By Jerry Filmore
WORCESTER, MA — When Evelyn Toney takes the stage on April 24 at Union Station, it will mark more than a leadership transition. For the Worcester native, it represents a full-circle moment rooted in community, resilience, and long-term commitment to expanding access to homeownership.
The NAHREP Central Massachusetts will host its 2026 Board Installation, titled “An Evening of Excellence,” bringing together city officials, housing leaders, and members of the private sector for an event focused on collaboration and community impact.
Toney, who will be installed as President, says the moment carries both personal and professional significance.
“This is bigger than a title,” Toney said. “It represents the journey, the people who poured into me, and the community that shaped me. I was raised here in Worcester, and to now serve in a leadership role that directly impacts the same community means everything to me.”
A Worcester Story Rooted in Resilience
Toney’s path to leadership began in Worcester, where she was raised by her mother, who immigrated from Ecuador and built a life for her family through hard work and persistence. Her earliest lessons in leadership came not in a boardroom, but in her mother’s salon.
“She was my first example of leadership and my first boss,” Toney said. “That’s where I learned the value of hard work, resilience, and how to show up for others.”
Growing up, she experienced financial instability and took on responsibility at a young age, navigating systems that she says were not always designed with her community in mind. Those experiences shaped both her perspective and her career path.
Over the past 20 years, Toney has built a career in mortgage lending, helping families work toward homeownership. Along the way, she became increasingly involved in community-based work, eventually connecting with NAHREP and its mission.
Leadership Through Service
Toney describes her approach to leadership as service-driven rather than recognition-based.
“I didn’t step into this role for recognition,” she said. “I stepped into it because I saw an opportunity to make an impact. I feel a responsibility to create pathways for others, especially within our Latino community.”
Her role as President aligns closely with both her professional experience and personal values. She views the position as an opportunity to expand access, representation, and resources for communities that have historically faced barriers to homeownership.
“Professionally, it aligns with the work I’ve been doing for years,” she said. “Personally, it’s about advocating for communities that look like mine and creating real opportunities.”
A Focus on Housing Access and Community Impact
Toney steps into leadership at a time when housing affordability and access remain ongoing challenges across Worcester and beyond. She points to the importance of NAHREP’s role in addressing those gaps through both advocacy and local engagement.
“We’re at a critical time in housing,” she said. “Affordability, access, and the homeownership gap are real challenges, especially for Latino families.”
Her priorities during her term include:
- Expanding homeownership opportunities
- Strengthening partnerships across sectors
- Increasing member engagement and growth
- Elevating education and access to resources
She emphasizes that progress depends on collaboration across industries.
“No one sector can solve these challenges alone,” Toney said. “Real progress happens when public, private, and community leaders come together with a shared vision.”
Building Toward Measurable Change
For Toney, success will be defined by tangible outcomes rather than symbolic milestones.
“Success would mean we made a measurable impact,” she said. “More families becoming homeowners, stronger partnerships across Worcester, and a chapter that is thriving and sustainable.”
She also hopes to create a leadership pipeline that encourages others to step forward.
“Start where you are,” she said, offering advice to those interested in following a similar path. “Get involved in your community, build relationships, and stay consistent. You don’t need to have everything figured out. You just need to take the first step.”
An Event Focused on Collaboration
The April 24 installation event will bring together a range of voices, including a keynote address from Alex Corrales, Chief Executive Officer of the Worcester Housing Authority. Organizers say the evening is designed to highlight both challenges and solutions in housing, while encouraging continued collaboration.
Toney hopes attendees leave with a clear understanding of both.
“I want people to walk away informed, inspired, and ready to take action,” she said.
For Toney, the event is not just a celebration, but a starting point.
“This moment is not just about me,” she said. “It’s about all of us. NAHREP is here as a resource, a voice, and a partner in building stronger, more equitable communities.”
W.U.W. Verification Box
• Event: NAHREP Central Massachusetts 2026 Board Installation
• Date: April 24, 2026
• Time: 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
• Location: 961 Restaurant & Lounge, Union Station, Worcester, MA
• Keynote Speaker: Alex Corrales, Worcester Housing Authority
• Source: Event flyer and direct written responses from Evelyn Toney
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