Easthampton Housing Authority names Sekula its new executive director

Lindi Sekula was voted in as executive director of the Easthampton Housing Authority in March.
Photo credit: Lindsi Sekula, Easthampton Housing Authority.

EASTHAMPTON — Former mayoral Executive Assistant Lindsi Sekula has been named the next executive director of the Easthampton Housing Authority.

Following a comprehensive search process led by a dedicated committee of tenants and board members, the authority’s Search Committee presented its recommendations to the Board of Commissioners on March 17.

The board officially approved Sekula as the new executive director by a 4-1 vote, which included one abstention.

Sekula fills a position that had been vacant for almost a full calendar year.

The executive director position is funded and contracted through the Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities, or EOHLC. Although Sekula will lead the day-to-day operations of the EHA, the role maintains strict state oversight and compliance standards set forth by both the EOHLC and the EHA.

“The board is looking ahead with great optimism as we enter this new chapter,” said Mary Church, chair of the Easthampton Housing Authority. “We are excited for the next steps under Lindsi’s leadership and believe her expertise will be instrumental in strengthening our operations. We look forward to working closely with her, our rejuvenated ETO and the EOHLC to enhance the quality of life for our tenants.”

Prior to holding this position, Sekula was the executive assistant to former Mayor Nicole LaChapelle for seven years and a mayoral candidate last fall.

Sekula told Reminder Publishing it was an honor to be voted in as the Housing Authority’s latest executive director. She said that after losing her bid for mayor in last fall’s election, she wanted to remain involved in local government in Easthampton. After applying for a few administrative job opportunities locally, this position then became available and a worthwhile pursuit for Sekula.

“It was pretty apparent to me that public service is still running deep in my veins, and it’s what I enjoy doing, and when I saw the position of executive director come up for the Easthampton Housing Authority, I couldn’t have thought of a better fit,” said Sekula. “I have the professional experience in government, in budgets, and my colleagues and connections at the state and local level.”

Aside from her professional experience, Sekula said she also has personal experience in housing. At one point, she lived in affordable subsidized housing in Florence for a decade.

“It feels like a full circle moment for me to have raised my children as a single mom in subsidized housing before purchasing my home in Easthampton, to now being able to be the director of a housing authority. It really gives me the full spectrum of being able to help our tenants. I think that really gives me an upper hand in this position of being able to understand the tenant’s perspectives when problems arise,” said Sekula. “Having navigated the complexities of affordable housing personally in my past, I understand the vital role EHA plays in our neighbors’ lives. I look forward to using my experience in both my personal and professional life to ensure our authority is a stable, transparent and welcoming resource for everyone we serve.”

Sekula said she is excited to remain in the Easthampton community because she loves living in it and is looking forward to connecting with people on a further and deeper level through the Housing Authority role.

When it comes to her vision in the new role, Sekula said she wants to prioritize stability, rebuilding trust with tenants and positioning the housing authority for long-term success.

“I think my priorities remain the same as I had conveyed last year to the Easthampton community, and it’s going to be the same for our tenants moving forward. For me, my leadership is [about] consistency, transparency and accountability,” said Sekula. “This is a full circle moment, and I’m ready to lead the authority with all of those principles in mind.”