Transforming Lives Through Affordable Housing: Alicia Defreitas Joins Princeton Community Housing

Alicia Defreitas has been appointed as the new director of finance and administration at Princeton Community Housing, succeeding Janet McClafferty who served in the role for nine years. Defreitas, a resident of Delran, brings a wealth of experience in finance and administration, having previously held positions at the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, the Catholic Medical Missions Board, and Orbis International.

Empowering Communities, Enriching Lives

A Passion for Affordable Housing

Alicia Defreitas' journey to Princeton Community Housing is a testament to her deep-rooted commitment to making a difference in people's lives. After sixteen years of near-constant international travel in her career, Defreitas found herself reflecting on the meaning of home. "The PCH mission resonates deeply with me, and I appreciate the difference an affordable home can make in transforming one's life and how fundamental it is as a foundation for health, safety, security, and success," she shared.Defreitas' background in finance and administration, coupled with her passion for affordable housing, makes her an ideal fit for her new role. As the director of finance and administration, she will be responsible for overseeing the organization's accounting, audit, and compliance functions, as well as human resources, information technology, and other administrative systems.

Bringing a Wealth of Experience

Prior to joining Princeton Community Housing, Defreitas held several high-profile positions in the nonprofit sector. She served as a finance director at the Henry M. Jackson Foundation, which is dedicated to advancing military medicine. She also worked with the Catholic Medical Missions Board, an international nonprofit organization that provides global health services to the world's poor, and as the controller for Orbis International, a global humanitarian organization dedicated to blindness prevention.Defreitas' diverse background and extensive experience in finance, operations, and team building have prepared her well for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead at Princeton Community Housing. "We feel very fortunate to have Alicia on board," said Princeton Community Housing Executive Director Ed Truscelli. "She brings a wealth of experience and a wide range of skills to us, including strategic financial planning as well as operations, with a focus on collaboration and team building."

A Commitment to Serving the Community

Defreitas' passion for community service extends beyond her professional life. She is a former member of the Army National Guard, where she served for six years, and she earned her bachelor's degree in accounting from Hunter College in New York City.At Princeton Community Housing, Defreitas will be responsible for ensuring the organization's financial stability and operational efficiency, which are crucial in fulfilling its mission of providing affordable housing to the local community. Her expertise in strategic financial planning, operations, and team building will be instrumental in driving the organization forward and making a tangible difference in the lives of those it serves."After sixteen years of near-constant international travel in my career, I'd been thinking a lot about the meaning of home," Defreitas shared. "So I didn't hesitate to pursue this opportunity. The PCH mission resonates deeply with me, and I appreciate the difference an affordable home can make in transforming one's life and how fundamental it is as a foundation for health, safety, security, and success."