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.

Tonya Harlan, Executive Vice President of People & Culture/Chief People Officer

Tonya joined KCHA 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.

Saeed Hajarizadeh, Executive Vice President of Administration/Chief Administrative Officer

Saeed 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.

Steven Hellyer, Chief Technology Officer

Steven joined KCHA in 2024, and leads the organization’s technological strategy and innovation. With a strong focus on leveraging technology to improve housing services, he is a strategic business partner for implementing advanced IT solutions that enhance operational efficiency and resident satisfaction. Before joining KCHA, Steven served as the IT Director for the City of Everett. In this role, he oversaw the city’s IT infrastructure, ensuring the seamless operation of critical systems and services. His leadership was pivotal in modernizing the city’s technology landscape, driving initiatives that improved public service delivery and cybersecurity. Steven holds a degree in business administration and has over two decades of experience in the technology field. His expertise spans across various domains, including network management, cybersecurity, and digital transformation. Known for his strategic vision and collaborative approach, Steven continues to be a key player in the tech community, dedicated to fostering innovation and excellence.

Asaph Glosser, Executive Vice President of Policy, Research, and Evaluations 

Asaph joined KCHA in 2025, directing policy, research, and evaluation initiatives, ensuring that these efforts help advance KCHA’s mission to transform lives through housing. He has more than two decades of experience working in partnership with federal, state, local, and tribal governments and nonprofit organizations, focused on issues of economic mobility and family wellbeing. Prior to coming to KCHA, Asaph spent 15 years on the leadership team of MEF Associates, a social policy research firm, most recently as the Vice President of Strategy and Administration. An East Coast transplant, Asaph has been enthusiastically calling the Puget Sound region home for over 20 years. He has a bachelor’s degree from Bates College and a master’s degree from the University of Washington. 

Kristy Johnson, Senior Vice President of Policy, Research & Social Impact Initiatives

Kristy joined KCHA 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. Kristy 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, Kristy 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.

Wen Xu, Senior Vice President of Development & Asset Management

Wen has been with KCHA since 2000 and is responsible for acquisition, development, financing, and/or management of the financial operations of approximately 9,000 units in the Workforce Housing, Home Ownership, Tax Credit, HOPE VI, and Development programs. Her department is responsible for all contracted management of the KCHA-owned property and the on-site staff of the homeownership programs. Ms. Xu has a Bachelor’s degree in English and Literature and a Master’s degree in Linguistics from Xinjiang University in China.

Anne Martens, Senior Vice President of Communications

Anne joined KCHA in 2024. With 25 years of experience in communications, marketing, and advocacy, she has served in government, politics, non-profits, and philanthropy. She spent three years at the start-up King County Regional Homelessness Authority, working to build a new agency to coordinate regional homelessness response. Prior to that, she spent seven years with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, where she managed communications for the Washington State team, focusing on the foundation's local COVID-19 response, improving education access and outcomes from pre-K through college, civic and community engagement, and preventing homelessness among families with children. Her previous work includes winning statewide ballot initiatives, nonprofit coalition management, communications for the Washington State Office of Financial Management under Governor Gregoire, and communications for the Oregon Secretary of State under Bill Bradbury. Born and raised in Seattle, Anne holds a law degree from Georgetown University and a BA in Sociology from the University of California at Berkeley.

Andria Lazaga, Vice President of Compliance and Policy

Andria joined KCHA in early 2025, bringing over 25 years of experience in local public and affordable housing. She previously held several leadership roles at the Seattle Housing Authority, including Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives. There, she led the agency’s participation in the federal Moving to Work program and spearheaded innovative initiatives such as the Creating Moves to Opportunity demonstration and behavioral health outreach in housing authority communities—both developed in partnership with KCHA. Andria serves on policy advisory committees for multiple housing authority industry associations, helping to shape resources and regulatory frameworks that support local housing authorities in better serving their communities. Her earlier work includes roles in asset management, resident services, and youth career development. She holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington’s Evans School of Public Policy and Governance and is an alum of Leadership Tomorrow Seattle.

JJ Jordan, Vice President of Capital Construction and Weatherization

JJ joined KCHA in 2024, bringing a wealth of experience from both public and private industry sectors. Prior to joining KCHA, he managed large scale public infrastructure projects at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, integrating a wide range of complex facility related initiatives. With a strong focus on sustainable building practices, he holds a LEED AP BD+C certification, underscoring a commitment to energy-efficient and environmentally responsible construction. At KCHA, JJ leads the capital construction and weatherization efforts, applying a blend of technical expertise and sustainable design principles to improve housing quality, comfort, and efficiency for low-income residents. JJ attended the University of Washington, where he received a master’s degree in construction management.