SHA Administration
Meet Fidan Gousseynoff, SHA’s new Executive Department Manager
Fidan Gousseynoff is new to the SHA Executive Department, but she has been at the agency for awhile now.
And she’s fitting in nicely as Executive Department Manager, a job she began in October.
As she settles in, Gousseynoff is finding that she enjoys her work organizing and overseeing business for the executives of the largest housing authority in Western Massachusetts.
“It’s dynamic and diverse,” said Gousseynoff, who was born and grew up in Azerbaijan, formerly part of the Soviet Union. “I love it. I love the people, and everything about it.”
Fidan Gousseynoff, SHA’s new Executive Department Manager.
SHA Executive Director William H. Abrashkin said Gousseynoff has proven a quick study as she learns the ins and outs of the Executive Department, and an easygoing one at that.
In her new position, Fidan has to be the classic “Jack of All Trades.” She sits at the crossroads of many SHA programs and activities, and has to know all parts of our operations to be sure that they are coordinated, information is shared, regulations satisfied, and deadlines met,” he said.
“It is a job that requires both a big view of the SHA and close attention to detail. Fidan brings these qualities to her new position, and we are delighted to have her as a member of the SHA executive team.”
Gousseynoff has worked at SHA the past 6 ½ years, starting out as ROSS Grant coordinator for elderly programming at Saab Court and moving to Gentile Apartments, where she worked as site coordinator, a job that included resident services as well as property management. Prior to that, she worked at the Chicopee Housing Authority.
She holds a mastor’s degree in modern history and international relations from Baku State University in Azerbaijan. After earning her degrees, she taught political science at Western University and worked as an events manager for Spearhead Exhibitions, a United Kingdom-based company that focuses on energy and is one of the world’s leading trade show organizers with offices in many countries.
Gousseynoff came to the United States in 2004 with her husband and young daughter. They live in Longmeadow, and are expecting a son in March.
She is in Russian and Azerbaijanian (Turkish), and has provided translation services to the Translation Center at UMass and to the Century College in Minnesota.
