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Press Release

Fannie Mae Announces Advisory Panel Members for Sustainable Communities Innovation Challenge

January 16, 2018

Alicia Jones

202-752-5716

WASHINGTON, DC – Fannie Mae (FNMA/OTC) today announced the formation of an Expert Advisory Panel to support its Sustainable Communities Innovation Challenge (The Challenge). The Challenge, a two year $10 million initiative recently launched the first of its three phase plan and began accepting contract proposals that will focus on developing collaborative, cross-sector approaches to advancing sustainable communities that will help Fannie Mae address the nation’s affordable housing issues. Proposals will be evaluated against a predetermined set of criteria set forth in the Request for Proposal (RFP) and will go through multiple rounds of review, including a semi-final review by the Expert Advisory Panel. Fannie Mae will make the final contract decisions.

“Affordable housing is not an isolated issue. It requires a broad set of solutions and dedicated individuals,” said Maria Evans, Vice President, Sustainable Communities Partnership and Innovation. “We have brought together a stellar group of experts representing a diverse range of backgrounds and industries. All will bring an important perspective to the panel that will take us one step closer to improve access to affordable, sustainable communities.”

The advisory panel is one key element of The Challenge, bringing together experts in economic development, employment, and innovation, and representing the public, private, and nonprofit sectors. The members will provide guidance and impartial reviews by collectively selecting promising proposals that reflect the full scope of issues relevant to addressing the nation’s affordable housing issues.

“The efforts to increase economic mobility and provide affordable housing are typically disconnected,” said Lucretia Murphy, senior director, Jobs for the Future. “Investing in communities’ efforts to develop a comprehensive solution for employment and affordable housing could be a game changer for residents and communities. I look forward to serving on the advisory panel for the Fannie Mae Innovation Challenge.”

Sustainable Communities Innovation Challenge Expert Advisory Panel Members for Round 1:

  • Danielle Goonan, Walmart Foundation
  • Carla Javits, REDF
  • Dorothy Kilroy, Airbnb
  • Nicolas Lopez, HCAP Partners
  • Lucretia Murphy, Jobs for the Future
  • Jennifer Roberts, former Mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina
  • Graham Schell, Home Depot USA
  • Alice Shobe, Amazon

Detailed biographies of the Expert Advisory Panel members can be found here.

Additionally, Fannie Mae will host live webinars on January 17 at 1:00 p.m. ET and January 30 at 2:00 p.m. ET for interested applicants. To learn more about The Challenge, including eligibility requirements, proposal submissions, or to register for a webinar, please visit www.fanniemae.com/thechallenge.


Fannie Mae helps make the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage and affordable rental housing possible for millions of Americans. We partner with lenders to create housing opportunities for families across the country. We are driving positive changes in housing finance to make the home buying process easier, while reducing costs and risk. To learn more, visit fanniemae.com and follow us on twitter.com/fanniemae.