By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
The Seattle Housing Authority (SHA) has announced the appointment of Javania Cross Polenska as its new Co-Deputy Executive Director, filling a key leadership position as the agency continues to tackle Seattle’s growing housing challenges. Polenska brings a wealth of experience from her career in education, nonprofit leadership, and public-private partnerships, along with a deeply personal commitment to equity and opportunity.
Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Polenska’s personal experiences and professional journey have shaped her mission to address systemic disparities. Raised in a low-income household by a single parent, she witnessed firsthand how limited resources can impact opportunities. Her early work in consumer marketing eventually gave way to a passion for mission-driven roles in K-12 education and nonprofit advocacy.
“Coming out of my undergraduate experience, I really started to see how someone’s zip code impacted their ability to live a great life,” Polenska said. “There’s something weird and wrong about that.”
With a bachelor’s degree in communications and an MBA from the University of Minnesota, Polenska has held leadership roles in Minneapolis, Chicago, and Seattle. Her work has centered on establishing equity-focused policies, building strong teams, and maximizing community impact. Most recently, she served as the Deputy Director of the Washington State Opportunity Scholarship, a public-private partnership that connects students with higher education opportunities in STEM fields.
“I’m a transplant. I am actually from the Midwest originally, born and raised in Milwaukee, Wisconsin,” Polenska said. “I spent a lot of my early career in the Midwest, starting in higher education and then pivoting to K-12 education and nonprofit work. Since then, I’ve spent most of my professional career in nonprofit or K-12 institutions.”
Polenska joins SHA at a critical moment, as housing insecurity and homelessness remain significant challenges in Seattle and nationwide. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated the crisis, with communities struggling to meet the growing demand for affordable housing. SHA, which manages approximately 8,500 housing units across Seattle, plays a vital role in addressing these needs. Polenska aims to expand the agency’s reach while fostering collaboration and equity-focused solutions.
“I aspire to be the type of leader that opens doors, listens to partners, and builds relationships to help us get to where we want to go,” Polenska said. “Affordable housing solutions don’t come from one person or one organization—they require coalitions, partnerships, and a willingness to listen.”
According to Polenska, her work at SHA is also deeply personal.
“I believe people deserve the opportunity to live their best life, and there are too many systemic barriers that get in the way of that,” she said. “For me, creating access to affordable, safe places to call home is a way to pay it forward because I was someone who was able to launch successfully thanks to public housing.”
SHA Executive Director Rod Brandon expressed his enthusiasm for Polenska’s appointment and emphasized the importance of returning to a two-Deputy Executive Director model. Polenska will work alongside her co-deputy, Jen Chan, to lead the agency’s efforts in addressing housing challenges.
“Javania has leadership philosophies and experience that are in close alignment with our values and aspirations,” Brandon said. “Our continuing expansion to meet the growing needs of our community and the complementary skills of these two outstanding leaders make it the right time for SHA to return to this model.”
Chan also shared her optimism about collaborating with Polenska to advance SHA’s mission and help Seattle residents access affordable housing.
“I’m excited and humbled to help further the goals of affordable housing, one of the most pressing issues of our time,” Chan said. “Housing can influence so many aspects of our lives, such as health, well-being, economic mobility, educational outcomes, and workforce potential.”
Polenska is deeply aware of the systemic barriers that prevent people from achieving stability and success and is determined to leverage her leadership to make a lasting impact. She views access to safe, affordable housing as a fundamental right that enables individuals and families to thrive.
“I want to be part of creating access to affordable, safe places to call home, which goes a long way in helping people have good lives,” Polenska said. “For me, it’s also a way to pay it forward, because growing up I was someone who was able to launch successfully because of public housing.”