NEW YORK, NY (November 20, 2025) – Enterprise Community Partners announced that its Board of Trustees has elected Christopher W. Collins as the organization’s next board chair. Collins, a seasoned leader in real estate investment and community development, will assume the role beginning January 1, 2026. Collins will succeed former U.S. Representative Rick Lazio, who has served on the Board for more than two decades, including service as chair and vice chair. Lazio will remain on the board until mid-2026 to continue steering Enterprise’s path to the organization’s next five-year plan to spur innovation across the housing sector, driving down costs for millions of families.
“At a time of a deep housing crisis, Chris’ broad expertise in affordable housing and leadership across the housing industry will be invaluable as we expand our impact across communities,” said Shaun Donovan, CEO of Enterprise Community Partners. “He brings a clear understanding of Enterprise’s priorities and the vision to help us tackle one of our nation’s most complex challenges – one that Enterprise is uniquely poised to solve. We are incredibly thankful for Rick’s steady leadership and passionate advocacy for housing equity that has shaped Enterprise for more than 20 years. His legacy will be felt for decades to come.”
Collins is the co-founder and managing Director of First Atlantic LLC, a Boston-based real estate investment company specializing in multifamily housing across the United States. He is also a partner and chair of the advisory board for Tangram Group, an investment firm devoted to the preservation of affordable housing. Over his four-decade career, he has played a central role in managing national investment platforms with more than $8 billion in real estate assets, including 2,100 affordable multifamily properties in 48 states.
“I’ve spent my career focused on ensuring families have safe, affordable homes, and I believe there is no more urgent mission than the one Enterprise leads every day,” said Collins. “I grew up in this industry over the past 48 years and have experience across nearly every discipline of housing throughout the country. At a time when we need to address housing affordability not only in big cities but also in rural communities, suburbs, and everywhere in between, I’m honored to step into this role.”
In addition to his role on Enterprise’s board, Collins also sits on the boards of Business Executives for National Security (BENS) and Family Reach, providing support for families facing cancer. He has served in advisory and board roles across education, the arts, banking, and youth development organizations nationwide.
“Serving on the Enterprise Board has been one of the most meaningful commitments of my life,” said Rick Lazio. “I’ve seen firsthand how Enterprise delivers real solutions with nationwide impact. I leave confident knowing Chris is the right leader to guide this Board forward and ensure Enterprise is best positioned to expand its important work and continue bolstering the people and partners that rely on its advocacy and support.”
With Chris Collins stepping into the role of board chair and Phyllis Caldwell continuing as vice chair, Enterprise Community Partners enters its next chapter with strong leadership, a new five-year strategic plan, and a renewed focus on its mission: to make a good home possible for the millions of families without one.
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About Enterprise Community Partners
Enterprise is a national nonprofit that exists to make a good home possible for the millions of families without one. We support community development organizations on the ground, aggregate and invest capital for impact, advance housing policy at every level of government, and build and manage communities ourselves. Since 1982, we have invested $80.9 billion and created 1 million homes across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands – all to make home and community places of pride, power and belonging. Join us at enterprisecommunity.org.
