Charlise Smith works to help families secure stable housing before instability becomes a crisis. As Executive Director of Willissae's Agency For Vision and Empowerment (WAVE), she leads a PHFA/HUD-certified housing counseling agency serving Allegheny County and the greater Pittsburgh region.

A licensed Real Estate Broker with more than two decades of experience, Smith connects housing counseling with financial education, foreclosure prevention and pathways to homeownership. Her approach emphasizes preparation, life skills and accountability, helping women and families address the underlying causes of housing instability.

WAVE honors her mother's legacy. Following the loss of her son, Marcus, Smith channeled grief into service, deepening her commitment to families navigating trauma and systemic barriers.

Her leadership extends to community development and housing advisory roles. Through partnerships with financial institutions, housing authorities, legal services and workforce organizations, she connects families with resources for lasting progress.

For Smith, stable housing provides the foundation for healthier families, stronger neighborhoods and opportunity across future generations.