Today in our interview series, we're talking to trainer and consultant Samantha Sowards. As NMA's writing supervisor, Samantha oversees publications from concept and creation through the ongoing revision process, including NMA Master Books, model policies, course books, and handbooks. She recently wrote for the NMA blog about the key differences between the project-based voucher program (PBV) and the housing choice voucher program (HCV).
As one of NMA's multifamily housing experts, Sam co-developed the Blended Occupancy Management course. She was also instrumental in designing our newest class, Developing and Managing Project-Based Vouchers.
Tell us about your work experience.
Before coming to NMA, I worked as a mentor for student athletes at the San Diego State Athletic Department and as a TA and graduate assistant in the history department.
How did you get your start in the industry?
My best friend, Becky Gligo, suggested to our boss that I might be a good fit as a trainer.
How many years have you been at NMA? How many years in the industry?
I didn't have any housing experience before joining NMA in December 2008.
Education credentials?
I went to San Diego State for my B.A. and M.A. As an undergrad, I studied history and minored in German. My graduate degree is in American history, with a focus on issues of race during the Reconstruction era and the Gilded Age.
What’s one topic you’re most passionate about in the affordable housing industry?
Helping agencies become more accurate and compliant with the regulations really drives me. It may not seem like something as mundane as rent calculation or file reviews would make the world a better place, but ensuring that agencies follow the regulations correctly means that they're able to use their limited resources smartly and efficiently to serve more families in need. In our department we always say our motto is, "We help the people who help the people," and I know that the work I do helps people with one of their most basic needs.
What's your favorite part about your job?
I feel like my job as a trainer really makes a difference in the lives of the people I teach. I've gotten to witness a lot of "Aha!" moments over the last four years when someone in one of my classes truly understands a concept that they haven't before, and it's really satisfying to know I played a part in that.
Describe your typical work day?
My typical work day is anything but typical! By its nature, travel is a very unpredictable activity, so those days are always different. On days when I train or consult, I'm interacting with clients the entire day and answering lots of questions. When I'm in the office, I'm usually updating existing materials or creating new ones.
Tell us about a successful project that you had a part in.
My most recent successful project was launching our Blended Occupancy Management class with Sheryl Putnam and Sammie Szabo. It's a really exciting project because it's a totally new market for NMA. For the first time in one of our standard trainings we're talking about low-income housing tax credits (LIHTC), HOME, and multifamily Section 8. The book and materials took a long time to develop, and we've done a ton of revisions, but I'm really proud of the class we've created. I think it's incredibly helpful for all sorts of housing agencies and delivers a unique experience that will really help our customers run their programs.
Samantha Sowards loves to cook and entertain, and tends to spend all her free time reading and collecting cookbooks and putting that knowledge to work in her kitchen to feed family and friends. She's also a member of a few honor societies: Phi Beta Kappa, Phi Kappa Phi, Phi Alpha Theta (for history), and Golden Key.
