Lea Maye

Housing Choice Voucher
Client Specialist III

Since joining RHA in mid-2025, Lea Maye has brought to the Housing Choice Voucher department her strong background in housing programs and a genuine passion for helping families move forward. Before relocating to North Carolina, she served as a Supervisor for the Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program for the Housing Authority of the City of Shawnee, Oklahoma, and previously worked for the Oklahoma City Housing Authority, where she spent several years processing recertifications. Lea’s favorite part of the work has always been connecting directly with families, whether through one-on-one support or by coordinating community resource meetings to ensure clients had the tools they needed to succeed. Her experience also includes time with a nonprofit dedicated to locating individuals experiencing homelessness and helping them secure emergency vouchers and stable housing.

Lea was born just outside Albany, and although she misses the snow, she doesn’t miss the cold New York winters. Over the years, she has lived in Massachusetts, Oklahoma, and most recently moved to North Carolina in June 2025. An RHA employee Krystyle Ortiz (also her friend and former colleague) told her about the opportunity at RHA, and the timing aligned perfectly with her family’s relocation.

Outside of work, Lea describes herself first and foremost as a mom. With five children ranging in age from four to fourteen, she spends much of her time exploring the area with them. Together, they’ve become “park hoppers,” checking out different parks around the region; East Clayton Community Park and its walking trails are current favorites. She enjoys being involved in her church community and has a unique connection to Brazil, where she lived for two years in Ilha Solteira in the state of São Paulo, located along the banks of the Paraná River. Lea learned Portuguese during her time there.

If she ever had the chance to take a break from working, she would spend her days traveling the world with her children, with a special desire to return to Brazil and immerse themselves in the culture. Lea’s love for people, her family-centered outlook, and her dedication to service shine through in everything she does, and we’re excited to have her as part of the RHA team. Welcome!