Manager biography
Raquel F. Favela is the Executive Managing Director at Grow America, an organization dedicated to revitalizing communities through strategic economic development and housing initiatives. Ms. Favela provides strategic leadership to the Training and Technical Advisory Teams. Admired as a thought leader in her field for more than 30 years, Ms. Favela has extensive experience across the real estate development spectrum, having worked as an owner, investor, developer, consultant, governmental official, lender, and landlord.
While previously serving with the City of San Antonio, she developed the city’s inaugural Strategic Community Development Plan in 2007. A decade later, as Dallas’ Chief of Economic Development and Neighborhood Services, Ms. Favela crafted the city’s first Comprehensive Housing Policy, tackling long-standing fair housing challenges and issues of disparate impact. In her leadership role at Grow America, Ms. Favela’s past direct service experience uniquely positions her to effectively guide the team of technical advisors and trainers. Her expertise not only shapes the direction of Grow America but also enriches the support provided to public sector clients, making a lasting impact on community development and housing solutions. Ms. Favela’s strategic foresight, innovative thinking, and proven track record continue to contribute significantly to the field of economic development and housing.
Ms. Favela is on the Board of Directors of The Reinvestment Fund. She holds certifications as an Economic Development Finance Professional (EDFP) and Housing Development Finance Professional (HDFP). Ms. Favela graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science.