Maisha is a Realtor (REAL Broker, NY/HGAR) from New York’s Hudson Valley. She has always been interested in understanding the intersection of planning, policy, engineering, real estate and development on the urban landscape. Maisha has served on her city’s Zoning Taskforce, as well as her association’s (HGAR) Legislative Policy and Fair Housing Committee(s). She is a member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR), National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), Urban Land Institute (ULI), and American Planning Association (APA), and American Association of University Women (AAUW). She was recently elected to serve as Regional Director for the Hudson Valley West for the APA Metro NY Chapter (2021-23).
Maisha is active in her local congregation’s (AME Zion) social ministry and homeless outreach and serves on the Board of Trustees.
As an undergraduate, Maisha studied political science and public policy, earning her degree from Marist College. She holds a Graduate Certificate in Project Management from the Department of Civil Engineering at NJIT. She is a recent graduate of the USC Price School of Public Policy, earning an Executive Master’s in Urban Planning. Currently, Maisha is completing the Master of Regional Planning (MRP), with a specialization in Community Planning & Economic Development, at the University at Albany (SUNY). She will graduate May 2021.
Maisha believes in the power of “big plans” and wants to integrate everything she has learned into her own planning and development firm. She’d like to facilitate public-private partnerships to build (much needed) affordable housing, repurpose “dead malls” to vibrant communities which address housing insecurity and homelessness. Ultimately, she hopes to plan (and help build) equitable, sustainable, resilient, healthy and inclusive communities.