Jenna Connolly
Jenna joined CHAPA in 2018 as Communications & Events Manager. As Director of Communications & Events, she is responsible for strategizing and implementing CHAPA’s communications and media plan and overseeing the Events & Logistics Manager.
Previously, she served as Resource Development & Communications Manager at Allston Brighton Community Development Corporation. She also completed two terms with AmeriCorps, including a year of building affordable homes in Austin, Texas for Habitat for Humanity.
She holds a Master of Public Administration with a concentration on Gender, Leadership, & Public Policy from UMass Boston and a certificate in PR Strategy from Cornell University. She is passionate about multimedia storytelling and enjoys creative writing and photography in her spare time.
Contact for: press inquiries, logo or ad needs
Maritza Crossen
mcrossen@chapa.org
(617) 804-6558
Maritza Crossen joined CHAPA in 2011. As Director of Strategic Initiatives Maritza oversees the marketing, outreach and education for CHAPA’s 40B homeownership portfolio, working towards CHAPA’s goal of closing the racial homeownership gap. Maritza also assists in CHAPA’s fundraising efforts, securing opportunities to support CHAPA’s mission as well as oversees CHAPA’s Membership Program. She previously served as CHAPA’s Director of Programs, responsible for CHAPA’s 40B Team, the MassAccess Accessible Housing Registry, My Mass Mortgage website the Massachusetts Homeownership Collaborative and CHAPA’s New England HUD Housing Counseling Network. Maritza previously worked for New Ecology, Inc. as an associate green building consultant. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Vermont and a Masters in Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning from Tufts University.
David Gasser
dgasser@chapa.org
(617) 701-7498
David Gasser became CHAPA’s Programs Director in 2021, after joining the agency as a Program Manager in 2019. As Program Manager, he contributed to CHAPA’s Chapter 40B monitoring efforts, particularly managing the resale of affordable homes to first-time homebuyer households. Prior to joining CHAPA, David worked for seven years at the Oak Hill Community Development Corporation, first as a Foreclosure Prevention & Housing Specialist and then as the Director of Homeownership Programs. David is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University and earned a J.D. from Boston College Law School. He is a member of the Massachusetts Bar.
Rachel Heller
rheller@chapa.org
(617) 701-7491
Rachel Heller became CHAPA’s CEO in 2016, after joining the agency as the Director of Public Policy in 2012. Rachel is responsible for providing strategic leadership and overseeing all activities of the organization. She works in partnership with the Board of Directors to articulate and execute CHAPA’s mission. Rachel previously worked as the Director of Public Policy at the Alliance for Business Leadership, served as Chief of Staff to Massachusetts State Senator Susan Tucker, and was the Senior Policy Advocate at Homes for Families, a nonprofit advocacy organization working to end family homelessness. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Peace Studies from the University of Connecticut.