Our Team

Lisa Endo  is Vice President of Development for Sound Communities, the Norwalk Housing Authority's development arm, where she secures financing for affordable and mixed-income housing-primarily Low Income Housing Tax Credits and soft debt from the Department of Housing. Now in her fourth year, she oversees projects from predevelopment through financial closing, construction, and lease-up. Previously a program officer at the Low Income Investment Fund in San Francisco, Lisa helped launch a national accelerator fund for underinvested communities. She holds a Master's Degree in Nonprofit Management from The New School.

Leala Marlin serves as the Development Project Manager at Sound Communities, where she leads affordable housing projects with a focus on efficient execution, tenant-centered design, and long-term sustainability. She joined Sound in October 2024, bringing operational and financial experience from Rubenstein Partners, a commercial real estate investment firm, where she managed building operations, budgets, and tenant buildouts. Leala also brings a strong foundation in residential property management from her time at Greystar and Building and Land Technology, spanning leasing, tenant retention, and Below Market Rate compliance. Her cross-sector background gives her a practical understanding of building performance, resident needs, and long-term asset management.

Sophia Stewart is a Project Coordinator at Norwalk Housing Authority/Sound Communities, Inc., where she leads procurement, construction administration, and compliance across multiple affordable housing development projects. Her responsibilities include drafting RFPs, managing RFIs, submittals, and change orders, tracking project schedules and cost control, and administering Section 3, CHRO, and MWBE compliance programs. Sophia joined Sound Communities in October 2023 after 17 years at W&B Electrical Corp, where she managed full project lifecycle documentation and led certification efforts with agencies including the NYCSCA, DASNY, and the MTA. She holds a B.A. in Business Management from Monroe College and is LIHTC and NSPIRE 3.0 Certified.

Carla A. Wright serves as Assistant Property Manager at Sound Communities, Inc./NHA in Norwalk, CT, where she manages the Oak Grove site, including income certifications, leasing, resident relations, and compliance with LIHTC and Fair Housing requirements. Carla brings extensive affordable housing experience, having previously worked as a Recertification & Leasing Specialist for Related Management, Westmount Management, and Beacon Communities, and as Director of Youth in Crisis, Street Outreach & Re-entry Programs at the Council of Churches in Bridgeport. She holds a Master's Degree in Organizational Development & Leadership from Fielding University and a Bachelor's in Human Services from Springfield College.