Dover, Del. April 22, 2024 – Today, the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) announced that Emily Cunningham will serve as the agency’s Chief of Staff. 

Cunningham brings a wealth of diverse experience to her new role. She recently served as the Vice President of the Blood Bank of Delmarva. Prior to this role, she was Chief of Staff and Policy Analyst for Delaware’s Department of Education, executing the priorities of the Governor and the Secretary of Education as the department’s legislative liaison and overseeing education policy, legislation, and regulation work as well as communications and human resources.

“Emily possesses decades of policy, communication, and management experience, which will be critical in advancing the agency’s mission and impact on Delawareans,” said Cynthia Karnai, Director of DSHA. “I’m confident in the leadership and fresh perspective she will bring to this position.” 

Cunningham helped manage the 500-member staff of Delaware’s Department of Justice as Deputy Chief of Staff for Attorney General Matt Denn and, prior, served as Chief of Staff for Lieutenant Governor Denn. She was also the press secretary for U.S. Senator Tom Carper.

“I am thrilled to be back with the State of Delaware and look forward to working with the talented team at DSHA to address housing in our state,” said Emily Cunningham, Chief of Staff at DSHA. 

She has been a dedicated member of the Ronald McDonald House Advisory Board since 2011 and a member of the Brandywine Valley SPCA Executive Board of Directors since 2019. She has mentored students in Capital and Cape Henlopen School Districts since 2010. Emily earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. She lives with her daughters in Rehoboth Beach. 

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About Delaware State Housing Authority 
The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), formed in 1968, provides quality, affordable housing opportunities and appropriate supportive services to low-and moderate-income Delawareans. In addition to its role as the State’s Housing Finance Agency, DSHA is unique in that it serves as a Public Housing Authority and a Community Development Agency. As a Public Housing Authority, DSHA receives funding from HUD to build, own, and operate public housing in Kent and Sussex counties, two of Delaware’s three counties.