HUD Chief of Staff Laurel Blatchford on risk taking and engaging employees

(From The Washington Post) -- Laurel A. Blatchford, chief of staff of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) since 2009, previously worked for New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg first at City Hall and then at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). During her time in city government, Blatchford worked with agencies and private partners on mayoral initiatives that included the redevelopment of the Far West Side of Manhattan, the transformation of the High Line park, and the Mayor's affordable housing plan.

Was there a critical event that led to your becoming the leader you are today?

There are two: one professional and one personal. 9/11 was an enormously significant experience for me, as it was for so many people in New York. Following the attacks, the city was in terrible shape - but it represented an enormous opportunity for collaboration. People wanted to work for the mayor to help rebuild New York and were working together like never before. This was a lesson about uniting around a common goal.

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