The Power of Place Gala Breaks all Records

Settlement Housing Fund is deeply grateful to the generous sponsors and contributors who supported our 2026 Gala, The Power of Place, on October 15th. More than 450 friends and colleagues from the affordable housing community came together at Tribeca Rooftop to celebrate our outstanding honorees and to raise more than $787,000 for our work. The funds raised at our gala strengthen our efforts to create and preserve high-quality affordable housing for low-income households and provide housing stability services to families and individuals transitioning from homelessness. 

We are pleased to celebrate the achievements of our honorees: Yarojin (Roj) Robinson, Senior Vice President of Affordable and Mixed-Income Housing at Gilbane, Christine Coletta, Partner at Hirschen Singer & Epstein LLP, Lisa Bova-Hiatt, CEO of the New York City Housing Authority, and the Bronx Borough President, Vanessa L. Gibson. These outstanding partners in our field have contributed so much to the advancement of affordable housing through the development, preservation of new and rehabilitated housing, public policy and coalition building, and essential partnerships.

Thank you to our dedicated board members and Co-Chairs, Jess Cherepski of Merchants Capital, Rachel Grossman of the Community Preservation Corporation, and John Valladares of Slate Property Group, and our presenters Margaret Anadu of One Weaver, Michael Gaboury of Settlement Housing Fund, Mathew Wambua of Merchants Capital, and Eli Weiss of Joy Construction.

Meet Our Honorees 

At this year’s The Power of Place Gala, Settlement Housing Fund was proud to recognize four exceptional leaders and partners whose commitment and vision continues to expand access to affordable housing, strengthen communities, and create greater opportunity for New Yorkers.  

Yarojin “Roj” Robinson & Gilbane
Developer of the Year 

Yarojin “Roj” Robinson has dedicated his career to expanding access to high-quality affordable and mixed-income housing in some of the nation’s most challenging housing markets. As Senior Vice President of Affordable & Mixed-Income Housing at Gilbane Development, Roj leads a portfolio of more than 12,000 homes and helps drive transformative developments across New York City. 

Together, Roj and Gilbane are helping create vibrant, inclusive communities where New Yorkers of all income levels can find safe, stable, and affordable places to call home. 

Christine Coletta & Hirschen Singer & Epstein LLP
Partner of the Year

For more than two decades, Christine Coletta has helped create and preserve affordable housing that strengthens communities and expands opportunity throughout New York City. 

As a partner at Hirschen Singer & Epstein LLP, Christine has guided developers, nonprofit organizations, and public agencies through the complex transactions that make affordable homes, community resources, and neighborhood investment possible. Her expertise, leadership, and longstanding commitment to equitable development have left a lasting impact across New York City. 

Lisa Bova-Hiatt
New York City Housing Authority
Public Service Award 

Lisa Bova-Hiatt is a transformative leader whose career has been defined by a commitment to serving New York City’s low-income communities. 

As CEO of NYCHA, she oversees the nation’s largest public housing authority and has helped secure more than $11 billion in investments to preserve and improve affordable housing for hundreds of thousands of residents. Her resident-centered leadership continues to strengthen neighborhoods, expand opportunity, and improve quality of life for families across the city. 

Vanessa L. Gibson
Bronx Borough President
Carol Lamberg Visionary Award 

Vanessa L. Gibson has dedicated her career to advancing equity and opportunity for Bronx residents, with a particular focus on affordable housing, tenant protections, and community development. 

A longtime champion for low-income New Yorkers, she helped pass New York City’s landmark Right to Counsel legislation, providing free legal representation to tenants facing eviction in Housing Court. Today, as the first woman and first African American to serve as Bronx Borough President, she continues to lead efforts that strengthen neighborhoods, expand economic opportunity, and improve quality of life throughout the borough.

Credits: Gala photos: Russ DeSantis Photography & Video LLC; Gala video: Pivot Media Language; Gala Graphics: e9digital; Gala highlight reel: London Filmed.  

Photographs from the event can be viewed below.