Leadership

Jalyn Clifford

Acting Executive Director

Jalyn Clifford serves as Acting Executive Director of the Syracuse Housing Authority (SHA), where she provides executive leadership for one of Central New York’s largest public housing agencies. Since joining SHA in 2017, she has advanced through progressively responsible leadership roles, serving as Director of Human Resources and Deputy Executive Director before being appointed Acting Executive Director in 2026.

As Acting Executive Director, Jalyn oversees agency operations and planning, organizational performance, and workforce leadership while working closely with the Board of Commissioners, residents, community partners, and government stakeholders. She has helped lead many of SHA’s largest initiatives, including implementation of the $50 million HUD Choice Neighborhoods Implementation Grant and oversight of more than $1 billion in neighborhood redevelopment, affordable housing, and capital improvement initiatives. Her leadership experience includes labor relations, governance, organizational development, executive communications, and operational planning, with a focus on strengthening the Authority’s ability to serve residents and the Syracuse community.

Jalyn is a graduate of the Public Housing Authorities Directors Association (PHADA) and Rutgers University Executive Director Education Program (EDEP). She also holds the Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) credentials.

Outside of her work at SHA, Jalyn currently serves on several community boards. Her previous service includes the Women’s Fund of Central New York Leadership Council, where she served as Vice Chair and Treasurer, and the Central New York Community Foundation’s Black Equity & Excellence Advisory Council. In 2022, she was named a 40 Under Forty honoree by the Central New York Business Journal in recognition of her professional achievements and community involvement.