The Affordable Housing Investors Council (AHIC) has named Vihar Sheth, Managing Director of Affordable Housing at U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance, as President for a two-year term.
 
"I am honored to lead AHIC to further support affordable housing across the country," said Sheth. "For three decades, AHIC has been the cornerstone of investor collaboration in the LIHTC program, and that role has never been more vital. I’m looking forward to working with AHIC to find innovative solutions that promote the development of and access to affordable housing.”
 
AHIC also welcomes Leigh Ann Merchant, CRA Senior Credit Manager at Ally Bank as the 2025-2026 Vice President and Kerstin Palmer, Community Impact Capital Business Development Officer with The Huntington National Bank, as the 2025-2026 Treasurer.
 
“The affordable housing landscape is evolving rapidly, and investors remain essential to expanding housing opportunities,” said Merchant. “I look forward to working with AHIC's membership to strengthen our collective impact in creating sustainable affordable housing.”
 
"AHIC's strength lies in its ability to bring together diverse perspectives from across the investment community,” said Palmer. “I'm excited to help facilitate the knowledge-sharing and collaboration that makes AHIC such a valuable resource for the industry.”
 
The full slate of officers for 2025-2026 is:

• President: Vihar Sheth, Managing Director of Affordable Housing, U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance, St. Louis, MO

• Vice President: Leigh Ann Merchant, CRA Senior Credit Manager, Ally Bank, Charlotte, NC

• Treasurer: Kerstin Palmer, Community Impact Capital Business Development Officer, The Huntington National Bank, Columbus, OH

• Secretary: Lenore Gordon, Head of Community Capital Group-Asset Management, TD Bank, Ramsey, New Jersey

PHOTOS 

• Vihar Sheth ​
• Leigh Ann Merchant 
• Kerstin Palmer 
• Lenore Gordon 

ABOUT AHIC
The Affordable Housing Investors Council (AHIC) is a non-profit association representing equity investors in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. AHIC brings together leading financial institutions, insurance companies, and corporations committed to preserving and expanding America's affordable housing stock. Through best practices, education and member collaboration, AHIC works to strengthen the LIHTC program and address the nation's critical affordable housing needs.