Regina Cannon is the founder of ARC4Justice and serves as President and Chief Executive Officer. She most recently served as Chief Equity and Impact Officer and Vice President of Housing Solutions at C4 Innovations where she is now a Senior Fellow. She has dedicated her career to being a vocal, active leader fighting for equitable policies, systems, and institutions and addressing marginalization of Black, Indigenous and people of color. Regina has more than 20 years of experience leading anti-poverty initiatives addressing homelessness, supportive housing, organizational transformation, criminal justice reform, community capacity building, and youth leadership development. She leads teams at ARC4Justice, C4 Innovations, and for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to embed racial equity principles in funding guidelines, housing policies, practices, and services. Regina conceptualized and launched a new HUD Initiative for Continua of Care focused on reimagining Coordinated Entry Systems that achieve racial justice and is now in the second round of that Initiative. She and her teams also work one on one with organizations and community coalitions across the country to develop strategic goals centered in equity and justice and accountability policies to ensure those goals are met. Previously, Regina was Southeast Director for Corporation for Supportive Housing where she worked with communities to transform systems of care into data-informed and performance-driven systems that provide safe, sustainable housing to those experiencing homelessness. She managed a large portfolio of initiatives across multiple sectors including Frequent User Service Enhancement (FUSE) Initiatives with health care and criminal justice partners, Moving On with public housing authorities, and Supportive Housing Development with non-profit organizations and local developers. Regina has developed and managed Mental Health and Drug Court programs as well as Restorative Justice Board programs for young adults engaged with the criminal justice system. Her work with youth and young adults is extensive. Regina created youth internships and trained youth in Kingian Nonviolence and Community Organizing across the United States and on the African continent. In 2019, she was selected as an Annie E. Casey Foundation Children and Family Class 11 Fellow. Regina was an Assistant Professor at Bennett College and Adjunct professor at North Carolina A&T University. She delivers keynotes on racial equity and justice across the country and is the host of the mini-podcast series, Morning Cup of Equity.

Eric is Fair Share Housing Center’s Deputy Director who joined as Director of Community Engagement in 2012. Assisting the Executive Director in all aspects of FSHC daily operations and strategic planning, Eric also focuses on development, advocacy and communication, policy, and coalition building in order to bring about racial, economic and social integration. Eric is an ordained minister, and holds a B.A. from Temple University in Religion. He has extensive experience working with diverse audiences and communities and specializes in interfaith outreach. He is the Co-Founder of Open Communities LLC, a racial integration consultant firm that works to resolve simple and complex conflicts of race, ethnicity and socio- economics. Eric also founded a non-profit focused on youth development and education, Planting Seeds of Hope, and in 2008 served as the PA Clergy Outreach Director for the Obama Campaign.

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.

Alicia’s work and advocacy has helped identify existing barriers to housing people experiencing long-term homelessness and voucher recipients. Through this work, Alicia participated in a Community Based Participatory Action Research project as a Community Researcher, which resulted in the county developing a Landlord Incentive Program. She is currently a member of the DCA State Advisory board and sits on several Continuum of Care Committees, including the Executive Committee, Allocations Committee, Coordinated Assessment Placement System Committee, and Chairs the Advisory Board for People with Lived Expertise. Alicia also completed the Garden State Leaders Advocacy Program which led to an internship with CSH, advising on the New Jersey Housing First work and now serves as an Americorp Vista for the Shelter Providers Consortium and is the Social Media Manager for the NJ Coalition to End Homelessness. More recently Alicia is the new Landlord Liaison for nourish.NJ creating programs with little to no barriers and helping house individuals. Alicia has shared that “having the opportunity to do this work and serving on these committees has ignited a fire inside me and allowed me to find my voice. It is my mission to help others find theirs; through our stories and experiences, we can work together to help bridge this gap in the system.

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.

Over the past years, Pam has grown within Collaborative Support Programs of New Jersey (CSPNJ) from a housing support worker to our 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 believer in 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 services and outreach programs developing and implementing peer led low barrier services in Hudson and Essex counties by accessing a variety of state, federal and local funding streams. These programs include the Hudson County Warming Center, Housing Navigation, and homeless Outreach services in Hudson, Essex, Bergen, and Monmouth Counties. Pam continues to provide leadership to a variety of programs including our first supportive housing project Life Starts in Jersey City, our Outreach partnership at NJ Transit stations with the NJ Transit Police as well new Street Outreach initiatives in Monmouth and Bergen County. 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.

Lynn is the Executive Director of the Housing Authority of Bergen County, the 5th largest public housing authority in New Jersey, and it’s non-profit real estate development arm, the Housing Development Corporation of Bergen County. In these related capacities she provides policy implementation and operational direction to a workforce of 90+ employees. The operational portfolio of both agencies includes over 4000 rental vouchers and 950 units of rental housing including HUD Multi-Family, HUD 202, RAD, and LIHTC units, as well as the administration of the Bergen County Housing, Health and Human Services Center – the County’s 90 bed emergency homeless shelter. She holds a Batchelor of Science from the Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Administrative Science from Fairleigh Dickinson University. In her over 30 years of experience in affordable housing she has developed over 1000 affordable units and is responsible for oversight of maintenance and compliance with long-term affordability controls. She is a Certified Housing Development Finance Professional and a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Compliance Professional. A member of Bergen County’s Continuum of Care Leadership, she has also served on several local non-profit boards promoting and expanding affordable housing opportunities for the community’s most vulnerable households.

Brittany Brakenhoff is an assistant research professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Center for Children, Families, and the Law (UNL-CCFL). She received her PhD in Couple and Family Therapy from the Ohio State University. She has provided therapy and outreach/advocacy services to youth experiencing homelessness. Additionally, she has co-authored peer reviewed journal articles and book chapters focused on evidence-based interventions for youth experiencing homelessness and families impacted by substance use disorders. In her position at UNL CCFL she works with the Nebraska Balance of State Continuum of Care and the City of Lincoln Continuum of Care.

Candy Brewster is the Director of the NJ HMIS division at NJ Housing & Mortgage Finance Agency. She began her social work career in the non-profit world working with wrap around services for children and families. She quickly learned that without safe and stable housing, families found it nearly impossible to overcome everyday challenges. Migrating to local government, Candy became immersed in the world of planning and funding allocation processes as they pertained to housing and prevention services. Candy was involved in the emergence of the Continuum of Care model and the adoption of the HEARTH Act principles at the local level. Candy and the team at NJ HMIS work to elevate the critical role good data in the mission to prevent and end homelessness.

Jazmen Britt, a proud native of Asbury Park, New Jersey, has dedicated much of her adulthood to community service, housing advocacy, family, athletics, and public policy. Born and raised in the heart of Asbury Park, Jazmen's upbringing instilled in her a deep sense of local pride and a commitment to making a difference in the community. After graduating from Asbury Park High School with honors, Jazmen embarked on a journey of higher education that would lay the foundation for her career in social work and housing advocacy. She pursued a dual major in psychology and social work at Kean University, honing her understanding of human behavior and societal dynamics. This academic journey not only expanded her knowledge but also fueled her passion for helping those in need. During her professional career, Jazmen dedicated an impressive decade of her life to residential management, creating safe and supportive living environments for individuals and families. Jazmen’s firsthand experiences in this role strengthened her resolve to advocate for affordable housing solutions, a cause she remains deeply passionate about. In a significant career move, Jazmen joined the Affordable Housing Alliance as a Residential Services Coordinator. In this pivotal role, she plays a vital part in the organization's mission to provide affordable housing opportunities and services to the community. In addition to her professional pursuits, Jazmen is actively involved in addressing homelessness and housing issues at both the local and state levels. She serves as a dedicated member of the Monmouth County Continuum of Care (CoC) Advisory Board, as well as the Statewide CoC Advisory Board, where She provides valuable insights and expertise to shape policy and initiatives aimed at ending homelessness. Furthermore, Jazmen is known for her dedication to the local youth community, serving as a cheerleading coach for a local AYF league (American Youth Football), where she inspires and mentors young athletes to reach their full potential. Beyond her professional commitments, coaching role, and advisory board service, Jazmen is a devoted parent to two wonderful children, adding an extra layer of fulfillment and purpose to her life's journey. Jazmen's life journey is a testament to the power of education, compassion, and dedication to effect positive change. Her work in the field of affordable housing and homelessness advocacy, alongside her contributions to the development of young athletes and her unwavering commitment to family, community, and public policy, continues to inspire others. As Jazmen continues to make a meaningful impact in her current role and advisory board service, her dedication to creating a brighter, more inclusive future for the community and the state remains unwavering. Her story serves as an inspiring example of how a lifelong commitment to service, athletics, family, public policy, and community can transform lives and communities alike.

Dr. Rebecca Bryan is a nurse practitioner with decades of nursing experience who is now the Executive Director of the NJDCF Office of Resilience – her dream job! She has earned a 60-week certification in trauma competence from Lakeside Global Institute, has helped organizations shift to a trauma-informed culture, and had a consulting business through which she offered resilience workshops to frontline workers throughout the pandemic. Dr. Bryan has been an adjunct faculty member at the University of Pennsylvania and Rutgers University-Camden and has published articles about positive and adverse childhood experiences in peer-reviewed journals.

Michael Callahan is the Director of the Office of Homelessness Prevention at the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. He is a data scientist, social worker, and a civil tech evangelist working with the interdepartmental team to address and end housing insecurity and homelessness in the state. 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, predictive analytics, and the democratization of housing policy. 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, a unit of Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences. He is widely published on issues of health equity with a focus on health insurance coverage and health care delivery for high need populations. Dr. Cantor is currently leading a major study of long-term impacts of permanent supportive housing on healthcare utilization and spending among Medicaid beneficiaries experiencing homelessness. He also leads the New Jersey Population Health Cohort Study, one of the most comprehensive investigations ever conducted of the impact stress over the life course on health and wellbeing.

Nichele J. Carver, Senior Regional Advisor, US Interagency Council on Homelessness (USICH), has 26 years of experience leading teams in the mental health and homeless services sector. She led Virginia’s homeless services system through the COVID-19 pandemic and ensured access to safe shelter for people experiencing homelessness during the implementation of stay-at-home orders. During her tenure, Virginia decreased overall homelessness by 34% and was the first state to functionally end veteran’s homelessness. Nichele previously served as the co-chair of the Council of State Community Development Agencies’ national homeless committee, is a nationally recognized speaker on racial equity, and is committed to uplifting the voices of people with lived expertise. She was named one of the Virginia housing field's top 40 under 40. She has a bachelor's in psychology from Virginia State University and a master's in rehabilitation counseling from Virginia Commonwealth University.

David Cummings is the 4th Ward Councilor of Montclair, New Jersey. As a Montclair native, he has strong ties to the community he credits as one of the building blocks of his foundation for public service. Cummings has a long history of volunteering in the Community that represents a dedication to children and residents in need. He has served as Vice Chairman of the Montclair Neighborhood Development Corporation, the oldest social service agency in the Township. He is a former member of Montclair Public School Board of Education, the Montclair Parks & Recreation Advisory Committee and the Policy Committee of the Montclair Neighborhood Childcare, the townships local Head Start early childcare center. A 1985 graduate of Montclair High School, Cummings is a 1989 graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. At Morehouse Cummings political activism was nurtured from the very first day on campus when the Rev. Jessie Jackson led a voter registration drive of the entire freshman class of students that comprised the Atlanta University Center, which consists of Morehouse, Spelman College, Clark Atlanta University and Morris Brown College. The first vote he ever cast was for Senator John Lewis. During his time at Morehouse, Cummings worked part-time for the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), the non-violent civil rights group started by Dr. King and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution covering local high school sports. After graduating, he started career in communications as a sportswriter at the Lexington Dispatch in Lexington, North Carolina. He also worked for the Clarion-Ledger in Jackson, Mississippi, New York Times, New York Daily News, The Miami Herald and ESPN The Magazine. He is currently the Senior Director of CBS Sports Race & Culture Unit. As the 4th Ward Councilor in Montclair, Cummings serves on the Finance Committee and Public Safety Committee. One of his main priorities is supporting the Township’s Unhoused Population. He has brought together a coalition of over 30 local organizations with the goal of finding permanent housing for Unhoused residents of Montclair. He is married to Kimberly Cummings. They have three adult children, David Jr., Elizabeth, and Katherine. The latest addition to the family is their Shi tzu, Penelope.

In July 2023, Liz DeCoursey was named the interim CEO of Morris Habitat for Humanity, headquartered in Randolph, New Jersey. Prior to becoming the interim CEO, she served as the organization’s COO and VP of Real Estate, serving as the key advisor to the CEO. DeCoursey started with Morris Habitat in 2006 and has played a key role in growing the organization from a less than $1M organization to an over $10M organization using her experience as a business owner to develop partnerships and oversee operations with a focus on process improvement and technology. Early in her tenure with Morris Habitat, DeCoursey was tapped to lead the organization’s property acquisition activities and develop a pipeline for future Habitat home building projects. Her past experience with environmental consulting gave Morris Habitat the edge to successfully navigate acquiring and developing properties that other developers avoided. In 2020, she played a key role in acquiring another Habitat affiliate in the Middlesex County and greater Plainfield service area, nearly doubling the affiliate’s service area. DeCoursey has worked with dozens of municipalities and their professionals in negotiating deals to develop projects to assist the municipality with its Mt. Laurel obligation and providing homeownership opportunities to hundreds of families. DeCoursey is an accomplished leader who has worked tirelessly behind the scenes with a professional team of attorneys, architects, engineers and planners to secure land use approvals, often having to advocate for affordable housing during the process. She has testified in front of countless municipal governing bodies, and planning and zoning boards, and has testified before the NJ State Housing Committee in Trenton. Since 1985, Morris Habitat has served over 620 local households with homeownership, Neighborhood Revitalization, Home Repair and Aging in Place programs through collaborative and innovative efforts in the greater Morris County area. In 2023, Morris Habitat will have 54 homes under construction and plans on repairing or preserving 100 homes. Internationally, Morris Habitat has supported housing solutions outside the U.S. serving an additional 375 families. To help fund programs and keep usable items out of landfills, in 2007, the ReStore and subsequently an e-commerce retail business were started. With nearly twenty years’ experience in the affordable housing sector, DeCoursey has served on the board of directors for several local organizations and has served as a panelist and presenter at numerous conferences. She graduated from County College of Morris with an associate degree and graduated Magna Cum Laude with a BS in Business Administration from Centenary College and inducted into Alpha Sigma Lambda for her academic excellence.

Geleen Donovan, Executive Director, Family Promise Union County, has over 20 years of experience in nonprofit management and development and for the past 9 years, has been employed as the Executive Director for Family Promise Union County, which is part of the Family Promise National organization, located in Union County. Family Promise is a national leader in providing diverse and innovative emergency shelter, housing, and services to families and individuals who are experiencing homelessness. In Union County, Family Promise partnered with the Union County Department of Human Services and the Union County Commissioners to pilot one of the first Shelter Diversion Programs in the State of New Jersey. We offer compassionate and dignified assistance to all who ask for help. Geleen has a passion for serving people in need and considers herself a social justice warrior, first and foremost.

Kellie Donovan is an Executive Vice President at Soldier On, a national non-profit, committed to ending veteran homelessness. Kellie joined Soldier On in 2012 as a case manager for the Supportive Services for Veterans Families (SSVF) grant. She was promoted to Field Supervisor in 2013 and became Executive Vice President in 2017. Kellie supports SSVF staff in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Kellie is part of the Soldier On development team and works on developing permanent affordable housing for veterans from pre-development planning including partnering with for-profit development and management companies, collaborating on tax credit applications, and liaising with government agencies to the building and development phase all the way through to tenant move-in. In addition to her role on the development team, Kellie oversees the integration of case management, supportive services, and community partnerships in Soldier On’s permanent housing facilities in New Jersey and New York including the award-winning Gordon H. Mansfield Veterans Community in Tinton Falls, New Jersey, which features 70 units of affordable housing for veterans and a hydroponic greenhouse. She specializes in hiring staff, new program development and implementation, and grant compliance. Prior to joining Soldier On, Kellie worked for Congressman Chris Smith in his District Office handling constituent case work. Kellie completed her degree in Political Science (BA) from the University of Connecticut and has a master’s in Organizational Development and Leadership (MS) from Saint Joseph’s University. She is also an Associate Certified Coach. Kellie lives in New Jersey and has two children.

Danielle has been in the mental health field for 16 years and is a Licensed Professional Counselor, National Certified Counselor, Certified Clinical Trauma Professional, Approved Clinical Supervisor and EMDR Certified Therapist. She is currently the director of St. Francis Counseling Service in Ocean County, an organization that specializes in providing trauma focused services to victims of crime, particularly sexual violence. Danielle's experiences in the field are diverse, including interpersonal violence, crisis mental health, substance abuse and co-occurring services, child protection work, in-home therapy, and private practice, primarily working with couples. Danielle has a multitude of areas of interest, including but not limited to, substance abuse, supervision, social justice, crisis work, trauma-focused counseling, and perinatal mood and anxiety disorders. When she is not working, you can find her hiking in upstate New York with her five year old son and her husband or hanging out with her chickens and her dog in the backyard.

Mabel is no stranger to the world of service. She has worked in the social services field for over 42 years with agencies such as the Newark Police Department, East Orange Child Development Corporation, Somerset Clinical, Essex Clinical, Brighton House and the YMCA of Newark and Vicinity. During her extensive career, Mabel has serviced numerous and varied populations, including individuals and families faced with substance abuse, seniors, battered women, HIV / AIDS clients, individuals receiving public assistance, clients of the Prison Reentry and Juvenile Justice Systems, Senior population, Division of Child Protection and Permanency formally known as (DYFS) Essex/Passaic/Hudson County Youth Service Commission and other Care Management Organization (CMO) clients. For the past twenty-five 25 years, Mabel has been employed at the YMCA of Newark and vicinity. She began her career there as a part time Emergency Residence Counselor and then worked her way up to her current position of Vice President of Housing and Social Responsibility. She has also been a Housing consultant for the past 10 years. Mabel’s career high accomplishments include: • In 2005 she opened a Youth Emergency Service Program (Youth Shelter) housed on the 6th floor of the Newark YMCA • In 2006 The YMCA of Newark & Vicinity under Mabel’s leadership received the Homeless Collaboration Assistance Award of Excellence from Essex County • In 2012 the YMCA of Newark and Vicinity received a Continuum of Care (HUD) Shelter Plus Care (S & C) Grant for a sixteen-unit Supportive Housing Project. Over the years Mabel has worked with several Housing Developers to open several Supportive Housing projects. Mabel’s mission is to put a dent in homelessness by developing more Permanent Supportive Housing. To continue to improve the lives of homeless men, women, and children through local planning efforts and through the direct housing and service programs. She strives to illustrate her value by improving accountability and performance. With her passion enacted she is encouraged to continue to strive for excellence in the fight against homelessness in all community. Mabel has been known to say “if you lose the passion for the job that you do, then it’s time to move on to something else that will bring you joy”. After forty-two (42) years in social services and Development she still has the passion and love for all the populations she serves.

I currently work as a Community Health Worker for Passaic County after working 6 years in an anti-hunger nonprofit. I am certified ACEs Interface presenter through the NJ Office of Resilience. My passion is helping community heal through education and being open about my own healing journey.

Co-Founder and Owner, Southside View LLC Professor, Essex County College. As an educator and therapist, Octavia Frazier-Porter sees how housing and community development can bring wellness to Newark residents. She is currently an Adjunct Professor at Essex County College, which has allowed her to pursue her passion for community organization and youth development. Previously, Octavia worked at a Newark Public School as a Director of College Counseling, and she has experience in the nonprofit and community development sectors. Octavia grew up in poverty in Brooklyn, NY, and that experience has given her valuable insight into affordable housing and a passion for developing the modern and cost-effective housing that the Newark community deserves.

Kris Freed has over 25 years of experience in homelessness and housing policy development, creative and innovative strategies, program design and implementation, system operation and evaluation. Kris previously served in an executive program role for one of the largest service providers in Los Angeles for over 23 years. Since 2015, Kris has been brought in by many of our industry’s leading experts to assist with projects which focus on providing training workshops, program/system reconstruction, and evaluations. Kris is recognized as a specialist in designing homeless services and was integrally involved in the development, implementation and roll-out of the Family Coordinated Entry System (CES) in Los Angeles—the first coordinated system in LA. She is often called upon to by leadership to talk through ideas and asked to share her strategies to make improvement to the system. Since 2014, Kris has been a member of the Continuum of Care Board, which is responsible for oversight of $140 million dollars of federal funds. Additionally, Kris sat for several years on the CES Policy Council which is responsible for setting policies and procedures for how the system operates within Los Angeles County. Some of the strategies that Kris has been able to move forward at these tables include the newly adopted “Transfer Policy” or what she likes to call, the Upstream/Downstream Policy. This policy ensures those that we have housed into the wrong intervention can easily move into the right intervention without having to return to homelessness. Kris also lifted the need to create specificity within staffing roles to ensure we are meeting the needs of participants at each stage of the housing process. She is also known, as the “Leverage Queen” ensuring that we more strategically utilize our resources while building in the supports that teams need to be successful. In her agency role, Kris leverages her analytical and managerial skills to effectively manage over $60 million dollars in budget, 425 staff and over 80 contractual requirements. Kris sees it as her responsibility to coach and mentor her team (and partners) to build the institutional knowledge that is needed at every level of the complex homeless services sector. She also understands the need to bring on and develop smaller agencies looking to move into homeless services. Several of those organizations now take on direct funding contracts and are seen as leaders in this work. During her tenure as chief program officer she created the Service Planning Area (SPA) Steering Committee for the region she oversees, as well as mentored her neighbor SPA to do the same. This committee is responsible for bringing leaders across all sectors of the region, to collectively set goals to end homelessness together. Kris serves as the Chair of her region and Co-Chair of her neighboring SPA. Kris understands the that trust, transparency, equity and inclusion create the pathway for people to work together. She used those skills most to bring the all of the politically charged elected offices in her region (6 council offices, 2 supervisorial office, and 7 cities) to the table with providers to work together to create a better and more inclusive system. Kris is a person with lived experience that truly understands just how important housing is to helping people recover. She is committed to improving the quality of life for people in crisis, She holds a BA in Sociology (CSULA) and a Master’s in Public Administration from California State University, Northridge. She will often say, that what’s more important than any degree is common sense paired with empathy—to which she brings to every part of her work.

Amy Gillman, who joined the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) in 2017, is a senior program officer with the Foundation’s work to promote healthy, more equitable communities. She leads work on community development and affordable housing as key strategies for advancing RWJF’s vision to build a national Culture of Health, with a focus on promoting pathways for more equitable investment that is driven by community priorities. Previously, Gillman was a national program director at the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), the country’s largest community development financial institution, where she focused on integrating health and wellbeing into neighborhood revitalization efforts and managed LISC’s healthy retail food and early childhood facilities financing activities. Prior to LISC, she held several positions in social welfare policy and international community development in N.Y. and Washington, D.C. Gillman earned a BA from Wesleyan University and a master’s degree in public and private management from Yale University.

A seasoned finance and community development professional, Darryl serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the New Jersey Redevelopment Authority (NJRA), a multi-million dollar independent financing authority created by the state of New Jersey to transform urban communities through direct investment and technical support. In this capacity he oversees internal operations as well as works with municipalities, real estate developers, community organizations, and businesses to assist in providing financing to redevelopment projects in underserved neighborhoods. Since joining NJRA, Darryl has worked to increase the authority’s impact and expand its reach. To this end, he has played an integral role in the authority applying for and receiving New Market Tax Credits from the federal government. These tax credits provide subsidies for commercial and retail redevelopment projects in low-income communities. In 2014, NJRA received its first ever tax credit allocation of $20 million. Upon receipt, Darryl spearheaded the effort to deploy these subsidies to critical economic development projects in Camden and Newark. Most notably, NJRA leveraged these credits to close a funding gap for the nationally acclaimed Ray and Joan Kroc Center in Camden, which ultimately led to the successful completion of this project. Before joining NJRA, Darryl served as the Executive Vice President of Brick City Development Corporation (BCDC), an autonomous community development entity created by the City of Newark to spur economic development. In this role, he led the management team that was responsible for providing capital to the underserved small businesses. During his tenure, he successfully negotiated the establishment of a $4 million fund provided by Prudential Insurance for small business financing, leveraged $10 million in financing from Small Business Administration lenders in order to provide funding to small businesses, and created a technical assistance program that trained over 600 startups and entrepreneurs in effective business plan development. Darryl began his career in banking where he spent over 15 years working for some of the nation’s largest financial institutions including JPMorgan Chase, GE Capital, Commerce Bank, Banco Popular, and First Fidelity Bank. During this time, he rose from a commercial lending officer to a Vice President of Commercial Lending. Darryl earned his undergraduate degree from Rutgers University where he is currently completing his Master of Public Administration.

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.

Susan Grossman is a senior underwriter for Enterprise Housing Credit Investments, LLC. In this role, she underwrites and closes low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) investments in New Jersey, Ohio, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Delaware, West Virginia, Kentucky, Florida, Georgia, and Puerto Rico. She has underwritten a range of projects including family, senior, special needs, lease-purchase, and scattered site projects. Susan joined Enterprise in 2020 but also worked for Enterprise in the 2000s. She has also worked for a community loan fund underwriting a variety of community development projects. Susan has a bachelor's degree in applied mathematics and economics from Harvard. When she is not working to support Enterprise’s mission, she can be found enjoying the outdoors kiteboarding, mountain biking, surfing, or snowboarding.

Elaine Helms is the CEO and Founder of Helms Medical Services, an inclusive & diverse family medical group providing primary care and Medical Addiction Treatment (MAT) services to residents of Essex County and surrounding areas, NJ; the Executive Director, and Founder of LGBT RAIN Foundation, a supportive housing facility dedicated to helping young LGBTQI adults who are homeless and in need of emergency shelter, supportive services and permanent housing. Elaine is also Co-founder and CEO of Helms and Elmore Equality Housing, a supportive housing development and property management company. A born leader and visionary, Elaine is a dedicated and highly focused professional with over 16 collective years of experience in community service, LGBTQI advocacy, housing, and health care services. A survivor of 9/11, Elaine founded Helms Medical Services after a threat to the level of quality in services through her own experiences. Shortly thereafter, Elaine set out to follow another passion, which addressed a major issue in the LGBTQI community—housing and homelessness. In 2013, Elaine founded HBP Reaching Adolescents In Need (RAIN) Foundation d/b/a Essex County LGBT RAIN Foundation—the only shelter in the State of New Jersey that was created exclusively to house young adults who are homeless, and identify as LGBTQI. In 2017, under the Victims of Crimes Act (VOCA), and with the help of community partners, Elaine, launched, LGBT SAFE Zone, a supportive service program funded by the New Jersey Office of the State Attorney General, which provides social services for victims of crimes, such as sexual assault, domestic violence, human trafficking, and bullying who identify as LGBTQI. Through integrated solutions, RAIN offers educational & financial responsibility resources, as well as wraparound services to include substance abuse, case management, mental health counseling, basic life skills, group sessions and activities; all under the framework of trauma-informed care. Through LGBT Safe Zone, Elaine aims to accomplish the mission of RAIN by assisting young LGBTQI adults with devising and executing individual service plans to enable them to develop healthy relationships, access vocational training, as well as secure employment and stable housing. In 2017, Elaine partnered with the City of Newark to create New Jersey’s first LGBTQI permanent supportive housing apartment building with supportive services. Elaine put together a team of leading housing developers and consultants to help with this mission. RAIN, under her leadership, received a funding award from COC (HUD) and City of Newark home funds, FHLNY, and the County of Essex Home funds to help sphere off the project. The project will house 11 homeless individuals who identify as LGBTQIA+ and who may have a disability. The units will provide safe, decent, and affordable supportive housing, allowing residents to become independent and self-sufficient. Under Elaine’s leadership the LGBTQI community in the State of New Jersey will gain another safe space to call home without prejudice.

Eda is the Founder and Managing Principal of Henries & Co. Henries & Co. provides capital advisory and strategy execution support to growth-stage companies. The team at Henries & Co. is energized by category-defining companies and entrepreneurs who build with purpose and legacy in mind. Eda has 15+ years of entrepreneurial, advisory and investment experience in the U.S. and Africa and has executed capital markets and M&A transactions with an aggregate value of over $8 billion. Her past roles include Principal at an early stage investment firm, Vice President in Citigroup's Investment Banking division and co-founder and operator of food service and agribusiness ventures in West Africa. She is a Georgetown and Columbia Business School alumna, Trustee of the Emmanuel Baptist Church in Brooklyn, NY and an executive board member of the Brooklyn Kindergarten Society. Website - Henries - HENRIES (wearehenries.com)

Jeanne Herb is Executive Director of the Environmental Analysis and Communications Group at the Rutgers University Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy. Her work intersects health equity with social determinants of health, environmental sustainability, state and local public policy, and inclusive, participatory decision-making. Jeanne co-directs the New Jersey Climate Change Resource Center at Rutgers and leads stakeholder engagement on the National Science Foundation Coastlines and People regional initiative. Prior to joining Rutgers in 2010, Jeanne spent 20 years at the state Department of Environmental Protection where she led programs related to environmental health, environmental justice, sustainable development, and climate change. Jeanne is a member of the Healthy New Jersey 2030 Advisory Council, the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Education Foundation Board of Trustees, and the Reinvestment Fund’s Building Healthier, More Equitable Communities initiative. She is a graduate of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Culture of Health Leaders Program and the Rutgers Leadership Academy.

Qaasim Johnson affectionately known as “Q” is a devoted man of faith who is passionate about his family and being a positive example to his community. “Q” is a 20-year resident of the Jersey Shore and most enjoys spending time with his wife Lakisha, and two daughters, Qaajae and Ajiah. “Q” is the Director of Housing Operations with Asbury Park Housing Authority, a licensed real estate agent, and a long-standing servant at Triumphant Life Church (Asbury Park/Oceanport). “Q” has overcome many adversities in life and those experiences along with his faith have fueled his desire and commitment to inspire and encourage others to be the best version of themselves. Q’s motto is to be P.E.P – Positive, Enthusiastic, and Persistent.

An Associate on the Homeless Planning Team at Monarch and a proud mother of 3 extraordinary children, Raquel is centered and intent on building compassion, disrupting status-quo systems, and helping to guide the transformation of the homeless system. Leveraging her expertise by experience, she combines relationship building and human-centered approach, to consult Continua of Care (CoCs) in their efforts to combat and end homelessness. Raquel is actively serving on multiple advisory boards and committed to leading the establishment of new advisory boards across the state. She strives to bring about evolutionary change at the systemic level. She believes that addressing root causes and tackling intersecting issues, together we can take action to ensure a nurturing environment for the next generation.

As Genesis’ Managing Director of Development, Nicole draws on over 25 years of industry acumen in the public and private sectors to finance complex housing developments for the firm. In this role, Nicole crafts and executes affordable, mixed-use, and mixed-income real estate development projects involving Year 15 re-syndication, conventional debt, taxable and tax-exempt bonds, LIHTCs, RAD, and a range of other public and private funding sources. Prior to joining Genesis, Nicole served as a Senior Developer with Pennrose Properties and as a Development Manager for the Philadelphia Housing Authority, the country’s fourth largest. Before that, she worked with lenders, municipalities, and nonprofits across the country and in Puerto Rico as a consultant with Community Development Services. Nicole currently serves on the Board of the New York Real Estate Chamber (NYREC), a CPC ACCESS Program Advisory Board Member, and as an Advisory Board Member with NYU’s Furman Center. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Rice University and a Master of Science of Real Estate Development from Columbia University.

Paul L. McEvily, Executive Director and Board Member, Interfaith Neighbors, Inc. Mr. McEvily joined Interfaith as a volunteer December 1998. He was named Executive Director June 2018 with oversight responsibility for enterprise-wide operations as well as the strategic direction for this community-based, not-for-profit providing services to the less fortunate throughout Monmouth County. They have a particular focus on community and economic development initiatives, development of affordable housing for the benefit of low-to-moderate income households, and the revitalization of distressed neighborhoods in communities served by Interfaith Neighbors. Mr. McEvily was formerly employed by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York and held various executive-level positions during the course of a twenty-three-year career. Responsible for the design, construction and subsequent management of a 420,000 s.f., state-of-the-art, operations center designed to support a fully secure, 24-hour a day, 7-day a week work environment encompassing data center operations, valuables handling and administrative functions. Member, State-wide Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit Task Force; Member, Executive Committee, Monmouth County Homeless Systems Collaborative; Member, Board of Trustees, Mary Owen Borden Foundation; Member, Board of Trustees, Asbury Park Arts Council; Member, Board of Trustees, Second Life Bikes, Inc.; Member, Board of Trustees, Carmel Connection Foundation.

Sadie McKeown, President, The Community Preservation Corporation. A seasoned leader with 30 years of history at the company, Sadie McKeown is President of The Community Preservation Corporation (CPC). In this capacity she leads the development and implementation of CPC’s growth strategy and oversees all of the company’s field offices, its construction lending, initiatives, and its equity and impact investing platforms. Sadie also works closely with the President of CPC Mortgage Company, CPC’s Agency mortgage lending subsidiary, to align all of the company’s products and tools under the CPC brand. Sadie brings an eye toward collective solutions to her focus on addressing the capital challenges facing disinvested communities. Having harnessed dozens of municipal tools and public subsidy programs to drive affordable, sustainable multifamily development and economic revitalization, Sadie has developed a passion and skill for aligning private resources and government priorities for impact and change. Across a decade of executive leadership at CPC, Sadie has been a driving force in the company’s growth and success. Sadie built and continues to lead CPC’s sustainability platform, focused on driving higher performance, resilient, healthier housing and creating economic opportunity in disadvantaged communities. Under Sadie’s leadership, CPC is administering the $250 Million Climate Friendly Homes Fund, aiming to electrify 10,000 units of housing in partnership with New York State. Sadie oversees the ACCESS fund to strengthen and support black and brown developers and real estate entrepreneurs and previously led the development of the organization’s Agency lending arm, CPC Mortgage Company, bringing a CDFI approach to the mortgage banking space. Sadie’s insight and passion are informed by two decades of experience as a CPC loan officer, driving originations in neighborhoods to create positive economic change and earning a reputation for collaborating with local stakeholders and partners to revitalize Main Streets. As a board member of the New York State Housing Finance Agency, New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and New York City Energy Efficiency Corporation (NYCEEC), Sadie works to align climate and affordability in the multifamily space. Sadie also acts locally, serving on the Housing Affordability Taskforce in Tarrytown, where she lives.

Breann McKlin-Ndiaye, Lead direct support specialist Hi my name is Breann I go by Bree I’m 33 yrs old I have 2 boys 6 and 2 and I love life most days when I can afford it lol, I love art and music and one day hope to open my own program and finish nursing school! I know good things are coming. I’m fun loving and love to see the Good side of everything even when it’s not ideal! But I hopeful I’m favored by a higher power!

Nadia A. Mian, PhD 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. Her research focuses on urban policy, redevelopment, housing, sustainability, and neighborhood change. Her latest research examines zoning reform to increase housing supply on faith owned property. Her work has been published in Planning Magazine and Shelterforce. Passionate about urban planning and community development, Nadia is a member of the Economic Development Advisory Committee and Green Team in Hanover Township, New Jersey.

Kyra joined Monarch Housing as an intern in January 2023 and as an associate in June 2023. She recently graduated Rutgers University’s Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy with a B.S. in Urban Planning & Design and a minor in Environmental Planning. Housing is a human right which for decades has been put out of reach for historically marginalized communities. Explicitly acknowledging and redressing this discriminatory history is crucial to addressing systemic racism and economic injustice on a broader scale. In the pursuit of a socially, economically, and racially just society, the voices of these communities should be the loudest; Kyra aims to amplify them through every avenue of her work. At Monarch, she works to develop plans, programs, and policy recommendations through a racial equity lens, guided by the input of diverse individuals with personal experience with housing development and homelessness. She is thrilled to play a role in the vast network of organizations and individuals working towards a more equitable future as a member of Monarch’s team.

Kay Moshier McDivitt is a Senior Technical Assistance Specialist with the Center for Capacity Building at the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH). Ms. Moshier McDivitt has more than 20 years’ experience working to end homelessness using a housing first approach. As a Technical Assistance Specialist, she develops and delivers training and technical assistance on best practices, including rapid re-housing, diversion and problem solving, emergency shelter, housing first, and building a crisis response system. Additionally, Ms. Moshier McDivitt developed the Alliance’s Learning Collaborative Model of training to help both rapid rehousing and emergency shelter providers across the Continuum of Care build their capacity and adopt best practices. Before joining the Alliance, Ms. Moshier McDivitt served as the Community Homeless Advisor for the Lancaster County (Pa.) Coalition to End Homelessness, providing leadership for the continuum’s work to end homelessness. She also served as Vice President for Programs for Tabor Community Services Inc., during which time she oversaw a number of model program initiatives focused on ending homelessness, including targeted prevention, housing first, and rapid re-housing approaches. Ms. Moshier McDivitt received her degrees in Social Work and Sociology from Eastern Mennonite University.

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.

My name is Theresa Pringle, known as Ms. Pringle. I have certifications, received awards, and have news articles relating to and about me on various areas of homelessness, but that’s not important. What is most important for you to know about me is that through the many trials and tribulations of various levels of homelessness seen and unseen and closed doors that come with the title of residents without addresses I have made a forever commitment to fight. I fight through advocacy, hands-on service, and the generation of proactive solutions for those individuals and families without a lease and key with their names on it to be the voice of service through opportunities like these a real time chance for folk to get on their feet and stay on their feet. Ms. Pringle - The Janet Jackson of homeless prevention and housing stability, “What have you done for me lately?”

As Invest Newark’s CEO, Randolph leads an organization whose mission is to advance economic prosperity for all Newarkers through supporting business growth, developing real estate, and working to ensure affordable and reliable high-speed internet for all who desire it. Providing opportunities for others to flourish is a goal he has upheld throughout his career. Randolph joined Invest Newark after serving as an Executive Director of Chase Community Development Banking where he worked to grow and revitalize neighborhoods in New Jersey and New York. Earlier in his career, he was a Vice President of Development at the New York City Housing Development Corporation, one of the country’s biggest issuers of multi-family affordable housing bonds, and was a Senior Loan Officer at the Low-Income Investment Fund, a leading Community Development Finance Institution. During his career, Randolph has closed over $1B in financing that has resulted in the construction or rehabilitation of thousands of affordable housing units and the creation of hundreds of charter school seats. Randolph serves on the boards of Greater Newark LISC and Monarch Housing Associates. He is a life member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and has participated in numerous panels discussing affordable housing and community development. He is passionate about helping communities of color close achievement gaps in wealth creation, educational outcomes, and business success. Randolph grew up in New Jersey and resides there with his wife and three children. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from Hampton University, an MBA from Northeastern University, and a Master of Divinity degree from Virginia Union University.

Katelyn Ravensbergen first joined the Homelessness Planning Team at Monarch Housing Associates in May 2012. Through her work, Katelyn has gained extensive experience in data analysis, strategic planning and funding implementation while keeping the goal of ending homelessness in the forefront of her work. Katelyn holds a B.A. in Psychology from Rowan University and a Masters of Social Work from Rutgers University.

Tracy Rogers, Sr. Director of Development, The Rogers Firm Education : Wheeling University Major in Political Science and Minor Finance The Rogers Firm, Director of Development : Building Inclusionary development 140 town homes in Swedesboro New Jersey Consultant to Newark Central Ward, Councilman Darren Sharif 85 percent of the redevelopment (2010 -2014) in the state occurred in the Central Ward of Newark Brought the first large chain supermarket to the city 30years Built first Minority Owned Charter School to Newark. Built 3 Senior Housing Development in the Central Ward Over 2000 units of market rate Housing to Newark in the Central Ward. Continental Airlines 20 years Manager Air Cargo Manager Cargo Management Troubleshooter Local Housing Advocate in Asbury Park New Jersey A group of city residents advocating for housing equity formed the Asbury Park Affordable Housing Coalition. Comprised of Tracy Rogers, Derek Minno-Bloom, Felicia Simmons, Pam Lamberton, Kris Hlatky, Jennifer Lewinski, and Doug McQueen, the group is asking: What if our low- and middle-income community members – including teachers, firemen, restaurant workers and artists – are not priced out or displaced from Asbury Park. The Asbury Park Affordable Housing Coalition, wrote an Affordable Housing Ordinance for consideration by the City Council of Asbury Park, led the fight for rent control in Asbury Park and discovered the city of Asbury Park mismanagement of millions dollars COAH Funding for affordable housing.

Jill Schlossberg is a Licensed Professional Counselor with 16 years of clinical experience in both mental health and addiction-based therapies. Jill began her career volunteering with Real House in Montclair, NJ. Jill then worked with Preferred Behavior Services providing assessment and short-term counseling with those involved with The Division of Child Protection and Permanency. Following her time at Preferred Behavior Health Jill persuaded a career with the Department of Justice working with the Federal Bureau of Prison in Fort Dix, NJ. It is here where Jill was able to find her passion for promoting mental health services for those that are justice involved. Jill continued her path with justice involved clients and took a role working with Integrity House at their Hudson County Correctional Center location. In 2017 Jill took on a new role working in the field of Peer Recovery with Community Health Action of Staten Island as an Associate Vice President of their 24/7 Next Step Resource and Recovery program. In this field Jill worked closely with the Richmond County District Attorney’s Office, NYPD and Northwell Health, providing community-based services. During this time Jill found her interest and passion with working with Harm Reduction based recovery support services. She is currently the Director of Peer Support Services for the Mental Health Association of New Jersey in Hudson and Union County NJ working closely with those who are looking to increase their wellness. Jill received her Bachelors in psychology at the University of Scranton and her Masters in Counseling with a specialization in Addictions from Montclair State University. When Jill is not working full time, she operates a small private practice providing one on one therapy to those across the state of NJ and PA.

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.

Marc Shi MD MSc AAHIVS is a primary care provider who works and resides in the Bronx, NY. Originally from Toronto, Canada he completed a Masters of Science in Evidence-Based Social Intervention and Policy Evaluation at the University of Oxford, UK where he wrote a Masters thesis on the health impacts of housing interventions, before completing his medical training at the Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. He moved to New York for a residency in Primary Care and Social Internal Medicine at Montefiore Medical Center/Albert Einstein College of Medicine. He currently practices primary care and HIV medicine at a Federally Qualified Health Center with a particular interest in the care of people who are unstably housed, and is the on-site medical provider at a supportive housing site in the Bronx. He has been involved in local community organizing around affordable housing and housing justice since his time in Baltimore, and currently works with the New York Doctors Coalition and the Northwest Bronx Community and Clergy Coalition around issues of housing justice and community control.

Marcus Sibley, MSW is an Environmental & Social Justice Activist with a deep and profound commitment to equity and progress. The Newark, NJ native began his career as a family therapist, after receiving undergraduate and graduate degrees in Social Work at Rutgers University. For the next fifteen years he toured the country empowering audiences via keynote addresses and music as a Speaker, and as a Poet/Hip Hop Recording Artist with the stage name Walkin Contradiction. Today his commitment to community and change are actualized in his roles as the Chair of the New Jersey Progressive Equitable Energy Coalition (NJPEEC), the Environmental & Climate Justice Chair for the historic Southern Burlington County NAACP, and the NY/NJ/CT Director of Conservation Partnerships for the National Wildlife Federation where he also works with the NWF International Team on the International Equity Project. Mr. Sibley is also a member of the Cancer Free Economy National Building Power Strategy Team, the New Jersey Reparations Councils where he serves on the Health Equity Committee, and a host of other social justice and environmentally focused councils and boards. The Immediate Past President of the Southern Burlington County NAACP Branch and former NAACP NJ Environmental & Climate Justice Chair is also a consummate proponent of education and outreach. This recipient of various environmental advocacy and social justice awards, most recently Executive of the Year, Social Action, and Changemaker Awards, has been featured on numerous national, regional and local television stations, FM & AM radio programs, and magazine and newspaper articles both in print and digital publications with a feature in New Jersey Monthly Magazine as the most recent. Marcus Sibley takes great pride in his various roles and responsibilities, but unequivocally acknowledges that his role as his daughter’s father is, and will always be, his most important job.

Maisha Simmons is the Senior Director of New Jersey Grantmaking at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The largest philanthropy in New Jersey and the largest focused on health in the nation, RWJF works alongside others to build a national Culture of Health that provides everyone in America a fair and just opportunity for health and well-being.

Luis Ulerio was appointed by Mayor Ras J. Baraka as the Director of the City’s Office of Homeless Services in early 2022. In this role he oversees the Mayor’s Office of Homeless Services, its programs and activities, and leads the Mayor’s initiatives and projects that aim to end chronic homelessness in the City. Earlier this year, his office launched Newark's first Homelessness Strategic Plan. This plan was developed with support from consumers, community partners, business leaders, and stakeholders and focuses on key strategies that will reduce street homelessness, improve the shelter system, and expand housing. Born and raised in Newark, Luis has over 15 years of experience in government and nonprofit leading housing and homeless programs and initiatives. He is the former Director of the New Jersey Housing Collaborative, a statewide housing initiative formed in 2017 by the New Jersey Department of Health to address homelessness in impacted communities in New Jersey. Previously, he managed various supportive housing programs in Newark as the Director of Housing for the AIDS Resource Foundation for Children and led several housing initiatives and programs during his tenure at the Newark Housing Authority. He currently serves on the Executive Board of the Essex County Homeless Continuum of Care (CoC) and is a member of the Essex County Homelessness Trust Fund Task Force.

Zakiyyah Wilson is a New Jersey native and mother of 3 amazing children. She serves on the Board for Monarch Housing. She is also a licensed real estate agent with a commitment to helping others in need and an advocate for the homeless and under serviced population.