Shania was raised in a low-income, immigrant household in Chicago, where she learned early on what housing stability truly means. Impacted by structural barriers that many low-income people of color face, Shania spent her childhood watching her mother work 16-hour days to provide for their family and keep their housing.
Even as a child, she noticed the stark differences between her neighborhood and others —these early experiences became both her motivation and her catalyst:
“Growing up in that environment taught me how important safe and stable housing is,” Shania reflects. “It sounds simple, but even the ability to rest is hard when you do not have a stable roof over your head.”
Through her previous work at Enterprise, Shania was aware of the affordable housing policy work happening in the Bay Area and at the state level. As she navigated her Merritt Scholars journey, her experience widened her lens, allowing Shania to see a lot more of the layers across the state of California that make up the affordable housing ecosystem such as finance, development, and asset management.
Being a Merritt Scholar has strengthened Shania’s skill set in many ways. Attending workshops and “Meet the Leaders” sessions has allowed her to better understand the motivations and challenges of affordable housing leaders. However, the most transformative growth has been on a personal level.
“As the first in my family to pursue a graduate degree, sometimes it feels difficult to network or feel like I belong at large-scale professional events,” she shared. “Merritt Scholars has given me the confidence to show up as my authentic self.”
At Merritt’s Annual Partners Celebration, Shania experienced that shift firsthand. What began as reading her fellow Scholars’ bios at the start of the program turned into genuine one-on-one connections with not only her cohort, but with the entire industry. She felt welcomed—not as a student on the sidelines, but as a valued contributor in the room.
“People across the industry at all levels and in various roles are genuinely excited to talk to you,” she says. “Nothing feels intimidating because I know I’m not in this alone.”
From the annual SCANPH Conference to Housing California, Shania walks into rooms prepared, curious, and confident. Whether she comes across professionals in property management, development, or finance, she feels comfortable engaging in conversations because she understands their work.
When she envisions her long-term career, Shania sees herself in California, working in housing policy and research. Her goal is to write and advocate for legislation that eliminates barriers for housing production and preservation, strengthens tenant protections, and improves housing finance systems.
Her dream is to be in a legislative director role—one that allows her to shape policy while fostering cross-sector collaboration and moving the needle to provide housing for all.
Close to completing her year-long Merritt Scholars program, Shania is a strong advocate for emerging professionals considering a career in affordable housing, and her advice is simple but powerful: lead with empathy, bring your whole self into the work, and stay curious – ask as many questions as you can:
“People in this industry are generous with their wisdom,” she adds. “They want to share what they know – take initiative to build connections and seek out opportunities for meaningful conversations, even if it’s scheduling a quick coffee chat.”
With every workshop and conversation, Shania hasn’t just gained knowledge—she has gained tools, confidence, and community. She feels empowered to build a future where more families have the stability, dignity, and opportunity to truly thrive. Today, Shania is guided by a powerful hope: to leave the world a little better than she found it, envisioning communities moving beyond mere survival and into a place of growth and possibility.