Leadership
Ashley Northcutt, Co-Chair
Ashley M.P. Northcutt is a Tax Partner for Tidwell Group in the firm's Atlanta office, specializing in the areas of real estate taxation, not-for-profit organizations and affordable housing. Northcutt has a passion for helping those less fortunate and sharing policy ideas affecting the affordable housing industry.
Northcutt has more than 10 years of experience in tax planning and compliance for multifamily real estate, commercial real estate and construction companies. She has extensive knowledge of tax credit programs at the federal and state levels, including low-income housing tax credits and historic tax credits. Her focus is partnership and individual tax law. She also reviews, implements and applies cost segregation studies.
Additionally, Northcutt is a key member of the tax leadership team and excels at training, supervising and mentoring the Tidwell Group tax team. She also works with the IRS and other governmental agencies in resolving issues that impact her clients.
Before joining Tidwell Group, Northcutt worked for PricewaterhouseCoopers and other national accounting firms. She is a native of Charlotte, N.C., and moved to the Atlanta area in 2013.
Jen Nyquist, Co-Chair
Jen Nyquist, Senior Production Analyst, is responsible for assisting multifamily originations and specializes in affordable housing nationwide. She is based out of Walker & Dunlop's Atlanta, Georgia office and has assisted with the origination, underwriting, and funding of over $400 million in multifamily financing, specializing in affordable housing developments utilizing tax exempt bonds and low income-housing tax credits, as well as market rate transactions.
Nyquist rejoined Walker & Dunlop in 2018. Since 2019, Nyquist has been involved in multifamily asset management, primarily affordable housing. Her professional accomplishments, academic background, and real estate experience make her uniquely qualified individual who uses a holistic approach to problem solving.
Nyquist holds a Masters in Real Estate Development from the University of Maryland - College Park and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Dickinson College. In 2018, she earned her Certified Commercial Investment Member (CCIM) designation. Nyquist has been a member of Commercial Real Estate Women (CREW) Atlanta since 2012. She is the co-chair of the Women's Affordable Housing Network's Atlanta Chapter.
Grace Graszer, Co-Chair
Grace Graszer is the Policy and Development Manager in the Office of Portfolio Management for the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. She manages Asset Management and Compliance policy development for DCA’s tax credit, HOME, and HTF portfolio. She also manages properties’ transition from construction to compliance, external training, and property data maintenance.
Previously, she served as a Housing Policy Analyst at DCA, contributing to the development of the QAP and NOFAs for HOME and HTF funding sources. Grace earned her Master of City and Regional Planning from Georgia Tech and her B.A. in Economics and Geography from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Grace also serves on the Women’s Affordable Housing Network’s Advisory Committee.
Committees
Communications
The Communications Committee functions as the marketing and communications powerhouse behind WAHN Atlanta, focused on enhancing the image and credibility of the organization. The Communications Committee positions WAHN and its members in a positive and professional manner through a network of communication tools, including: website, social media and Year in Review.
Chair:
Brittany Cosby, Marketing Coordinator | Tidwell Group
Programs
The Programs Committee is responsible for the content of WAHN luncheon programs, including the Virtual Speaker Series. The Committee brainstorms to develop programs, secure speakers and panelists with relevant expertise, outline the content of the discussion around the interests of our membership and industry, and provides input as to unique program locations to complement each topic. Program Leaders will gain the opportunity to further develop leadership skills, work with and learn from the speakers, and participate in on-stage introductions. WAHN’s Mentorship Program is held over a 12-month period that focuses on pairing a mentee and a seasoned affordable housing professional’s goals, strengths and competences. During this time period, the mentee and mentor will set up a mutually agreed upon communication timeline. In addition, events specifically for mentors and proteges will be held throughout the year. The 2021 cohort includes a diverse group of 7 women from several disciplines of affordable housing. The program is held bi-annually.
Chair:
Kristin M. Zemansky, Senior Asset Manager | US Bank CDC
Sponsorship
Each year the Sponsorship committee members reach out to Affordable Housing community in the Atlanta area and ask businesses and members to assist in furthering our mission in influencing the success of our industry by advancing the achievements of women. It is because of our Sponsors generosity that we are able to provide programs and leadership opportunities to all WAHN members.
Chair:
Jen Nyquist, Senior Asset Manager | Columbia Residential
Philanthropy
The Philanthropy committee raises funds for local nonprofit organizations whose missions are to elevate others. The Scholarship subcommittee is charged with the implementation of the application and selection process. WAHN provides $1,500 awards to young women lifting up the next generation of women in Affordable Housing Industry. Some of the community giveback WAHN is involved in includes: Atlanta Food Bank, Atlanta Habitat for Humanity, and Delowe.
Chairs:
Jocelyn Smith, Director of Operations | Georgia Advancing Communities Together, Inc.
Grace Baranowski, Community Development Advisor | Purpose Built Communities
Book Club
WAHN is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. WAHN hosts a monthly DEI book club, reading and discussing member-selected works of fiction and nonfiction. Discussions are intimate and allow members to support one another in their efforts to center DEI in their work and personal lives. Anyone is encouraged to attend, even if you don't have the opportunity to finish the book prior to the discussion. Discussions are typically the 4th Wednesday of the month, from 6-7 PM. All meetings are currently virtual.
Previous books include:
- The Color of Law by Richard Rothstein
- The Water Dancer by Ta-Nehisi Coates
- The Fire This Time by Jesmyn Ward
Upcoming books include:
- January 27, 2021: The Warmth of Other Suns: The Epic Story of America's Great Migration by Isabel Wilkerson
- February 24, 2021: Sing, Unburied, Sing by Jesmyn Ward
- March 24, 2021: The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in the Age of Colorblindness by Michelle Alexander
Reach out to Grace Graszer at gm.graszer@dca.ga.gov if you'd like to join, recommend books, or have any questions.
