Training Team
Lea Watterson
Training Director
Lea has over twenty years of mortgage and housing industry experience, and sixteen years teaching financial literacy. Lea has served at NACA for fifteen years in many capacities including Licensed Mortgage Counselor, Mortgage Underwriter, Regional Director, National Project Manager, Counseling Center Manager, while also serving as Training Director. In her latest role, Lea has developed and facilitated training curriculums in various housing topics, including Foreclosure Prevention, Rental Counseling, Pre-Purchase Counseling, and HUD Certification Training and has collaboratively developed internal procedures and guidelines for the NACA staff. Lea is passionate about utilizing her experience and resources to equip Housing Counselors with the skills and tools needed to serve their communities, and to advocate for low-income families and individuals in securing housing stability.
Veronica Lowery
Training Instructor
Veronica has over twenty-five years of industry experience and has served in various positions at NACA including Licensed Mortgage Counselor, Office Director, Regional Director, and as a Training Instructor since 2008. During her years of service at NACA, Veronica has contributed to the development and delivery of various training curriculums as well as well as collaborated with the development and implementation of internal policies and processes. Veronica is a veteran with five years of service as an Army Officer. Veronica is dedicated to the education and professional development of Housing Counselors nationwide.
Tamika Myrick
Training Instructor
Tamika has been with NACA for four years serving in different roles including Licensed Mortgage Counselor, Managing the Rental Counseling Team, in 2020 Tamika joined the NEJAC team as a Training Mentor and most recently has been serving as a Training Instructor. Tamika has contributed to the development and launching of the Rental Counseling Department and has worked closely with Housing Counselors nationwide as they become HUD Certified and Mortgage licensed. Tamika has eighteen years of experience in the financial industry, and she is also a Veteran with eight years of military service. Tamika’s mission is helping people find their voice though advocacy and assisting organizations in building strong communities.
Tiffany Adams
Training Mentor
Tiffany has over ten years of mortgage industry experience, including experience as a licensed real estate agent in IL. Tiffany is also a HUD Certified Housing Counselor and Mortgage Loan Officer licensed in IL, MN, and WI. Tiffany has been serving at NACA for over three years, most recently as a Training Mentor. As a Training Mentor Tiffany works closely with Housing Counselors as they complete their practical application training where they apply all principles learned during training with her direct support and guidance. Tiffany enjoys working one-on-one with the Housing Counselors and takes pride on seeing them develop their full potential and a satisfying career in the industry.
Cicely Murray
Training Coordinator
Cicely has held various roles throughout her career at NACA, from Housing Counselor to Economic Justice Advocate, and most recently as Training Coordinator. Cicely is a firm believer that housing is a human right. Cicely is dedicated to assisting families achieve housing stability and has volunteered with the unhoused and AIDS crisis resources for nearly thirty years. Cicely coordinates training efforts for in-house trainings and works closely with the Housing Counselors as they prepare for each phase of their training timeline. Cicely also coordinates training efforts for Housing Counselors nationwide and participants from affiliate HBCUs.
Amanda Chicago
Training Mentor
Amanda has over ten years’ experience working social services, with a focus on community development. Amanda served as a Mortgage Counselor before joining the NEJAC training team as a Training Mentor. In that capacity Amanda works closely with Housing Counselors as they complete their practical application training where they apply all principles learned during training. Amanda is passionate about coaching the new hires to become effective Housing Counselors and develop a successful career while building strong communities through affordable homeownership.
Liz Chavarry
Training Coordinator
Liz has been with NACA for over eleven years. Liz is passionate about serving others in achieving their career goals and fulfilling NACA’s mission of neighborhood stabilization. Liz effectively provides bilingual support to Housing Counselors nationwide coordinating training efforts for internal staff helping Counselors through each of the steps to become HUD Certified, to become Mortgage Licensed, and as they complete their training curriculum. Liz also coordinates training efforts for Housing Counseling Agencies (HCAs) and HBCUs affiliates. Liz has also served her community as a volunteer translator providing support for clinics and, in that capacity, has met wonderful people in her community who were serving side-by-side with her as well as seeking a helping hand.
Andrea Rendon
Training Coordinator
Andrea has worked at NACA for over four years and most recently joined the NEJAC team as a Training Coordinator after championing for renters as an Economic Justice Advocate. Andrea is a HUD Certified Counselor and as a bilingual Training Coordinator she works closely with Housing Counselors as they complete all steps to become HUD Certified, and to become Mortgage Licensed. Andrea also coordinates training efforts for Housing Counselors as they complete their training curriculum at NACA, and training efforts for Housing Counseling Agencies (HCAs) and participants from HBCUs affiliates.