Next up in our interview series is NMA trainer and consultant Becky Gligo. One of NMA's primary fair housing experts, Becky has previously written for the NMA blog on such topics as fair housing and limited English proficiency (LEP), ensuring accuracy in rent calculation, and ideas for affirmatively furthering fair housing at your PHA. She's currently publishing an ongoing series of posts focusing on how to make informed reasonable accommodation decisions.
Tell us about your work experience.
Before coming to work for Nan McKay I taught U.S. history, government, and economics to 11th and 12th graders in the Bay Area and then in San Diego.
How did you get your start in the industry?
I was looking for the public service element that I had loved as a teacher in the Bay Area and was not getting at the school I taught at in San Diego. I started looking at jobs outside of education and stumbled onto NMA — talk about a happy accident!
It's been a huge learning experience for me, personally and professionally. I am so grateful that John McKay and Cara Gillette gave me the chance to immerse myself in a company and an industry that does such meaningful work.
How many years have you been at NMA?
I've been at NMA since June 2008 — almost five years!
Education credentials?
I have a B.A. in history and an M.A. in education.
What’s one topic you’re most passionate about in the affordable housing industry?
Equal opportunity for all families. Knowing that our company helps agencies provide housing for the people who need it most, and that we fundamentally believe that everyone should be treated with dignity and respect, is something that inspires me even when the tasks at hand seem overwhelming.
What's your favorite part about your job?
This job is always changing. I love the challenge of constantly learning and taking that new knowledge and sharing it with agencies across the county. I've been privileged to form strong bonds with some incredible agencies, and I love getting to see them so regularly. I'm also so lucky to have such incredible coworkers who challenge me to think about things in a different way and devote myself completely to this industry.
Describe your typical work day?
As a trainer, there's no such thing as a typical work day! It could be working on a project or developing a new class in the office, getting up at 4 a.m. to fly across the country, or training anywhere from five to hundreds of people on various topics. There's never a dull moment!
Tell us about a successful project that you had a part in.
Working with the housing authority in Guam was one of my favorite projects. I got to immerse myself in a new culture, spend time in an agency with great potential, and work with incredible staff. They were so open to our work there that we were able to see real results in just three weeks, including certification for their staff and an ongoing action plan for the agency. That's an experience I will never forget! It didn't hurt that Samantha Pratter and I got to stay at a beautiful resort on a gorgeous beach for three weeks, too.
Outside of work, Becky Gligo's hobbies include air travel — "Just kidding!" When she's on the road, Becky enjoys working out and exploring the new cities she gets to visit. She was recently in Charleston, South Carolina, and says that she fell in love with the downtown area. In her free time, Becky reads and catches up with friends on the phone. She is currently an advisor to the Delta Zeta sorority at San Diego State University.
