Nicole Jean Christian Has Been Hired as the first Executive Director of the Uniondale Community Land Trust

By unanimous board approval, the Uniondale Community Land Trust (U-CLT) has hired Nicole Jean Christian as Executive Director. Ms. Christian brings over 15 years of progressive experience to the position, with accomplishments in the fields of affordable housing, grant writing and administration, and community and economic development. Nicole is an alumnus of the highly-regarded U.S. Presidential Management Fellowship program and has been recognized by trade associations and media outlets for her work, including being named one of Long Island Business News’ ‘Forty Under 40’ and Brookhaven Town Chamber Member of the Year.

Nicole Jean, a native New Yorker, started her career in 2001 as a Presidential Management Fellow (PMF) at the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA), holding posts in Washington, DC and in the Manhattan/New York District Office where she developed, implemented, and monitored national economic development policies geared to encourage entrepreneurship and community development. In 2006 she was appointed as Town of Brookhaven Economic Development Manager and in 2007 was promoted to serve as its first African-American Deputy Commissioner of Housing, Community Development, and Intergovernmental Affairs after which she served as Assistant to the Director of the Suffolk County Affordable and Workforce Housing Program.

She started her own consulting firm, NJC Consulting in 2009, and in that role secured millions of dollars in grant funds for municipalities throughout New York State, Long Island and Washington D.C. for affordable housing, research and technology initiatives, park improvements, water quality, recreation, downtown and waterfront revitalization, and more.

Nicole Jean earned a Master of Public Administration degree and graduate certificate in non-profit management from George Mason University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration degree and ABA-approved paralegal certificate from Marymount University. She is completing her doctoral studies at Wilmington University and is currently an Associate Adjunct public and business administration instructor at Long Island University and adult programming and grant writing instructor at the Brentwood Public Library, Middle Country Public Library and Patchogue-Medford Library.

“We are in the midst of a national and regional affordable housing crises where working families struggle to maintain their housing. The Community Land Trust model is one of the most effective tools available to create permanent affordable housing opportunities. My goal is to identify, procure and nurture financial, community and other partnerships to continue providing families with affordable housing opportunities throughout Uniondale and on Long Island,” says Christian.

“Nicole Jean joins us at a time in our development when we can take full advantage of her background, experience and education to strengthen U-CLT’s government partnerships, develop our strategic alliances within the housing industry and expand our community presence. We are very excited to have her on board.” said Paul E. Gibson, U-CLT Board President.

“After an extensive regional search, Ms. Christian was selected because we knew she would fit right in with the organization’s mission and goals and that she would hit the ground running.” said Nicole Burke, U-CLT Board VP.

“I look forward to working with the Uniondale Community Land Trust and the Uniondale community at large. Continuing to grow and expand affordable housing opportunities for local residents will create stronger more resilient communities and our region. I am honored to join the Uniondale Community Land Trust as its first Executive Director. We are in sore need of more affordable housing on Long Island and this is one sure way to accomplish this task.” Christian stated.

For more information about U-CLT and its 2020-21 program and events or to donate please contact: Paul E. Gibson, President at 516-483-0592.