NeighborWorks America Names Kirsten Johnson-Obey Senior Vice President Public Policy and Legislative Affairs

WASHINGTON, Sept. 12, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- NeighborWorks America named Kirsten Johnson-Obey senior vice president of the corporation's Public Policy and Legislative Affairs division. Johnson-Obey will report to Chief Executive Officer Eileen Fitzgerald. In her role as senior vice president, Johnson-Obey will provide leadership, vision and strategic direction for NeighborWorks America and is directly responsible for overseeing and managing a wide range of issues, deliverables and relationships related to public policy, Congressional appropriations, legislative and intergovernmental affairs.

Johnson-Obey has more than 25 years of Capitol Hill and corporate legislative experience, including experience with  numerous pieces of affordable housing and other consumer oriented legislation, and with emerging issues such as the Dodd-Frank Act and the role of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

NeighborWorks America is one of the largest nonprofit community development corporations in the U.S., and supports a network of more than 240 locally-based nonprofit organizations in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico through grants, technical assistance and training, and other services.

"Kirsten brings a broad and insightful housing and consumer finance background that will help NeighborWorks America remain at the forefront of organizations committed to helping to strengthen the finances of individuals, families and communities," said Fitzgerald.  "I am very pleased that Kirsten has agreed to join us to assist NeighborWorks America and our network with public policy and legislative affairs on behalf of hundreds of thousands of people each year."

Johnson-Obey follows Steve Tuminaro who led public policy and legislative affairs for 22 years. He is retiring from NeighborWorks America after 35 years of service.

Prior to joining NeighborWorks America, Johnson-Obey was executive vice president at Porterfield, Lowenthal and Fettig, LLC., a partnership specializing in legislative and regulatory relations, political risk analysis and mitigation for a variety of financial services clients. 

Johnson-Obey joined Porterfield, Lowenthal and Fettig in 2009 after nearly eight years with Freddie Mac, one of the largest financial services firms in the U.S. As Senior Director for Congressional Relations, she was responsible for managing and executing Freddie Mac's legislative strategy related to a range of issues including government sponsored enterprise reform, affordable housing, anti-predatory lending and others.

Before joining Freddie Mac in 2001, Johnson-Obey worked as a staff member of the House Financial Services Committee and held a series of increasingly responsible roles within Minnesota Congressman Bruce Vento's office.

Johnson-Obey earned a B.A. in International Relations and Political Science from Hamline University – St. Paul, Minnesota graduating Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa.

About NeighborWorks America

For 35 years, NeighborWorks America has created opportunities for people to improve their lives and strengthen their communities by providing access to homeownership and to safe and affordable rental housing. In the last five years, NeighborWorks organizations have generated more than $19.5 billion in reinvestment in these communities. NeighborWorks America is the nation's leading trainer of community development and affordable housing professionals.

SOURCE NeighborWorks America