Housing Finance Authority Board of Directors and Staff
Board of Directors
Robyn Fiel, Chairman
After nine years as a mortgage loan originator at Fifth Third Bank, Robyn Fiel is currently a mortgage loan originator at Synovus Mortgage in St. Petersburg, FL. Prior to joining Fifth Third Bank in 2005, Robyn was a portfolio manager of the Hough Group of Funds at William R. Hough & Co for 11 years, and an analyst at Standard & Poor’s in New York City for six years. Robyn is a founding member and board member of the Pinellas Realtor Organization Affiliate Business Partners. E-mail
Vice Chairman – vacant
Paul Burroughs, Secretary/Treasurer
Paul is a retired banker. He entered the banking field, obtained a Degree of Distinction from the Institute of Financial Education, and graduated from the University of Georgia, School for Executive Development. During a 40-year banking career he served as Branch Manager and Regional Manager at multiple locations. Paul is privileged to serve as a two-time Rotary president, as a board member of multiple Chambers of Commerce, and has previously served on the board of Clearwater Neighborhood Housing Services. Paul has enjoyed being an Assistant Scout Master with the Boy Scouts and the Chairman of the Trustees of his church and currently works as a substitute teacher in Pinellas County. E-mail
Steven Baumann, Assistant Secretary
Steve Bauman retired from the Pinellas County Housing and Community Development Department in September of 2022. While with the County he was a project manager overseeing the implementation of affordable housing projects. He is a registered architect and prior to his County employment he worked with various developers specializing in high rise condominium developments as well as other commercial projects including hotel renovations, automobile dealerships, etc. He enjoys sailing, exercise, any outdoor activities and spending time with his family and grandkids.
Audrey Henson, Assistant Secretary
Audrey Henson is an entrepreneur, accomplished executive, and media expert. Following her graduation from The University of South Florida, Audrey served in The United States House of Representatives. Shortly thereafter, she founded an extraordinarily successful nonprofit organization, gaining national recognition and earning a coveted spot on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list. In response to the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, Audrey displayed her entrepreneurial spirit by launching an online education technology platform, C2C-U. This platform has provided invaluable free workforce development resources to thousands of students from across the nation, empowering them with the skills needed for a brighter future. Audrey’s entrepreneurial drive extends beyond the nonprofit and education sectors. She also founded By the Bay Bobcats, a woman-owned and family-operated enterprise specializing in excavation, site preparation, and land development. A fearless defender of fundamental freedoms, Audrey Henson remains deeply rooted in her hometown of St. Petersburg, Florida. Throughout her journey, she has made it her mission to dedicate her life to service, championing causes that uplift communities and individuals alike by fostering economic growth and creating opportunities for the working class.
Staff
Kathryn Driver, Executive Director
Kathryn Driver has been the Executive Director since March 2014. Ms. Driver is responsible for all aspects and transactions of the HFA to assist in accomplishing the HFA’s mission of alleviating a shortage of affordable housing in Pinellas County through the issuance of single-family mortgage revenue bonds and down payment assistance for low- to moderate-income first-time homebuyers and also through the issuance of tax-exempt and taxable multifamily bonds to help finance the new construction or acquisition and rehabilitation of multifamily developments for very low-, low- and moderate-income renters. Prior to her appointment as Executive Director, Ms. Driver served as Vice President at RBC Capital Markets (and William R. Hough & Co. prior to its merger with RBC). She has over 30 years of experience in the municipal finance and housing finance field. Driver serves as President of the Florida Association of Local Housing Finance Authorities, is a member of the National Association of Local Housing Finance Authorities and the Florida Housing Coalition and is Past President of the Florida chapter of Women in Public Finance.
Karmen Lemberg, Director of Homeownership Programs and Operations
Ms. Lemberg has worked for the HFA since 2011. Her current responsibilities include the day-to-day running of the business to ensure smooth progress. Areas of emphasis include single family programs, payroll, human resources, accounting activities, and insurance. Karmen is the liaison for the lenders and realtors associated with the First-Time Homebuyer program and for potential home buyers. She manages relationships and agreements with external partners and vendors and ensures the company runs with legality and conformity to established local, State and Federal regulations. Karmen has a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management and over 30 years of experience in affordable housing, mortgage lending, banking, and financial services. Her knowledge and expertise fit well for working with partners and clients to further the mission and vision of the HFA.
Lolitha Stone, Director of Special Programs
Mrs. Stone started her career over 15 years ago in the mortgage industry as a junior underwriter and has worked in all facets of mortgage lending from wholesale operations, origination, processing, underwriting, closing and funding and collateralized securities. She spent the last 7 years with Bank of America as an Underwriter and eventually writing policy and procedures for Consumer and Small Business lending. She has vast knowledge in mortgage and banking operations management and compliance.