Sonya Shifflett-Bly - Executive Director

Growing up in a construction environment, Sonya developed a deep appreciation for well-built, quality housing. Her personal experience living in affordable housing shaped her passion for ensuring others have access to stable, high-quality homes.

For the past 15 years, she has dedicated her career to affordable housing development, leveraging her expertise in project management, asset management, and nonprofit leadership. As Development Manager at Cohen-Esrey, she oversaw numerous projects from inception to post-closing, including leading LIHTC applications, managing financial models, securing funding, and coordinating with public and private partners. She takes pride in transforming ideas into tangible, impactful housing solutions that serve communities in need.

Sonya’s tenure at Novogradac provided her with a national perspective on real estate trends and sharpened her analytical skills through in-depth market studies and financial feasibility assessments. At Westside Housing Organization, she honed skills in grant writing, strategic planning, and community organizing. These experiences have reinforced her ability to navigate multi-layered funding structures, build strong stakeholder relationships, and drive projects forward in challenging environments. 

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Psychology from Park University, graduating cum laude. Furthering her professional expertise, she earned a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification through the Project Management Institute and completed the Supportive Housing Institute program as part of the Kansas City cohort. These educational experiences have strengthened her ability to manage complex projects, align strategic initiatives, and contribute meaningfully to affordable housing development.

Sonya is deeply committed to the mission of creating and preserving affordable housing, with a particular focus on ensuring resident success through supportive services. Her focus on sustainability and long-term community impact creates lasting housing solutions for individuals, families, and neighborhoods.