On most days, Diana Henry can’t walk in or out of her office without being warmly greeted or embraced by MPHA residents. For some residents, it’s a relationship 20 years in the making—a deep friendship that transcends a simple property manager and resident connection. Diana is trusted and respected by residents, and it doesn’t take long to see why.

Twenty-three years ago, Diana started at MPHA as a property management aide supporting the agency’s North Minneapolis buildings. After three years in that role, tackling administrative tasks and supporting management, Diana wanted to better understand the matrixed work of the agency. So, she spent a year working in rent collections learning the financial side of MPHA’s operations. After that, she spent three years as a work order coordinator fielding resident’s repair requests and directing maintenance service.

In 2008, Diana became the property manager for the Cedar High Apartments, a collection of four high-rise buildings in Cedar-Riverside. For 15 years, she managed the buildings’ staff and ensured residents were heard, earning the trust of residents along the way. She did this with a hands-on approach, helping residents unclog drains and change light bulbs herself. Diana wouldn’t let herself leave work without walking all the stairwells and halls just to ensure there weren’t residents or issues needing attention. She even taught herself some Somali phrases and kept a language book handy.

“I have passion for ensuring residents are treated in a dignified way,” said Diana Henry, Regional Property Manager for the Minneapolis Public Housing Authority. “So, I ensure the buildings’ staff are treating residents with upmost respect. I remind my staff to treat the residents like you would your relatives.”

After 15 years in the property manager position, Diana was ready for a change in day-to-day responsibilities. That’s when the regional property management role for the Central Minneapolis buildings opened. She knew taking on the new role would pose new challenges, but she had the advantage of already being very familiar with the buildings’ staff and residents. In 2024, Diana stepped into the regional property management position. She leads a team of property managers and oversees the operations of five buildings.

“It’s the residents that make my job worthwhile and rewarding,” said Diana. “I feel my purpose is here, with these residents.”

When Diana started at MPHA, she viewed her work as a job that simply paid the bills. But her view shifted over the years, whereas serving MPHA residents became her life’s passion and purpose. And it’s a passion that has been felt and appreciated by residents over her accomplished 23-year career at MPHA.