Penquis CEO receives national NeighborWorks Association Award
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Penquis President and CEO Kara Hay was recognized by the National NeighborWorks Association (NNA) at the annual NeighborWorks Executive Directors Symposium in Washington D.C. Hay was one of three leaders nationwide acknowledged at the NNA’s 15th annual Excellence Awards, which honors outstanding practitioners in the field of housing and community development.
The NNA Excellence Awards highlight individuals who foster and lead great projects and practices in the housing and community development industry and who are shining examples of the Network of Excellence. A jury comprised of industry-related judges from outside the NeighborWorks network, as well as prior winners, selected the award recipients. Hay received the Practitioner of the Year Award, which recognizes an executive director, staff or board member for a recent accomplishment or contribution to the industry and the NeighborWorks Network.
Penquis President and CEO
Kara Hay
Hay was nominated by Ann Matlack, chair of the Penquis board of directors, and Cynthia Freeman Cyr, Penquis board member and former chair of the Charlotte White Center board of directors. Matlack and Cyr highlighted the merger of Penquis and the Charlotte White Center on Jan. 1, 2019 and Hay’s leadership of the Charlotte White Center prior to the merger. They wrote, “Her success in simultaneously leading two prominent local organizations and navigating the various legal, financial, logistical, and cultural issues for a successful merger speaks volumes to her ability to lead and inspire.”
As a result of the merger, Penquis has grown in size and breadth of services. Hay now leads an organization of 650 staff, whom she credits for the smooth transition and the quality services that make a difference in the lives of individuals and families across Maine. “Penquis staff is deeply committed to our communities and the people we serve. It is my honor and privilege to work with this talented and dedicated group of people for a stronger, healthier, and more prosperous Maine,” Hay said.
The award comes with an honorarium of $2,500, which Hay is gifting to MaineStream Finance, a subsidiary of Penquis. MaineStream supports small business development by providing business advice and access to financing, and by assisting new owners, including family members and employees, to buy out retiring owners of established businesses. The gift of her honorarium will fuel small business entrepreneurship training and technical assistance among a cohort of formerly incarcerated individuals. Hay’s contribution will leverage public and private funding to increase support for this unusual group of entrepreneurs.
This is Hay’s second award in two years from the National NeighborWorks Association. In 2017, she received the Emerging Leader Award, which recognizes an executive director with less than five years with a NeighborWorks organization whose energy and innovation has improved the value of their organization and the NeighborWorks Network.
“The National NeighborWorks Association has helped to increase awareness of the importance of rural development and the need for a comprehensive community development approach in helping all people to be safe, stable, connected, and financially secure,” Hay said. “I am honored for the recognition and grateful to be a part of this group that is working every day to improve communities across the country. Knowing many of these professionals personally and the amazing work that is taking place nationally, I am very optimistic about the future.”
The mission of NeighborWorks is to strengthen communities and expand the supply of affordable housing through a network of partnership-based organizations. Penquis became a chartered member of NeighborWorks America in 2013 and maintains exemplary status. Currently, more than 240 community development organizations are part of the NeighborWorks network.