April De Simone is the Founder and Managing Principal of the Practice of Democracy. Ms. De Simone works at the intersection of social dynamics and spatial design. Ms. De Simone investigates how built environments and the people and societies that occupy them interact. Her transdisciplinary approach emphasizes the ways human experience, historical reflection and background, intention and interpretation informs and promotes occurrences like equity, healing, and justice within spatial practice. Through a nuanced understanding of how individuals interact with and interpret their surroundings, Ms. De Simone applies a social and spatial phenomena framework to inform her multidimensional research and design practice. Her work is inspired by her experiences growing up in a Bronx, New York neighborhood, steeped in the collateral consequences of intentionally designed systems. In partnership with diverse stakeholders, she seeks to cultivate reframed opportunities within spatial practice to advance equitable, humane, and just frameworks and projects shaping the conditions of our society. Bridging theory and practice, April co-founded designing the WE in 2015, co-curating the nationally acclaimed “Undesign the Redline” exhibit. In 2024, she will launch the Practice of Democracy, a decentralized design practice committed to the long-term work of advancing equitable and just systemic change, moving beyond the one-off projects of architecture. Her immersive project, Democracy Is... debuted in 2022 on NYC’s High Line and is touring nationally as a pop-up, with the full exhibition coming in 2024. Democracy is... is a public engagement campaign calling for our collective attention and action in understanding how democratic values are represented through the environments and systems we plan and design. Told through the voices and lived experiences of the people, this interactive journey delves into a past to present timeline, exploring the challenges and triumphs shaping the consciousness and practice of democratic values. Each step is an invitation to uncover what democracy means to people and shed light on the ways we strive for inclusivity, representation, and social justice. An invited speaker, facilitator, and board member, April’s impact spans issues of equity and design, and was recently recognized by Enterprise Community Partners Impactful 40 in 2022. Education • Continuing Master of Architecture, School of Public Architecture, Kean University (Completion 2025) • Master of Science in Design and Urban Ecologies, Parsons School of Design • Bachelor of Arts in Social Science with a Concentration in Political Science, New York University Selected Projects Louisiana • Henrietta Smith Bowers Duterte Square • Truth, Witness, and Justice Project New Jersey • Coalport Neighborhood Revitalization Project New York • Supervised Visitation Office • Urban Starzz Various Cities • Democracy is… • Undesign the Redline

Senator Troy Singleton has devoted his life to public service in government, political, and policy posts at all levels. In 2011, he was elected to his first term in the New Jersey General Assembly, representing the over 220,000 residents of the 7th Legislative District. Senator Singleton was elected to the New Jersey State Senate in November 2017 and currently serves as Chairman of the Senate Community and Urban Affairs Committee, Vice Chair of the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee, and as a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee. He also serves as the Senate Majority Whip. During his time in the legislature, Senator Singleton had a significant number of proposals signed into law and has received numerous awards for his public service and legislative acumen from business, education, civic, labor and non-profit organizations. Senator Singleton is currently employed as a Senior Vice President for Anywhere Integrated. Along with his busy career, Senator Singleton has long included personal involvement in his community as an essential component of his life.

A. Donahue Baker is a highly accomplished and esteemed real estate developer known for his impressive track record of transforming visions into high-performing assets. Throughout his career, A. Donahue has distinguished himself as a leader in the field, pioneering the niche of passive houses, and showcasing a keen eye for profitable opportunities, strategic planning, and exceptional project execution. Mr. Baker graduated from Georgetown University and received his MBA from NYIT. His real estate career began modestly by acquiring a duplex, living on one side, and renting out the other. From that initial venture, he has successfully constructed an impressive personal portfolio of over 500 residential units, which includes significant affordable housing projects like the 107-unit residential project, Allen Young Apartments, in Plainfield, NJ. By adeptly handling complex, multi-million-dollar projects and leveraging his robust business acumen and analytical skills, he quickly emerged as an innovative force in the industry. Mr. Baker has carved a niche for himself in the realm of innovation in real estate development, having constructed one of the first passive house projects in the state of New Jersey. This project serves as a model for his ambitious vision to build the country's first passive house apartment complex. He is known for his ability to identify underutilized properties and incorporate eco-friendly/green designs, transforming them into lucrative real estate investments. This talent, combined with his dedication to sustainable development and community empowerment, solidifies his reputation as a pioneer in urban redevelopment. Beyond his role as a developer, A. Donahue Baker is also a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), and a co-founder of Money Avenue, one of the top 100 fastest-growing financial companies. He uses this platform to advocate for financial literacy and wealth creation, showcasing his deep commitment to facilitating positive social change. Additionally, his membership in various professional associations and his roles on several boards further extend his influence and contribution to the industry. A. Donahue Baker is not only a visionary but also an inspiration to those within and outside his industry. His work continues to shape the landscape of modern real estate development, and his efforts toward fostering wealth creation and community development mark him as a trailblazer in the truest sense. His consistent ability to deliver exceptional results while upholding the highest ethical standards sets him apart in this competitive field.

Susan is a member of the Bergen County Continuum of Care Advisory Board and the DCA Statewide Advisory Board. For the past 15 years, Susan has worked with Bergen County's United Way in both the Compassion Fund and their senior housing program. Her passion for helping others led her to her current role at United Community Corporation in Newark, NJ where she is the Life Skills and Financial Literacy Coordinator for the Restorative and Transformative Justice Hub Pilot Program for Youth. Prior to this role, Susan was the Life Skills Instructor for UCC's YouthBuild Program. Her focus has always been finding the right resources and housing for families, but most importantly treating each family with the dignity and respect that they deserve. After divorce, job loss and eviction, Susan personally experienced the many challenges that families are faced with. Through her work, she is determined to provide information to help, not frustrate, those in challenging situations. Through her various roles, working with families to find and maintain stable housing will always be the core foundation of her mission. Susan earned an Associate of Science in Social Work from Bergen Community College and a Bachelors of Arts in Social Science from Ramapo College with a concentration in Community Mental Health. Whether it was working in a family shelter in NYC to working with at risk youth and those with mental health illnesses or co-occurring disorders, Susan has always advocated for their rights and their housing. Her why has always been 'Too many people told me no. I may not know the answer, but I will find a way'.

Adam is Executive Director at Fair Share Housing Center. He joined the organization as an Equal Justice Works Fellow in 2006. He has litigated at the New Jersey Supreme Court and Appellate Division and worked on state and federal policy issues including very-low-income housing in high opportunity communities, Low Income Housing Tax Credit allocation, and statewide fair share allocation. He is also co-founder of the magazine Next City, which the New York Times described as a “subtle plan to change the world,” and a non-resident fellow at the NYU Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy. Adam holds a B.A. and J.D. from Yale University.

Jaclyn (Jackie) Veasy is a lifelong resident of Evesham Township. She is a graduate of St. Joan of Arc School and Holy Cross High School, and she attended Rutgers University, where she received her Bachelor of Arts in American Studies. In addition to her currently serving in her second term as Mayor of Evesham Township, Jackie also works in a sales positon in the insurance industry in her professional life. Jackie is the second woman to ever be elected Mayor of Evesham Township (2018) and the first woman to ever be re-elected as Mayor (2022). She is now into her sixth year serving as Mayor. Jackie has been a long-time volunteer in Evesham Township, promoting her love for giving back to her community. For more than a decade, she has served as a committee member for the Relay for Life of Marlton to raise funds for the American Cancer Society. She also remains an active member of the St. Joan of Arc Parish family, serving as a Lector at Sunday Mass and a member of the team that coordinates St. Joan of Arc’s Sunday-morning children’s liturgy program. Jackie also organizes and volunteers at St. Joan of Arc’s annual summer carnival. Jackie is an avid traveler. Her family and friends are incredibly important to her, as is her desire to give back to the Evesham community where she was born and raised. As a proponent of citizen involvement, Jackie has used her time serving as Mayor to oversee the creation of the township’s Disability and Veterans Affairs Advisory Committee, Farmers Market Committee, Evesham Economic Advisory Committee, Human Rights Advisory Council and Community Celebrations Committee, as well as the revitalization of the Historic Preservation Committee, Youth Advisory Committee and the Senior Citizen Advisory Board. During her service, the township purchased and permanently preserved 176 acres of open space for passive recreation and outlined new, long-term compressive management plans for the township’s roads, parks and facilities/fleet to ensure Evesham’s public spaces and services were prepared for the future. In 2020, Governor Phil Murphy appointed Jackie to his Restart and Recovery Advisory Council to advise the state’s leadership on economic matters impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. She has also served on the Burlington County Women's Advisory Council since 2019 and as a Board Member for the Burlington County Board of Social Services starting in 2023. Jackie is currently serving as the 2nd Vice President for the NJ Conference of Mayors and she has also had the pleasure of representing Evesham by serving on various committees with the New Jersey League of Municipalities.

Clarence Mujahid Ali is a successful and accomplished communications, entertainment and media executive. He has worked as a Director, producer, financier and business entrepreneur. He founded the Theater of Universal Images, professional theater Production Company based at the Symphony Hall. The operations of the theater included an educational and media division. He has directly overseen the development and management of a number of private and public organizations, institutions and corporations. He also worked early in his career as a general manager of radio station, and a chief operating engineer at radio station WBGO. During his 30 plus years of business ownership and management, he has worked in virtually every area of communication, media and entertainment including cable TV, theater, music, radio, film and broadcast television. He has worked in the capacity of producer and/or director on over 200 productions in feature film, television and theater. In 1980, he and partners founded Connection Communications Corporation (CCC) and obtained the Cable TV franchises for the cities of Newark, Jersey City and South Orange. The Newark system was built for $12 Million of debt and equity. The Newark and South Orange properties of CCC were sold to Gilbert Media six years later for approximately $33.5 million. Ali continued to maintain a minority interest in Gilbert Media which was sold to Cablevision in 1989 for over $80 million. At this point, Ali partnered with Cablevision until the late 1990’s as an independent consultant overseeing all local programming and advertising operations. He also leased studio production equipment and trucks to Cablevision. Ali's interest in the Jersey City cable TV system was sold as part of the $2 billion Rogers/Comcast transaction. As Chairman & CEO of Renaissance Investors Unlimited (RIU) and affiliated companies Renaissance Entertainment and Renco LTD, Mr. Ali built a diversified entertainment, finance, distribution and programming concern specializing in niche markets nationwide and comparable markets internationally. RIU owned cable TV licenses in West Africa and had partnership interest in media projects in the Caribbean and Czech Republic. His producing credits include: live concerts, feature films, Broadcast and cable TV series, syndicated TV series, sporting events, documentary producer, live location productions and theatrical tours. His work has earned him an IRIS Award from the National Association of Television Programming Executives, a number of CEBA awards and Cable TV ACE Awards among others. Clarence Mujahid Ali is currently CEO and President of the New Africa Development Corporation (NADC). NADC has envisioned the New Africa District Redevelopment Plan to revitalize an underutilized sector of the City of Newark. New structures will be created, old structures will be repurposed, and these buildings will be the basis for the development of new institutions and community resources in this area. The plan includes the development of market rate and affordable housing, retail, and Entertainment. The NADC development team members have over 60 years of real estate development experience and have collectively built over 3000 units of housing. As Chairman & CEO of Renaissance Investors Unlimited (RIU) and affiliated companies Renaissance Entertainment and Renco LTD, Mr. Ali has also built a diversified entertainment, finance, distribution and programming concern specializing in niche markets nationwide and comparable markets internationally.

Molly Anderson serves as the Deputy Director for the Northeast Region at the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF), a role she has held since joining the organization in 2022. In this capacity, Molly leads LIIF's affordable housing lending operations across the region, ensuring the successful origination and execution of impactful housing projects. Before LIIF, Molly played a key role in the recapitalization of New York City's public housing portfolio at the New York City Housing Development Corporation. She also contributed to the Real Estate Transaction Services team at the New York City Economic Development Corporation. Molly holds a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from the NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and resides in Brooklyn, NY.

Over the past 16 years, Pam has grown within Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey (CSPNJ) beginning as a housing support worker and now to Deputy Director of Homelessness Services. Pam came to CSPNJ with previous experience as an emergency medical technician and has built on this experience becoming an accomplished and committed professional in homelessness and behavioral health service design and service delivery. She has a true passion for Social Justice and expanding low barrier services to people experiencing homelessness across the state. She is a strong proponent of Housing First and the importance of harm reduction services while working in partnership with the individuals we serve who are experiencing mental health and substance use challenges. Pam oversees CSP’s statewide Homelessness service team and Outreach programs developing and implementing peer led low barrier services across the state by accessing a variety of state, federal and local funding streams. These programs include our northern Wellness Centers, Hudson County Warming Center, DCA diversion/prevention programs and housing navigation. Pam continues to provide leadership to a variety of non traditional supportive housing projects in Jersey City, Monmouth and Ocean, as well as our outreach partnership developed with NJ Transit Police and new street outreach initiatives in Essex and Bergen Counties. Pam continues to expand our programs to provide critical innovative services and opportunities for people living on the streets, in encampments, and across New Jersey who are out of the traditional mainstream service systems.

Adenah Bayoh embodies the American dream. At age 13, she escaped the civil war in her native country of Liberia, immigrated to the United States and is now one of the most successful entrepreneurs in her home state of New Jersey. Inspired by her grandmother, who owned a restaurant in Liberia, Adenah is now the owner of 7 restaurants including 4 IHOP franchises in northern New Jersey. She opened her first IHOP in Irvington Township, New Jersey at the age of 27, making her one of the youngest franchisees in the country at that time. Because of the success of this flagship location along with her other business ventures, she is the second largest employer in Irvington. In late 2017, Adenah launched Cornbread, her first independent fast casual, farm-to-table, soul food restaurant, which she co-founded with fellow entrepreneur, Zadie B. Smith. They recently opened their second Cornbread in downtown Newark. Additionally, in keeping with Adenah’s mission of bringing high quality food and services to urban communities, in late July she launched her latest restaurant concept, Urban Vegan, in downtown Newark. In addition to her restaurants, Adenah is a successful real estate developer with a portfolio of several major residential and mixed-use urban redevelopment projects across northern New Jersey. After attending a public high school in Newark, New Jersey and putting herself through Fairleigh Dickinson University with a degree in Business Management, she secured a job in banking and began purchasing multifamily homes as investments. In 2012, she decided to focus on transforming disadvantaged communities and took the bold step of transitioning to full-scale real estate development by partnering with 2 other developers to purchase the former Irvington General Hospital site, which had been vacant for nearly a decade. Since then, they renamed the site 280 Park Place, completed a 114-unit residential building on the property, and have a second building under construction as part of multi-phase development that will transform the property into a vibrant mixed-income residential community. In addition to 280 Park Place, Adenah recently broke ground on 722 Chancellor Avenue, which will become affordable housing for seniors. Adenah is also philanthropically involved in the communities where she does business. At IHOP Irvington, she runs a free breakfast program for children under 12, and she hosts dinners for families in need during the holidays. In addition, she allows local nonprofit organizations to hold charitable events at both IHOP locations. Adenah’s accomplishments have not gone unrecognized. In January 2015, she was appointed to the prestigious Federal Reserve Bank of New York Advisory Council on Small Business and Agriculture. She has been named to Ebony Magazine’s Power 100 list and NJBIZ’s Best 50 Women in Business list. She was also the recipient of the Faces of Diversity Award from The National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation. She is a sought-after speaker by business, professional, and community organizations; universities; and women’s associations. Despite her numerous successes, her proudest achievement is being a mother to her 2 young children.

Eli serves as a Research Lead at the F4GI, supporting project implementation and the articulation of F4GI’s impact. He has experience developing large-scale guaranteed income projects from inception, providing technical assistance to the Chicago Resilient Communities Pilot, which disbursed 30 million dollars to 5,000 residents. Previously, Eli served on the formation team for NYU Shanghai, the first joint venture between a Chinese and American university to offer a four-year liberal arts education in China. Eli has a Masters in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School, where he contributed to research to understand the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on Massachusetts households through qualitative interviewing, a project that ultimately supported the creation of the Chelsea Eats Guaranteed Income Pilot.

Austin Boral is the co-founder of Civic Roundtable: the collaboration platform for public service. Civic Roundtable helps practitioners across CoCs and government agencies at all levels work together to prevent and end homelessness through a secure, purpose-built knowledge management system that makes sharing resources and ideas easy -- no matter what organization you work for or technology you use. Civic Roundtable is already making a difference with CoCs and state agencies in New Jersey and beyond by breaking down barriers between organizations and building trust to create lasting partnerships. Prior to starting Civic Roundtable, Austin’s commitment to serving public servants led him to work with local, state and federal agencies across the U.S. He is originally from Long Island -- which makes him a proud Islanders fan, an annoying Yankees fan, and a miserable Giants fan.

Dr. Katie Calhoun is a community-engaged researcher studying policy and community responses to homelessness and poverty. She uses critical theories to explore how poverty discourse affects policy implementation, the resources available to folks, and, in turn, the health and well-being of individuals. She has studied community-led initiatives such as tiny home villages for people who are unhoused and safe parking lots for people sheltering in vehicles. She is actively engaged in guaranteed income research including with the Denver Basic Income Project, a randomized controlled trial of guaranteed income for the unhoused in Denver, Colorado. Dr. Calhoun’s research interests are informed by her practice experience in school social work, policy advocacy, and inpatient mental health.

Michael Callahan is the Director of the Office of Homelessness Prevention at the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs and the Chair of the New Jersey Interagency Council on Homelessness. Leveraging his deep experiences in the homelessness services and tech sectors, Michael and his team at OHP are driving equity in the state’s homelessness prevention and services ecosystem through programming grounded in end-user experience, equity-focused analytics, and the democratization of housing policy and services planning. He received his doctorate in social work from the University of Pennsylvania and holds a research faculty appointment at Monmouth University’s School of Social Work.

Joel Cantor is a Distinguished Professor of Public Policy and the founding Director of the Center for State Health Policy at Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. Established 1999, the Center is a leader in health policy research nationally, with a special focus on informing policy in New Jersey. Dr. Cantor has published widely on innovations in health service financing and delivery for high-need populations and the regulation of health insurance and services. He serves frequently as an advisor on health policy matters to New Jersey state government and was awarded the 2006 Rutgers University President's Award for Research in Service to New Jersey. Dr. Cantor currently leads a study funded by the National Institutes of Health examining the long-term impacts of providing permanent supportive housing on health service use and spending for New Jersey and Pennsylvania Medicaid beneficiaries experiencing homelessness. He also leads the NJHealth Study, a comprehensive investigation of the effects of enduring and emerging stressors on population health and health equity in diverse New Jersey populations. Dr. Cantor received his doctorate in health policy and management from the Johns Hopkins University, School of Public Health in 1988.

While attending college John's parents purchased a restaurant in Kensington, Philadelphia. It was part of their American dream to own and operate their very own business. John joined them while attending college but grew to enjoy the business and the neighborhood that they served. After graduating he joined his family full-time. In 2020 John was approached by Kensington Corridor Trust to join their board of directors. This was a great opportunity to give insight and make an impact on the development of the neighborhood where his family was building their dream.

Carolyn Curry has worked with the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development since 2020, where she has been responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the Maryland Balance of State Continuum of Care. During her time with the Balance of State, Carolyn has worked to improve CoC performance and competitiveness for increased federal funding opportunities, implemented a comprehensive and standardized CoC-wide Coordinated Entry System and facilitated the expansion of the CoC’s geographic coverage. Prior to joining the Balance of State CoC, Carolyn worked as the Director of Planning at the Tarrant County Homeless Coalition, the Lead Agency for the Fort Worth, TX Continuum of Care. During her tenure at TCHC, Carolyn led the agency work as the Collaborative Applicant for the Continuum of Care, implemented special housing initiatives for veterans and youth experiencing homelessness, oversaw the annual Point in Time Count and ensured community-wide compliance with HUD regulations, bringing more than $62 million in federal funds to the CoC. Carolyn received a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Texas.

Dean Dafis is the Director of the Office of Eviction Prevention in the Division of Housing at the NJ Department of Community Affairs (DCA). He focuses on public policy and program management directed toward upstream homelessness prevention. His goal is to significantly reduce eviction filings in NJ and to build a more human-centered, collaborative, barrier-free, and efficient network of prevention stakeholders. The Comprehensive Eviction Defense and Diversion statewide network offers legal and non-legal housing stability resources at no cost to low-income tenants facing or threatened with eviction. Dean is an attorney who practiced in housing court. He also serves the public as an elected official in Essex County. His public service and commitment to justice in housing are informed by his former housing instability and experiences growing up in a blue-collar immigrant household.

Natasha S. Davis, of the Bloc Foundation, is a distinguished real estate developer, licensed real estate agent, seasoned real estate investor, and nationally certified construction trainer. With a career marked by groundbreaking achievements and a relentless commitment to empowering others, Natasha has established herself as a leading figure in the real estate and construction industries. Ms. Davis is a trail blazing black female real estate and community developer who is making waves in the industry. As a black female business owner, she brings a unique perspective to her work, recognizing the specific challenges and inequities faced by marginalized communities. Both her for profit and non-profit businesses focuses on sustainable and equitable development, aiming to create safe spaces that uplift and empower women and girls of color bridging the gap between opportunity and success.

Jennifer Fassbender leads the social determinants of health programs at Reinvestment Fund, including the national Invest Health, regional Building Healthier, More Equitable Communities initiatives, as well as the City Health Dashboard Data Challenge, that support multi-sector teams in small to mid-sized cities working at the intersection of community development and health to improve neighborhood conditions, so all people can thrive. With over 20 years of collective leadership experience in healthcare, research, and non-profit sectors, she has dedicated her career to improving the health and wellbeing of all people and communities through partnerships and strategic investments. Previously, she has served as a national subject matter expert, hospital administrator, research manager, and clinician with experience at the American Diabetes Association, The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, the University of Pennsylvania’s Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, and Northwest Community Healthcare. Currently, she serves on the Board of Directors for the Council on Black Health, is a National Academies Roundtable member, and recent innovation collaborative chair for Integrating Clinical and Social Systems. She has contributed to numerous scientific and professional publications as an author and reviewer, and presenter. Jennifer studied exercise physiology at the Pennsylvania State University and she did her graduate work at the University of South Carolina’s Arnold School of Public Health.

Kayann Foster currently works in human services connecting community to resources and educating residents around their overall wellness in County of Passaic. She has lived experience within homeless system and utilizes her experiences to advocate for and empower others with the goal of systemic change. With various certifications in the Trauma-Informed approach including being a New Jersey ACEs (Adverse Childhood Experiences) presenter, her passion is to help community create safe spaces where everyone can heal, grow, and thrive.

Tristan Gibson is a program manager within the Office of Policy and Innovation at the New Jersey Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS). DMAHS administers the NJ FamilyCare program. In his current role, Tristan is responsible for implementing policies to improve the NJ FamilyCare program to best serve its members. Tristan has taken a particular interest in promoting the integration of healthcare and housing as evidenced by his work on DMAHS’s Healthy Homes program and Housing Supports services program. Tristan has a bachelor’s degree from The College of New Jersey and a Master of Public Policy from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy at Rutgers University.

Nicole Gillespie was elected to the Moorestown Township Council in 2018 and has served as Mayor since January, 2020. She has served as the Council Liaison to the Economic Development Advisory Committee, the Low and Moderate Income Housing Advisory Committee, and the Environmental Advisory Committee. Nicole graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, MD., with a B.S. in mechanical engineering and a minor in Russian. She was commissioned as an Ensign and served in the field of cryptology. After leaving the service, she earned an M.S. in physics from the University of Washington in 1999 and a Ph.D. in science education from the University of California, Berkeley in 2004. She has been leading education non-profits in South Jersey for the past 20 years. Nicole serves on the Board of Directors of Girl Scouts of Central and Southern New Jersey, and of Contact of Burlington County. In 2020 she was a NJBIZ New Jersey’s 2020 Best 50 Women in Business Awardee and named Burlington County 2022 Outstanding Woman of the Year in STEM. In 2024 she was recognized as a Public Voice for Business by the Burlington County Regional Chamber of Commerce.

Having started as a front-line shelter staff in the late 90s and spending the last 25 years in the sector, Chris has finally found the perfect balance of being both hopeful and jaded. He has worked in communities across Canada, the US, and Asia in everything from overnight staff to system designer to funder. Over the last decade, his roles as Director of Homelessness Data and Impact in Eastern Canada, and, more recently, Senior Associate with OrgCode, have afforded him the opportunity to learn from hundreds of emergency shelter staff and guests and he is excited to share whatever he can.

Michelle Griffith grew up in Miami, Florida. Lived most of my life in New York. Relocated to Toms River, NJ in 2014 after being severely affected by Hurricane Sandy. In Queens, NY, I was actively involved with various community action organizations while working on public relations for a coalition of local churches in several regions and the surrounding community. I was a problem solver who used every personal and business resource I had to assist my neighbors and community in their endeavors without cost. I tutored and mentored young people in school and churches. I was affectionately called, "our mayor" and known as the lady always with her dog, Prince Milo. I began to experience homelessness due to a medical condition. I am currently the Chairperson of the Ocean County DCA Advisory Board and a member of the DCA State Advisory Board. I also serve as a member of the HPAC Executive Committee. I completed the Garden State Leadership Program in 2019. I spoke before Congress at Monarch’s Congressional Reception in 2018. The purpose of my advocacy work and goals are to change every system that creates and sustains homelessness, address and alter every process that does not profoundly assist those that are experiencing homelessness, work with every agency and provider to be equipped to handle and make better every aspect and effect of homelessness, and to restore hope and dignity while creating a definitive path to a better future for all who experienced/experiencing homelessness.

Jennifer joined Monarch Housing Associates as a member of the Housing Planning Team in August 2023 where she consults with the Ocean County Continuum of Care in their strategic homeless planning efforts. Her work entails strategic planning, funding implementation, research, and data analysis. Jennifer’s prior work experiences inspired her to explore opportunities to get involved in advocating for more programs for the unhoused. Jennifer holds a B.A. in Human Services from Boston University and a Master of Social Work from Rutgers University

Atalia Howe is Senior Vice President of Program Management for CPC Climate Capital, a newly created subsidiary of the Community Preservation Corporation (CPC), a nonprofit affordable housing and community revitalization finance company based in New York City. Prior to this role, Atalia was the VP of Initiatives and Impact Investing at CPC where she oversaw CPC’s Sustainability Department, supporting CPC’s role as a leader in promoting sustainable buildings, as well as CPC’s Impact Investing business, which is focused on making triple-bottom line investments in support of CPC’s three overarching impact goals: housing affordability, reducing the racial wealth gap, and supporting the green economy. Prior to joining CPC, Atalia was a Sustainability Manager at EcoAct, a global sustainability consultancy, where she worked with businesses to develop and implement innovative greenhouse gas reduction strategies. Atalia has an MSc in Economic Development and Environmental Economics and a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations.

Ashton Jones, PP, AICP, CFM serves as Planning and Landscape Architecture Department Head at Remington and Vernick Engineers. Mr. Jones has over 20 years of experience in Delaware, Virginia, Illinois, Washington, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey. Working as both a municipal employee and consultant, Mr. Jones’s experience includes, but is not limited to, ordinance drafting, master planning, redevelopment planning, affordable housing, and public outreach. As related to New Jersey affordable housing, Mr. Jones’s experience includes guiding municipalities through Third Round compliance, drafting of Housing Element and Fair Share Plans, Trust Fund Monitoring, and serving under court appointed special masters.

Nethaniah Josma is the Program Manager for the Urban League of Essex County Opportunity Corporation, a special subsidiary of the Urban League of Essex County, specializing in community and real estate development. Ms. Josma has over eight years of experience in government regulations, banking, and community affairs and development. She is working to organize programs that will act as a supportive arm to a more just, equitable, and dignified state of urban affairs in New Jersey.

IyaSokoya Karade is the Founder & CEO of Mende Market Woman LLC. Mende Market Woman LLC was legally cemented after the murder of George Floyd. My activism coupled with my work in commercial and residential real estate spans over 25 years. I was compelled to act in a lasting and impactful way. As CEO of Mende Market Woman LLC, my personal commitment to impacting the landscape of the real estate and construction industry stems from my own housing insecurity growing up. Transient living was normalized for underinvested communities of color. But there was nothing normal about it. Unstable housing is systemic. Systems can be changed. It takes dedication, hard work, and resources. I use all my experience, skills, and drive to effect change. Mende Market Woman LLC (MMW) is focused on using the art of construction to beautify blighted living spaces and restoring financial benefit to historically neglected communities. Our building development and rehabilitation service customers target veterans, seniors, entrepreneurs, students and professionals who value efficiency, culture, and legacy wealth. As insured and bonded subcontractors, we fill in the gaps effectively and efficiently to get the project done. Collaborating with resource partners from all business sectors is the key to our success. I am a quality-of-life advocate relentlessly endeavoring to influence progress for our customers and the planet. Construction is my tool of choice. www.mendemarketwomanllc.com

Woo Kim is a principal in WRT’s planning and urban design practice. His work is focused primarily on neighborhood revitalization and the redevelopment of equitable communities. To date, he has planned for the development of thousands of affordable housing units nationwide, and has transformed communities large and small. He is adept at reaching minority/immigrant population groups, and building community capacity and trust. He speaks regularly at national conferences and his work is published in Planning Magazine and APA’s Zoning Practice. Woo teaches periodically at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Design.

Raquel Kooper is an Associate with Monarch’s Homeless Planning Team, mother of 3 beautiful children and a NJ native who has experienced homelessness. Raquel commits a lot of time to bettering her community on a CoC level as a member of her local, Morris County, NJ CoC Allocations Committee, Strategic Planning Committee & Advisory Board Committee. She is a firm believer in the power to fight for change and not stop until she succeeds. She is centered and intent on building compassion, disrupting status-quo systems, and helping to guide the transformation of the homeless system. Leveraging her own experiences, she advocates to amplify the voices and empower others to realize the life they envision for themselves.

Suzanne Korff joined the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) in 2019, where she serves as the Senior Policy Officer for Homelessness, and supports the work of the Interagency Council on Homelessness and the Maryland Balance of State CoC’s policy priorities and initiatives. She is responsible for overseeing the State's Youth Homeless Systems Improvement Grant, a HUD planning and partnership to increase Maryland's capacity to better serve youth and center youth voices in ensuring programs and services meet needs of youth at risk of or experiencing homelessness in their community. Suzanne was previously responsible for overseeing the State’s homeless services funding portfolio including the Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG), ESG-CV, and a portion of Maryland’s State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) set aside for homeless services. Prior to joining DHCD, Suzanne worked for Catholic Relief Services as a technical advisor on a global social services capacity building project. She holds a Master’s of Social Work from the University of Maryland, and a BA in Public and International Affairs from Princeton University.

Having grown up in poverty in Camden County, Renee Koubiadis has been an advocate and community organizer, helping disempowered populations use their voices towards social change throughout New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and nationally for over 21 years. Renee currently serves as Senior Policy Advisor for the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Division of Housing and Community Resources. Prior, she was the Anti-Poverty Program Director of New Jersey Citizen Action where she led the statewide Anti-Poverty Network as she had since 2016. She previously served as the statewide Advocacy Coordinator of the National Association of Social Workers – NJ Chapter (NASW-NJ) and prior to that the Assistant State Campaign Director for the Citizens’ Campaign, a New Jersey non-partisan movement of hundreds of citizens dedicated to innovative government reform and promoting citizen leadership. Renee is co-creator of Garden State Leaders, a leadership and advocacy institute for people impacted by poverty across New Jersey. In her various roles over the last two decades, Renee has educated thousands of people on issues of poverty, leadership, structural racism, and civic engagement. In 2017-2018, she served as co-chair for Governor-elect Philip Murphy’s Transition Team Housing Committee and in May 2020 was named to the New Jersey Restart and Recovery Advisory Council by Governor Murphy. Renee is a 2019 Lead New Jersey fellow and was recognized by New Jersey Citizen Action the same year with a Community Service Award. She currently serves on the Board of Trustees of the Movement Alliance Project. She previously served on the Pediatric Council on Research and Education Advisory Council of the NJ Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, as Steering Committee member of the Latino Action Network, and on the Board of the New Jersey Coalition to End Homelessness. Renee is a Licensed Social Worker in New Jersey and holds an MSW from Temple University and a BASW from Rutgers University.

Qariah Lucas is a Coordinated Entry Developer and Continuum Care Support with 5 years of experience in the social and homeless service field. Qariah started her journey as the first Youth Coordinated Entry Specialist within her continuum and moved on to becoming the Developer of the Coordinated Entry system in her county. Her passion and dedication to not only understand the system, but continuously improve the system is the motivation behind her contribution to homeless services. Ms. Lucas holds a master’s degree in public administration from Seton Hall University and two bachelor’s degrees in social work and criminal justice from Seton Hall University.

Michelle Manganello graduated in 2015 from Hunter College with her undergraduate degree in psychology. Michelle went on to study business administration at Georgian Court University and graduated with her MBA in December 2016. During this time, Michelle began working in the mental health nonprofit world. That is when she became a residential counselor at a group home for Bright Harbor Healthcare (formerly Ocean Mental Health Services) in Ocean County, New Jersey. In the group home setting Michelle worked with adults with chronic mental illness who were just released from psychiatric hospitals. Michelle stayed with agency and transitioned into a case manager role for an adult residential supportive housing program. Michelle learned how to assist clients with managing their independent living skills while navigating their mental health symptoms. In 2019 Michelle decided to go back to school for her masters in social work at Stockton University. Michelle then became a Community Support Services Coordinator, which started her involvement in Bright Harbor Healthcare’s PATH program. The purpose of the PATH program is to connect homeless individuals with mental health issues with permanent housing, benefits and additional support. While working with and leading the PATH program, Michelle embarks on several wood outreaches throughout the county. The intention of these outreaches are to assist those who are homeless living with the bare minimum and linking them with mental health resources, physical health care, financial benefits and most importantly housing. Michelle has also earned her LSW and provides individual psychotherapy at Bright Harbor Healthcare. Michelle has a passion for helping people and is willing to do whatever it takes for people to have an opportunity to live their best life possible.

Hi, my name is Melissa McLean. I was born and raised in Monmouth County New Jersey. I have 3 grown children and 2 beautiful grandsons. I became homeless after moving in with my Mom to care for her. About 3 years in she had to go into a nursing home and we had to sign the house over to Medicaid. It can happen to anyone.

Ann McNeill is an influential figure in the construction industry, currently serving as the President and CEO of MCO Construction, one of South Florida's premier African American female-owned construction companies. Since 1980, MCO Construction remains a leading black-owned firm in the State of Florida, specializing in construction management and project controls. Ann's visionary leadership has guided the company to work on numerous iconic projects in South Florida, including the Miami Airlines Arena, Marlins Ballpark, Miami International Airport, Miami Science Museum, Miami Children’s Courthouse, Riviera Palm Beach Police Station, Dallas Fort Worth International Airport, Hartsfield Jackson Airport in Atlanta, City of Riviera Beach Fire Station, and City of West Palm Beach Police Station. Ann has also found tremendous success as a speaker, coach, and author is deeply rooted in her ability to create a blueprint for success, assembling the essential materials to build a strong foundation for individuals to leverage their strengths. Recognizing the scarcity of women in the construction industry, especially female licensed general contractors, Ann was driven to create a network that would empower women in construction. Consequently, she founded The National Association of Black Women in Construction (NABWIC), dedicated to building a pipeline for black women in both the public and private sectors, supporting black women entrepreneurs, and inspiring young women to explore STEM fields, with a focus on the construction industry. Under Ann's guidance, NABWIC has evolved into a dynamic network of professional women in the construction industry who mentor each other and facilitate the transformation of contacts into contracts, epitomized by the "Billion Dollar Luncheon" held monthly. Ann's accomplishments have earned her recognition and media coverage, with features in Black Enterprise Magazine, USA Today, and ABC's World News. Furthermore, her commitment to excellence extends to her role on the Better Investing National Board. Ann also presides over MCO Consulting, Inc., a consulting company that specializes in outreach, monitoring, and compliance for private sector firms involved in public sector projects. Throughout her illustrious career, Ann has garnered numerous awards and honors, not only for her contributions to the construction industry but also for her dedication to community service. She serves as the President and Founder of the International Mastermind Assoc., Inc. and is an active member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and the West Palm Beach Rotary. Ann McNeill holds a Bachelor's Degree in accounting from Florida Memorial College (University) and a Master's Degree in finance from Barry University. Beyond her professional accomplishments, she is a loving mother to two remarkable daughters, Danelle McNeill and Ionnie McNeill, affectionately known as the "Baby Billionaire." She also cherishes her role as a grandmother to two delightful grandchildren, Malachi and Rajah-Nia. Ann's personal life is enriched by her marriage to her devoted husband, Daniel McNeill. In 2023, Ann McNeill achieved another significant milestone by becoming an inductee of the National Academy of Construction (NAC) and receiving the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) DEI Award, and now serves as the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) Palm Beach County, President. Further solidifying her legacy in the construction industry.

Nadia A. Mian is Senior Program Director of the Ralph W. Voorhees Center for Civic Engagement and a Lecturer at the Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. She holds a Ph.D. from The New School, and Masters in Environmental Studies, where she specialized in urban planning from York University in Toronto, Canada. Her research focuses on faith-based property development and examines how faith-based institutions are advocating for land use and zoning reform to build affordable housing. She is building a database that catalogues faith-based affordable housing developments across the country and is currently a Research Fellow at Villanova University where she is researching density bonus for faith-based affordable housing in Seattle, Washington. Nadia’s other research interests include placemaking, historic preservation, and environmental sustainability. Passionate about urban planning and community development, Nadia is a member of the Environmental Commission in Hanover Township, New Jersey and serves on the Board of Directors for The Mark Cares, a non-profit organization in Montclair, New Jersey.

Marcella Middleton (she/her), an exceptional visionary leader and esteemed CEO, is widely recognized for her profound expertise and unwavering commitment to advocacy. Residing in Durham, NC, she has devoted her life's work to revolutionizing youth-serving systems and empowering the next generation. With her own lived experience as a driving force, Marcella's journey is marked by a deep understanding of the challenges faced by young individuals. Her invaluable insights and personal encounters have propelled her to the forefront of the movement for positive change. Motivated by a passion to transform the landscape of youth services, Marcella utilizes her remarkable leadership skills to inspire and uplift those around her. Through her innovative strategies and unwavering dedication, she has emerged as a beacon of hope for young individuals striving for a brighter future. Marcella's impact radiates far beyond the borders of Durham. Her influence has reached national levels, where she has spearheaded initiatives and collaborations aimed at reshaping youth-serving systems. Her ability to forge meaningful partnerships and create lasting change has solidified her reputation as a trailblazer in the field. In addition to her CEO role, Marcella's multifaceted expertise encompasses various domains. As a motivational speaker, researcher, and advocate, she fearlessly raises awareness about the pressing issues affecting youth today. Furthermore, her extensive experience in training and providing technical assistance has equipped countless professionals with the tools needed to better serve young individuals and their families. Marcella's unwavering commitment to her cause stems from a deep-rooted belief that the present realities faced by young individuals are far too harsh to be ignored. Her tireless efforts to shift power dynamics and empower youth with lived experience have set a new standard in the field. With every step she takes, Marcella Middleton continues to redefine the possibilities within youth-serving systems. Her visionary leadership, coupled with her unyielding dedication, serves as an inspiration to all who have the privilege of working alongside her.

Susan Milan is the Director of Supportive Housing and Social Service Programs at Garden State Community Development Corporation (GSCDC), where she oversees the agency’s many Permanent Supportive Housing Programs, Coordinated Entry Program, Street Outreach and various other Homelessness Services. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with an MSW from Rutgers University and has over 25 years of years of experience providing clinical and administrative social work services to the Hudson County community. Before joining GSCDC, Susan was doing hospital-based social work focused on the HIV/AIDS community and from there developed a special interest in homelessness issues.

Siree I. Morris, a Project Reap Alum is a lifelong Newark resident who graduated from Rutgers University in 2005 with a degree in Civil Engineering. Siree was then hired as a Site Design Civil Engineer. Having designed for clients such as Walmart, Walgreens, Barnes and Nobles, Costco, Pathmark, Wegmans, Bed Bath and Beyond, Loews, Home Depot, Wachovia, Chase Bank, BJ’s and Stop & Shop, Mr. Morris has become proficient in the various aspects of land development such as site planning and layout, acquisition analysis, stormwater management, construction and development. Siree designed and obtained approvals for over 2,000 acres of raw land in New Jersey. Siree began to understand the importance of sustaining the marketability of a development through adequate property management and construction practices. As a result, in 2013 he strategically incorporated MCI Property Management and Construction, LLC. The vertically integrated company builds and manages properties throughout Northern, NJ. Siree is currently working on some of the most innovative projects in the state of NJ such as the first multi family home made from shipping containers in 2015. This project was featured in the Wall Street Journal. Moreover, in 2020 during the coronavirus pandemic, He converted a 6 acre demolished baseball stadium into America’s first black owned drive-in movie theater, Newark Moonlight Cinema. This drive-in was featured on NBC, ABC, Good Morning America, CBS, CNBC, NPR, BBC etc as it serviced over 30,000 customers in 4 months. Through his ventures he has provided over 100 full time jobs in the local community. His impact was featured in the Wall Street Journal, NY times, commercial observer and he was listed as a top person of color influencer for ROI-NJ for 2021. He approaches revitalization through the lens of economics, housing, employment and entertainment. The future looks bright as the MCI has 600 units scheduled to be developed in the next 5 years.

Tanika Moss, is a mother of four and the full-time care coordinator at the Heart of Hannah Women's Center in Clifton, New Jersey. She graduated with a degree in Human Services in May 2023. She joined the Passaic County Interagency on Homelessness (PCICH) in 2014 and was elected as executive vice chair of the PCICH executive board in 2020 as a person with lived experience, she is still serving as vice chair today. Prior to becoming an active member of PCICH, Tanika experienced PTSD and domestic abuse which contributed to her homelessness. She spent a lot of time navigating the homeless system while living in shelters with her children in an effort to find affordable housing. After a difficult journey, and a complex system, Tanika and her family had the good fortune to be eligible for a COC Housing Voucher. With her experience of the homeless system, she was tasked with the responsibility of establishing the Passaic County Lived Experience Advisory Board and is now the chair of the group. Tanika continues to support and advocate on behalf of the homeless community for the last 9 years and will continue to serve and stand in the gap for the most vulnerable people in the community.

Rachel Mulbry is the Director of Policy and Strategic Initiatives at the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation (PHDC), the non-profit arm of the City’s Department of Planning and Development. Rachel’s portfolio of housing programs includes two residential repair loan programs – one for homeowners and one for small landlords – and two rental assistance programs, including the City of Philadelphia’s first guaranteed income pilot, PHLHousing+. She previously helped lead Philadelphia’s nationally recognized Covid-19 emergency rental assistance program. Rachel has a bachelor’s degree from McGill University and a Master’s in City Planning from the University of Pennsylvania.

Sajan has had a 17-year career in impact investing, in which he deployed over $800 million in capital to a variety of community-based projects. These projects include affordable housing, school facilities, early childhood education facilities, health centers, and small businesses. He has supported the development, launch, and deployment of philanthropic impact investing programs representing over $300 million in capital invested in underserved communities and populations. In his time at Civic Builders, Sajan built a philanthropic-backed lending platform that delivered low-cost flexible loans to high performing nonprofit charter schools. Prior to joining Civic, Sajan was Market Director of the Mid-Atlantic and Central Regions at the Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF). In this role, he was responsible for lending production in DC as well as for LIIF’s expansion in the Southeast. At LIIF, Sajan lent over $300 million in capital for community development projects, including a $30 million fund dedicated to increasing healthy food access in food deserts. Before joining LIIF, he was a small business loan underwriter at Seedco Financial in New York City.

Ms. Pringle (Theresa) is a strong advocate in the Greater Newark Metro area community for those who are, and those in imminent danger of experiencing homelessness. In addition to working directly with individuals and families, Ms. Pringle also works with local, county, and state officials as part of her advocacy. She addresses their needs via outreach, engagement, and intensive case management and collaboration. Additionally, Ms. Pringle assists those who have newly-acquired housing opportunities, as well as those who remain housed with a retention program that she designed. “Make It Make Sense, Change the Mindset, Change the Outcome" not only describes how Ms. Pringle promotes advocacy but is also a copyrighted educational tool that assists service providers, faith-based organizations, and community leaders in assessing existing programs and developing new ones to achieve positive outcomes. The goal is to adjust legislation, provider services, and community mindsets to remove those barriers facing individuals. By sharing Ms. Pringle’s educational tool with training providers, they will be able to train individuals, empower them, and add value to their lives. Currently, Ms. Pringle serves on the City of Newark’s Homeless Commission, is an Advisory Board Member of the New Jersey State Division of Community Affairs, and is an Executive Board Member of Essex County’s Continuum of Care and Comprehensive Emergency Assistance System. Ms. Pringle is currently twice recognized in Who's Who of America, the first in the non-profit sector and the second in the professional women category. Ms. Pringle is the founder and President of Pringle's Pit Stop, a non-profit organization that addresses homelessness in the Greater Newark Metro area. She also is a service provider program designer and is a Maxwell Leadership Certified Coach, Speaker, and Trainer (as well as a 2024 recipient of the Maxwell Leadership Training Alumni Award). Ms. Pringle's service extends to the small business community where she is serving her second term as a National Leadership Council Member. One of the most important principles that Ms. Pringle can leave with you is the following: "When we make it make sense to change the mindset and outcome, we must not only acknowledge our strengths but have the courage to recognize our weaknesses. Doing so will help turn those weaknesses into strengths.”

Christopher Pugliese, Director of Housing Development, joined the Affordable Housing Alliance (AHA) in June 2021, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to the 501c3 organization. In his role, Chris is responsible for implementing and overseeing all current and future affordable housing development initiatives at the AHA. Previously, Christopher served as a Project Director for Conifer Realty for six years. During his tenure there, he successfully implemented and completed the development process for over 600 affordable and supportive homes across various locations, including New Jersey, Philadelphia, and Westchester County, NY. Conifer Realty is renowned for its extensive affordable housing projects throughout the Northeast and is recognized as the 5th largest owner of affordable housing in the country. Chris is from Monmouth County, where he was raised and where he previously contributed to the expansion of affordable housing units during his years of service with the City of Long Branch Housing Authority. All together, he brings over 15 years of experience in the affordable housing industry to the SHA Board of Trustees. With a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Christopher brings a well-rounded education to the role. Additionally, he has served as an Instructor for Rutgers University's Housing Authority Executive Director Certification Program, further highlighting his commitment to sharing his knowledge and expertise within the profession.

Rafael is a consummate professional with a wealth of experience in real estate development, real estate sales, and housing policy, complemented with his commitment to human services. Currently, he excels as the Continuum of Care Manager for the NJ-504 Newark/Essex County Continuum of Care, operating through the lead agency, Essex County Division of Community Action. In this pivotal role, Rafael is responsible for overseeing grant writing and administration, fostering provider collaboration, analyzing critical data to inform initiatives, and ensuring rigorous compliance with federal regulations. Rafael’s expertise is not limited to the realm of human services; he also brings a distinguished track record in real estate policy and development. He is adept at managing intricate projects and navigating complex regulatory landscapes. His deep understanding of housing policy equips him to address the latest trends and regulatory shifts that impact the real estate and housing sectors, positioning him as a knowledgeable advocate for capacity building and housing sector expansion. In addition to his professional achievements, Rafael is actively engaged with several esteemed organizations, including the National Association of Realtors and the Essex County Human Services Advisory Council. Through these affiliations, he continues to drive forward innovative real estate and community development initiatives, reinforcing his commitment to advancing both his field and his community.

Victoria, Director, Capital Solutions and Partnerships at Enterprise Community Partners, Inc., addresses complex social issues by strategically aligning resources and deploying innovative, catalytic capital. She oversees specialized technical assistance initiatives, resulting in long-lasting organizational capacity building for faith leaders, nonprofit organizations, and minority and women-led affordable housing developers. Victoria oversees the Enterprise NY Faith-Based Development Initiative, which provides faith-based organizations holistic support through trainings, tools, customized technical assistance, affordable housing consultants, predevelopment grants and capital. Victoria also leads mission driven investments with public, private and nonprofit stakeholders through the design, pilot and growth of social impact funds, such as the New York City Acquisition Fund and the Frey Fund. Victoria has extensive experience in affordable housing, community development, and real estate finance, having served as a senior loan officer for Enterprise Community Loan Fund, Inc. Prior to joining Enterprise, Victoria served as a deputy director at the city of New York’s Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), where her work focused on the preservation of thousands of units of New York City in rem properties.

Lasheema Sanders-Edwards is a published writer and advocate who earned a Master of Science in Psychology and Certification as a Peer Recovery Specialist. Before working at CSPNJ she experienced homelessness mental illness and substance abuse. Through a connection with the CSPNJ peer outreach team working with the NJ Transit Lasheema was able to access treatment and support and eventually become connected to a CSPNJ Wellness Center. She first volunteered there and became a wellness mentor working on various projects including the peer outreach team where she received support. In a short time, she became a Resource Specialist making connections in the community and finding her voice. She realizes she wanted to do more around advocacy, so she now serves on the board for P.A.M.I advisory council where she advocates for those individuals with disabilities. Additionally, she is a part of a Community Advisory Board working on a co-production research project with Dr. Meghan Deshais and Dr. Peggy Swarbrick, Rutgers University. Lasheema is also currently working with Dr. Swarbrick on preparing manuscripts describing the implementation of wellness model in peer support settings. Currently she is the Regional Coordinator for three CSPNJ community wellness centers where she is leading efforts to support people who are unhoused, and in need of mental health and recovery support using CSPNJ core values. She is very transparent about her lived experience in writing and on public forums. Lasheema has a true passion for her work and those she supports and uses her lived experience to connect and empower them to excel and realize their full potential.

Steve Schoch, AIA, LEED AP is Principal and Director of Housing for New Jersey’s leading multidisciplinary design firm, Thriven Design. Since he first joined Thriven (then called Kitchen & Associates) in 1984, Steve has been either the Lead Designer or Principal-In-Charge for residential development projects surpassing 50,000 units. Of that total, approximately two-thirds are ‘affordable’ homes – developed specifically for individuals and families with low-to-moderate incomes. His work is regarded as among the best examples of design for the disabled, and is held up as an example of excellence on a national level. He is known for integrating Supportive Housing in projects of all sizes and scales, and his influence as an advocate has helped institute fundamental changes in the NJ regulations that allocate funding for affordable housing – giving projects that integrate Supportive Housing into their communities a competitive advantage.

Meena Song is the Deputy Chief Legal Specialist at the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights (DCR). Meena has spent most of her career in the non-profit sector providing direct legal representation to individuals of low-income in housing, consumer and family law matters. Prior to DCR, Ms. Song spent several years serving as a Managing Attorney and two years as Litigation Director at the Community Health Law Project (CHLP) which provides legal assistance to individuals of low-income with disabilities.

Nora Sullivan, MDiv, MSW, is a PhD Candidate at the Rutgers University School of Social Work specializing in faith-based services for people experiencing homelessness. She has over seven years of practice experience in faith-based nonprofits, harm reduction, and homeless services. She currently serves on the outreach team of the New Jersey Harm Reduction Coalition and teaches in the Rutgers School of Social Work. Her dissertation assesses faith-based nonprofits operating Housing First programs.

Mimi Tanski has worked in homeless services, community mental health, and housing advocacy in Portland, Maine and Cambridge, Massachusetts. She completed her MS in International Health Policy and the London School of Economics, writing her dissertation on the effects of cash transfer programs in low- and middle-income countries on youth mental health. She is currently working as a research coordinator on the PHLHousing+ Project, a collaboration between the University of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Housing Development Corporation. The research team is evaluating the impact of a cash assistance program on housing and mental health outcomes.

Jon Tew is Policy Director of the Office of Policy and Innovation in the NJ Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services (DMAHS) where he oversees the 1115 Comprehensive Demonstration as well as other waivers of federal authority needed by NJ to run NJ FamilyCare, New Jersey's Medicaid program. He is a lawyer by training and prior to working at DHS worked at the Camden Coalition and prior to that, the Pennsylvania State Senate.

Jessica Torres, an MPA graduate from Seton Hall University with a focus on nonprofit organizations, boasts nine years of experience in homeless planning and human services. Beginning her journey as a youth volunteer providing essentials to emergency shelter residents, she now serves as the Continuum of Care Coordinator in Essex County. In this pivotal role, Jessica connects federal, state, and local government agencies with nonprofits and private partners to coordinate resources for at-risk and homeless low-to-no-income residents. Jessica’s comprehensive approach is centered in a holistic collaboration with various stakeholders like the county’s welfare system; medical and mental health providers; housing authorities and developers; law enforcement and the court system; boards of education and local universities; local and county One-Stops for employment and training; and food pantries to name a few through strategic planning and partnership. She's a staunch advocate for inclusivity of persons with lived experience and expertise and firmly believes in the collective strength of her team and partners.

Jasmin Velez is a Puerto Rican nonprofit leader based in Kensington, Philadelphia, with nearly a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector. She holds a Master of Arts in Anthropology and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at Temple University in Geography, Environment, and Urban Studies, where she is examining the impacts of gentrification and displacement in the Latine/x community. Throughout her career, Jasmin has dedicated herself to community education, engagement, and advocacy. Her work spans various community health initiatives, from vaccine education to environmental justice, community gardening, and land justice. She has been deeply involved in efforts that prioritize the voices and needs of marginalized communities, ensuring that underrepresented groups are empowered to participate fully in local development processes. Jasmin’s experience in community outreach has focused on bridging gaps across racial, cultural, and socioeconomic lines, fostering inclusive dialogue and organizing efforts that drive equitable change. More recently, she has taken on responsibilities in strategic fundraising, contributing to the sustainability of nonprofit organizations by securing vital financial resources through grant writing and donor cultivation. Jasmin believes in the power of organizing to create impactful and long-lasting change for communities. Her work remains rooted in a deep commitment to social justice and collective ownership, ensuring that the communities she serves can thrive in the face of challenges like displacement and environmental injustice. During her free time, Jasmin enjoys spending time in nature, gardening, and traveling.

Donald Whitehead is one of the country's leading experts on Homelessness, Substance Abuse and Racial Equity. Donald currently serves as the Executive Director of the National Coalition for the Homeless. Donald is one of the co-founders of Racial Equity Partners and a Homeless Veterans Advisory Committee member for the Secretary of the Department of Veteran Affairs. Donald's career includes 28 years of service that has spanned every facet of homeless service from outreach to Executive Director. Donald has served on many organizational boards, including two terms as President of the National Coalition for the Homeless, two on the Board of Directors for Faces and Voices of Recovery, and two on the Georgetown Center for Cultural Competency. Donald served two terms on The State of Maryland Drug and Alcohol Policy Council, The Baltimore Ten-Year Planning Committee to End Homelessness, Donald testified before committees in the 107th and 108th Congress and provide written testimony on multiple occasions. Donald, along with members of the staffs of the offices of Representatives John Conyers, Julie Carson, and Barbara Lee and the staff of the National Coalition, directed the creation and introduction of the "Bringing America Home Act, the most comprehensive legislation to date to address Homelessness in America. Donald received a distinguished service award from the Congressional Black Caucus for his work on Homelessness. Donald received a second award of Special Recognition from Congress in 2008. In 2020, Donald verbal testimony to the United Nations. In 2016, Donald and team housed 300 long-term chronically homeless individuals in central Florida. In 2020, Donald personally housed over 200 unsheltered homeless individuals in Prince George County, Maryland, at significant personal risk during COVID-19. Donald has recently appeared on the Dr. Phil show and has been interviewed numerous times in the printed media, radio, and television. Donald has been featured on CBS News, ABC News, FOX TV, CNN, MSNBC, and many local stations. Radio appearances have included CBS Radio, NPR, The Tavis Smiley Show, The Tom Joyner Morning Show, local stations throughout the US, and stations in Great Britain, Germany, Canada, and Mexico. Donald has been a dinner guest of former President Bill Clinton and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Donald majored in Communications and minored in African American studies at the City College of Chicago, The University of Cincinnati, and Union College and University in Ohio. Donald served as a Journalist in the United States Navy. On a personal note, Donald is a stand-up comedian and actor. Donald has performed in six movies, multiple commercials, stage plays, and network television shows and has received a regional Emmy for a role in the movie Open the Sky". Donald lives with his beautiful wife, Tracy Whitehead, in Laurel, Maryland.

Michael Williams is the Lead Policy and Research Specialist with the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY). He focuses on policy and strategy development for FHLBNY’s community investment programs, such as the Affordable Housing Program, which provides funding for affordable housing projects, and the Homebuyer Dream Program, which provides grants to first-time homebuyers. Michael is also the principal author of FHLBNY’s Targeted Community Lending Plan, which provides a detailed overview of the housing needs in New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Prior to joining FHLBNY, Michael was a member of Guidehouse, a management consulting firm, where he played a key role in managing operations for New York State’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Michael holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy, politics, and economics from the University of Pennsylvania and an MPA from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs.

Thomas Yu is the Executive Director of Asian Americans For Equality (AAFE) a 50-year old NYC-based community development organization serving the 1.3 million New Yorkers of Asian descent, and all those in need regardless of background. Under his helm, AAFE has achieved development of over 1,200 units of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families, provided crucial social services to over 35,000 individuals annually, assisted 10,000+ small business entrepreneurs with over $70 million of direct capital, and aided 5,000 first time homebuyers in achieving their American Dream with counseling and securing of $250 million in sustainable home mortgages. Thomas also leads AAFE’s grassroots policy advocacy, urban planning and infrastructure capital investment in AAPI and other communities, with a goal of advancing community revitalization through local arts and space activation. Thomas has served on various mayoral taskforces and had been a long-time member of Manhattan’s Community Board #3, specifically on the Parks, Waterfront Development, Landmarks and Housing committees. He has been named on the Schneps Media Manhattan Power List, and City and State Power of Diversity Asian American leaders list. Thomas is a director on the boards of Hester Street Collaborative and the Van Alen Institute, NYC non-profits which aim to use architecture and design to help NYC residents become civically engaged in community planning. Thomas sits on the New Market Tax Credit community advisory boards of Low Income Investment Fund and NYC Economic Development Corporation, and the community advisory boards of Valley Bank and Santander. He also was the past Board Co-Chair of National CAPACD. Thomas received a Bachelor’s Degree in Government from Harvard University and a Masters in Urban Planning from the New York University Wagner School of Public Service.

Elizabeth Zeldin is a director at Enterprise Community Partners, Inc. Elizabeth leads Enterprise’s Neighborhood Impact Program, which strengthens New York’s low-income communities by deploying capacity building, green, resilience and health focused solutions to affordable housing preservation. She has implemented an array of programs and has developed several new financing platforms to support the preservation of affordable housing. She is currently overseeing approximately $170 million of programs that boost the capacity of municipalities and non-profits throughout New York State to strengthen their communities. Elizabeth started at Enterprise in 2007 as a lending program officer, underwriting a variety of acquisition, predevelopment and construction loans, and has also underwritten several low-income housing tax credit transactions. Prior to joining Enterprise, Elizabeth worked at the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, HR&A Advisors, and the New York City Independent Budget Office. Elizabeth holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Rutgers University and a master’s in economics from New York University.