Soledad Núñez was offered the role of housing minister of Paraguay in October 2014, a ministry with a reputation as one of the most corrupt and ineffective public institutions in the country and for years, the ministry had failed to achieve its housing targets. Núñez knew that if she took on the role of minister, she would make powerful enemies, and her appointment would be opposed by many within the political establishment. But Núñez was determined to reform the ministry and fight the system of corruption that gripped it.

This case study follows Núñez during her difficult first year in office. Over the course of the year, Núñez created new regulations and processes, committed to transparency and improved the reputation of the organisation, all while increasing the delivery of homes sixfold. However, as 2015 came to an end, one of the high-ranking officials she had dismissed for his involvement in corruption returned to the ministry with a court order reinstating him. As news of his return spread through the offices, Núñez received word that some members of her staff were celebrating. Núñez was shocked: she had worked hard to change the culture of the ministry, but the official’s return seemed to be threatening to undo her work already. Núñez knew she would need to act quickly if she was to retain control of the situation.