STEP UP ON SECOND STREET - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Chief Housing Development Officer
Aaron Criswell has been with Step Up since 2002 and has over 26 years of experience in the community mental health field. Mr. Criswell received his M.A. in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University and his B.A. in Psychology from the University of Kentucky. He comes to Step Up after having been an integral team member of Portals Mental Health Rehabilitation Services, Boulder County Behavioral Health Program, and Mental Health Corporation of Denver, among others.
After many years overseeing services programs at Step Up, he is now responsible for the Housing Development Department which includes Development, Asset Management and Property Management of Step Up's Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) projects and partnerships. Mr. Criswell is committed to solving homelessness through housing and services and has integrated the Housing First approach in all PSH projects operated by Step Up.
Job Titles:
- Member of the ADVISORY BOARD
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Member of the Board
- Secretary
- Treasurer
As Step Up's Chief Financial Officer, Alan oversees the organization's financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, fiscal planning and analysis, and reporting. He is actively involved in the implementation of Step Up's strategic vision in support of the organization's mission, goals, and objectives.
Alan has extensive management experience in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors focusing on developing policies and procedures that improve productivity and ensure sustainability. His leadership has assisted organizations in defining their strategic direction, preparing augmented business plans, streamlining financial and procedural policies as well as scaling operational efficiencies.
Currently, Alan is a Board Member for multiple nonprofit organizations that provide services ranging from advising and advocating for minority-owned businesses to mentoring inner-city youth to addressing homelessness. He is a former Federal District Court Law Clerk for the Central District of California and was an advisor to the Office of the Hon. Vice Consul for Italy where he partnered with multiple United Nation NGOs on humanitarian initiatives. Alan also helped establish the ‘Nonprofit Impact Consultants Ensemble', a collective of accomplished nonprofit experts who advise organizations striving to maximize positive community influence and outreach.
Alan is often applauded for his diligent efforts focused on ensuring that individuals and businesses that are too often ignored are provided with dignified and inclusive opportunities. He appreciates the importance of collaboration and the power of community support and involvement. Alan is deeply concerned about the basic needs of those who live in underserved communities and is determined to make certain that everyone has equal access to all opportunities.
Alan holds a Juris Doctor (JD) and a Master of Business Administration (MBA).
Job Titles:
- Member of the ADVISORY BOARD
Job Titles:
- Board of Directors
- Chairman of the Homeless Task Force for the Presbytery
- First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood As the Director
Amie Quigley joined the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood as the Director of Diaconal Ministries and Community Outreach in 2009. In her role, she oversees three programs for people experiencing homelessness.
Amie serves as the Chair of the Homeless Task Force for the Presbytery of the Pacific which includes 50 congregations in the Los Angeles area. She is also on the Executive Board of the Faith-Based Advocacy Council for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health.
Anant Patel's experience in understanding business operations and navigating their challenges and opportunities led him to become a part of Step Up on Second where he currently serves on the Board of Directors. His passion for helping to eradicate homelessness has helped to elevate his perspective in managing organizations and dealing with challenges that companies face. In his professional career, Anant is a Partner who leads both the Consulting Practice and Transaction Advisory Practice and is a member of the Executive Committee at Green Hasson Janks (GHJ). With 25 years of public accounting experience, Anant advises clients in the area of mergers and acquisitions and provides financial due diligence consulting. Additionally, Anant is the Global Chair of the HLB International's (GHJ's worldwide accounting network) Transaction Advisory Group. Prior to joining the firm, Anant worked for six years at an English HLB-member accounting firm.
Job Titles:
- Chief Human Resources Officer
Apryll Thomas brings over 30 years of HR experience to Step Up. Prior to joining Step Up, Ms. Thomas managed the Human Resources function in mid-size to large companies. Her areas of expertise include Labor Law, best practices, HR infrastructure, employee development, coaching and development, HRIS Implementation, mergers, and acquisitions. She asks, "How can I provide you with excellent service?"
Job Titles:
- Vice - President of Southeast Programs
- VP of Programs, Southeast Region
As Vice-president of Southeast Programs, Arthur Murray oversees all Step Up projects in Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Mr. Murray is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) with over 20 years of experience managing social service programs. Mr. Murray started his career in Transitional Housing as an Overnight Case Manager in Buffalo, NY and has worked with various health and human services non-profits throughout New York City. During his career, he has managed programs and provided evidenced-based services to persons who are unhoused and struggling with mental health within Day Programs, Psychosocial Clubhouses, Transitional Housing and Case Management projects.
Mr. Murray joined Step Up in December 2018 as a Program Manager overseeing our first southeast project in Atlanta, Georgia. In his time with Step Up, Mr. Murray has launched multiple projects in metro Atlanta developing partnerships with county Continuum of Care agencies and the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health. He has managed the opening of Warley Park, Step Up's first Permanent Supported building in Sanford, Florida, and a Rapid Rehousing project in Nashville, Tennessee, as well as the development and implementation of programs in Savannah, Georgia, and Asheville, North Carolina.
Mr. Murray co-leads Step Up's DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) Committee and is on the forefront of Step Up's mission to end homelessness. He earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the State University of New York, College at Buffalo; and holds a Master of Social Work from Adelphi University.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Asset Management
Denise Garcia is Vice President of Asset management responsible for the executive oversight and management of Step Up's affordable residential portfolio. In this role she is responsible for developing and maintaining property operations, affordable policies, monitoring financial variance, vacancy and delinquency reports; ensuring operations are in compliance with Fair Housing, hiring, developing, and leading the property management staff.
Ms. Garcia is an established housing management professional with nearly 20 years of experience in business management including executive leadership in both conventional and affordable housing.
Her experience is vast, spanning all facets of property management operations including lease-ups. renovations, strategic goal setting and financial analysis. Her previous experience is highlighted by the cumulation oversight of more than 15,000 units for Jamison Management, SoCal Pacific Management, and G & K Management.
Denise is committed to bringing communities together through well-maintained and managed affordable housing where residents are proud to call home.
Job Titles:
- Executive
- Vice President of Inland Empire Housing First Programs
- VP of Inland Empire Housing First Program
Eddie Estrada has over 17 years of executive nonprofit management serving vulnerable populations, using a wide range of integrated, community-based services. Mr. Estrada has extensive experience in senior executive leadership, health and social service programming, fiscal management, strategic planning, donor relations, and fundraising.
Mr. Estrada graduated from Azusa Pacific University with a Bachelors Degree in Organizational Leadership. Mr. Estrada is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, has served on several national and local boards including Embrase Foundation, National Health Care for the Homeless, and Riverside County's Continuum of Care, and has received several awards for his service to the homeless population - including senatorial commendations, assembly recognitions and a Congressional Recognition from the House of Representatives, signed by Congressman Mark Takano for his commitment to empower homeless individuals to lead more stable and fulfilling lives.
Prior to his work at Step Up on Second, Mr. Estrada served as the Executive Director for U.S.VETS - Inland Empire, where he tripled its annual operations budget and expanded access to low income affordable housing by establishing three new sites throughout the Inland Empire. He also previously served as the Administrative Director for the Los Angeles Mission where he provided leadership and vision in securing two Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) designations, several FQHC expansion grants and implemented Skid Row's Street Medicine program.
As Vice President of Inland Empire Housing First Programs, Mr. Estrada is committed to championing the cause of homelessness and the myriad barriers that adversely affect our most vulnerable population.
His proudest accomplishments are his marriage, five children, and seven grandchildren. Mr. Estrada considers them his greatest sense of motivation and his greatest sense of support.
Job Titles:
- Vice President of Programs for the Los Angeles East
- VP of Programs, Los Angeles Region - East
Emily James, LCSW earned her Master's Degree in Social Work 2003 from UCLA and joined Step Up in 2005. Ms. James started as the Program Manager at Daniel's Place where she grew that program in the 8 years she was there. In 2013, she was at the forefront of our Hollywood growth leading our Adult and TAY Hollywood DMH programs, and went on to serve as the Director of Clinical Programs in the Hollywood region supporting the oversight of all our DMH programs as well as our West Hollywood contract.
Ms. James is now the Vice President of Programs for the Los Angeles East region and oversees all of our DMH and DHS programs. She also serves on community leadership/collaborative groups such as the Hollywood Homeless Youth Partnership - a collaborative of Youth serving agencies whose work is aimed at increasing the availability of and type of services for young people experiencing homelessness in the Hollywood area.
Job Titles:
- Member of the ADVISORY BOARD
Job Titles:
- Member of the ADVISORY BOARD
Lindsay has worked for over a decade in the government and non-profit sectors advocating for positive public policy change both here in the United States and around the world. In fact, Lindsay consulted with Step Up to help organize our first DC legislative advocacy trip in 2016. After graduating from the University of San Diego in 2005, she traveled to Swaziland, Africa to volunteer with an organization working to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic. During her time in Swaziland, she saw firsthand the incredible impact US foreign assistance can have on other countries. Her time in Swaziland shaped her view of US foreign policy and still informs her work today.
Upon returning from Africa, Lindsay sought out a career in public service. As a Special Assistant to Senator Edward M. Kennedy, she provided recommendations on legislative and communications issues. While working for Senator Kennedy, she played a role in several critical pieces of legislation: the Iraqi Refugee Bill, the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act and healthcare reform.
In 2009, Lindsay was hired as a Professional Staff Member for the U.S. House of Representatives' Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health. In this role, she advised Subcommittee Chairman Donald Payne on global health, security and humanitarian issues in Africa. In addition, she collaborated with the Foreign Affairs Committee staff on the successful passage of the Conflict Minerals Bill. She also organized congressional hearings and served as the staff person on the Congressional Sudan Caucus. In 2010, Lindsay moved back to southern California to pursue a Masters in Public Policy from UCLA. While in school, Lindsay worked for mothers2mothers (m2m), an international non-profit that partners with mothers and pregnant women to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV. As the Senior Advocacy Officer, she led m2m's efforts to improve knowledge about maternal and child health throughout the continent. Lindsay represented mothers2mothers with members of Congress, the Executive branch and other NGOs. She also organized advocacy events, including Congressional briefings and press conferences.
Lindsay founded Gilchrist & Company in 2012 with the vision to work alongside organizations, foundations, and policy-makers to improve public policies in the United States and around the world. The company's mission is to advance clients' agendas through advocacy, policy research and analysis, strategic planning, communications support and political strategy. Gilchrist & Company works with domestic organizations like Fair and Just Prosecution to help train and equip newly elected District Attorneys from around the country to improve policies around criminal justice reform. In collaboration with partners at The Sheridan Group, Gilchrist & Company works with Nuru International on developing a whole-of-government initiative to prevent and combat violent extremism in fragile states. This work has required working with multiple stakeholders on the introduction and passage of the Global Fragility and Violence Reduction Act. In addition to the advocacy work, Gilchrist & Company also assists organizations in conducting landscape analyses and developing recommendations for policy-makers, including the CIRCLE project and the Global Health Bureau at USAID to develop the Bureau's Global Health Research and Development Strategy (2017-2022). Gilchrist & Company has also worked with international non-profits such as PATH and Management Sciences for Health; domestic organizations such as the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Center for Policy Research on Aging at UCLA; and political campaigns in education, law enforcement and local government.
Job Titles:
- Chief Philanthropy Officer
Job Titles:
- Member of the ADVISORY BOARD
Job Titles:
- Board of Directors
- Principal With Bernstein
Peter Scholze is a Principal with Bernstein, based in the investment firm's Los Angeles office. He joined the company in 1998 and was appointed a Principal in 2010. Mr. Scholze earned a BS from Davidson College and an MBA from New York University's Stern School of Business. He has been on the Board of Step Up on Second for over ten years and has served as Treasurer, Vice Chair and Chair.
Job Titles:
- Member of the ADVISORY BOARD
Warley Park is an 81-unit community for individuals & families in Sanford, Florida co-developed with Wendover Housing Partners. It is the first permanent supportive housing