Learn More About Our Staff
- Sarah J. Stevenson, Executive DirectorSarah Stevenson joined Innovative Housing as its Executive Director in 2002. Prior to that, she was an attorney at Lawyers Alliance for New York where she represented nonprofit developers of low-income and special needs housing and specialized in nonprofit law and affordable housing development. Sarah's community development work experience includes positions with California Literacy Inc. in Los Angeles, CA and Jobs for Homeless People in Washington, DC. Sarah has a BA from Stanford University and a JD from New York University Law School.
- Julie Garver, Leed® AP, Housing Development DirectorJulie Garver has more than 15 years of project management experience with focus areas in acquisition, rehabilitation of aging buildings, Green Building and community development. She has managed projects ranging in cost from $50,000 to $15 million, and has experience in all phases of project development, from preliminary determination of need through lease up. Special skills include feasibility studies, construction management, grant writing, design consultation, budgeting and historic preservation experience. Julie has worked on a variety of project types such as commercial buildings, single family dwellings, apartments, historic buildings and public facilities. Julie has a BS in Community Development from Portland State University.
- Angie Harbin, Director of Resident Services and Asset ManagementAngie Harbin began working with IHI in the summer of 2005, serving free lunches and coordinating activities for children at two of IHI's family sites. She volunteered as an AmeriCorps VISTA, was later hired as full-time staff, and was subsequently promoted to Director of Resident Services. Over the course of six years Angie has developed and overseen the implementation of a comprehensive resident services program that is one of the strongest in the State. In 2010 she assumed asset management duties for IHI's portfolio of 1,471 affordable housing units. Angie came to IHI with a strong background in public service, hunger issues, and youth activities. She has previously worked with Oregon Rural Action, the Alliance for Social Change, and organized preschool arts, activities, and storytimes for young children in Halfway, OR, Atlanta, TX, and Martinsburg, WV. She has a BS in Anthropology and Sociology, with an emphasis in Social Welfare.
- Emma Martinez, Family Resident Services ManagerEmma Martinez joined IHI in 2007 as the AmeriCorps Youth Program Coordinator at Village Square Apartments and Hewitt Place Townhomes. In 2008, Emma was hired on full-time as Resident Services Coordinator for Broadway Vantage Apartments, Village Square Apartments, and Hewitt Place Townhomes and and in 2011 was promoted to manage IHI's Family Resident Services Program. She has traveled to many parts of the world, has years of experience with various youth activities, and has spent time volunteering at various non-profit and community-based organizations in California and Oregon. Emma received her BA in Sociology from Long Beach State University with a concentration in Group Relations studied Spanish at the University of Granada in Spain.
- Kathleen (Kat) Lentz, Resident Services CoordinatorKat Lentz joined IHI as a Resident Services Coordinator in September of 2010. She came to IHI from Musolf Manor, where she worked with site management as a front desk staffer. She now provides services to IHI residents at four buildings: The Clifford Apartments, Bridgeview Apartments, Lyndon Musolf Manor, and Morrison Park Apartments. Kat has previous work experience in the fields of affordable housing and advocacy, and has coached youth sports for the past 8 years with local volunteer organizations. As part of her studies at Portland State University she completed a capstone project with Portland non-profit Marathon Education, which provides low-income students access to a college education. Kat is finishing up her BA in Sociology at PSU with a minor in Anthropology.
- Merri Gonsalves, Benefits SpecialistMerri Gonsalves joined the IHI team as a Resident Services Coordinator in 2008, working with single adults at four properties. During that time she received SSI/SSDI Outreach, Access and Recovery (SOAR) training and began helping IHI residents obtain Social Security resources and medical benefits. In 2011, IHI created a dedicated position to continue this work and Merri became IHI's first Benefits Specialist, working to help residents with disabilities and other barriers to employment achieve long-term financial stability. She has also worked as a Residential Advocate for homeless women at Transition Projects, Inc. and as a Women's Outreach housing case manager with those living on the streets. Merri has a BA in Modern Literature from the University of California at Santa Cruz, and is currently studying to get her BA in Music from Portland State University. Merri is also on the Committee for a new Portland non-profit called From Our Closet With Love, which aims to serve survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and human trafficking by providing clothing and emergency shelter.
- Hailey Roberge, Family Resident Services CoordinatorHailey Roberge joined IHI as a Family Resident Services Coordinator for Broadway Vantage and Kinnaman Townhomes in 2011. She previously worked for Impact Northwest as a SUN School Extended Day Activities Coordinator. She also has experience working for non-profit organizations in an administrative support capacity. Hailey's volunteer contributions to the community include coordinating family activities in a homeless shelter and mentoring youth. Born and raised in Idaho, she received her BA in Psychology from Boise State University.