2019 Elizabeth M. Forsyth Community Service Award Recipient
The Elizabeth M. Forsyth Community Service Award was created in 2004 to acknowledge the impact of individuals who have made significant contributions to the community by recognizing local needs and supporting solutions to meet them.
The 2019 Elizabeth M. Forsyth Community Service Award Recipient is Krista Mills, M.Ed.
Krista Mills is the Acting Chief Human Capital Officer for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, a cabinet-level agency of 7,500 employees and a $47-billion-dollar budget. As the Chief Human Capital Officer, she is responsible for developing and executing human resource strategy in support of the overall business plan and strategic direction of the organization, specifically in the areas of succession planning, talent management, change management, organizational and performance management, training and development, and compensation. Ms. Mills provides strategic leadership by articulating HR needs and plans to the executive management team.
Ms. Mills is a 20-year, Senior Executive Service employee who has served with distinction in numerous Federal positions ranging from a Community Builder and Field Office Director in Louisville, Kentucky to serving as a Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of Fair Housing at HUD Headquarters in Washington D.C.
MH Charter Board Member, Vince Sawyer presenting the Award to Krista at MH’s 20th Annual Luncheon at the University of Lynchburg, May 2019
Passionate about the Fair Housing Act, she was handpicked by HUD senior leadership to assist in leading the implementation of the new affirmatively furthering fair housing rule. Before being selected as the Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Office of Fair Housing, Ms. Mills served as the Senior Advisor to the Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Policy, Legislative Initiatives and Outreach.
Prior to joining HUD, Ms. Mills served in a position that shaped her compassionate, empathetic, helping mindset; she was the executive director of Miriam’s House from 1993-1998. Miriam’s House board, supporters, and staff taught her the meaning of servant leadership. This continues to be the foundation of Ms. Mills’ civil service career. As the organization’s first employee and first executive director, Ms. Mills also shaped the nonprofit’s foundation which has greatly impacted its 25 year history. Ms. Mills’ dedication to the vulnerable and commitment to provide the best intervention to address homelessness are emulated by Miriam’s House to this day.
Ms. Mills holds a master’s degree in Education from the University of Lynchburg in Lynchburg, Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington. In 2016, her distinguished Federal career earned her the honor of being named one of the top 50 employees in the history of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Current MH Executive Director, Sarah Quarantotto & Krista, MH’s first Executive Director.