Brigitta Mac-Rizzo

Brigitta Mac-Rizzo serves as the Executive Director of the Jackson County Housing Authority (JCHA), where she oversees a portfolio of 758 public housing units, 12 rural development units and 663 Housing Choice Vouchers. She is spearheading efforts to expand housing in Jackson County to the agency’s statutory limit of 840 units. Under her leadership, JCHA has increased occupancy, improved voucher utilization, and secured additional funding for resident self-sufficiency programs. Brigitta is committed to leveraging her expertise in real estate, finance, and housing management to foster vibrant, economically empowered communities. She relocated to Jackson County, Illinois in 2019 with her husband Dr. David Mac-Rizzo, who now serves as a Regional Director of Operations for Highlight Healthcare in Woodstock, Illinois. Prior to joining JCHA, Brigitta held senior roles at the Housing Authority of New Haven, where she was responsible for financial management, RAD conversion planning, and internal controls for various housing programs. Brigitta’s career spans over 20 years, with extensive experience in strategic leadership, fiscal management, contract negotiations, and public relations. She holds an MBA in Finance and an MPA from the University of New Haven and is currently pursuing a Master of Real Estate Development from Georgetown University. She is also a licensed realtor, a certified public housing manager, and a certified financial specialist. Brigitta serves as an active member of several professional organizations, including the Illinois Association of Housing Authorities, the Carbondale NAACP, and the Cairo Housing Task Force.