Gillette on FCBJ List

June 30, 2006; As originally appeared in The Commercial Record

Susannah Gillette, homebuyer assistance senior loan officer at The Housing Development Fund, a nonprofit bank providing funding for affordable housing and an array of homebuyer assistance programs, was named to the Fairfield County Business Journal’s “40 Under 40” list. Gillette was honored with 39 other business leaders at the recent awards event that singles out individuals for extraordinary leadership qualities, ongoing commitment to personal and professional development and outstanding accomplishments that have made a significant impact on their organizations and the broader professional image of Fairfield County.

Since joining HDF in 2004, Gillette has administered its Smart-Move loan fund, which provides low-interest second mortgages to low- and moderate-income homebuyers in Fairfield County. In less than two years, she has transformed SmartMove into a major lending vehicle for affordable homeownership, increasing the pool of banks that make those funds available from five to seven and growing the fund from $9 million to $12 million. Under Gillette’s direction, the fund has helped more than 120 families achieve the often difficult dream of homeownership in Fairfield County. HDF hopes to double that number in the near future.

“Susannah is helping HDF to change the face of affordable housing,” said HDF Executive Director Joan Carty. “She took a concept and a commitment and turned them into a reality. She has become a formidable expert on affordable housing financing and continues to design and implement new second-mortgage products that can close the affordability gap for working families. She fully deserves this recognition and we’re very proud of her.”

Gillette is a frequent speaker throughout the region at meetings devoted to the topic of affordable housing. She has addressed the Yale School of Management’s Economic Development Conference, the City of Stamford Housing Summit and the Interfaith Council of Greater Bridgeport’s Discussion on Affordable Housing Solutions to End Poverty.

Gillette holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from Wesleyan University in Middletown and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Yale School of Management. A New Haven native, Gillette currently resides in the Bronx, N.Y.