Barika Williams

Executive Director

Barika Williams (she/her) is ANHD's Executive Director. She was previously with ANHD as Deputy Director until 2018. During her ANHD tenure she led impactful projects and initiatives – including ANHD’s mandatory inclusionary housing, equitable economic development, and data and research work. She has an unparalleled breadth and depth of policy expertise on affordable housing and economic development, as well as deep knowledge on our organization, members, and the communities we serve. Perhaps most important, she's passionate about policies that advance equity, inclusion, and opportunity in all neighborhoods, especially for low-income communities and communities of color.

Prior to her appointment, Barika served as the Assistant Secretary for Housing for the State of New York under Governor Andrew M. Cuomo. There, she managed the Governor’s major housing priorities consisting of various agencies with a combined workforce of over 1,000 employees and an annual budget of more than $2.5 billion dollars. She supported the Governor’s programs and initiatives to increase NY State housing affordability including the $20 billion housing plan and expanding tenant protections statewide.

In previous roles, Barika has published on several topics at the Urban Institute, served as Project Manager for a leading DC real estate firm and on a community-based comprehensive education reform initiative. Barika holds a master’s degree from MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning and a bachelor’s degree from Washington University in St. Louis.