Eric Novak, President
Eric Novak has over 30 years of experience in all aspects of the affordable housing development process, including public housing mixed-finance and affordable assisted living. He has specific expertise in the creation of housing for special needs populations, including the frail elderly, people with AIDS, and the homeless.
From 1999 through 2002, Mr. Novak served as a project manager for Affirmative Investments of Boston, overseeing the development of three tax credit supported housing and assisted living residences for public housing authorities. As Associate Director of Affordable Housing Resource Council in Reno, Eric directed the development of Silver Sky Assisted Living in Las Vegas, Nevada's first affordable assisted living residence using tax credit equity and Medicaid waiver reimbursement.
Mr. Novak has also provided technical assistance to public housing authorities in the areas of strategic planning, portfolio assessment, mixed-finance and RAD development and HOPE VI and Choice Neighborhoods Initiative applications and implementation and has written extensively on housing and community development issues.
Mr. Novak has a master's degree in city planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with a concentration in real estate finance and housing and human service policy.
Mr. Novak is currently serving as Treasurer of the newly formed Nevada Housing Coalition.
Eric Novak has over 30 years of experience in all aspects of the affordable housing development process, including public housing mixed-finance and affordable assisted living. He has specific expertise in the creation of housing for special needs populations, including the frail elderly, people with AIDS, and the homeless.
From 1999 through 2002, Mr. Novak served as a project manager for Affirmative Investments of Boston, overseeing the development of three tax credit supported housing and assisted living residences for public housing authorities. As Associate Director of Affordable Housing Resource Council in Reno, Eric directed the development of Silver Sky Assisted Living in Las Vegas, Nevada's first affordable assisted living residence using tax credit equity and Medicaid waiver reimbursement.
Mr. Novak has also provided technical assistance to public housing authorities in the areas of strategic planning, portfolio assessment, mixed-finance and RAD development and HOPE VI and Choice Neighborhoods Initiative applications and implementation and has written extensively on housing and community development issues.
Mr. Novak has a master's degree in city planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with a concentration in real estate finance and housing and human service policy.
Mr. Novak is currently serving as Treasurer of the newly formed Nevada Housing Coalition.
Aaina Khurana, Senior Project Manager
Aaina Khurana has over 5 years of experience in development finance of affordable housing. Aaina works with clients to develop financing strategies to assemble public and private financing for affordable housing developments. Aaina is responsible for preparing funding applications and assisting with lender and investor procurements. She manages financial closings including tracking outstanding items, coordinating the work of third-party consultants, reviewing reports, assembling due diligence, drafting documents and taking part in closing calls. Aaina has successfully closed financings on projects utilizing 4% and 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits, tax-exempt bonds, USDA-RD financing, HUD Section 811 financing, Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program Funds, HOME funds, State and National Housing Trust Funds and conventional sources. Some recent projects managed by Aaina include Willie J. Wynn Apartments (Reno, NV), Vista Del Sol (Las Vegas, NV), Desert Hope Apartments (Las Cruces, NM), Winnemucca Village (Winnemucca, NV) and Copper Mesa Apartments (Reno, NV).
Ms. Khurana has assisted in providing technical assistance to public housing authorities in the areas of portfolio assessment, RAD conversions and Section 18 Disposition and Demolition. She is part of the project team that recently completed portfolio assessments for the Reno Housing Authority and Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis.
Aaina has a Master’s of Arts in Economics from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a Bachelor’s in Economics, also from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Aaina Khurana has over 5 years of experience in development finance of affordable housing. Aaina works with clients to develop financing strategies to assemble public and private financing for affordable housing developments. Aaina is responsible for preparing funding applications and assisting with lender and investor procurements. She manages financial closings including tracking outstanding items, coordinating the work of third-party consultants, reviewing reports, assembling due diligence, drafting documents and taking part in closing calls. Aaina has successfully closed financings on projects utilizing 4% and 9% Low Income Housing Tax Credits, tax-exempt bonds, USDA-RD financing, HUD Section 811 financing, Federal Home Loan Bank Affordable Housing Program Funds, HOME funds, State and National Housing Trust Funds and conventional sources. Some recent projects managed by Aaina include Willie J. Wynn Apartments (Reno, NV), Vista Del Sol (Las Vegas, NV), Desert Hope Apartments (Las Cruces, NM), Winnemucca Village (Winnemucca, NV) and Copper Mesa Apartments (Reno, NV).
Ms. Khurana has assisted in providing technical assistance to public housing authorities in the areas of portfolio assessment, RAD conversions and Section 18 Disposition and Demolition. She is part of the project team that recently completed portfolio assessments for the Reno Housing Authority and Housing Authority of the City of Annapolis.
Aaina has a Master’s of Arts in Economics from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a Bachelor’s in Economics, also from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Ariel Estrada, Project Manager
Ariel Estrada has 3 years with the Praxis team. He is responsible for providing administrative support, project management, and performing general office duties. He routinely works with clients on required data collection and reporting to funders. Mr. Estrada assists with packaging funding applications and collecting due diligence for financial closings. Ariel has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Magna Cum Laude, with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Ariel Estrada has 3 years with the Praxis team. He is responsible for providing administrative support, project management, and performing general office duties. He routinely works with clients on required data collection and reporting to funders. Mr. Estrada assists with packaging funding applications and collecting due diligence for financial closings. Ariel has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, Magna Cum Laude, with a minor in Mathematics from the University of Nevada, Reno.
David Meyer, Senior Project Manager
David Meyer has over ten years of experience in public policy roles at the federal, state, and local levels. Before joining Praxis, he was Director of Strategic Initiatives at Silicon Valley at Home (SV@Home), a policy and advocacy non-profit focused on advancing affordable housing across Santa Clara County, California. His responsibilities included collaborating with developers, local government officials, major corporations, and other advocacy groups to support housing and affordable housing development, especially through major land use planning initiatives.
Prior to working in the affordable housing field, David served as a Foreign Affairs Officer at the U.S. Department of State. His focus included political and governance issues in Central Europe, the Western Balkans, and the former Soviet Union. During his time at the State Department, he had the privilege of representing America abroad at several U.S. embassies.
David holds a BA in International Affairs from George Washington University and an MSc in Comparative Politics from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He speaks French and some Russian.
David Meyer has over ten years of experience in public policy roles at the federal, state, and local levels. Before joining Praxis, he was Director of Strategic Initiatives at Silicon Valley at Home (SV@Home), a policy and advocacy non-profit focused on advancing affordable housing across Santa Clara County, California. His responsibilities included collaborating with developers, local government officials, major corporations, and other advocacy groups to support housing and affordable housing development, especially through major land use planning initiatives.
Prior to working in the affordable housing field, David served as a Foreign Affairs Officer at the U.S. Department of State. His focus included political and governance issues in Central Europe, the Western Balkans, and the former Soviet Union. During his time at the State Department, he had the privilege of representing America abroad at several U.S. embassies.
David holds a BA in International Affairs from George Washington University and an MSc in Comparative Politics from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He speaks French and some Russian.
Panah Stauffer, Project Manager
Panah Stauffer brings over a decade of public sector experience to Praxis. Her achievements include creating a network to build capacity among public agencies on four continents, steering national policy deliberations, and providing technical assistance to state, local, and tribal governments. Panah has extensive experience evaluating compliance with federal regulations. She is also a trained facilitator who has led discussions on affordable housing and diversity, equity, and inclusion issues. Since joining Praxis in August 2023, she has supported projects in rural Nevada, Southern Nevada, and Texas.
Panah double majored in Environmental Sciences and Mathematics at Northwestern University. She earned a Master’s Degree in Environmental Management from Yale University with a focus on economic incentives for public policy. She previously served on the board of a nonprofit that supports local parks.
Panah Stauffer brings over a decade of public sector experience to Praxis. Her achievements include creating a network to build capacity among public agencies on four continents, steering national policy deliberations, and providing technical assistance to state, local, and tribal governments. Panah has extensive experience evaluating compliance with federal regulations. She is also a trained facilitator who has led discussions on affordable housing and diversity, equity, and inclusion issues. Since joining Praxis in August 2023, she has supported projects in rural Nevada, Southern Nevada, and Texas.
Panah double majored in Environmental Sciences and Mathematics at Northwestern University. She earned a Master’s Degree in Environmental Management from Yale University with a focus on economic incentives for public policy. She previously served on the board of a nonprofit that supports local parks.
Mara Stojanovic, Project Manager
Mara Stojanovic joined Praxis in September 2023 and is responsible for project management, providing administrative support, and carrying out general office duties. Prior to joining Praxis, Mara worked at the Stanford Center for Racial Justice, where she researched the impacts of city planning and housing on racial equity. Mara has a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and a Master of Arts in Public Policy from Stanford University, with a focus on urban policy.
Mara Stojanovic joined Praxis in September 2023 and is responsible for project management, providing administrative support, and carrying out general office duties. Prior to joining Praxis, Mara worked at the Stanford Center for Racial Justice, where she researched the impacts of city planning and housing on racial equity. Mara has a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy and a Master of Arts in Public Policy from Stanford University, with a focus on urban policy.
Troy Hart, Project Manager
Troy Hart has over 17 years of experience in community development and the affordable housing industry. Mr. Hart takes an active role in land acquisition, entitlement, and development of new construction projects, as well as the acquisition and disposition of existing assets. Mr. Hart has worked with developers to manage the development process on multiple projects from conception, through finance, and stabilization. He has worked on a broad range of transactions that were eligible for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, New Market Tax Credits, and Private Activity Bond projects, and many other creative funding sources. Troy’s history also includes asset management duties and operating expense analysis. Mr. Hart earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Brigham Young University. He enjoys skiing, all outdoor recreation, and making a positive impact to improve the lives of others – especially America’s low-income and special needs populations.
Troy Hart has over 17 years of experience in community development and the affordable housing industry. Mr. Hart takes an active role in land acquisition, entitlement, and development of new construction projects, as well as the acquisition and disposition of existing assets. Mr. Hart has worked with developers to manage the development process on multiple projects from conception, through finance, and stabilization. He has worked on a broad range of transactions that were eligible for Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, New Market Tax Credits, and Private Activity Bond projects, and many other creative funding sources. Troy’s history also includes asset management duties and operating expense analysis. Mr. Hart earned his Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Brigham Young University. He enjoys skiing, all outdoor recreation, and making a positive impact to improve the lives of others – especially America’s low-income and special needs populations.
Tyler Hart, Office Manager and Webmaster
Tyler Hart joined Praxis in August 2023 and is responsible for providing logistical and administrative support, as well as assisting with special projects. Tyler holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Yale University and previously worked in translating, tutoring, and dishwashing.
Tyler Hart joined Praxis in August 2023 and is responsible for providing logistical and administrative support, as well as assisting with special projects. Tyler holds a Bachelor of Science in Physics from Yale University and previously worked in translating, tutoring, and dishwashing.