Wilhelmena “Mena” Norman-Hernandez has built her career at the intersection of advocacy, innovation, and impact. As Vice President and Manager of Community Impact for ACCESS, the Acquiring Capital and Capacity for Economic Stability and Sustainability initiative at The Community Preservation Corporation (CPC), Mena is reshaping how capital flows to Black, Indigenous, and other people of color (BIPOC) diverse developers across New York State and beyond.

Launched in 2020, ACCESS provides critical predevelopment, acquisition, construction, and permanent financing, as well as capacity-building programs and technical assistance. Co-Leading this effort, Mena has become a champion for expanding opportunities and dismantling barriers that have long excluded BIPOC emerging developers from the real estate industry.

An Advocate and a Disruptor

Mena defines her role in real estate as both an advocate and a disruptor. At CPC, a mission-driven organization with a legacy of investing in under-resourced communities since 1974, she carries forward that history while pushing boundaries.

I challenge industry norms and ask, ‘What can we do better?

Her leadership amplifies solutions and opens doors for developers who often face systemic hurdles just to gain entry into the industry.

Building the ACCESS Incubator

Of her many accomplishments, Mena is most proud of the ACCESS Incubator Training Series, which she designed based directly on feedback from developers. The program supports novice and emerging developers — from those who inherit property, to first-time buyers of municipal land, to individuals taking on their very first projects independently. Since its launch in 2022, the Incubator has:

• Graduated over 225 trainees
• Introduced a 2.0 curriculum to deepen learning
• Financed 15+ loans and investments with graduates
• Advanced 20+ projects currently in the pipeline
• These numbers tell a story of tangible impact — not just training, but capital deployment and real projects moving forward.

Lessons in Leadership

Mena’s journey into real estate was itself a leap of faith. Transitioning from community healthcare finance to CPC in 2012, she faced moments of self-doubt. The best advice she received along the way reshaped her perspective: “If you sell yourself short, everyone else will.” It pushed her to embrace her seat at the table with confidence, shifting her mindset from “Why me?” to “Why not me?”

Her advice to her younger self? Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Far from signaling inexperience, Mena believes curiosity reveals blind spots and drives innovation — a philosophy that now defines her leadership style.

Rooted in Lived Experience

For Mena, the work is personal. Having experienced housing insecurity herself, she understands that real estate is not just about buildings — it’s about dignity, stability, and pride. At CPC, her measure of success is simple but powerful: “ensuring residents feel pride, stability, and dignity in their homes.”

That grounding allows her to balance the technical demands of lending and investment with the human-centered mission of housing. Her story is a reminder that when industry leaders bring both lived experience and bold vision to the table, they can reshape systems and expand access for entire communities.

Wilhelmena “Mena” Norman-Hernandez is a true Woman of Impact — blending advocacy, disruption, and community-centered leadership to expand opportunity for BIPOC diverse developers and the families they serve.