Leadership Team
KCHA's strategic direction comes from its Board of Commissioners and its eight-member Leadership Team.
Robin Walls, President/CEO
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.
Anneliese Gryta, Executive Vice President of Housing Operations/Chief Operations Officer
Ms. Gryta joined the Authority in 2021. In this role, she oversees the organization’s federal programs, including the Housing Choice Voucher Program and public housing. She came to KCHA from Lucas Metropolitan Housing, in Toledo, OH, where she served as the Chief of Staff and Chief Policy and Program Officer. Prior to joining the field, Ms. Gryta served as the Vice President, Strategic Initiatives and Grantmaking for the Greater Toledo Community Foundation. She started her career in service to low-income families as a legal aid attorney. Ms. Gryta holds a J.D. degree from the C. Blake McDowell School of Law at the University of Akron, a bachelor’s degree from Buffalo State College at the State University of New York, and a Certificate in Executive Education from the Harvard Kennedy School’s Senior Executives in State and Local Government program.
Saeed Hajarizadeh, Executive Vice President of Administration/Chief Administrative Officer
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.
Tonya Harlan, Vice President of Human Resources
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.
Kristy Johnson, Senior Vice President of Policy, Research & Social Impact Initiatives
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.
Tim Walter, Senior Vice President of Development & Asset Management
Mr. Walter has been with the Authority since 1992 and is responsible for acquisition, development, financing and/or management of the financial operations of approximately 9,000 units in the Workforce Housing, Homeownership, Tax Credit, HOPE VI, and Development programs of the Authority. His department is responsible for all contracted management of the Authority-owned property and the on-site staff of the homeownership programs. Mr. Walter has a bachelor’s degree in finance, magna cum laude, from Seattle Pacific University.
Nikki Parrott, Vice President of Capital Construction & Weatherization
During her 45-year career, Ms. Parrott has worked for public and private entities to create policies, plan for, fund, and develop affordable housing and community facilities serving low-income communities. She joined KCHA in 2006 as a Senior Development Manager, was later promoted to the Director of the Housing Repair and Weatherization Department, and in 2014 was selected to lead a new department that combined both Capital Construction and Weatherization. It is unique for a large public housing authority to administer the federal Weatherization Assistance Program and Ms. Parrott is recognized statewide for her leadership of KCHA’s program, the largest in the state. She has a deep history in the region having worked for King County, the City of Seattle, and a 13-year period of owning her own business, Pacific Development Concepts, specializing in policy, program, and project development, always with a focus on improving housing conditions and affordability for low-income households. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Middlebury College in Vermont and completed work in Urban and Regional Studies at the University of Minnesota.