Nandini Natarajan is CEO and executive director of the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) and the first woman and person of color to lead the agency. Since 2019, she has expanded access to affordable housing through innovative programs, strong fiscal leadership, and strategic partnerships.
She serves on the National Council of State Housing Agency board and the Federal Home Loan Banks Boston advisory council. She holds degrees from Smith College and UMass Amherst, as well as a certificate from the NeighborWorks Achieving Excellence Program.
What have been your biggest professional accomplishments over the past year?
I led CHFA through the launch of several high-impact programs, including, in partnership with the State Department of Housing, Build For CT (low-cost financing for middle-income rental housing), the relaunch of the State’s Time To Own (forgivable down payment assistance for over 6,000 first-time buyers), and the pilot of Smart Rate (interest rate reduction for borrowers with student debt).
Internally, I oversaw the development of a new four-year strategic plan and strengthened our hybrid work culture. We modernized operations, improved collaboration, and stayed mission-focused, funding over 2,000 affordable rental units and helping over 3,800 people become homeowners in 2024.
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In what ways are you involved in the community?
The work we do at CHFA is community based and locally driven. In my personal life, I shop locally, enjoy Connecticut’s diverse dining scenes, donate to and run the Hartford Marathon 5K, and, with my spouse, attend the Brain Injury Alliance of CT art shows.
On The Job
What is one guiding business principle?
Lead with clarity and empathy. I believe organizations thrive when people understand the ‘why’ behind the work and feel both empowered and valued in how they contribute to it.
What’s the best way to keep your competitive edge?
Stay curious and adaptable. I spend time listening — whether it’s to data, our partners, or staff — and I use that feedback to inform and evolve our strategies. In a constantly changing environment, curiosity and humility are underrated advantages.
What’s the best business decision you’ve made over the last year?
Investing in our people. From launching internal learning initiatives like Study Hall to creating a more intentional leadership development pipeline, we’ve centered organizational resilience around the growth of our team – and it’s paying off.
What’s the worst business decision you’ve made over the last year?
Like many leaders, I sometimes hold onto underperforming strategies longer than I should, out of a desire to give them time to succeed. In hindsight, I’ve learned that course correction — when done transparently and thoughtfully — is often a strength, not a weakness.
What’s the biggest missed opportunity over the last year?
I wish we had pushed forward more boldly on elevating the public narrative around middle-income housing. While we’ve made progress through Build For CT, there’s more we can do to shift perceptions and rally broader support.
Research continues to emerge that investing in housing for all income levels — including middle-incomes — can help stabilize rents and create housing opportunities for our most marginalized neighbors.
What is a goal yet to be achieved?
I want to build stronger cross-sector partnerships that position housing not just as infrastructure, but as a platform for opportunity – especially in health, education and economic mobility. We’re making progress, but this work takes persistence and collective will.
Personal Side
Place of residence: West Hartford
Favorite way to relax: Weeding my perennial garden and going to a yoga class.
Hobbies: Exercising, reading, cooking and listening to music.
Last vacation: Visit to India with my mother and sisters to see extended family.
Favorite movie: Anything by Alfred Hitchcock!
The car you drive: BMW X-3
Currently reading: “The Mystery of the Crooked Man,” by Tom Spencer, and “Change the Wallpaper,” by Nilanjana Dasgupta
Favorite cause: Food banks/CT Foodshare
Second choice career: Writer/educator