Student Spotlight: Daria Guzzo (MPA 2025)
Daria Guzzo (MPA 2025), chair, Women's Affordable Housing Network (WAHN)
Could you share a bit about yourself and tell us why you wanted to attend NYU Wagner?
I grew up in the Quad Cities on the Iowa-Illinois border and attended Grinnell College, studying political science and Spanish while playing basketball. My career began at a boutique affordable housing firm on Chicago’s south side, where I quickly learned the complexities of development and management. I then joined a national community development financial institution (CDFI) where I led several technical assistance programs to support real estate developers of color in creating affordable housing in Washington, D.C., and Austin, Texas. This work deepened my understanding of the financial and policy challenges in housing, inspiring me to attend graduate school. Given New York City’s scale and complexity, NYU Wagner was the perfect fit to further my experience and education in affordable housing.
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone interested in attending graduate school?
My biggest piece of advice for anyone considering graduate school is to be clear on what you want to gain from it. It may sound cliché, but time flies. Graduate school is a significant investment in yourself and your career, so it’s important to identify the skills and experiences you hope to develop. Be prepared to put in the effort—whether through coursework, research, or networking—to make the most of your experience.
What inspired you to help start this student group, NYU Women’s Affordable Housing Network?
At the first firm I worked for, a minority- and women-owned business, I quickly noticed how my bosses were often the only women in the room. At the CDFI, I helped support a program dedicated to elevating women developers. I’ve also had the privilege of learning from incredibly talented women in the field. I believe that diversifying the real estate industry is crucial, as affordable housing demands innovative and thoughtful solutions. Through this group, our team hopes to create learning and networking opportunities for women because it is essential that we support and uplift one another.
What kind of programming does your group offer? How can other interested students get involved?
Our student group will host events focused on career development, networking, and local and national housing policy. As part of national WAHN, our members will also gain access to programs and training beyond our chapter. Additionally, after graduating from NYU, they can stay engaged by joining one of WAHN’s 30+ state chapters.
Anyone who is interested in getting involved should fill out this short form to sign up for our newsletter, and follow our instagram! Additionally, please email me (drg9437@nyu.edu) or our Vvce-chair, Clara, (cas9752@nyu.edu) to learn how you can participate immediately!