Emily Cunningham

Photo courtesy of Delaware State Housing Authority

DOVER — Delaware State Housing Authority announces Emily Cunningham will serve as the agency's chief of staff.  

Ms. Cunningham served as the vice president of the Blood Bank of Delmarva. Prior to this role, she was chief of staff and policy analyst for Delaware's Department of Education, executing the priorities of the governor and the secretary of education as the department's legislative liaison and overseeing education policy, legislation, and regulation work as well as communications and human resources.  

“Emily possesses decades of policy, communication, and management experience, which will be critical in advancing the agency's mission and impact on Delawareans," said Cynthia Karnai, director of Delaware State Housing Authority.

"I'm confident in the leadership and fresh perspective she will bring to this position."

Ms. Cunningham helped manage the 500-member staff of Delaware's Department of Justice as deputy chief of staff for Attorney General Matt Denn and, prior, served as chief of staff for Lt. Gov. Denn. She was also the press secretary for U.S. Sen. Tom Carper.

"I am thrilled to be back with the state of Delaware and look forward to working with the talented team at DSHA to address housing in our state," said Ms. Cunningham.

She has been a member of the Ronald McDonald House advisory board since 2011 and a member of the Brandywine Valley SPCA executive board of directors since 2019. She has mentored students in Capital and Cape Henlopen school districts since 2010. Ms. Cunningham earned a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. She lives with her daughters in Rehoboth Beach.