Innovative Housing, Inc. - Staff Biographies Page

Sarah J. Stevenson, Executive Director
Sarah Stevenson joined Innovative Housing as its Executive Director in December, 2002. She was formerly an attorney at Lawyers Alliance for New York, where she represented nonprofit developers of low-income and special needs housing. Sarah specialized in nonprofit law and affordable housing development; her practice included developing and teaching workshops for nonprofit developers, practicing attorneys, and students at Princeton University. Before joining IHI, Sarah also worked as a Field Developer for California Literacy, Inc. in Los Angeles, California, Program Coordinator at Jobs for Homeless People, Inc. in Washington, DC, the first Development Officer of Dress for Success New York, and Law Clerk for a federal district court judge in the Southern District of New York. Sarah was born and raised in North Portland.
Minda Stiles, Executive Assistant
Minda Stiles came to IHI in 2006 with years of varied work experience and has traveled extensively. She previously worked as a copyeditor for scientific trade journals and educational textbooks and was the lead customer service representative and first outside technical consultant for an herbal medicine manufacturer. Prior to joining IHI, Minda completed a year with AmeriCorps volunteering in the employment center of a progressive Los Angeles homeless shelter. There she managed the computer center, conducted workshops for job seekers, and specialized in meeting the needs of homeless veterans and ex-offenders. She has a BA from Willamette University, where she majored in Environmental Science.
Julie Garver, Housing Development Director
Julie Garver has more than 10 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 $5 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.
Meredith Schmidt, Housing Development Assistant
Meredith Schmidt joined IHI in March 2007. With a background in historic preservation, Meredith entered the field of community development in 2002 as an AmeriCorps member working for Adams County School District 14 in Commerce City, Colorado. Subsequently, Meredith interned at the Housing Authority in Albany, New York. While there, she worked on a neighborhood plan with the goal of improving access to affordable, stable housing in the South End neighborhood. Meredith later completed her master’s degree in Regional Planning at Cornell University with a focus on affordable housing. To supplement her studies, she interned at the Fifth Avenue Committee in Brooklyn, New York, and ACORN Housing in Chicago, Illinois. Currently, she is managing the rehabilitation of Hewitt Place Townhomes in Troutdale, OR.
Angie Harbin, Director of Resident Services and Asset Manager
Angie 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 was hired as IHI’s Tenant Services Coordinator at the end of the summer and has been working closely with residents at five of IHI’s properties ever since. 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, and has worked as a professional photographer.
Emma Martinez, Resident Services Coordinator
Emma 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 continues to facilitate youth programming. Emma received her BA in Sociology from Long Beach State University with a concentration in Group Relations, and she studied Spanish at the University of Granada in Spain. 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.
Merri Gonsalves, Resident Services Coordinator
Merri Gonsalves was hired in December 2008 as the Resident Services Coordinator for three of IHI's single-adult sites: Lyndon Musolf Manor, The Clifford Apartments, and Bridgeview Apartments. Merri provides resident advocacy, ongoing support, and programs and services necessary to help residents maintain housing stability and personal well-being. Before joining IHI, Merri worked with Tryon Life Community Farm in Portland prior to its nonprofit status and developed a conviction for positive community change during this period. For over 7 years, Merri worked for Transition Projects Inc. as a Residential Advocate for single, homeless women living in TPI shelters. She has also worked as a Women's Outreach Case Manager, providing case management and housing placement services to single, homeless adult women not connected with the shelter system. Merri has a BA in Modern Literature from the University of California at Santa Cruz and comes from a line of public welfare workers.
Erin Levenick, Community Advocate and Activities Coordinator
Erin Levenick began at IHI an AmeriCorps volunteer in 2008. She is now a member of IHI's staff as full-time Resident Services Coordinator for Kinnaman Townhomes and Broadway Vantage Apartments. In this capacity, she coordinates youth programs and delivers supportive services to low-income or formerly homeless families and individuals. Erin comes to IHI with experience as a special education elementary classroom assistant, domestic violence and child abuse victim’s assistance intern, childcare provider, and volunteer safety teacher. She has studied abroad in India and has a BA in Religious Studies from Lewis and Clark College.
Sarah Chenven, Innovative Change$ Program Director
Sarah Chenven joined IHI as its Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) Program Manager in November 2008. Sarah has spent over a decade working for nonprofit and public sector organizations whose missions are to help disadvantaged groups create systemic change. She has managed a number of programs with sizeable budgets and staff and has experience working in diverse and challenging contexts. Prior to her job with IHI, Sarah worked with Mercy Corps advising low-income entrepreneurs in the Portland Metropolitan area on the development of their small businesses and directing its Hurricane Katrina program in New Orleans. She has a Master's degree in Public Administration and is a member of the Oregon State Bar.
Carmina Lass, Financial Education and Loan Program Coordinator
Carmina Lass is the Financial Education and Loan Program Coordinator for Innovative Change$. Carmina manages some of the fundamental aspects of IC$ financial education and loan services and is developing a robust network of referring partner organizations. Carmina received her Master’s Degree in Conflict Resolution from Portland State University. In her previous position, Carmina worked as the Evaluation and Assessment Coordinator of the African Diaspora Dialogue Project, exploring interethnic conflict and reconciliation among several of Portland’s African immigrant and refugee communities. Carmina has explored reconciliation efforts on the divided island of Cyprus and traveled to India to work with grassroots NGOs that focus on Women’s Development and Microfinance.
Charles Thompson, AmeriCorps VISTA Member
Charles began with IHI in 2009 as Program Coordinator for Innovative Change$, IHI’s emerging CDFI. His areas of focus within that program include curriculum design and fund development. Charles discovered his passion for finding solutions to financial problems while working at an NGO in Guatemala. He has a BS in Business Administration with an emphasis in Information Technology. He has worked as a freelance web application developer since 2006.