HAI Group team members don’t simply participate in industry organizations; they lead them.
Across professional housing-sector groups, HAI Group employees bring frontline expertise, research-driven insight, and a deep understanding of public housing realities into leadership roles that influence policy, education, and community development nationwide.
Several HAI Group employees serve on one of the many National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) committees and councils. NAHRO, the leading organization of over 26,000 professionals, housing agencies, and community development organizations, advocates for affordable housing in the United States, in addition to providing training, certifications, and resources for housing programs.
According to the NAHRO website, “NAHRO members create and manage affordable housing for low- and middle-income families and support vibrant communities that enhance the quality of life for all.”
Below, we will highlight HAI Group leadership who serve as NAHRO members and how they contribute to solving real housing issues.
Featured leaders: NAHRO committee and council involvement
Angel Fear – Assistant Director, Account Services
Women of NAHRO Committee
Angel Fear is an active member of NAHRO’s Women of NAHRO Committee, contributing to national conversations around leadership, equity, and professional development within the housing sector. Her involvement reflects HAI Group’s commitment to empowering diverse voices and strengthening leadership pipelines across the industry.
How does being a member of the Women of NAHRO Committee impact you personally?
Fear: “Being a part of the Women of NAHRO Committee is truly an honor. On a personal level, it represents an opportunity for me to stand next to some strong, dedicated women who are shaping the future of our industry.”
Kelly McElwain – Director of Research, Public and Affordable Housing Research Corporation (PAHRC)
NERC NAHRO Community Revitalization & Development Committee
Kelly McElwain currently serves as vice president and chair of the New England Regional Council (NERC) NAHRO’s Community Revitalization & Development Committee. In this role, she helps guide research, spotlights, and programming that showcase compelling stories about how public housing authorities across New England are revitalizing their communities.
Her NAHRO leadership closely mirrors her work at PAHRC, HAI Group’s research division, where she and her team are dedicated to promoting the importance of affordable housing, spotlighting innovative initiatives implemented by housing organizations, and working with industry partners to produce research that addresses systemic challenges facing the industry.
How does being a member of the NAHRO Regional Council’s Community Revitalization & Development Committee impact you personally?
McElwain: “I’m continually inspired by the innovative ways housing authorities are supporting their residents and transforming their communities. Collaborating with NERC NAHRO allows me to elevate these stories, strengthen the case for investing in affordable housing, and help other providers learn from and replicate these strategies. As a researcher, the relationships I build through my involvement with NERC NAHRO also ensures the research and data tools PAHRC develops are grounded in what housing providers need.”
Elizabeth Owens – Director, Risk Control and Consulting
Strategic Planning Advisory Committee
Elizabeth Owens recently joined NAHRO’s Strategic Planning Advisory Committee, expanding her leadership involvement after two years of active participation in national and regional NAHRO events. She now serves on three committees: the Strategic Planning Advisory Committee, the Housing America Advisory Committee, and the newly relaunched Corporate Members Council. Owens contributes to initiatives that expand access to affordable housing, elevate storytelling across the industry, and strengthen collaboration with corporate partners. Through this leadership, Owens deepens HAI Group’s relationships with housing authorities while staying closely aligned with emerging risks and key HUD developments.
How does being a member of the NAHRO’s Strategic Planning Advisory Committee, Housing America Advisory Committee, and the Corporate Members Council impact you personally?
Owens: “My engagement with NAHRO stems from my desire to reconnect with our insureds. As I transitioned to the role of director, my opportunities to travel and interact directly with insureds have diminished compared to my time as a risk control consultant. NAHRO conferences offer an excellent platform to engage with housing industry professionals, understand their challenges, and relay this knowledge to our risk team. This enables us to develop relevant training and resources to address these issues effectively. Additionally, these conferences allow me to stay updated on emerging risk management practices and share valuable insights with our insureds.”
Kristina Tatroe – Director, HAI Group Housing Training Institute
Member Services Committee
Kristina Tatroe has served in multiple leadership roles within NAHRO, including vice president and chair of the New England NAHRO Regional Council’s Community Revitalization & Development Committee. During her tenure, she revitalized a dormant committee, expanded membership, and helped launch NAHRO’s Community Spotlight program, highlighting innovative redevelopment and revitalization work led by public housing agencies across New England and beyond.
Today, Tatroe continues her service on the Member Services Committee for NAHRO, aligning national education efforts with the real-world training needs she sees every day at HAI Group.
How does your commitment to past and current NAHRO committees impact you personally?
Tatroe: “Being a part of these committees and being able to make an impact and contribute really speaks to what matters to me most, which is making a positive impact, creating a ripple effect by magnifying positive prosperity and innovation in housing, and being able to bring that to others so that it inspires them and inspires their action.”
Why this matters to housing authorities
Housing authorities face complex risks, including redevelopment pressures and regulatory changes. By maintaining active leadership within NAHRO and related organizations, HAI Group employees are able to better serve our policyholders and members by:
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Anticipating emerging challenges before they become crises
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Sharing best practices across regions and agency sizes
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Advocating for practical, implementable solutions
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Translating industry insights into stronger insurance, training, and consulting services
This level of involvement helps ensure that HAI Group’s services reflect the real-world challenges housing organizations face. Through volunteer leadership on boards, committees, and working groups across the housing sector, our team remains closely connected to the communities we serve and the issues shaping the future of public and affordable housing.
Bottom line
Insurance coverage is only one part of supporting the public and affordable housing community. Through leadership in organizations like NAHRO, HAI Group employees stay closely connected to the challenges housing professionals face every day.
By contributing time, expertise, and industry leadership, our team helps strengthen collaboration, elevate best practices, and support solutions that move the housing industry forward. It’s one more way HAI Group works alongside housing organizations beyond just an insurer. We’re a committed partner in protecting communities and advancing affordable housing.
