HOUSING ACTION - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Capacity Building Specialist
Bibian Cristino (she/her/ella) joined Housing Action Illinois as Capacity Building Specialist in August 2013. She has more than fifteen years of experience in housing programs. Bibian is responsible for the coordination, management, and implementation of housing counselor programming. This includes creating and facilitating trainings as well as advising agencies on how to build their capacity, expand their programs, comply with HUD regulations, and provide the best possible guidance to renters and homeowners. She has helped multiple agencies create new housing counseling programs and become HUD approved. Bibian is the FHA Coordinator for Housing Action's Intermediary network, and the training coordinator for Housing Action's HUD Housing Counseling Training grant. She created Housing Action Illinois' Fundamentals of Rental Housing Counseling curriculum and co-created the Home Counseling Online (HCO) Made Easy training. She contributed to the creation of the Rental Assistance Housing Counseling Toolkit, published by HUD in 2018, and joined the team presenting the toolkit to a national audience.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of ZION Development Corporation
Bob Campbell is the executive director of ZION Development Corporation in Rockford. Mr. Campbell re-joined ZION in early 2015 after spending ten years leading the Rockford Area Affordable Housing Coalition/HomeStart. He led the Coalition through a merger in 2012. Mr. Campbell was previously the construction manager at ZION, and he currently serves on the board of the Midtown District and has previously served on the Community Investment Advisory Council at the FHLBC. Mr. Campbell volunteers in additional community activities.
Job Titles:
- Policy Director
- Policy Director for Housing Action Illinois
Bob Palmer (he/him), Policy Director for Housing Action Illinois, has more than 30 years of experience in housing organizing, advocacy, training, and finance. He joined Housing Action in September 2002. He has spearheaded successful campaigns to create and fund a state rental subsidy program for extremely low-income households, secure money for affordable housing in Illinois' capital budget for the first time, pass state legislation protecting homeowners and renters during the foreclosure process, and protect state funding for homeless service providers. Recent wins include new rules and funding protecting children in Illinois from lead poisoning, state law protections for homebuyers considering rent-to-own contracts, getting more than $300 million in federal funding dedicated in the state budget for COVID-19-related emergency rent and mortgage assistance, and working with partners to pass statewide "source of income" fair housing protections.
Bob was on the board of the National Low Income Housing Coalition between 2013 and 2022. He holds a certificate in Urban Housing Development and a Masters Degree in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago. He earned his B.A. in Psychology from Beloit College.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of Respond Now
Carl Wolf has been the Executive Director of Respond Now since June 2006. During that time, he has expanded the agency to include SNAP Outreach, a Permanent Supportive Housing program, Rapid Re-Housing, and Housing Counseling services, as well as maintaining its Homelessness Prevention and Food Pantry work. He has worked in social services since 1998. His experience includes working with migrant farmworkers in job training and education services. He has also worked in job training programs in Gary, IN. Carl received his Masters in Social Work from IU Northwest in 2005, and his board experience includes previous service as chair of the Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County, as well as current membership on the boards of Sojourner Truth House in Gary, IN and the First Unitarian Church of Hobart, IN. Carl lives in Hammond, IN with his wife of twenty years and two teenage children.
Cornell D. Lurry, Sr. serves as a Regional Community Development Relationship Manager for Midland States Bank, with the primary responsibility to develop and maintain relationships with community centers of influence in the bank's market for institutional support of community economic development solutions. Mr. Lurry has 20 years of financial and management experience, which includes customer relations, call center eccentrics, business banking, employee development, financial planning, regulatory compliance, sales, and training with extensive consumer and residential lending platforms. He received his Associate's Degree from Joliet Junior College and an undergraduate degree from the Chaminade University of Honolulu in Hawaii with a Bachelor of Science in Management and Marketing, and he is pursuing his Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree at the University of St. Francis.
Daniela "Dani" Sanchez joined Housing Action Illinois as an AmeriCorps VISTA Leader in 2023. Prior to this, they worked for two years as a VISTA for a non-profit on the west side of Chicago that co-designs spaces for young people to empower themselves. The position helped them to develop leadership, communication, and project management skills as a member of the programming team; developing a program manual, and as a marketing and communications coordinator; working to raise the organization's profile on social media. As their mother loves to say, "Learn what you can, you'll always find a use for it" (Aprende lo que puedas, siempre le encuentras uso).
Job Titles:
- Director of Capacity Building
David Young is Housing Action's Director of Capacity Building. He oversees our Capacity Building program, which helps members better serve their communities through staff development and programmatic improvement, and the Housing Action Illinois Intermediary, which streamlines administrative functions for housing counseling agencies in Illinois and Indiana.
David brings over 20 years of community development experience to Housing Action Illinois after previous positions as a CDC Executive Director, real estate developer, property manager and housing counseling group education leader. David is especially interested in using his past ED experiences as a resource for current and future executive directors. He serves on the Board of the Directors for the Illinois chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials as well as the Alliance to End Homelessness in Suburban Cook County.
A native of Buffalo, New York, David is an Urban Studies graduate of the University of Rochester, and has completed training through the National Development Council, NeighborWorks America and the Institute of Real Estate Management.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of the Springfield Housing Authority
Dr. Jackie L. Newman is the Executive Director of the Springfield Housing Authority (SHA), which manages over 800 units of public housing and administers over 2,000 Housing Choice Vouchers. Under her leadership, SHA has self-developed over 140 units of affordable housing using a variety of financing methods and expanded and diversified its HCV program. Dr. Newman served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Peoria Housing Authority from April 1, 2018 - June 30, 2022. PHA manages 800 units of public housing and administers over 2,000 Housing Choice Vouchers. Under her leadership, PHA developed Providence Pointe, which is 140+ units of affordable housing using a variety of financing methods. Ms. Newman is actively involved in many local, statewide, and national initiatives, including serving on the boards of Housing Action Illinois; United Way of Central Illinois; Vice Chair of Chicago Federal Home Loan Bank Advisory Council; 1st Vice President of Illinois Association of Housing Authorities; President of the Illinois National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (ILNAHRO), member of the Board of Governors for the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO). Jackie holds a Bachelor's degree in Management, a Master of Arts in Public Administration, and a Doctorate in Public Administration. Dr. Newman is a lifelong resident of the Springfield community, where she resides with her husband, Roy, of 30+ years. In 2005, Jackie helped her husband found Fresh Visions Community Church. She is active in Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and in various church ministries, as well as continuing her love for gospel singing through the gospel ministry group, Pastor Jerry Jones & The Fantastic Jones Family.
Foluke Akanni (she/her) joined Housing Action Illinois as Housing Policy Organizer in August 2020. She has over a decade of diverse experience working in community outreach and relationship building in the nonprofit sector. She previously worked at Citizens Utility Board in the outreach department, educating communities on energy efficiency and utility policies in Illinois. Her past experience includes working at a refugee resettlement agency, where she helped refugees find employment, and in student affairs, helping students in their career and professional development. She started her nonprofit career as an AmeriCorps VISTA working for an organization whose mission included stopping gentrification in a North Minneapolis neighborhood.
Foluke earned her B.A. from University of Minnesota and completed her M.Ed. in Education Leadership and Policy from Marquette University. She is excited to be joining Housing Action Illinois team and continuing her work advocating for vulnerable populations.
Job Titles:
- President and CEO of Woodstock Institute
Horacio Mendez is the President and CEO of Woodstock Institute. Mr. Mendez, an experienced executive with expertise in policy, regulation, finance, research, and strategy, brings his insider knowledge of the industry, his track record as an expert researcher, and his sharp policy analysis skills to Woodstock's extensive research and policy advocacy that seek to address the racial income and wealth gap. Mr. Mendez moved to Chicago from Alameda, California. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Santa Clara University and a Master of Arts in Economics from San Jose State University. Most recently, Mr. Mendez was Managing Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for the Americas at MUFG Union Bank. Prior to that, he held executive positions at Rabobank and the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco. He also spent seven years as a Senior Fellow, Economic Opportunities Program, with the Aspen Institute.
Job Titles:
- Capacity Building Associate
James Miller (he/him) is a Capacity Building Associate for Housing Action Illinois. James first joined Housing Action Illinois as a Capacity Building AmeriCorps VISTA in December 2020. He earned his Master of Public Policy from the University of Chicago Harris School of Public Policy and a B.A. in Political Science from DePaul University. James is interested in equitable economic development and, while pursuing his Master's degree, worked on projects in this area with Chicago Public Schools and the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity.
Job Titles:
- Capacity Building Specialist
Jennifer Pallas (ella/ellas), who joined Housing Action Illinois in April 2015, brings 10 years of housing counseling experience to the organization. She began her career as an AmeriCorps VISTA helping people with disabilities to purchase or rent accessible housing. More recently, as the director of housing counseling and vice president of financial services at North Side Community Federal Credit Union, she managed a HUD-Approved Housing Counseling Agency and shared her counseling best practices at conferences held by the Illinois Asset Builders Group, Housing Action Illinois, and the National Federation of Community Development Credit Unions. After a decade of empowering renters, homebuyers, and homeowners, Jennifer is eager to collaborate with Housing Action members and partners throughout Illinois.
Jennifer received her MPPA in Public Policy and Administration from Northwestern University and her BA from the University of St Thomas.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director of DuPage
Jennifer Taff, Executive Director of DuPage and Chicago South Suburbs Habitat for Humanity has been with Habitat for 12 years and has an extensive background in nonprofit and advocacy for affordable housing. With a background in advocating for traditionally disenfranchised groups such as individuals with disabilities, veterans, and disinvested communities, Taff's passion for her work is undeniable. Taff holds an MA in Psychology, is a certified Quality Mental Health Professional, and currently holds her QLO certification. Taff's community involvement currently consists of sitting on the board of directors for Chicagoland Habitat for Humanity, Housing Action Illinois, The Journey Forward, and HOME Together LLC. Previous community involvement Taff held the office of President of Glendale Heights Chamber of Commerce, President of the Hanover Park Community Resource Coalition, and member of the Cultural Inclusion Diversity Committee of Hanover Park.
John S. Herring, Sr. is the Executive Director of the Illinois Network of Centers for Independent Living, where he advocates for individuals with disabilities. Mr. Herring is a native of Danville, IL. He has been in Administration for over twenty years, and he has been an advocate for teens, adults, families, and homeless male veterans. His goal continues to be assisting individuals on their journeys to become self-sufficient in their struggle for equity and equality in work, school, housing, transportation, and health care. In his current position, he wants to make Illinois a "Best Practice" State for Centers of Independent Living. Mr. Herring is also a Pastor in the African Methodist Episcopal Church and a community activist. He and his wife, Patricia, have three children and four adorable grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Communications & Outreach AmeriCorps VISTA
Katie Ellis (she/her) joined Housing Action Illinois in June 2023 as a Communications & Outreach AmeriCorps VISTA Member. Katie's interest in affordable housing was sparked during her studies in urban sociology and social justice, culminating in her recent attainment of a BA in Sociology from Belmont University. In college, Katie served as a senator within her university's Student Government Association, and she also held membership in the professional fraternity Sigma Alpha Iota. Additionally, she spent a semester studying abroad at the University of Oxford. Katie is excited for the opportunity to serve her community and continue learning about housing justice during her year of service.
Job Titles:
- Manager of Communications & Development
- Manager of Communications and Development at Housing Action Illinois
Kristin Ginger (she/her) is Manager of Communications and Development at Housing Action Illinois. She joined the team in 2016 as Communications Manager because she is passionate about making housing policy and programs understandable and accessible, particularly through storytelling. Previously, she worked in communications and marketing at Women Employed, a Chicago-based advocacy nonprofit that fights to expand employment and educational opportunities for working women. She has also worked in family literacy at a Head Start school, taught ESL classes, and written creative copy for Groupon. She first joined the nonprofit world as an AmeriCorps VISTA at a refugee resettlement agency; during her service year, she interviewed nearly 20 refugees and asylees and compiled their stories for publication in the book This Much I Can Tell You.
Kristin earned her B.A. from Carleton College and completed her M.F.A. in Creative Fiction at Boston University. She is currently a facilitator for the Community Writing Project, an Ambassador for All Chicago, and on the Community Council of the Marjorie Kovler Center.
Mare Ralph (they/them) became a Housing Policy Organizer with Housing Action Illinois in October 2022, after first joining Housing Action Illinois as a National Service Program Associate in June 2021. Mare completed a year of service as a VISTA at Kentucky Youth Career Center in 2018, building youth leadership and service-learning opportunities. Mare also worked as a teacher, mentor, and restorative justice facilitator while in Kentucky, before returning to Chicago for graduate school at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Before joining the Housing Action team, they interned at the Shriver Center on Poverty Law and worked at UIC's Office of Student Leadership and Civic Engagement while earning a Master's Degree in Urban Planning and Policy. From 2021-2022, they participated as a member of the Housing and Neighborhoods Research Team for We Will Chicago, the first citywide framework plan since 1966.
Mare has organized space for queer and transgender youth as a co-founder of Out Loud Louisville and sits on the boards of Girls Rock! Chicago and the Girls Rock Camp Alliance. They practice mutual aid distributing fresh food to South Side neighbors with Market Box and live in South Shore with their partner, dog, and cats.
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice President of Reach CDC
Margaret Wooten is Executive Vice President of Reach CDC, a newly formed, Chicago-based community development corporation. Previously, she was Vice President, Housing and Financial Empowerment, with 33 years of service in HUD housing counseling at the Chicago Urban League. At the Chicago Urban League, she managed the day-to-day operations of the Housing and Financial Empowerment Center. She oversaw the program that provides free comprehensive housing counseling, including foreclosure, pre-foreclosure, first-time homebuyer, pre- and post-purchase, and rental counseling. Margaret is a certified housing counselor from the American Homeowner Education and Counseling Training Institute, as well as the NeighborWorks Training Institute for HUD. Previously, she served as a Social Worker for the City of East Orange, New Jersey Department of Public Welfare and was a paralegal for the law firm of Franklin and Crutcher. She received her formal education from Chicago State University.
Maria Flores (she/her) joined Housing Action Illinois as a Development Coordinator. Maria has experience working as a communications and development coordinator for various non-profits. She is excited to be a part of the Housing Action Illinois team and has found a strong passion for housing. Previously, Maria served as an AmeriCorp VISTA Member with Housing Choice Partners after graduating with a degree in Gender Studies from DePauw University.
She is currently in graduate school at Adler University in Chicago earning a Master's Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. Maria believes mental health is an important topic of conversation within the housing field. In her spare time, Maria can be found listening to music and experimenting with new recipes. Maria lives in Roscoe Village with her partner and cat.
Job Titles:
- National Service Program Associate
- Service Program Associate
Marissa Diekhoff (she/her) became a National Service Program Associate in January 2023. She first joined Housing Action Illinois as a Communications and Resource Development AmeriCorps VISTA in 2017-18. In her role as a Program Associate, Marissa supports Housing Action's AmeriCorps VISTA Network with a particular focus on enhancing program communications and expanding access to the AmeriCorps VISTA Network in central and southern Illinois.
Previously, Marissa provided community outreach and developed communications and programming for mental health, public health, and creative arts organizations in Chicago and southern Illinois. She earned a B.A. in International Human Rights and Photography at Webster University and completed a M.A. in Photography and Urban Cultures at Goldsmiths, University of London. She lives in southern Illinois with her partner and dog.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Community Development Banking for PNC 's Central Illinois
Niccole Clements is the Vice President of Community Development Banking for PNC's Central Illinois and St. Louis markets. She assists in carrying out PNC's community development banking strategy, which is designed to improve the quality of life and bring about economic empowerment for low- and moderate-income individuals and communities. She collaborates with nonprofit organizations in an effort to connect them with flexible financial solutions that can be used to support affordable housing, community service, neighborhood revitalization, and economic development projects. She also coordinates the bank's resources to provide financial education to low- and moderate-income individuals and families. Lastly, Niccole manages the bank's community development philanthropic giving strategy within the markets that she serves through the provision of PNC foundation grants and charitable sponsorships. Prior joining PNC, Niccole served as the Executive Vice President of the Illinois Association of Community Action Agencies (IACAA), where she provided training, technical assistance, and capacity building resources to the Community Action Network of Illinois. In this capacity, she also served as the lead staff person for a subsidiary of IACAA called the Illinois Community Action Development Corporation, where she led in the development of various affordable housing projects and opportunities.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director for North West Housing Partnership
Paula Bush currently serves as the Executive Director for North West Housing Partnership (NWHP) and has been a part of the organization since 2008. NWHP creates and preserves affordable quality diverse housing for low- to moderate-income residents through renovation, senior assistance, and housing-related educational programs. Ms. Bush holds an Executive Certification in Home Modification from the University of Southern California School of Gerontology, is a HUD-certified housing counselor, and is currently enrolled at Northwestern Kellogg School of Management. She created and directed a down payment assistance grant program for a major banking institution that expanded throughout Illinois and Wisconsin. She is often sought out to consult in housing program development and administration for organizations and municipalities, and she received the Leadership and Innovation award from the Oak Park Regional Housing Center for making a difference in affordable housing.
Job Titles:
- National Service Program Associate
Shalonda Bedenfield has been at the FHLBank Chicago for 11 years and is inspired by serving others. She is an AVP, Lead Community Investment Operations Specialist, and currently works on all aspects of AHP Operations. She is committed to operational excellence while leading her team and serves as an active member of multiple groups within the bank, as well as a DEI Ambassador. Ms. Bedenfield has diverse experiences in operations management, project management, real estate development, and leadership. She is very excited about the continued efforts toward affordable housing and bringing her two decades of experience to Housing Action's board. A proud alumni of DePaul University, Ms. Bedenfield believes in Servant Leadership, which is to serve first; if one person wins, we all win!
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Executive Director of Housing Action Illinois
- Member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago
Sharon K. Legenza (she/her) is the Executive Director of Housing Action Illinois, where she spearheads strategy development and implements policy advocacy, public education and capacity building initiatives, while also building the coalition's relationships and fundraising. She routinely presents on a variety of affordable housing topics and engages with state and federal decision makers and with financial institutions to promote equitable community development policies and programs.
Prior to Housing Action, Sharon worked for both private and non-profit law firms, including the ACLU of Alaska, the Chicago Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights, Miner, Barnhill & Galland, and Sidley Austin. She has successfully litigated numerous civil rights and constitutional law cases, including ones involving fair housing, employment discrimination, due process, and equal protection claims.
Sharon is a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago Investment Advisory Council, the Illinois Affordable Housing Trust Fund Advisory Commission, and the Cook County Economic Development Advisory Council, where she co-chairs its Community Development Sub-Committee. She is a past Chair for the National Alliance of Community and Economic Development Associations (NACEDA), a past President of Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Chicago, and has served in leadership roles on numerous other nonprofit boards and public sector committees.
Sharon is a graduate of Northwestern University School of Law and the University of Chicago.
Job Titles:
- Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois' Executive Director
Shelly Richardson was hired as the Statewide Independent Living Council of Illinois' Executive Director in March 2017. She was previously the Housing Specialist and Transition Coordinator for Money Follows the Person at IMPACT CIL in Alton. Shelly completed her Master of Public Administration and Policy Analysis in December 2012. Within this program, she completed specific coursework in labor relations and contract negotiations, not-for-profit agency management, personnel management, budgeting, and public policy analysis. Shelly has a bachelor's degree in political science with a minor in psychology. Shelly also serves on the Statewide Rehabilitation Council and the Illinois Assistive Technology Program Advisory Council.
Job Titles:
- Capacity Building Specialist
Wanda Collins (she/her) joined Housing Action Illinois as Capacity Building Specialist in October 2017. She has over 15 years' experience in the mortgage and housing industry, having started her career in loan origination and mortgage underwriting. While at Housing Action, Wanda has created and facilitated a study group training for housing counselors preparing to take the HUD Housing Counseling Certification exam, as well as an on-boarding process for agencies joining our Intermediary network. Prior to joining Housing Action, she most recently served as the Manager of Homeownership Services at NHS of Chicago, where her team provided pre-purchase, foreclosure prevention, financial capability and reverse mortgage counseling services. She also served as a foreclosure prevention counselor under the Fannie Mae Mortgage Help Center and NHS neighborhood offices.
Wanda earned her B.A. from Illinois State University in Normal, IL.
Job Titles:
- National Service Director
- National Service Program Manager at Housing Action Illinois
Willie Heineke (he/him) is the National Service Program Manager at Housing Action Illinois. In this role, Willie oversees the management and development of Housing Action's VISTA Network. In addition to spearheading the expansion of the network, which places and supports up to 30 full-year VISTA members with Housing Action member organizations throughout the state each year, in 2017 Willie launched an additional Summer VISTA Associates program, which places and supports individuals committing to 8- to 10-week terms of service. Willie first joined the Housing Action team in November 2015 as an AmeriCorps VISTA Leader, after which he became the organization's Outreach Coordinator.
Prior to his time at Housing Action, Willie served two terms of national service through AmeriCorps VISTA in a small town of north central Arizona called Prescott. The first position focused on increasing the use of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program at local farmers markets, and the second position focused on creating a culinary training and gardening program for a local organization serving formerly homeless veterans. Willie earned his B.A. at Prescott College, where he designed his own degree to integrate the school's Global Studies and Human Development programs.