fundraising plans that assured adequate revenues to sustain the agency operations. Managed the proposal process including research, development, writing, budget preparation, and follow-up… Show more Directed operations and provided back-up coverage to the President & CEO in development of various programs, policies and procedures. Managed, mentored and oversaw the office and professional staff ensuring efficient, appropriate and culturally competent provision of services. Developed and implemented annual fundraising plans that assured adequate revenues to sustain the agency operations. Managed the proposal process including research, development, writing, budget preparation, and follow-up in both a team setting and independently. Served as an agency spokesperson and acted as a liaison with other public sector agencies, government officials and business. Oversaw public relations and media communications. Key Accomplishments: ■ Garnered over $1.2 million of funding for housing and economic development projects within 17 months of employment; exceeding the annual fundraising budget by seventy-five percent (75%). Proceeds were used as gap financing to build an administrative office building which housed ANIC, the City of Augusta Fire Department and the City of Augusta Housing & Neighborhood Development Department. ■ Provided down payment and closing cost assistance to over 40 first time homebuyers. ■ In 2001, presented a Neighborhood Revitalization Plan with the senior leadership team of the Augusta Neighborhood Improvement Corporation (ANIC) to HUD Deputy Secretary Alphonso Jackson at HUD’s federal office in Washington, DC. The Neighborhood Revitalization Plan was designed to leverage HUD funds with ANIC’s $30 Million commitment from Governor Roy Barnes and the state of Georgia and a $20 Million commitment from Freddie Mac to revitalize the Laney Walker Neighborhood located in the inner city of Augusta, GA. Show less



Lower Savannah Council of Governments

• Government Administration
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Supervisor of WIA Contracts and One-Stop Activities

  • Jul 1999 - Aug 2001

  Aiken, south carolina Developed program designs for various workforce development funding streams. Developed annual plan and strategic workforce development plans, assisted with development of proposal solicitations, proposal evaluations, and maintained a system of tracking fiscal resources. Performed contract negotiation and implementation as required under the Lower Savannah Workforce Investment Act Program. ■ Supervised three (3) Contract Managers and contractual obligations for eighty (80) plus… Show more Developed program designs for various workforce development funding streams. Developed annual plan and strategic workforce development plans, assisted with development of proposal solicitations, proposal evaluations, and maintained a system of tracking fiscal resources. Performed contract negotiation and implementation as required under the Lower Savannah Workforce Investment Act Program. ■ Supervised three (3) Contract Managers and contractual obligations for eighty (80) plus employees throughout a six (6) county area. ■ Successfully oversaw the implementation of over $5 Million of Workforce Investment Act Programs within the six county regions, meeting all US Department of Labor performance measurements. ■ After 1 year, promoted from Lead Contracts Manager to Supervisor of WIA Contracts & One-Stop Activities. Show less



USC-School of Social Work & Specialty Clinic/Social Work Solutions, Inc

• Community Advocate

  • Nov 1998 - Jul 1999

  Assisted the local neighborhood associations in becoming proactive for neighborhood change. Established a working relationship and partnership with The City of Aiken, other local agencies, businesses, financial institutions, governments, law enforcement, and Churches in developing neighborhood and community programs. Orchestrated focus groups in neighborhoods and communities to identify new strategies to solve problems and meet their needs. Assisted the neighborhood association in registering… Show more Assisted the local neighborhood associations in becoming proactive for neighborhood change. Established a working relationship and partnership with The City of Aiken, other local agencies, businesses, financial institutions, governments, law enforcement, and Churches in developing neighborhood and community programs. Orchestrated focus groups in neighborhoods and communities to identify new strategies to solve problems and meet their needs. Assisted the neighborhood association in registering with the state of SC to receive its articles of incorporation. Show less

• Workforce Developer/Compliance Monitor

  • Jan 1998 - Nov 1998

  Aiken, South Carolina Reviewed, examined, and evaluated all JTPA systems to ensure program compliance with the ACT, JTPA regulations, state and local laws. Participated in the development and administration of program goals, objectives and procedures. Provided technical support to contractors and assisted the Workforce Development Board Oversight Committee in its review of program operations. Assisted in the development of compliance policies, procedures, guidelines, instruments and monitoring schedules.… Show more Reviewed, examined, and evaluated all JTPA systems to ensure program compliance with the ACT, JTPA regulations, state and local laws. Participated in the development and administration of program goals, objectives and procedures. Provided technical support to contractors and assisted the Workforce Development Board Oversight Committee in its review of program operations. Assisted in the development of compliance policies, procedures, guidelines, instruments and monitoring schedules. ■ Received a Certificate of Appreciation from South Carolina's Governor David M. Beasley for facilitating a Non-traditional Employment Opportunities For Women workshop - May 1998. ■ Wrote on the job training (OJT) contracts with local employers to hire 100 JTPA participants, which exceeded the yearly goal of 50 slots. Show less



South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce

• United States
• Government Administration
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Program Coordinator

  • Oct 1997 - Jan 1998

  Determined Job Training Partnership Act Program eligibility for individuals who were dislocated from their jobs due to plant closures or downsizing.



Aiken Technical College

• United States
• Higher Education
• 100 - 200 Employee

• Job Developer/Counselor

  • Jul 1996 - Oct 1997

  Provided career planning and academic guidance to students. Developed relationships with potential employers to open doors for student employment opportunity.



Newberry County Pardon Parole and Probations

• Student Internship

  • Jan 1996 - May 1996

  Assisted Parole Officer's in investigations of parolees and researched criminal records. Referred parolees to local community agencies for rehabilitation services.