Staff & Board
Staff
Bambi Chávez, Homeownership Policy Manager
As Homeownership Policy Manager, Bambi stewards HDC’s approach to addressing disparities in access to, and retention of, affordable homeownership opportunities. HDC is the lead partner in the policy work of the Black Home Initiative (BHI) Network and Bambi convenes the BHI Network Policy Group to co-create a Homeownership Policy Framework that will deliver and sustain equitable affordable homeownership opportunities. Bambi brings her strengths as a communicator, relationship builder, facilitator, collaborator, and project manager to the role. Her range of experience in research, design, and community building, and her lived experience as a BIPOC woman, position her as a strong advocate for change. Bambi holds a B.A. in Psychology from Reed College, a B.A.A. in Interior Design from Bellevue College, and is pursuing a Master’s in Public Administration from Seattle University. Contact
Laura Franke, Sustainable Buildings Coordinator
As Sustainable Buildings Coordinator Laura works collaboratively across the affordable housing community to achieve environmental, financial, and operational sustainability strategies. In addition to supporting the implementation of updated building codes for new construction, HDC’s Sustainable Buildings Program works directly with community-members to facilitate funding and best practice opportunities that support upgrades to existing affordable housing stock. Laura brings over two decades of environmental finance experience, having held leadership roles with many teams in the development of government agency programs. Most recently, as an independent consultant, she is providing for-profit, non-profit and governmental property developers and owners with the structuring of effective capital strategies, that may incorporate leveraging sustainability-focused financial incentives. Contact
Joane Gonzalez, Executive Administrator and Board Liaison
As the Executive Administrator and Board Liaison, Joane supports the organization in administrative and operational needs. Most of her previous work involved providing high-volume customer service to a large variety of stakeholders as well as leading numerous complex office administrative processes. Her work as an AmeriCorps volunteer included assisting with writing grants to build a multi-service center in Renton, engaging the community in events and meetings, and becoming a Benefits Hub coach at Highline College to help students apply for resources in the area. Her most recent role was at the University of Washington where she provided administrative and research support to a center that facilitated creating community-informed behavioral health policy for youth in WA state. Contact
Patience Malaba, Executive Director
As Executive Director, Patience leads the association in a shared effort to increase access to affordable housing. She is recognized for her leadership in addressing the intersecting crises of affordable housing, racial equity, and climate change and is the 2020 Bullitt Foundation Environmental Fellowship awardee. A commitment to environmental and economic justice and her passion for an equitable society led her directly to the affordable housing sector. Prior to this role, she served as HDC’s Director of Government Relations and Policy. Previous positions include work with Seattle for Everyone, a broad coalition that was central to the success of Seattle’s Housing Affordability and Livability Agenda (HALA), Futurewise, and the Services Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 6. Patience co-chairs the Eastside Housing Roundtable, co-chairs Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC)’s Regional TOD Advisory Committee, Chairs the Seattle Planning Commission Housing and Neighborhoods Committee, and serves on the PSRC Growth Management Policy Board. She serves on the board of directors of the Transportation Choices Coalition and is a member of Sound Communities. Her appointments include the City of Seattle’s Redistricting Commission and Washington State Department of Commerce Homeownership Disparities Workgroup. Patience holds a Master of Public Administration from Seattle University, an Organizational Leadership Certificate from George Mason University, and a BA in International Development from Lupane State University in Zimbabwe. Contact
Brady Nordstrom, Associate Director of Government Relations and Policy
As Associate Director of Government Relations and Policy, Brady works with the policy team to deepen and scale the impact of HDC’s Advocacy Agenda. This includes working closely within the HDC network and alongside community members, partner organizations, government, elected leaders, and more. Brady is passionate about identifying and achieving durable solutions for housing affordability, access, supply, and inclusion issues. Before joining HDC, Brady worked for years supporting broad, pro-housing coalition work in Seattle and East King County at Futurewise. This included a focus on creating and implementing strategic plans, analyzing land use regulations and policies, collaboratively drafting policy recommendations, building community and organizational networks, and coordinating advocacy actions. Brady ended up in housing policy and advocacy work after switching careers in his early 30’s. Brady graduated from the UW Evans School of Public Policy & Governance in 2019. Contact
Kyler Parris, Resource Development Manager
As the Resource Development Manager, Kyler builds relationships between HDC and its partners and supporters to expand HDC’s capacity for systemic change and equity initiatives. He also manages the grant portfolio and sponsorships. Before joining HDC, Kyler was an experienced organizer on local political campaigns, working to elect exciting, pro-affordable housing candidates from Seattle to Whidbey Island since 2020. As a campaign manager, he maximized candidate fundraising efforts, wore out his soles directing expansive community outreach (personally knocking on 6,000 doors in 2023), trained hundreds of first-time volunteers, convened policy working groups, made commercials, and sometimes even helped win elections. Kyler grew up in Bothell and received a B.A. in Urban Studies from Pitzer College, where he also played football and assisted a homeless outreach team. Now, he enjoys long runs around Capitol Hill, supporting the Sounders, and commuting car-free in protected bike lanes. Contact
Jesse Simpson, Director of Government Relations and Policy
As the Director of Government Relations and Policy, Jesse engages with public officials to inform and inspire action in concert with HDC’s Annual Advocacy Agenda, while working to foster strategic relationships with HDC members, community, and cross-sector partners. Previously, Jesse worked as a Policy Analyst and Executive Assistant to the CEO for Bellwether Housing. At Bellwether, Jesse directly supported the CEO and board, kept the organization apprised of ongoing policy issues, and coordinated Bellwether’s advocacy work on funding for resident services and rental assistance, revenue to support affordable housing, and zoning reform to allow more homes to be built in more areas. Jesse grew up in Seattle and attended Lewis and Clark College, majoring in environmental studies with a focus on urban planning, transit-oriented development, and gentrification. After moving back to Seattle, he worked as an Associate Analyst for Greenfield Advisors, helping sue companies over environmental contamination, mortgage fraud, and Fair Housing violations. Contact
Loren Tierney, Deputy Director
As Deputy Director, Loren provides overall direction and support for HDC’s member services programming, implementing a comprehensive member and business development agenda and creating impactful programs for our wide array of member organizations. Prior to joining HDC staff in June of 2014, Loren worked as Director of the Municipal League of King County and the Municipal League Foundation, and concurrently worked at the philanthropic, member-based Washington Women’s Foundation. Loren is passionate about working with HDC leaders, members, and partners to create a more robust and a better connected and efficient affordable housing sector. Loren also currently serves on the board of the WA Housing Alliance Action Fund. Contact
Dani Turk, Associate Director of Equity and Programs
Dani Turk brings over 20 years of non-profit management experience and a deep commitment to social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion to her role with HDC. Her career-long history of equity-building through innovative program development and implementation has been centered on the critical need for systemic change in the areas of homelessness, foster care, and hunger relief. Most recently, in overseeing Employment and Education services for Jubilee Women’s Center, Dani offered trauma-informed programs geared towards removing barriers and providing equitable access to living wage career pathways and educational opportunities for formerly homeless women. Her interest in personal, organizational, and cultural transformation in service to people, planet, and a sustainable future for all, drew her to the Whidbey Institute where she currently serves on the Board of Directors. Contact
Maya Vidich, Operations Manager
As Operations Manager, Maya provides direction and support for the day-to-day and core operational needs for HDC – including finance, compliance, administration and IT – ensuring HDC’s ability to deliver on its mission. Prior to joining HDC, Maya was Operations Manager at Lake Washington Schools Foundation, a non-profit organization in Redmond, WA, where she worked on behalf of over 30,000 students in the district to ensure they reach their highest potential, both academically and in life. Maya grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area and holds a Master of Arts degree in International Affairs from American University as well as a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from San Francisco State University. She has enjoyed living in the Pacific Northwest since 2010. Contact
Dan Weisbeck, Communications and Outreach Manager
As Communications and Outreach Manager, Dan provides critical support to HDC’s member services and advocacy functions by overseeing communications strategy, creating messaging and visual content, ensuring brand and voice consistency, as well as managing email communications, social media, and HDC’s website. A lifelong Washingtonian, Dan has worked in Seattle civic sector communications for nearly 15 years, including almost a decade at YWCA Seattle | King | Snohomish where he served as Marketing Technology & Operations Director. Dan cares deeply about affordable housing and believes strongly in using his skills and experiences towards the creation of a more equitable and just society. Dan is a graduate of the University of Washington, where he studied political science and civic engagement. Contact
Jessica Yang, Community Organizer
As Community Organizer, Jess bridges the gap between policy development and affected communities. She works towards growing the support base for affordable housing development by providing education for and building relationships with community members and other stakeholders. Jess is a graduate of Columbia University’s MSW/MPH dual degree program and brings more than nine years of housing and homelessness work to HDC. Her introduction to housing, homelessness, and advocacy was volunteering at an undergraduate-run organization while she was at UC Berkeley, and she continued to work in direct service roles after graduation. This background is central to her continued work in affordable housing policy. Jess grew up in New Jersey and has lived in Berkeley, San Francisco, and New York City. In her free time, she enjoys hanging out with her cats, drinking bespoke teas, and playing Disco Elysium. Contact
Executive Officers:
Directors:
Ethiopian Community in Seattle
