It’s an honor to be selected for the award, Koumoutsos said, but it was an even bigger accomplishment for women in the business world.
RELATED: Construction starts on $9M senior housing in Springfield
“It’s long overdue for women to have a stronger voice and presence at the table,” she said. “It’s really important for us to come together, to support one another, to inspire one another and encourage one another in the workplace.”
The housing partnership’s goal is to create and maintain affordable housing and strong neighborhoods through various community and government partnerships. It accomplishes that by assisting residents with home buying, repairing emergency home damages and preventing foreclosures, she said.
Koumoutsos has been in her role at the partnership for about 15 years. She said her biggest successes are seen in big picture terms — the partnership has helped facilitate $91 million in first-time mortgages since 2002.
On an individual level, she has overseen 1,100 people become first-time homeowners.
“The success is customer by customer,” she said. “It never gets old seeing someone buy their first home.”
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One project that the housing partnership is working on right now is a tax credit project. The organization is building the 50 units of a new affordable senior community in Springfield.
Construction started in August on the $9 million Community Gardens project on the site of the old Community Hospital on East High Street. The senior living community will be the first pocket neighborhood in the city and will have affordable rents. At the start of construction, more than 200 people were on the wait list to live there.
This is the first time Koumoutsos has received the award from the BBB.
“This year’s class of nominees is exceptional — highly accomplished leaders and respected in their fields. They are women who are changing Dayton,” said Melissa Cutcher, vice president of leadership and development for BBB serving Dayton and the Miami Valley.
Tonya Roberds, of Dezigns by Tonya in Enon was also a recipient of the award.
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