# Beth Silverman

> Beth Silverman is the Asheville-based co-founder and executive director of Lotus Campaign, a nonprofit that brings landlords, developers and social-service organizations together to open existing market-rate homes to people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Her approach grows from two decades spanning New York City real estate, national urban-policy work and nonprofit leadership: listen closely to every reason a landlord says no, then design practical guarantees and durable support that make yes possible.

- **Role:** Co-founder and Executive Director at Lotus Campaign
- **Organizations:** Lotus Campaign, Chief, Urban Land Institute, New York City Economic Development Corporation, Asheville Downtown Association, Tiny WPA, Petersburgh Community Development Corporation
- **Education:** Undergraduate degree, University of Maryland, Graduate degree in City Planning, University of Pennsylvania
- **Known for:** Co-created the Equitable Economic Development Fellowship with the National League of Cities and PolicyLink., Managed a $110 million portfolio of ten NYCEDC projects that included more than 300 affordable homes, five cultural assets and 16,000 square feet of public space., Led Lotus Campaign as it developed more than 40 partnerships and facilitated housing for nearly 800 residents by 2026.

## Career timeline

- **2005-2013** — Managed large-scale real-estate, policy and economic-development initiatives in the New York City region, including a $110 million, ten-project portfolio at NYCEDC.
- **2014-2018** — Held leadership roles in Education and Advisory Services at the Urban Land Institute, ultimately serving as vice president and designing technical-assistance programs for communities.
- **2018** — Co-founded Lotus Campaign after a four-day working retreat and interviews with landlords, investors, nonprofit leaders and other stakeholders.
- **2020** — Joined the SEED20 class of nonprofit entrepreneurs.
- **2020-present** — Serves as executive director of Lotus Campaign.
- **2021-present** — Founding Member of Chief.
- **2023** — Lotus Campaign's Landlord Participation Program was a Fast Company World Changing Ideas finalist, and Silverman was featured as a Drew Magazine Change Maker.
- **2026** — Reported that Lotus had helped facilitate housing for nearly 800 residents, with more than 90% remaining stably housed after one year.

## Achievements

- Co-created the Equitable Economic Development Fellowship with the National League of Cities and PolicyLink.
- Managed a $110 million portfolio of ten NYCEDC projects that included more than 300 affordable homes, five cultural assets and 16,000 square feet of public space.
- Led Lotus Campaign as it developed more than 40 partnerships and facilitated housing for nearly 800 residents by 2026.
- Lotus Campaign received honorable mention in Fast Company's 2020 World Changing Ideas program and finalist recognition in 2023.
- Selected for the 2020 SEED20 class of nonprofit entrepreneurs.
- Named a Change Maker in Drew Magazine in 2023.

## Latest updates

- **2026-04** — Appeared on the ChangeMakers podcast to explain Lotus Campaign's private-sector partnership model and its plans for scale.
- **2026-03** — Discussed Lotus Campaign's seven-year results, nearly 800 residents and greater-than-90% one-year housing stability with The Planning Report.
- **2026-03** — Appeared on PadSplit's One Room at a Time podcast to discuss cross-sector collaboration, city planning and real estate.
- **2025-10** — Guest-hosted a ULI Charlotte podcast conversation on housing affordability, attainability and regional growth.

## Links

- Website: https://www.lotuscampaign.org/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/beth-silverman-7218a524

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Profile page: https://yespress.io/beth-silverman
Published by YesPress — https://yespress.io
Last updated: 2026-09-26