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Meet the Host
Marietta Rodriguez
President & CEO
NeighborWorks America
Marietta Rodriguez is the President & CEO of NeighborWorks America, but she started out just like many of you – a first-time homebuyer needing a little guidance. After experiencing the power of community support firsthand, she dedicated her career to helping others achieve their homeownership dreams.
Now, she is in charge of creating innovative solutions for affordable housing, economic opportunity, and thriving communities. Named one of the NonProfit Times' Top 50 Power & Influence leaders, Marietta is a true champion for change, and she's here to share her passion and expertise with you on The Community Effect podcast.
Episode Notes and Summary
Season 1 : Episode 1
Laying Out the Blueprint: This is NeighborWorks America
How can we create equitable pathways to homeownership and build stronger communities? Join the conversation with Marietta Rodriguez, Joanie Straussman Brandon, and Steve Tuminaro as they explore the past, present, and future of community development.
Release Date: October 9, 2024
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Season 1 : Episode 2
Thriving Together: Comprehensive Community Development
Discover how this resident-driven approach fosters collaboration, builds strong partnerships, and promotes equity to create lasting change. Hear inspiring success stories and gain valuable insights into the future of community development. Join Marietta Rodriguez and Elizabeth Druback Celaya as they delve into the power of Comprehensive Community Development (CCD). Don't forget to check out the Case Studies Elizabeth mentioned during the episode!
Release Date: October 23, 2024
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Season 1 : Episode 3
Turning the Key: Bridging the Wealth Gap in Homeownership
Navigating the path to homeownership can be challenging, especially in today's market. In this episode of The Community Effect, Marietta Rodriguez and Jason Peterson delve into the hurdles first-time homebuyers face, including rising costs and racial disparities. Discover how NeighborWorks provides vital resources like down payment assistance programs and financial counseling to empower individuals and families on their journey to homeownership.
Release Date: November 5, 2024
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Season 1 : Episode 4 
Dreams to Deeds: Real People, Real Homeownership Stories
Homeownership can transform lives and communities. This episode of "The Community Effect" explores the challenges and opportunities surrounding homeownership. Learn how organizations like Housing Resources Inc. provide vital support and advocacy to make this dream a reality for more people.
BONUS - Hear from Lawanda Chambers from Housing Resources Inc. about her inspiring personal journey to becoming a homeowner.
Release Date: December 4, 2024
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Season 1 : Episode 5 
The Future Now: Forecasting Strategies for Community Building and Affordable Housing in 2025 and Beyond (Part 1)
In this insightful episode of The Community Effect, host Marietta Rodriguez, President & CEO of NeighborWorks America, is joined by Chris Herbert from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies and Michael Butchko of NeighborWorks America to explore the trends and challenges shaping the future of housing and community development. Reflecting on 2024’s milestones, they discuss the growing affordability crisis, innovative policy responses, and NeighborWorks’ impactful initiatives, including partnerships and training programs. Tune in to gain valuable insights and strategies to navigate the complexities of 2025, and don’t miss Part 2 for a deeper dive into NeighborWorks' strategic vision for lasting change.
Release Date: January 15, 2025
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Season 1 : Episode 6 
The Future Now: Forecasting Strategies for Community Building and Affordable Housing in 2025 and Beyond (Part 2)
In the second installment of “The Future Now,” Marietta Rodriguez continues her conversation with Chris Herbert of the Harvard Joint Center on Housing and Michael Butchko of NeighborWorks America. They discuss NeighborWorks’ new strategic plan, the pressing need for affordable housing, and emerging innovations in supply, financing, and cross-sector partnerships. From social housing to modular construction and shared equity, the episode explores what’s next for housing and community development in 2025 and beyond.
Release Date: January 29, 2025
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Season 1 : Episode 7 
Building Community and Opportunity: A Conversation with Darryl Smith
In the second installment of “The Future Now,” Marietta Rodriguez continues her conversation with Chris Herbert of the Harvard Joint Center on Housing and Michael Butchko of NeighborWorks America. They discuss NeighborWorks’ new strategic plan, the pressing need for affordable housing, and emerging innovations in supply, financing, and cross-sector partnerships. From social housing to modular construction and shared equity, the episode explores what’s next for housing and community development in 2025 and beyond.
Release Date: February 12, 2025
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Season 1 : Episode 8 
A Roof Over Every Head: Expanding Access to Rental Housing
The need for affordable rental housing is greater than ever. How do we ensure a roof over every head? In this episode of The Community Effect, NeighborWorks America President & CEO Marietta Rodriguez speaks with Linda Mandolini, President of Eden Housing, about the challenges and solutions shaping the future of rental housing. From rising costs to zoning changes to financing strategies, they discuss how communities can expand access to safe, stable and affordable housing.
Release Date: February 26, 2025
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Season 1 : Episode 9 
Innovating for Impact: Nonprofit-Corporate Partnerships and Why They Work
"Innovating for Impact" explores how corporate-nonprofit partnerships fuel economic growth and housing equity. Guest Courtney Howard Hodapp of JPMorgan Chase joins host Marietta Rodriguez to discuss the trust, innovation and collaboration that define this 20-year partnership. Learn how intentional partnerships can drive meaningful change.
Release Date: March 12, 2025
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Season 1: Episode 10
Beyond Housing: Holistic Approaches to Community Transformation & Investment
Host Marietta Rodriguez sits down with Chris Krehmeyer, CEO of Beyond Housing, to discuss the organization's deep-rooted work in Pagedale, Missouri—one of the region’s most under-resourced communities. The conversation explores how Beyond Housing has tackled systemic challenges through strategic partnerships with local banks, schools and residents to address issues like food deserts, educational instability and economic disinvestment. Their efforts have led to tangible results, including reduced crime and increased property values, offering a model for sustainable community development and long-term impact.
Release Date: March 26, 2025
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Season 2 : Episode 1 (#11) 
Rooted in Recovery: 20 Years Since Katrina
Welcome to Season 2 of the Community Effect Podcast! Two decades after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, we speak with three leaders who helped rebuild the Gulf Coast: Terri North (Providence Community Housing), Bill Bynum (HOPE Credit Union) and Kathy Laborde (Gulf Coast Housing Partnership). They share what it took to lead through crisis, what has changed since 2005 and how they are still building strong communities today.
Brought to you by The Community Effect, a NeighborWorks® America podcast.
Release Date: August 27, 2025
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Season 2 : Episode 2 (#12) 
Reimaging Affordable Housing: Manufactured Homes & New Possibilities
What role can manufactured homes play in solving today’s housing challenges? In this episode of The Community Effect, Marietta Rodriguez, NeighborWorks America President & CEO, talks with Sarah Kackar (NeighborWorks America) and Ramsey Cohen (Clayton) about innovation, inclusive zoning and how partnerships are reshaping housing opportunities for rural communities.
Brought to you by The Community Effect, a NeighborWorks® America podcast.
Release Date: September 10, 2025
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Season 2 : Episode 3 (#13) 
Episode 13: The Neighbor Project - Renting with a Purpose (Part 1 - Season 2 Episode 3)
Not everyone is ready to buy...and that’s okay. In this episode of The Community Effect, we sit down with Rick Guzman, Executive Director of The Neighbor Project, to explore how rental housing can become a pathway to financial empowerment. The Neighbor Project’s Breakthrough Rental program challenges the idea that renting is a dead end. Instead, it helps families build credit, reduce debt, and save for a down payment; transforming affordable units into stepping stones toward long-term stability and homeownership.
This is a two-part episode, so be sure to tune in for episode 4 as the conversation continues. Brought to you by The Community Effect, a NeighborWorks® America podcast.
Release Date: September 23, 2025 | 10:30 AM
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Season 2 : Episode 4 (#14) 
Episode 14: The Neighbor Project - Renting with a Purpose (Part 1 - Season 2 Episode 4)
In this episode of The Community Effect we are back with Rick Guzman, Executive Director of The Neighbor Project, to continue the conversation about how the Neighbor Project’s Breakthrough Rental program has reshaped lives, multiplied the reach of affordable housing, and created generational wealth for families once locked out of ownership opportunities. This conversation offers a fresh perspective on breaking the cycle of poverty and building stronger, more resilient communities.
This is a two-part episode, so be sure to tune in for episode 4 as the conversation continues. Brought to you by The Community Effect, a NeighborWorks® America podcast.
Release Date: October 8, 2025 | 10:30 AM
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Season 2 : Episode 5 (#15) 
Episode 15: Before the Bricks - Building Financial Readiness for Homeownership
Before a home is built, the foundation for success starts long before the first brick is laid. In this episode of The Community Effect, NeighborWorks® America president & CEO Marietta Rodriguez talks with Amy Schaftlein, Executive Director of United Housing in Memphis, about what it really takes to prepare families for homeownership.
Together, they discuss how financial education, credit building, and down payment assistance programs help families move from renting to owning and how organizations like United Housing are using innovative tools to make homeownership more attainable and sustainable.
Release Date: October 22, 2025 | 10:30 AM
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Season 2 : Episode 6 (#16) 
Episode 16: After the Storm: Resilience and Rebuilding in Los Angeles
When disaster strikes, rebuilding takes more than repairing homes — it takes time, trust and community.
In this episode of The Community Effect, NeighborWorks America President & CEO Marietta Rodriguez talks with Lori R. Gay, President and CEO of Neighborhood Housing Services of Los Angeles County. Together they explore how preparation, partnership and perseverance help neighborhoods recover after wildfires, floods and economic shocks. Hear stories of resilience from Los Angeles and learn what it truly means to rebuild stronger, safer communities.
Release Date: November 5, 2025 | 10:30 AM
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Season 2 : Episode 7 (#17) 
Episode 17: Building the Future: How Innovation Is Expanding What’s Possible in Affordable Housing
Innovation is redefining what’s possible in affordable housing. In this episode, NeighborWorks America President & CEO Marietta Rodriguez talks with Ernest Coney Jr., CEO of the Corporation to Develop Communities of Tampa, and Nick Mitchell-Bennett, Executive Director of Come Dream Come Build in Brownsville, Texas. Together, they explore how modular construction and 3D-printed homes are helping communities build quality housing faster and at lower cost.
The conversation dives into the role of technology, workforce opportunity and community insight in shaping the future of housing. From DreamBuild’s flexible modular designs to Florida’s first 3D-printed homes, Ernest and Nick show how local innovation can create a lasting impact for families.
Listen to learn how NeighborWorks network organizations are charting a new path for affordability, resilience and opportunity.
Release Date: December 10, 2025 | 10:30 AM
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Season 2 : Episode 8 (#18) 
Episode 18: Scaling What Works: Innovation in Community Investment (Season 2 - Episode 8)
In this episode of The Community Effect, Marietta Rodriguez, president and CEO of NeighborWorks America, is joined by Brandee McHale, head of Community Investing and Development at Citi and president of the Citi Foundation. They discuss how philanthropy, finance and community development intersect to create lasting impact. The conversation explores first-mover partnerships, the role of philanthropic capital in seeding innovation and the importance of investing in people and places to support long-term economic opportunity and community resilience.
Release Date: January 14, 2026 | 10:30 AM
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Season 2 : Episode 9 (#19) 
Episode 19: Legacy, Inheritance and Resilience in Houston’s Fifth Ward (Part 1) (Season 2 - Episode 9)
Episode 19 of The Community Effect explores how housing inheritance, estate planning and tangled titles affect family stability and wealth building in Houston’s historic Fifth Ward. Host Marietta Rodriguez, president and CEO of NeighborWorks America, speaks with Kathy Flanagan Payton of Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corp. about legacy housing, community resilience and the role trusted local organizations play in protecting generational assets. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation.
Release Date: January 28, 2026 | 10:30 AM
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Season 2 : Episode 10 (#20) 
Episode 20 : Legacy, Inheritance and Resilience in Houston’s Fifth Ward (Part 1) (Season 2 - Episode 10)
Episode 20 of The Community Effect continues the conversation on legacy, resilience and housing stability in Houston’s Fifth Ward. Host Marietta Rodriguez, president and CEO of NeighborWorks America, speaks with Kathy Flanagan Payton of Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corp. about mixed-income housing, disaster recovery and the partnerships that help communities rebuild stronger and more equitably. This is Part 2 of a two-part series.
Release Date: February 11, 2026 | 10:30 AM
Want to get in contact with us?
To reach a member of the Community Effect team, please contact us by email at [email protected].
This Podcast is Produced by NeighborWorks© America
