The MBA program let me sharpen my
business understanding, and will
continue to be an asset to my career
in the future.”

Mark Auernheimer, ’97
CEO of Sealpac USA LLC

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As executive director of the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority, Averett MBA graduate Sheila Hill-Christian serves 10,000 families -- Richmond has the largest housing authority in the state of Virginia.

"It's like a city within a city," Hill-Christian, '01, said. "One of the things I enjoy about my job is that the buck stops here. The decisions are mine on a day to day basis and I have the opportunity to make improvements."

Hill-Christian is responsible for the daily management of public housing, voucher programs (Section 8) and the implementation of the city's redevelopment plans.

There are a number of improvements and changes Hill-Christian would like to implement during her tenure as executive director. She would like to find ways to minimize the organization's reliance on the city and HUD (Housing and Urban Development) for funding. She would also like the housing authority to take more of a leadership role in determining and implementing future development initiatives in the city of Richmond.

"We need to learn to be our own developers so those revenues come to the housing authority," Hill-Christian said. "Those funds can in turn be used to support future development projects. We also need to focus on our core business, which is that of a landlord who provides low cost and affordable housing.

"For many years we have struggled to find ways to provide services to our public housing residents using RRHA resources. As our funding continues to be cut we need to engage in alliances with state and local agencies that already receive funds to provide needed services."

Since receiving her undergraduate degree from Virginia Commonwealth University, Hill-Christian has worked in various departments throughout the city of Richmond. Her career began in the department of juvenile corrections and she worked her way up to director of the department. When the city started a juvenile justice agency Hill-Christian was hired by the city manager to run it. She was later appointed by Gov. George Allen to run the state's juvenile justice department -- a position she held until his term ended.

She also served as director of recreation and parks for the city and as assistant city manager and chief of staff for the city manager before becoming the chief operating officer at GRTC Transit System. She held this position until her appointment as executive director of the housing and redevelopment authority in March 2004.

"After working in the various agencies in the city it seemed that I was prepared to work with public housing and community development," Hill-Christian said. "I've had a crazy and wonderful career thanks to great mentors and bosses. If it all went away tomorrow I'd have no regrets."

While she served as assistant city manager and chief of staff for Richmond's City Manager Calvin Jamison he pushed her to go to Averett and get her masters degree.

"I think (the Graduate and Professional Studies Program -- GPS) taught me to think strategically about operations. While it's important to provide the programs and services, it is equally important to make sure that taxpayers' dollars are spent appropriately. The program teaches the right way to make sound business decisions."

Hill-Christian passes along her knowledge of business by teaching students in Averett's bachelor of business administration program. She lives in Richmond with her family.

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