Session A: Housing Collaborations: Two successful examples of how housing developers have been able to build inclusive housing in partnership with nonprofits
Rebecca McAdoo is the Regional President of Garman Homes. Born with the love of Real Estate in her blood. Has always believed that you can be Strong & Vulnerable. Both. She’s Caring & Tough. Curious & Focused. Proper & Fierce. A Driver. A Badass. A Wife. Mom to three. A well-respected female leader, Rebecca doubled Garmans’ footprint within the first four years. She led land acquisitions to secure a five-year land pipeline, and doubled down on culture and leadership. Creating a space where people are empowered to do their best work, Rebecca thrives on watching her team succeed. When she is not alongside her team, she's at a sporting event with her husband cheering on one of her three children. She pursues a life at full speed with joy and gratitude, and truly believes a Homebuilding Company can Change the World.
Alaina Garman is the founder and CEO of Garman Homes. Known for her award winning blog, Build Like a Girl, Alaina is passionate about the role of women and other marginalized voices in homebuilding.. In 2015, Alaina was named to Professional Builder Magazine’s list of 40 Under 40. Alaina has also been named Builder of the Year twice - by the Home Builders Associations of both Durham Orange Chatham County and Raleigh-Wake. In 2023 Raleigh Magazine included her as one of 19 women Shaping the Future of Raleigh. She has served on multiple Boards including the Homebuilders Association of Raleigh-Wake and Hope Renovations and is on the Executive Leadership Team for The House That She Built. As a full member of the Urban Land Institute Alaina served as Council Chair for the Residential Neighborhood Development Council - Blue Flight from 2020-2023. Most recently, Alaina was named Woman of the Year by the Women in Residential + Commercial Construction Conference. Alaina’s work has been featured in Forbes, USA Today, ProBuilder, and Builder Magazine as well as broadcast on both CNNBusiness and FoxBusiness. Alaina is known for candidly sharing deeply personal stories of struggle and triumph in the hopes of empowering and inspiring others.
About Garman Homes
In 2007, Jim Garman started Garman Homes by inviting people to Experience The Garman Difference– a brand promise rooted in four observable, demonstrated pillars including a promise that every home gives back. Joined by fellow Founder and CEO Alaina Money-Garman in 2008, the husband-and-wife duo believe that a homebuilding company can change the world, one home, one community and one connection at a time. The company has leveraged its unique combination of production homebuilding prowess with its distinct curated design perspective to position itself as an industry leader – using authenticity and transparency at its core, they establish meaningful connections to create opportunities across two North Carolina divisions, Raleigh and Greensboro, and nationwide with features in Forbes, USA Today, and the Washington Post as well as broadcasts on both CNNBusiness and FoxBusiness. In 2024, Garman will start 400 homes and close more than 350. They are the only private homebuilder on the Triangle Business Journal’s list of the Top 25 Builders. Garman hires passionate people that endeavor to elevate the overall homebuilding experience and with an average likely to recommend score of 98% over the past few years, they just might change the world.
Rebecca McAdoo
Garmon Homes, Regional President
Alaina Garman
Garman Homes, Founder & CEO
Irrin Suvanasai
With over 20 years of dedicated experience supporting children, families, and individuals, Irrin Suvanasai exemplifies a deep commitment to meeting the needs of vulnerable populations. As the Vice President of Resident Services at Wesley Housing, she leads the strategic planning and execution of supportive services and programs for youth, adults, and families within the community.
Early in her career, Irrin specialized in curriculum development and educational design, employing innovative strategies that have shaped her approach to program development. Her current role highlights her unwavering dedication to creating and implementing programs that foster unity, empowerment, and community support.
Irrin’s expertise includes a trauma-informed approach and positive psychology. She also serves as a mental health clinician, providing interventions for clients with depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance abuse, severe mental illness, and neurodivergent conditions. Her broad knowledge encompasses Social Emotional Learning Initiatives, Family Systems, Crisis Intervention, Harm Reduction, Mindfulness, BreathWork, Restorative Justice, and Dialectical Behavioral Therapy. Irrin's commitment to lifelong learning and her diverse skill set demonstrate her mission to enhance the lives of those she serves.
Wesley Housing
Wesley Housing provides safe, quality and affordable housing to residents across the Washington DC metropolitan area. Named one of the top 50 affordable housing developers in the country, Wesley is committed to cultivating supportive communities where families can build up their lives.
Irrin Suvanasai
VP Resident Services, Wesley Housing