Click on each member of the team to learn more about their contributions to HAND.
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Courtney Battle is the Executive Director for the Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers (HAND). HAND’s growing network of members includes a wide variety of real estate and community development professionals in the Capital Region (Baltimore, Washington and Richmond) who share the mission of creating more equitable outcomes through the vehicle of affordable housing. Courtney believes that relationships are one of life’s cornerstones, and cultivating a strong network of changemakers who are transforming communities is vital to addressing the inequities that create barriers to opportunity.
Courtney joined the organization in October 2016 as Membership Manager, and was promoted to Membership Director in July 2019. In these capacities, she was responsible for: the recruitment, management and engagement of members; launching and administering the association management system for 1,000+ members and 400+ prospective members; implementing the organization’s marketing & communications initiatives (including the website, social media, e-blasts sent to 10,000+ inboxes, annual marketing materials, blog posts and the annual fundraiser digital program book distributed to 1,000+ attendees); the planning and execution of 40+ training and capacity building events each year; overseeing activities of the committee supporting the emerging leader member segment; and supporting the Executive Director in special projects.
In July 2021, Courtney was promoted to Director of Strategic Partnerships & Membership. In this role she led a wide range of projects designed to scale HAND’s reach across the region and increase the organization’s ability to build its members’ capacity. These included, but are not limited to: relationship building and strengthening; fundraising activities; assessing member needs that can be translated to programming and/or advocacy initiatives; serving as an ambassador for the organization in external events and media interviews; overseeing membership functions; and leading the marketing and communications strategy.
Courtney brings a wealth of experience in journalism and communications to her work. Prior to joining HAND, she served as an Account Manager for a local public affairs firm, and spent several years at CNN’s Washington, DC bureau as a News Assistant and Media Coordinator.
Service is also deeply embedded in her DNA, and Courtney has engaged with several community organizations which include Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Reading Partners, and Community ONE. She has the pleasure of serving as a Board member for Women of Color in Community Development, and was President of the Board from 2020-2021. She also successfully completed the Illuminate Your Leadership Nonprofit Coaching Program and Prosperity Now’s Building High Impact Nonprofits of Color initiative. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Howard University, where she majored in Journalism and minored in Afro-American Studies. She is originally from Southfield, Michigan, and has found a second home in Washington, DC.
I consider it an honor to work for an organization that plays such a critical role in increasing and maintaining affordable housing in the city that has been so good to me personally and professionally. This issue is one that touches all of us, and I am very excited to be involved in creating solutions to this pressing challenge.”
—Courtney Battle
The ARound Robin Production Company is a full service, script-to-screen elite film/video production firm. Emmy-award winning journalist Robin Hamilton is principal of the company, which works with a number of prestigious organizations, including HAND. Collaborating with the executive director’s vision, the ARound Robin Production Company has produced the Housing Achievement Award videos since 2017, profiling leaders in housing development across the metropolitan area.
Other clients include Shepherd’s Table, an area soup kitchen, Tzedek DC, an organization providing pro-bono legal services and the Capital Region YWCA.
The ARound Robin Production Company has also produced and released two documentary films, and Hamilton hosts specials for the local Tribune station, where her work has garnered 2 Emmy awards, 4 Salute to Excellence awards from the National Association of Black Journalists, and one Gracie Award.
For the company’s full portfolio, visit www.aroundrobin.com.
Racine Tucker-Hamilton is the Director of Communications and Thought Leadership for the Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers (HAND). She is responsible for steering all public-facing activities of the organization in the service of three aims: the enhancement of organizational credibility, the shaping of public policy, and the expansion of fundraising and new business opportunities.
Before joining HAND, Racine led communications strategy, planning, and media relations for several organizations, including In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda, NeighborWorks America, and WomenHeart, where she helped shape messaging and elevated brand awareness. She is a collaborative and mission-driven communications leader with year-over-year success in setting vision and strategy and then executing high-impact communications initiatives that amplify awareness, compel others to action, and lift the voices of marginalized communities.
Racine has leveraged her early career experience as an award-winning broadcast journalist to craft compelling narratives and navigate a complex media landscape. A PSA produced under her leadership won two Telly Awards in the Public Service/Social Responsibility and Awareness categories.
Racine received her Bachelor’s degree from Radford University where she majored in communications/journalism and minored in political science. She is a member of the Washington Association of Black Journalists, Black Girls in Media, ColorComm, and Washington Women in Film and Video. Racine also serves on the board of the Greater D.C. Diaper Bank. She and her husband live in Maryland and have two sons.
I believe everyone has a story to tell, but not everyone gets the opportunity—especially people of color and those from marginalized communities. Affordable housing is one of the most important stories of our time, and I’m honored to work for an organization that boldly and fearlessly brings these stories to light, inspiring change and creating impact.”
—Racine Tucker-Hamilton
Jen Lachman is an organizational consultant and coach who is deeply committed to supporting social change leaders, teams, and organizations. As the founder of Lachman Consulting (www.lachmanco.com), Jen helps mission-driven organizations create and sustain transformational change and specializes in strategic planning, leadership coaching, and team development. Jen has been honored to work with HAND’s staff and board to develop and execute a new strategic direction for the organization. In addition to her work with HAND, Jen has partnered with a variety of national and local organizations including Human Rights Campaign, Planned Parenthood, Miriam’s Kitchen, Meals on Wheels America, Teach for America, and N Street Village. Jen also serve as faculty for ProInspire’s Managing for Success Program.
Jen is a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC) and a graduate of Georgetown University’s Executive Certificate Program in Organizational Consulting and Change Leadership. In her spare time, Jen can be found on her yoga mat, adventuring with her husband and two sons, or volunteering as a Board Member at Carpenter’s Shelter in Alexandria, VA.
As a DC native, I am committed to supporting HAND in its crucial mission to better the affordable housing landscape in the DC area. I am fully aware of the transformative effect of stable housing on improving the quality of life for individuals, families and communities. I am proud to align my efforts with an organization that grounds its work in racial equity and nurtures a vibrant community dedicated to building a healthier, more equitable housing ecosystem.”
—Trianna Overton
Stacey is a freelance graphic and web designer and founder of The Smith Creative which helps nonprofits, dance companies and impact-driven businesses build cohesive visual brands. She has 15 years of experience in design, desktop publishing, proposal management, and most recently arts marketing. Wanting to get back to her creative roots, she started The Smith Creative to provide simple and strategic design solutions by offering brand identity, Squarespace web design, and graphic design services to organizations driven by mission.
Stacey has worked with HAND over the past year on various design projects including developing the branding for the 2021 Annual Meeting and revamping the look of HAND’s website.
When she’s not designing, Stacey is usually at dance rehearsals or a comedy show. For more information on The Smith Creative visit www.thescreative.com or email [email protected].
Steven A. Palmer is the Director of Public Policy at the Housing Association of Nonprofit Developers (HAND). He is an attorney and public policy professional with a background in government service. As Director of Public Policy, Steven is responsible for leading the design and implementation of HAND’s policy advocacy agenda and serves as lead spokesperson for HAND’s Housing Indicator Tool.
Prior to joining HAND, Steven served in various legislative roles at the Council of the District of Columbia, where he drafted legislation, conducted agency oversight, and advised Councilmembers regarding a wide range of issues. In his time at the Council, he drafted and helped Councilmembers shepherd to passage legislation that removed racist covenents from deeds, protected the urban tree canopy, removed barriers to access for medical cannabis patients, increased transparency of staff salaries at charter schools, and strengthened the District’s ability to solve violent crimes.
After working on such a wide variety of issues at the Council, Steven saw that a lack of affordable housing is at the heart of most problems facing the District and surrounding region. He joined HAND to serve its members in their mission to create equitable communities anchored by affordable housing and to reverse the legacy of racial segregation and exclusion that still plagues the region’s residents to this day.
Originally from Olney, Maryland, Steven is a proud alumnus of the University of Maryland, College Park. After graduating from Harvard Law School, Steven immediately returned to the region to briefly practice law as an associate at Covington & Burling LLP before entering government service. He lives in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of the District with his wife, Katherine, and their very large corgi, Puff.
Increasing the supply of affordable housing in our region is the surest way to increase racial equity and improve the lives of everyone who lives here. It is an honor to serve those who dedicate their days to this vital pursuit.”
—Steven A. Palmer
