SAN FRANCISCO (Jan. 16, 2025) – BRIDGE Housing, the leading nonprofit affordable housing developer on the West Coast, has promoted three senior executives, strengthening the C-suite leadership team as it aggressively expands efforts to provide quality homes and services for low-income households.
BRIDGE elevated Delphine Sherman to Chief Operating Officer in addition to her current position as Chief Financial Officer; Sierra Atilano to the newly created position of Chief Real Estate Officer; and Elizabeth Van Benschoten to Chief Investment Officer in addition to her current position as Senior Vice President, Capital Markets.
“I’m thrilled that Delphine, Sierra, and Elizabeth are stepping into even greater leadership roles at this important moment for BRIDGE Housing,” President and CEO Ken Lombard said. “These talented and proven executives helped drive our remarkable growth over the past year. They will be crucial to building on that momentum to deliver stronger performance and innovative affordable housing solutions that uplift communities and the lives or our residents.”
In 2024, BRIDGE Housing grew its portfolio by 11.5%, to 14,774 apartments in California, Oregon and Washington, and its assets surpassed $4 billion, the highest valuation in the nonprofit’s 41-year history. As it accelerates efforts to create and preserve low-income housing in some of the nation’s costliest markets, BRIDGE aims to develop or acquire 5,100 affordable housing units by 2027. Overall, it has a development pipeline of 8,295 new units, with another 1,848 units in its acquisition pipeline.
In her new role as COO, Sherman oversees daily operations and implements strategies to improve efficiency and communication across all departments, as well as cross-team collaboration and tracking progress on BRIDGE’s Strategic Plan. She will also remain Chief Financial Officer, a position she has held since 2020, and continue to oversee several departments including finance and accounting, risk management, and property management.
“I am honored to take on this new role within BRIDGE’s dynamic leadership team,” Sherman said. “Ken has charted a path of ambitious growth, and we are making remarkable strides to extend our impact by increasing access to affordable housing in costly West Coast communities.”
As BRIDGE’s first Chief Real Estate Officer, Atilano is responsible for managing and executing affordable housing solutions, from construction, acquisitions, and dispositions to project financing, the development pipeline and operations at BRIDGE communities. An executive with more than 25 years in a varied real estate career, Atilano joined BRIDGE in 2022 as an EVP, overseeing real estate development and asset management across all regions, as well as day-to-day operations in Southern California.
“Working closely together, BRIDGE’s leadership team is laser focused on relieving the housing affordability crisis in the West,” Atilano said. “I am honored to assume this brand new role to help magnify our ability to put high-quality housing within reach for even more residents, along with services that offer support, stability, and hope.”
New CIO Van Benschoten oversees all aspects of BRIDGE’s capital markets activities, from managing relationships with investors and financial institutions to developing capital-raising strategies, including innovative ways to leverage BRIDGE’s exemplary bond rating from S&P Global Ratings. Last year, she helped lead an unprecedented, $71.5 million bond issue to fund a new affordable housing community in Portland, Ore. – making BRIDGE the first nonprofit housing developer to issue publicly offered tax-exempt construction bonds. Van Benschoten became CIO following the retirement of Jim Mather, who stepped down at the end of 2024 and remains at BRIDGE in the role of Senior Advisor.
“I’m incredibly excited about the opportunity to advance the BRIDGE Housing mission in this next chapter of my career,” said Van Benschoten, a financial industry veteran who worked at BRIDGE from 2013 to 2016 before returning in 2024. “BRIDGE has pioneered the use of capital markets for affordable housing, and I look forward to deepening our financial and investor partnerships to continue developing new, market-based financing solutions.”
Since 1983, BRIDGE Housing has been an innovative leader in affordable housing on the West Coast. With a focus on community development and comprehensive support services, BRIDGE Housing creates strong communities, improves lives, and delivers positive social impact for its more than 30,000 residents.
About BRIDGE Housing
BRIDGE Housing Corporation is a leading nonprofit developer, owner, and manager of high-quality affordable housing on the West Coast, with a mission to strengthen communities and improve lives. Founded in 1983, BRIDGE Housing has participated in the creation of more than 22,000 affordable homes in California, Oregon and Washington, with a total development cost of $5.8 billion. Its current portfolio totals more than 14,000 apartments that are home to more than 30,000 residents, with more than 10,000 additional units in the development and acquisition pipelines. For more information, visit www.bridgehousing.com.
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