Leadership Team

Robin joined KCHA in 2022. Robin has extensive experience in the affordable housing field and possesses deep knowledge of HUD programs. She came to KCHA from the Houston Housing Authority where she served, most recently, as Vice President of Housing Choice Voucher Programs. In that role, she also oversaw the organization’s grant-funded rental assistance programs for tenants. Prior to that, Robin served as the interim Housing Choice Voucher Program Director for the New Orleans Housing Authority and held supervisory roles at the Chicago Housing Authority’s HCV program. Robin has also provided consulting and technical assistance to numerous housing authorities around the country. Robin participates in several professional organizations including the National Leased Housing Association, where she serves on the board, and the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials, where she serves on multiple standing committees. Robin hails from Chicago. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from the University of Chicago.

Ms. Xu has been with the Authority since 2000 and is responsible for acquisition, development, financing, and/or management of the financial operations of approximately 9,000 units in the Workforce Housing, Home Ownership, Tax Credit, HOPE VI, and Development programs of the Authority. Her department is responsible for all contracted management of the Authority-owned property and the on-site staff of the homeownership programs. Ms. Xu Walter has a Bachelor’s degree in English and Literature and a Master’s degree in Linguistics from Xinjiang University, China.

Saeed Hajarizadeh joined KCHA in 2022. His affordable housing career spans over 20 years of providing management and financial services to housing authorities in Oregon and Washington. Saeed believes that a secure and safe place to call home is a fundamental human right. He is active in the affordable housing industry and strives to bring best practices to King County. He serves on several nonprofit boards in housing and other social service areas. Saeed earned his MBA from California State University, San Bernardino. He enjoys being with family and watching and playing soccer.

Ms. Harlan joined the Authority in 2015. With more than 27 years of professional human resources experience, Ms. Harlan serves as a strategic business partner and oversees the Human Resources Office; she is responsible for KCHA’s recruitment, retention, labor relations, benefits, professional development, and training. Along with a strong business acumen, her comprehensive background in HR management, policy interpretation, and inclusive communication practices has resulted in strong and trusting relationships with her internal and external customers. Tonya is a certified Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR), and Society for Human Resources Management – Senior Certified Professional (SHRM-SCP). Prior to joining the Authority, Ms. Harlan was the Regional Associate Director of Human Resources-West Division for HMSHost – North America.

Ms. Johnson joined the Authority in 2002. Ms. Johnson is a public housing professional with over 20 years of experience in administering, developing, implementing and evaluating a variety of public housing programs and activities. She believes housing is a human right and the solution to the homelessness crisis, hence has dedicated her life to advance opportunities in the field of affordable and supportive housing. Ms. Johnson currently oversees the Authority’s Research and Evaluation efforts, Moving to Work (MTW) program, Project-based Voucher procurement and contracting, and Social Impact Initiatives related to health, education, and homelessness. Prior to her appointment as the Senior Director for Policy, Research and Social Impact initiatives in 2021, Ms. Johnson served as the Authority’s Senior Director of Homeless Housing Initiatives where she expanded the Authority’s supportive housing portfolio and developed and implemented evidence based supportive housing programs by successfully leveraging the Authority’s MTW flexibilities. Ms. Johnson’s work is deeply rooted in partnership and cross-system coordination with local government, school districts, non-profit organizations, and other systems of care.

Lauren Mathisen recently joined the Authority as Executive Vice President of Real Estate Development. Lauren has 13 years of experience in affordable housing development and finance, and for the last nine years led redevelopment finance at the Seattle Housing Authority including structuring, negotiating, and executing low-income housing tax credit projects; navigating HUD policy and approvals; managing public bond offerings; supervising a redevelopment finance team; and leading financial modeling for large-scale projects such as Yesler Terrace and the Northgate Commons Redevelopment. Lauren holds a Master’s of Public Administration from the University of Washington.