Alicia Alvarez is the Advocacy Coordinator at nourish.NJ, where she leads efforts to influence local, state, and federal policy in partnership with communities impacted by poverty and homelessness. She also serves as the Program Coordinator for Garden State Leaders, a statewide leadership program that equips individuals with lived experience to step into advocacy, challenge systems, and drive change from the inside out. Alicia is the co-founder of the New Jersey Homelessness Action Collaborative (NJHAC) and serves on the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs (DCA) Statewide Advisory Board. She chairs both the Morris County Continuum of Care (CoC) and the Morris County Lived Experience Advisory Board, pushing for decision-making tables to include—rather than exclude—the voices of those most directly impacted. Alicia doesn’t just advocate; she agitates, organizes, and builds. Fueled by both lived experience and policy know-how, she’s committed to flipping the script on who gets heard, who gets seen, and who gets to lead. Her work is about more than reform—it’s about reimagining systems with justice, dignity, and humanity at the center

Amanda Misiko Andere has spent over twenty years working in the nonprofit and public sectors as a leader committed to racial and housing justice through advocacy for systemic change. She is the incoming Co-President of Neighborhood Funders Group, a network of funders that mobilizes philanthropy to resource organizing and movements so that Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities and low-income communities thrive. She most recently served as the CEO of Funders Together for Housing Justice for ten years. Previously, she has served as the CEO of Wider Opportunities for Women, a national advocacy organization, and FACETS, a direct service organization in Northern Virginia. She currently serves on the boards of Equity in the Center, Bainum Family Foundation, and Leadership Fairfax, and is an appointed member of the Fairfax County racial equity roundtable.

Adenah Bayoh’s journey is not just a success story — it is a love letter to resilience, legacy, and the limitless possibilities that bloom when one woman dares to dream beyond survival. She was just 13 when she fled Liberia’s brutal civil war, leaving behind the only home she knew. With heartbreak in her past but hope in her future, Adenah arrived in the U.S. carrying no luggage, no money — only the unshakable belief that her life could be more. That belief was planted by her grandmother, a woman who ran a small restaurant in Liberia, feeding her neighbors with love and intention. That memory became Adenah’s compass. Today, that seed has grown into an empire rooted in purpose. Adenah is the proud owner of nine restaurants across New Jersey and New York, including three IHOP franchises . At just 27, she became one of the youngest IHOP franchisees in the country — shattering ceilings in spaces not built for her and creating seats at the table for others along the way. In 2017, she co-founded Cornbread , a fast-casual, farm-to-table soul food concept created to honor the traditions that shaped her. In 2021, she launched Brick City Vegan , a plant-based concept built for communities that are often excluded from the health and wellness conversation. Collectively they are a celebration of Black culture, family, and food that heals, proving that access and nourishment can — and must — go hand in hand. In 2023, she made history as the first Black woman in New Jersey to secure a 9% NJHMFA affordable housing credit — bringing deeply affordable housing to Newark’s South Ward, a community that raised her and one she continues to pour into. As a real estate developer, she is transforming abandoned spaces into vibrant community hubs. Her redevelopment of the former Irvington General Hospital is a bold step toward healing both buildings and neighborhoods, proving Adenah’s mission extends beyond the plate. But Adenah’s greatest legacy is not in buildings or businesses — it’s in people. What drives her isn’t profit. It’s purpose. It’s the young girls who look like her and wonder if they can dream big. It’s the single mothers, the immigrants, the underdogs — those told they were too poor, too Black, too different, too “other” to make it. To them, Adenah says: “Look at me. You can.” Every meal served, every apartment built, every job created is an act of devotion. A commitment to building a future where everyone — no matter where they come from — has the chance to rise. Adenah Bayoh didn’t just chase the American dream. She redefined it. And now, she’s creating it for others — one life, one business, one community at a time.

Rose Marie Bulbach is the Assistant Director of the Ocean County Department of Human Services. Since beginning her career with the department in 2001, she has worked across nearly all its units and has served as the Human Services Advisory Council Coordinator for the past 10 years. Rose has been instrumental in the creation of the Ocean County Homelessness Trust Fund, helping to expand critical resources for vulnerable populations. She also led the development of the county’s first Code Blue Warming Center, providing safe shelter for individuals experiencing homelessness during extreme weather events.

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.

Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli, Jr. has been a public servant for over thirty years. He is married to Laura and has seven children. Lou has been a practicing attorney since 1987. After serving on the school board in his hometown of Collingswood for six years, Lou spent another 10 as borough commissioner. He was first elected to the Camden County Board of Commissioners in 2003 and has been its director since 2006. Lou’s legal acumen is at the foundation of his work with the board and the primary driver of making positive public policy changes in finance, public health, and public safety issues here in Camden County. While helping to spur on economic growth and expansion in Camden County, Lou has also proactively addressed the safety of its residents by constructing the Camden County Police Department that has reduced violent crime by more than 50% over the last 10 years in Camden City and countywide. Under Lou, the county has upgraded and enhanced its emergency 9-1-1 system and created the Office of Mental Health and Addiction to take on two of the biggest challenges in our community. The Commissioner Director was also at the forefront of addressing COVID-19 and shepherding our community through the pandemic and the recovery after the public health emergency. Lou is partner in the law firm of Florio, Perrucci, Steinhardt & Cappelli, LLC. since 2008. Accolades for his career of county government service include having been awarded the South Jersey Freeholder’s Associations Southern Star Award in 2012 and being named the 2015 Public Sector South Jerseyan of the Year by the Walter Rand Institute for Public Affairs at Rutgers University-Camden.

Darrell Cason is a seasoned government leader and collaborator with over 15+ years of experience driving mission-focused operations driving program reform and improving housing outcomes. Darrell currently serves as the Deputy Administrator for Homeless Families within the Family Services Administration of DC Department of Human Services (DHS), where he oversees the management of the Family Emergency shelter system, implementation of the homeless prevention and emergency rental assistance programs as well as the Rapid Rehousing for Families program. Darrell began his career with DHS in 2007 as a Capital City Fellow and has served the agency in multiple capacities. Darrell is passionate about forging relationships and developing innovative solutions to better serve those in need.

DuEwa Edwards-Dickson is a recognized human services specialist with over 30 years of dedicated public services to the City of Trenton and the County of Mercer. During her tenure with Mercer County, she was a part of a brilliant team of public servants that developed a coordinated crisis response system to homelessness, housing thousands of vulnerable Mercer County residents. Currently, DuEwa is honored to serve in a new capacity with the Rescue Mission of Trenton as the Chief of Supportive Services overseeing emergency shelter and medical respite services, a community wellness center, permanent supportive housing, community sober living residences, and the food pantry. She is a lifelong Mercer County resident and serves as the Trenton committee person in her district. DuEwa also serves on the boards of United Way of Greater Mercer County, Younity and the Princeton Junior School. She is a member of Greater Mt. Zion AME Church and serves on the dance ministry. DuEwa is committed to improving the lives of marginalized and disenfranchised people, teaching and empowering people who find themselves in these experiences and improving their quality of life. DuEwa holds an MPA from Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and is a NJ Certified Social Worker. As the mother of 2 teenagers Layton Dickson and Cienago Eastman, she firmly believes that LOVE never dies and honors those whose shoulders she stands on by loving others freely.

Barbara Gonzalez is a Reentry Case Manager at Helping Arms in Trenton, NJ, where she supports individuals transitioning from incarceration with housing, employment, education, and mental health services. Drawing from lived experience, Barbara advocates passionately for justice-involved and unhoused populations. She is a Phi Theta Kappa honoree, a certified Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Advocate, and a recipient of the Soroptimist Women’s Award. With studies in psychology and business, Barbara brings both compassion and expertise to her work in homelessness advocacy.

Mr. Grof joined the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York (FHLBNY) in June 2023 as Director of Community Investment Strategy and became Community Investment Officer in January 2024. In this role, he helps the Bank develop a clear vision, establish goals, and effect a strategy for addressing the housing, economic, and community development needs of the FHLBNY District while supporting the Bank’s mission of helping members serve their markets and ensuring the Bank remains compliant with statutory and regulatory requirements. He works with the Board of Directors, Advisory Council, and senior leadership to lead, promote, and evaluate the Bank’s community investment products and programs. Prior to joining the FHLBNY, Mr. Grof spent 14 years at New Jersey Community Capital, a nationally recognized statewide Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI), serving as Deputy to the President, Director of Strategic and Social Impact, and Manager of Resource Development. Mr. Grof is a former Wachovia Bank/NJDCA Housing Scholar for the City of Newark’s Division of Housing and Real Estate and an AmeriCorps VISTA for New Jersey Community Development Corporation in Paterson. He received a B.A. in Political Science and German from Rutgers University and a Master of Public Policy with a concentration in Community Development from the Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy.

Lawrence Hammond is Senior Vice President, Director of ACCESS. In this capacity, Lawrence works closely with CPC’s senior leadership and Board of Directors to oversee all lending and other activities associated with the program. The Acquiring Capital and Capacity for Economic Stability and Sustainability (ACCESS) initiative which began in 2020, focuses on targeted investments in low-income communities and creating opportunities to empower black, indigenous and other people of color (BIPOC) in the real estate industry across New York State and the region. Under Lawrence’s leadership, ACCESS provides capital for predevelopment, acquisition, construction and permanent financing, and capacity building programs, as well as technical assistance and other supports to BIPOC developers as needed. CPC, through the ACCESS initiative is also partnering with New York State to help administer the Legacy Cities program. A $25 million program funded by the State, Legacy Cities seeks to transfer portfolios of blighted, land bank-owned single-family properties to local developers with a preference for M/WBEs. Following rehabilitation, sales will prioritize purchasers of color and low-income households. Mr. Hammond joined CPC as Vice President and Mortgage Officer in the New York City Originations Office in 2015, after more than 30 years with various financial institutions inclusive of Popular Community Bank, Bank of New York Mellon, and JP Morgan Chase Bank. At CPC, he has distinguished himself as an expert in affordable housing and multifamily finance, working with borrowers on some of their most challenging projects. As an ordained minister, Mr. Hammond has also focused on building relationships with, and advising faith-based organizations who are interested in developing housing as part of their mission to serve the community. Mr. Hammond earned a Doctorate of Ministry and Masters of Divinity from New York

Rebecca Hickom is the Director of Coordinated Access at Housing Forward. In that role, she leads the team that manages the Coordinated Access System for Dallas and Collin counties, which ensures that people experiencing homelessness are identified, assessed for their needs, referred to resources, and connected to housing. Rebecca also oversees the management of Dallas and Collin County’s homeless crisis response system including Coordinated Outreach and Street to Home efforts that address homeless encampments, and System-Wide Housing Navigation and Diversion. Rebecca graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology. She has over 13 years of experience working in the housing and homeless services field in both direct service and systems-level focused positions. Rebecca is passionate about building systems that provide our neighbors experiencing homelessness with equitable, accessible, and person-centered pathways to permanent housing.

Mark Horvath is a pioneering force in narrative change, revolutionizing how we perceive and address homelessness. With a background in leadership, marketing, and multimedia production, he brings a unique perspective to the issue. As the founder of Invisible People, a nonprofit utilizing video storytelling and journalism, Mark sheds light on homelessness, reaching millions every month. His authentic approach humanizes the stories of those experiencing homelessness, challenging societal perceptions and inspiring empathy. Through his work as an activist, filmmaker, and social media explorer, Mark turns his own experience with homelessness into a catalyst for social good, sparking a collective call to action for meaningful change.

I am a licensed social worker with over 25 years of experience in care management. My career began in the nonprofit sector, where I spent 14 years serving in a community-based mental health center. This work laid the foundation for my deep commitment to advancing equitable access to housing and behavioral housing services. After my years in direct service, I transitioned into leadership roles within Horizon NJ Health where I have continued to advocate for system-level improvements. Currently I serve as the Director for the Housing Medicaid Program, leading statewide initiatives that integrate care coordination, supportive housing, and Medicaid policy to promote long-term housing stability for members with complex needs. I am passionate about advancing equity, strengthening systems, and ensuring every individual has the opportunity to thrive in a safe and stable home.

Calla R. Ketchens, Esq., an attorney at Souder Law Group, specializes in corporate law, land use, finance, and litigation. She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies and French from Vanderbilt University (2011) and a Juris Doctor from Michigan State University College of Law (2017). Furthering her specialization, she earned an LLM in Banking, Corporate, and Finance Law from Fordham University School of Law (2020). Calla has notable experience with Deloitte's litigation team, where she contributed to patent litigation, contract disputes, securities litigation, regulatory compliance, and anti-trust litigation. She has expertise in data protection, U.S. privacy law, the E.U. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and Swiss Compliance. Fluent in French, Calla effectively communicates across cultural and language barriers, enhancing her ability to serve a diverse clientele. Her comprehensive understanding of her practice areas and her ability to navigate complex legal environments make her a valuable asset to her clients and the firms she represents.

Emma Kornetsky is an Assistant Director on the Homelessness & Housing team at the Harvard Kennedy School Government Performance Lab (GPL). In that role, she oversees the team’s work focused on homelessness prevention and staff capacity building, currently spanning projects in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Alameda County, California; and Detroit, Michigan. In 2024, she also led an applied 12-week data-driven decision-making training for CoC teams in New Jersey. Previously, as a member of the GPL Children & Families team, Emma directly supported Michigan’s Children’s Services Agency to pilot new upstream connections to community-based supports for families at-risk of child welfare involvement and to shift contracts and management of programs to be more data-driven and outcomes-oriented. Prior to joining the GPL, Emma led government relations for Philabundance, the largest hunger-relief organization in the Philadelphia region. Emma holds an MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management and a BA in Psychology from Haverford College.

Caitlin Krenn is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), educator, researcher, and passionate advocate working with children and families experiencing housing insecurity in NYC. Prior to joining The Door, Caitlin held positions in clinical leadership at Housing Works and Women in Need (WIN). As a National Policy Fellow with the Network for Social Work Management (2020), Caitlin’s research yielded a four-pronged model of civic empowerment in family shelters. In 2021, Caitlin was honored by Brooklyn Defender Services for her work advocating for the structured reunification of children and their parents living in temporary shelter spaces. While obtaining her doctorate at New York University (NYU), Caitlin represented her cohort as the NYU Urban Doctoral Fellow (2022), where she expanded her research to collaborate with other intersecting disciplines. Caitlin's work is internationally recognized, as she has demonstrated the profound need and essential benefit of unhoused civic empowerment for countless U.S. audiences and social welfare networks in Canada, Argentina, and Chile. Caitlin's devotion to growth and learning translates into teaching, as she has taught MSW courses at NYU's Washington Square (NYC) and Buenos Aires campuses. Caitlin elevates her work into advocacy, as she holds a seat on the Citizens' Committee for Children's (CCC) Advocacy Council. Caitlin's work has been published in various forms by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Press, the Journal for the Advancement of Psychoanalytic Empirical Research (JASPER) International, as well as organizational publications out of WIN and National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH). Caitlin holds a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) from Rutgers University, as well as a master's degree in social work (MSW) and a doctorate in social welfare (DSW) from NYU.

Brittany Odom is a homeless services and solutions consultant with more than 15 years of experience in the social services field. Her dedication to the cause of ending homelessness has led her to various homeless advocacy roles in DC, Virginia, and South Florida. Brittany strongly believes systems change requires meaningful engagement of those most impacted by barriers and social injustice, a thorough analysis of the impact of current interventions, design and implementation of audacious and innovative plans of action, and a strong emphasis on evaluation and continuous quality improvement. As such, she has dedicated her career to understanding the conditions that lead to and exacerbate the experience of homelessness and assisting communities across the country with reimagining and refining homeless response systems to produce better outcomes for the people served by the system. Her expertise in person-centered service delivery for vulnerable populations is derived from her work in both direct service and administrative roles contributing to the effort to end homelessness. Her in-the-field experience includes street and encampment outreach, emergency shelter intake and case management, residential services in transitional housing, and community case management for special populations including youth, elderly, and veterans. She has held Continuum of Care (CoC) administrative positions in coordinated entry system design and operations and possesses project management experience that includes the coordination of the annual Point-In-Time Homeless Count. In her recent position as a Senior Homeless Technical Assistance Provider with a reputable consulting firm, Britttany employed her extensive homelessness data collection and analysis expertise to assist communities with assessing the health and performance of their homeless response system and developing and implementing processes and practices aimed at housing people more quickly and stably. Brittany has provided training and technical assistance to more than 1,500 homeless services provider personnel in the fields of U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) compliance, encampment response, data analysis, coordinated entry, the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS), best practices in service delivery, personnel soft-skills, and strategic planning among many others. She has shared her knowledge on the national stage as a presenter at National Human Services Data Consortium (NHSDC) and National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH) conferences, presenting on topics including addressing unsheltered and encampment data collection and Coordinated Entry monitoring and evaluation. Her training and technical assistance delivery includes both virtual and in-person engagements in a broad array of geographically and demographically diverse communities including Dallas, TX, Tucson, AZ, and Nashville, TN among many others. In 2021, Brittany founded Brilliant By Design LLC (BBD), a multi-faceted media design, research and consulting firm. BBD is a certified woman- and minority-owned business in the state of Florida and Small Business Association (SBA) certified Economically Disadvantaged Women-Owned small business. BBD specializes in creating visual and digital solutions for growing businesses, providing training content development and delivery, research and program design and evaluation consultancy services for organizations. BBD design services include website design, brand development and marketing materials, and copyediting. Consultancy services include strategic planning, data analysis, needs and gaps analysis, policy development and implementation, training content development and delivery, program design, and fidelity reviews. In addition to her homeless services background, Brittany also spent three years abroad teaching social studies to children at an international school in Ghana, West Africa. Brittany is also co-founder and Assistant Director of Dennis Tennis Serving Love, a 501(c)(3) non-profit youth development organization providing underprivileged youth the opportunity to learn and enjoy the game of tennis. She holds a master’s degree in public administration from Barry University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from Michigan State University and a certification in web development.

Charles Oliver is the Founder and Chairman of CO Enterprises LLC, a 100% minority-owned development and Advisory firm established in 2018 that specializes in affordable housing and community outreach. Charles is known for his community relationships and community development work. He is a senior advisor to nonprofits like NAN Newark Techworld, New Hope Memorial CDC and a board member of St. James Social Services Corporation. Charles is the Vice President of the Sheila Y. Oliver Foundation as well. Charles holds a B.A. in Communications from Robert Morris University and an M.A. in Strategic Communications from Regent University.

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.

I am 58 years old and have lived in Atlantic City for the past 4yrs. I have a NYC pension as my means of money. I have been homeless here for about the past 2 yrs due to renting out 2 separate houses, one each year when I first arrived in 2021 and both landlords ended up in foreclosure. Since 2023 I have not been able to find housing, hence the homelessness. I have my pension for stays in hotels and food, but because of my bills and food, the hotel stays could only be a few days twice a month and the rest of the time I stayed on the streets. Thanks to Bring Veterans Home, I am happy to say I will be moving into my new apartment 8/1/2025.

Gavin Rozzi is the Director of the Division of Housing & Community Resources Data Center at the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, where he leads the division-wide strategy for data governance, analytics, and modern digital services that support housing, eviction prevention, lead-safety, and other critical programs. In this role he oversees an enterprise data warehouse, a portfolio of data products & interactive websites, and cloud-native platforms that convert raw information into actionable insights for policymakers and the public. Prior to joining DCA, Gavin built a reputation in New Jersey’s civic-technology community as the founder of several open-data projects and urban informatics research. His work has consistently focused on using technology and transparent data practices to strengthen public institutions and improve community outcomes.

Mr. Jay Rutherford is an Assistant Director for a nonprofit organization New Beginnings behavioral health and the founder of Life After Life, a nonprofit dedicated to mentoring youth and addressing issues such as crime and drugs. Mr. Jay Rutherford is Passionate about helping the less fortunate, Mr. Jay Rutherford focuses on providing job opportunities and housing for homeless individuals and those formerly incarcerated. After being incarcerated at 19 and spending 31 years in prison, Mr. Jay Rutherford has dedicated his self to self-education, earning a GED, and participating in various college courses and programs. He paid for while working institutional jobs. While in prison, he also became an accomplished chess player, even being featured in Sports Illustrated for chess in their chess tournament Upon his release on May 2, 2023, Mr. Jay Rutherford, established the Kings and Queens of Camden youth chess program and secured a position as Assistant Director at New Beginnings Behavioral Health. Mr Jay Rutherford is currently working on establishing sober living houses to continue his mission of ending homelessness and supporting those reentering society. Mr. Jay Rutherford’s journey is a testament to resilience, transformation, and the power of positive change. He is committed to leaving a legacy of hope and support for future generations, proving that it’s not what you go through, but what you grow through that defines your path. Mr. Jay Rutherford, Assistant Director of New Beginnings Behavioral Health, Founder of Life After Life Nonprofit.

Tosha Rutledge is a dedicated professional with over six years of experience in the field of addiction recovery, working closely with individuals facing challenges related to substance use and mental health. In addition to her work in mental health and recovery, Tosha has played a crucial role in connecting individuals to resources that support long-term stability, including securing safe and sustainable housing. Her work has helped countless people overcome barriers that once stood in the way of their recovery and well-being. Drawing from her own lived experience as well as generational experiences within her family. Tosha brings empathy, authenticity, and deep understanding to every interaction. Tosha has recently transitioned into a more impactful role where her reach extends beyond those who fit specific criteria she now supports anyone experiencing homelessness across Warren County. In addition to her work there, Tosha also serves individuals and communities in Hunterdon County, helping to ensure that people facing housing insecurity and recovery challenges are met with dignity, resources, and support. She currently serves as a board member on several local and regional boards, using her voice to influence policy and strengthen support systems. Tosha is passionate about being a source of change and inspiration, dedicating her efforts to uplifting those around her and creating pathways toward stability and hope.

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.

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

Jaclynn Trakalo is the Project Director of Bringing Veterans Home at the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs’ Office of Homelessness Prevention. With over 15 years of experience serving veterans, she is a Licensed Professional Counselor and holds degrees in Clinical and Counseling Psychology with a trauma focus. Jaclynn played a pivotal role in helping Philadelphia declare an end to veteran homelessness in 2015 and continued to lead collaborative veteran initiatives in the region through 2024. She brings this same collaborative, solutions-driven approach to New Jersey, advancing sustainable and replicable models to end veteran homelessness across the state and beyond.

Dan Treglia is an Instructor at the Rutgers Center for State Health Policy and is an Instructor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine. He is experienced in social and health policy and focuses much of his work on the intersection of housing, homelessness, and health policy. Dr. Treglia is Principal Investigator of a study funded by the Rutgers Equity Alliance for Community Health (REACH) to improve housing navigation for homeless families in Newark, NJ. He is also leading the evaluation of the housing component of New Jersey’s Section 1115 Medicaid Waiver. His portfolio includes work on a National Institutes of Health funded study examining the contribution of homelessness to racial/ethnic and geographic disparities in health services outcomes and how permanent supportive housing can mitigate those disparities. His work also involves public service, including work with the City of New York and other communities across the country focused on assessing the extent of unsheltered homelessness and building community capacity. Before joining the Center in 2023, Dr. Treglia was an Associate Professor of Practice at the University of Pennsylvania. He earned his PhD in Social Welfare from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy and Practice.

Bryan Woll is Director, National Programs at Low Income Investment Fund (LIIF). Bryan advises on, develops, and implements new programs and products, most recently in climate finance, including state and federal capital programs and related regulations. He also leads programs that combine special capital tools and capacity building for borrowers, including place-based community organizations and affordable housing developers. Prior to joining LIIF in 2022, Bryan practiced law at a large national firm representing clients in regulatory matters and commercial litigation. He maintained an active pro bono practice in state and municipal finance, housing, and poverty law. Bryan previously served in the New York City Office of Management and Budget, covering public and affordable housing, homelessness programs, and social services. He began his career at the Brownsville Partnership, a community organization in Brooklyn, where he served on the leadership team, led its housing work, and oversaw a team that served over 300 families facing eviction each year. Bryan has a law degree from New York University School of Law and a B.A. in economics from Georgetown University. He is a native of Pittsburgh, PA.

Kayla Zimmer is a seasoned nonprofit leader with nearly a decade of experience driving mission-focused operations and empowering teams. As Deputy Director at The Waterfront Project, she oversees organizational strategy, programs, and personnel management, having progressed through multiple roles of increasing responsibility. Kayla holds a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Leadership from Fordham University and is a HUD-Certified Housing Counselor. She is passionate about fostering inclusive cultures, developing innovative solutions, and improving community outcomes through collaboration, empathy, and strategic vision.