Meet Our Team
We are a diverse, passionate group of individuals working as a team and united by a shared commitment to equitable solutions to homelessness.
Staff
Katherine Bicknell
Communications Specialist
Katherine Bicknell manages communications efforts with a focus on digital/social media strategy.
Liza Burell
Managing Director of Programs
Liza Burell, MSW, oversees Building Changes' programmatic work in the areas of housing crisis, education, and health.
Terra Chen
Director of Communications
Terra Chen oversees Building Changes' communications efforts and strategy.
Katharina Deiter
Institutional Giving Officer
Kat Deiter manages fundraising efforts focused on institutional giving, including grant writing and proposal development.
Atlas Fernandez
Manager, Community Capacity Building & Grantmaking
Atlas Fernandez manages grantmaking and capacity building within the organization's housing crisis and health areas of work.
Dimitri Groce
Strategic Advisor of Housing Initiatives
Dimitri Groce, MSW, leads strategy and investments in innovative housing solutions with a focus on youth and young adults and advancing racial equity within the homeless response system.
Daysha Gunther
Senior Research Associate
Daysha Gunther, MPH, leads research, evaluation, and data analysis projects, with a focus on qualitative and equitable design.
Joey Heilman
Senior Education Strategy Specialist
Joey Heilman, MSW, leads Building Changes’ work in education and student homelessness.
Jerome Hunter
Director of Development and Partnerships
Jerome Hunter oversees Building Changes philanthropic efforts, including institutional and individual giving, strategic fund development, partnerships, and community engagement.
Holly Kusler
Administrative Specialist
Holly Kusler maintains Building Changes' in-office and virtual workspaces and supports the People & Culture, Operations, and Finance teams.
Kyle Lane
Development Associate
Kyle Lane supports efforts to raise funds in support of the organization's mission through individual and institutional giving.
Betsy Naymon
Senior Research Associate
Betsy Naymon leads research, evaluation, and data analysis projects, with a focus on education systems and student homelessness.
mandy park
Head of Operations
mandy park oversees internal operations and board relations, while also tracking Building Changes' programmatic workplans and strategic direction.
Jaclyn Pueyo
Controller
Jaclyn Pueyo oversees all accounting activities for Building Changes and also helps guide strategic financial decisions.
Bree Quatacker
Senior Contracts & Grants Manager
Bree Quatacker supports Building Changes' technical grantmaking strategy, leads administration of incoming and outgoing contracts and database management, and provides risk assessment and advisement.
Joyce Saldanha
Senior Manager, Accounting
Joyce Saldanha manages essential accounting functions and supports account analysis, research, and process improvement.
Mehret Tekle-Awarun
Director of Practice Innovation
Mehret Tekle-Awarun oversees Building Changes' programmatic team, supporting and guiding implementation of grantmaking, technical assistance, and capacity-building work. She also leads efforts in education and student homelessness.
Miranda Vargas
Senior Health Strategy Specialist
Miranda Vargas, MPH, leads Building Changes' work in health, focusing on developing strategies to meet the health and housing needs of children, youth, and families experiencing homelessness.
Megan Veith
Director of Policy & Advocacy
Megan Veith, JD, oversees Building Changes' policy and advocacy work, including developing and advancing a state legislative agenda that supports the organization's strategic goals.
Manami Wakuta
Staff Accountant
Manami Wakuta maintains and supports internal controls associated with cash receipts, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and other accounting processes.
Tasha West-Baker
Director of People & Culture
Tasha West-Baker oversees and guides Building Changes' employee relations and race equity initiatives.
Kalyn Y.
Director of Research & Evaluation
Kalyn Y., MPH, oversees Research and Evaluation, including research, evaluation, and data analysis for housing and health projects, with a focus on the Washington Youth & Families Fund.
Edith Yang
Assistant Director of Communications
Edith Yang leads media relations and helps develop and oversee the organization's communications strategy.
Aaron Yared
Senior Housing Policy Specialist
Aaron Yared, MA, JD, manages Building Changes’ housing policy portfolio, including the Washington Youth and Families Fund, and helps advance the organization’s legislative agenda and strategic goals.
Daniel Narváez Zavala
Executive Director
Daniel Narváez Zavala, JD, MA, oversees all aspects of Building Changes' operations and leads the organization's efforts to advance equitable responses to homelessness. Prior to assuming the role of executive director, Daniel served as director of policy and strategic communications.
Board of Directors
J. Wesley Saint Clair
President
Retired, King County Superior Court Judge
T’wina Nobles
Vice President
President & CEO, Black Future Co-op Fund; Washington State Senator, 28th Legislative District
She/Her/Hers
David Wertheimer
Secretary
Retired, Director of Community & Civic Engagement, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
He/Him/His
Chad Swaney
Head of Advertiser Support Performance, Amazon
He/Him/His
Chris Bruno
Treasurer
Fractional CFO and Co-Founder of Journey CxO
He/Him/His
Rogers Weed
Immediate Past President
Managing Director, Clobotics Corporation
He/Him/His
Michael Brown
Chief Architect of Civic Commons, The Seattle Foundation
He/Him/His
Rhonda Hauff
CEO, Yakima Neighborhood Health Services
She/Her/Hers
Tracy Hilliard
Director, ORS Impact
Diane Lee
Senior Manager, Amazon
Lupe Mares-Rojas
Executive Director, Communities In Schools of Benton-Franklin
She/Her/Ella
Lee Murdock
Vice President
Director, Homeless Network of Yakima County
She/Her/Hers
Travis Walter
General Manager, Worldwide Retail Stores, Microsoft
Erica Wiley
Director of Development, Weld Seattle