Sima Thakkar

Experience

• 

  U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

  Jun 2004 - Sept 2004

  Program Analyst Intern
• 

  City of Phoenix

  Oct 2004 - Sept 2005

  Planner I, Long Range Planning
• 

  Metropolitan Planning Commission

  Sept 2005 - Nov 2006

  Planner I, Community Plans
• 

  Metropolitan Development and Housing Agency

  Nov 2006 - Mar 2010

  Assistant Director for Community Development
• 

  ICF

  Mar 2010 - Sept 2010

  Technical Specialist
• 

  The Housing Fund, Inc.

  Sept 2010 - May 2013

  Program Director-Disaster Recovery

  Led largest homeowner rehabilitation program in Davidson County for a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) to help over 500 Nashvillians rebuild from the Presidentially Declared Flood Disaster of 2010 using $22 million in federal funds (CDBG, HOME, and CDBG-Disaster Supplemental) and community foundation resources. Provided technical assistance for affordable housing developments, community development initiatives, and HUD programs.

• 

  Rural Community Assistance Corporation (RCAC)

  Jun 2013 - Sept 2013

  Rural Development Technical Specialist

  HUD Community Planning and Development Programs CDBG technical assistance on grant reporting, financial management, and federal requirements to grantees.

• 

  The City of San Diego

  Sept 2013 - Apr 2016

  HUD Programs Manager

  Subject Matter Expert for HUD Programs, managing $20 million in federal community development resources and 16 employees. Oversaw all aspects of programmatic oversight for HUD Programs such as Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) and homeless programs, and HOME Investment Partnership as well as working with the Consolidated Plan Advisory Board.

• 

  PetSmart Charities

  Apr 2016 - Sept 2019

  Regional Relationship Manager

  Reviewed over 2,000 applications totaling $66 million in funding requests from over 1,000 grantees. Oversee a grantmaking portfolio for PetSmart Charities, a leading funder of animal welfare in North America, to strengthen community partnerships and increase cross-sectoral partnerships in areas such as: - Homelessness: National Alliance to End Homelessness - Racial Equity: Funders Together to End Homelessness, Funders For Racial Equity (FRE)- Homebound Seniors: Meals On Wheels of America (MOWA)- Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI): Opportunity Finance Network Show less

• 

  One•n•ten

  Aug 2018 - now

  Member Board of Directors

  Excitedly leading efforts to reimagine our LGBTQ+ Youth Rapid Rehousing Program!

• 

  Trellis

  Sept 2018 - now

  Secretary Board Of Directors
• 

  Raza Development Fund

  Oct 2019 - now

  National Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) helping communities overcome barriers from unequal access to capital and developing solutions for greater financial inclusion.

  • Senior Director of Health & Climate Equity

    Dec 2022 - now

  • Senior Investment Associate, Specialty Finance

    Oct 2019 - Dec 2022
• 

  Arizona Animal Welfare League

  Feb 2023 - now

  Member Board of Directors