| Savanna Tomei-Olson The Creative Company 608.442.6336 savanna@thecreativecompany.com |
| Melissa Badini Gorman & Company Marketing Communications Manager 608.835.5899 MBadini@GormanUSA.com |
MADISON, Wis. (August 5, 2026) – Gorman & Company, a national leader in community revitalization and affordable housing development, is pleased to announce the promotion of Rachel Snethen to Vice President of Development Operations. The company also welcomes Kate Lemon to the Wisconsin development team as Director of Development.
Rachel’s promotion recognizes more than 15 years of leadership, innovation, and service to Gorman & Company. Since joining the firm in 2010, she has played integral roles in supporting the company’s national development platform, helping guide projects through financing, closing, construction, and stabilization while mentoring the next generation of affordable housing professionals. Her professional development has also included participation in Gorman & Company’s Professional Growth Academy (PGA), a leadership development program designed to cultivate future company leaders and strengthen collaboration across markets.
In her new role, Rachel will continue to serve on Gorman’s Executive Leadership team and oversee development operations across their growing national portfolio, focusing on implementing leadership strategy, quality assurance, process improvement, and strategic growth initiatives including technology and AI solutions.
Beyond her work at Gorman & Company, Rachel is an active advocate for the affordable housing industry and serves as a leader within the non-profit Women’s Affordable Housing Network (WAHN), including serving as Wisconsin Chapter President. In her free time, Rachel also dedicates significant time to advocacy efforts on behalf of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and serves as a Consumer Reviewer for the Department of Defense MS Research Program. Rachel was also a 2023 “40 Under 40” InBusiness Award winner.
The company is also pleased to welcome Kate Lemon as Director of Development to further strengthen Gorman’s growing Wisconsin team. Kate brings extensive affordable housing experience in affordable housing development, having worked on projects across more than ten states throughout her career. Her expertise spans the nonprofit, public, and private sectors, providing a well-rounded perspective that will support Gorman & Company’s continued growth and impact throughout Wisconsin.
Prior to joining Gorman, she served as Vice President of Real Estate Finance at Wisconsin Housing Preservation Corp. and previously held roles with Baker Tilly and the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA). At WHEDA, she underwrote and awarded more than $100 million in affordable housing tax credit investments.
In her new position, Kate will support development activities throughout Wisconsin, alongside Matt Childress as the Wisconsin Market President, helping advance projects that create and preserve high-quality affordable housing opportunities across the state.
Kate actively fundraises for UW Carbone Cancer Center and plays a leadership role in the Jim B. Lemon Foundation. The foundation’s Memorial Golf Outing is coming up on Friday, September 18, 2026 at Nakoma Golf Club in Madison, WI. Close to her heart, the event is held in honor of her late husband as a fundraiser for cancer research and patient support services. She also serves on the Madison Area Sports Commission Board, which provides youth athletic grants, and sits on the Alliant Energy Center Redevelopment Committee. Her dedication to community service reflects the same passion and purpose she brings to her work in affordable housing.
