People

Margaret Gooding

Senior Manager of Major Gifts

Housing Story

I am a direct beneficiary of YIMBY policy fought for and enacted by our friends and neighbors here in Austin, TX. When we moved to Austin from New York in 2016, restrictive zoning, parking minimums, and NIMBY community organizations had all but shut down new building in our booming city. Over the course of ten years, passionate Austinites organized, advocated, and got folks elected to turn the tide in favor of YIMBY housing and transit policy. Now we can afford to live in this beautiful, vibrant, and yes, “weird” city. A YIMBY city is a creative city where musicians and artists, waiters and researchers, teachers and tech workers can live together without the animosity that scarcity brings.

Bio

Margaret is a skilled philanthropy professional with over a decade of experience across the fundraising spectrum: from grants to capital campaigns, political campaigns to planned giving, annual gifts to major gifts. She has also been responsible for the administration of advocacy boards and state and local lobbying efforts. She has employed these skills in service of a diverse array of nonprofits including the Texas Civil Rights Project, Planned Parenthood of Greater Texas, Thinkery, and ZACH Theater. Since 2016, Margaret has raised over $11,000,000 to fund vital services that support our community. She received her B.A. in History and Political Science from Tufts University and her M.A. in Oral History from Columbia University. Margaret served as the Chair of the Development Committee for the Board of the Oral History Association from 2020 to 2023. She is an active and enrolled citizen of the Chickasaw Nation and has spoken at the Dynamic Women conference on story collection and archiving best practice.

Rick Russell

Chapter Lead

Bio

Rick Russell is the executive director of Mountain View Community Development (MVCD), a shelter operator and developer of permanent supportive housing. MVCD operates Central Oregon’s largest Safe Parking operation, helping unhoused people in cars & RV’s access case management to support their journey back home.

Ryan Starr

Chapter Lead

Bio

Ryan Starr was born and raised on a farm in NE Oregon, worked as a videogame programmer for several years, and is now an architect practicing in Central Oregon with a focus on infill housing. He’s interested in the built environment, how the systems we build impact our lives, and how minor adjustments can make large a large impact. Ryan joined YIMBY because he’s seen the problems created by out-of-control housing costs during his time living in Vancouver, BC, Oakland, CA, and Austin, TX. He is also currently serving on Bend’s HOME Committee which is looking for ways the city can help create affordable housing for both rent and ownership.

Ian Karasz

Chapter Lead

Bio

Ian Karasz is a software engineer, boardgamer and rock climber with interests in urbanism and transportation. He cares about the ways people move about in their community and the structures that support it. He serves on the City of Bend’s Affordable Housing Committee.

Megan Jenkins

Chapter Lead

Housing Story

When my ancestors crossed the plains to settle northern Utah, they transformed a harsh high desert into a thriving community through hard work and perseverance. Today, that same spirit is being tested—not by the land, but by rules that make it increasingly difficult to build homes. Restrictive housing policies threaten Logan’s future as a place where families can put down roots. I’m committed to expanding the right to build so that Logan remains a community my children—and others like them—can afford to call home.

Andrew Bryant

Lead, Arlington

Yasir Nagi

Lead, Alexandria

Zachary Pitts

LA Director

Housing Story

When I was married with young kids, I lived my ideal life in the Arts District. Everything was walkable, I didn’t use a car, but it was starting to get tight with two kids. Unfortunately, apartments with 3 bedrooms were more expensive than a mortgage on a small home. We moved, but I still miss my ideal urban life and walkable neighborhood.

Bio

A lifelong urban planning enthusiast, Zachary Pitts threw himself into YIMBY advocacy in Los Angeles while his professional path led him into California’s emerging cannabis industry. Over the next decade, he built and scaled a successful multi-state business spanning California and Washington. Recognizing the need for better regulation and representation in the industry, Zach went on to found and lead local and statewide trade associations, where his organizing, advocacy, and lobbying efforts were instrumental in shaping major reforms and licensing improvements in Los Angeles and across California. As the cannabis industry matured, Zach turned his focus back to his roots in civic engagement—championing housing policy, serving on his neighborhood council, and promoting urban sustainability initiatives. In 2025, he joined YIMBY Action as the Los Angeles Director, continuing his commitment to building fairer, more livable cities for all.

Sebastien Marie

Development Assistant

Housing Story

Growing up in the East Bay, I saw neighborhoods around me completely change over the course of my childhood. During that same time, the number of unhoused people rose dramatically. I became personally affected when I attended college in my hometown and saw firsthand how outrageously expensive rent was. These experiences led me to center my capstone project on the roots of gentrification in the Bay Area, a project that illuminated to me the complexities and multi-variate nature of the housing crisis. One thing became clear to me in this process: we desperately need more housing. I am happy to help make that a reality as a part of YIMBY Action.

Bio

Sebastien's involvement with the pro-housing movement began when he centered his capstone project on the causes of gentrification in the Bay Area, a project inspired by outrageous rents and limited housing choices. As part of YIMBY Action, he contributes to all things related to fundraising, with a specialty in institutional fundraising. Prior to YIMBY Action, Sebastien worked as a grants coordinator for a nonprofit dedicated to the cultural preservation of the Oglala Lakota Sioux, and as an assistant researcher for O@BSE, an online education lab affiliated with UC Berkeley. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from UC Berkeley.

Kevin Matthews

Policy Chair

Abhinav 'Abe' Kaul

Events Chair

Daira Fernández

Event Coordinator

Housing Story

I’ve experienced housing insecurity twice before the age of 15, and those experiences left a lasting impact. I never want another child to carry that weight, or for any hard-working parent—especially within immigrant families—to feel like they’re not doing enough, when in reality they’re navigating a system that was never built to support them. Too often, families like mine are left vulnerable to predatory conditions and impossible choices. That understanding fuels my commitment to this movement: building a future where housing is a right, not a privilege.

Bio

Daira Fernández became passionate about housing justice in her childhood. Her background in nonprofit strategy, event coordination, and international programming informs her work at YIMBY Action, where she brings sharp logistics knowledge, deep empathy, and a commitment to mission-aligned storytelling. She has worked with organizations such as the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, ESD Global, and Matriculate. She holds a degree in economics. Daira also brings experience in student organizing, having led campus efforts that connected working-class students with policymakers and economic experts through public forums and events. Her work has consistently focused on creating spaces where young people and decision-makers can engage meaningfully across socioeconomic divides.

Josh Smith

Chapter Lead

Housing Story

My wife and I bought our house in 2019, just before the COVID boom meant housing prices doubled. If we wouldn't have happened to pull the trigger then, affording a home would have been difficult or impossible for us. Unfortunately, that's the case for too many in Utah and Logan. Being a few years later means you're paying far more. Now, with my young kids, I know that unless we make smart policy changes today, they may have little choice but to leave Utah if they ever hope to afford a home.

Bio

I grew up in Richmond, went to USU, and now live in Logan. I've been around the world, and Cache County is hard to beat.

Jenni Morales

Chapter Lead

Housing Story

I grew up in Cache Valley and I’m proud to still call it home. More than 80% of the growth in our valley comes from locals who want to stay, build a family, and contribute to the community. To make that possible we need more homes and more housing options for each stage of life. That’s my goal at Logan YIMBY— to make Cache Valley a place where anyone can find a safe home that fits their needs, whether they are a college student, young professional, have four kids, or are empty nesters.

Klara Rossouw

Bio

Klara is a Landscape Architect/Land Planner and Senior Project Manager. She has deep expertise on all things housing policy and a passion for making homes more affordable.

Joh Gehlbach

Senior Campaigns Manager

Housing Story

I grew up in a small town in Vermont – so small that I attended a neighboring town’s high school because our town didn’t have one. When I visit my hometown today, so much of it is physically the same. The same homes, the same farms, the same general stores, but so many of the faces I used to see around town have changed. The majority of the people I grew up with don’t live there anymore. Like myself, nearly all my classmates moved away in search of broader economic opportunity because even after pursuing higher education, we couldn’t afford to live in the communities we grew up in. The housing shortage impacts small towns, big cities, and everywhere in between. Housing in all of our communities should be abundant and affordable. As Matthew Desmond wrote in Evicted, “Without safe and stable housing, everything else falls apart.”

Bio

After spending countless hours watching their neighbors stand up in public meetings to oppose new homes, Joh helped to co-found RVA YIMBY in 2023. Prior to joining YIMBY Action, Joh worked as a lobbyist at the Richmond Association of REALTORS® (RAR) for over a decade, ultimately becoming the organization’s chief lobbyist in 2022. During Joh’s time at RAR, they developed an expertise in housing policy, land use, and legislative advocacy. They graduated from the University of Richmond in 2012 and are currently pursuing a Masters of Urban & Regional Planning from Virginia Commonwealth University.

Andy Randles

Chapter Lead

Bio

Andy Randles is a SeattleYIMBY Chapter Lead, and has been since early 2024. He grew up in Spokane but was enamored with city life on the west side of the state and made the move out west for school in Bellingham, before settling in Seattle in 2013. He first got involved with housing advocacy when he attended a downtown Design Review Board meeting in 2017 and realized just how broken the existing process was. He continued down the rabbit hole of unpacking land use, planning, transportation and city life until finally joining SeattleYIMBY in summer 2023. Since then he’s organized a number events and hosted a panel of developers, architects and land use consultants to understand the biggest barriers to housing. He’s passionate about ending our housing shortage and embracing an abundance mindset in our cities. Professionally, Andy is a commercial real estate broker with Ewing & Clark.

Ben Ferlo

Chapter Lead

Bio

Since 2018, Ben has been active in local elections registering voters, especially young people and renters, and canvassing to get out their vote. He has knocked thousands of doors and has led field operations on local and state level campaigns and is incredibly excited to talk to voters about funding social housing.

Jason Miller

Chapter Lead

Bio

Jason is political organizer. He became a Lead for the YIMBY movement because he believes fighting the climate crisis requires equitable growth towards walkable, lively cities.

Neil Kornutick

Chapter Lead

Bio

Outside Housing Now Nash, Neil is a Solution Architect at AT&T. He is an avid cyclist and advocate for people-first transportation systems and affordable housing.

Travis Close

Chapter Lead

Bio

Travis is an advocate for more housing choices in his community. He enjoys volunteering and picking up trash in the neighborhood.

Vanessa Boehm

Chapter Lead

Bio

Vanessa lives car-free in an apartment in the beautiful Greenwood neighborhood. In her free time she enjoys going outside and exploring PNW's unique Nature.

Chris Walter

Chapter Lead

Bio

Chris is a recent Seattle transplant and aspiring PNW native. He is currently a Rainier Valley resident building ADUs in his backyard. 🏘

Mackey Guenther

Chapter Lead

Bio

Mackey is a college student working to unlock abundant housing in Seattle, his hometown. He likes riding his bike to the park, and reading in the sun.

Greg Smith

Chapter Lead

Bio

Greg is a psychiatrist whose work with people who are homeless led him to understand that bad housing policy is the fundamental reason for homelessness. He envisions a city where there is room for everyone.

Will Ochowicz

Chapter Lead

Bio

Will Ochowicz started Madison is for People in 2021. Will grew up outside of Milwaukee and went to UW-Madison. After college, he got a job, settled down, and stayed in the city. He's proud to say that he was married in one of Madison's beautiful parks. Will is passionate about making Madison better for everyone, no matter their income or ability. Will recently made the switch to be car-lite and bike as his primary mode of transportation. He also leads the Communications Committee for MifP.

Darrin Wasniewski

Chapter Lead

Bio

Darrin Wasniewski’s journey into building communities can best be described as iterative. What began as a desire to save old buildings in the German Village neighborhood of Columbus, Ohio, evolved into a passion for fostering social connection and creating places for all ages and all abilities. He currently co-leads AARP Wisconsin’s Livable Communities efforts around the state in addition to being a partner in Grow Collaborative Consulting. As a volunteer, Darrin is a Global Walkability Correspondent for Pedestrianspace.org, a collaborative focused on advancing walkable communities around the world, where he leads international workgroups focused on Architecture & Urbanism and the Walkable Economy. In Wisconsin, his passion finds an outlet as a steering committee member of 1000 Friends of Wisconsin’s Active Wisconsin Network. Locally, in his home of Madison, he serves on the steering and transportation committees for Madison is for People, is a member of Downtown Madison Inc., participating on the organization’s transportation and economic development committees, and is a transportation commissioner for the City of Madison. Additionally, he maintains membership in the Wisconsin Downtown Action Council, Congress for New Urbanism, American Planning Association, and YIMBY Action. Darrin is a non-fiction book junkie, soaking up a few a month, and an avid podcast listener. Be careful; he’ll talk your ear off about a current read or a podcast he just listened to.

Mary Pustejovsky

Chapter Lead

Bio

Mary Pustejovsky is passionate about livable cities for people. Biking is her primary form of transportation with 3 kids. She has lived in Madison since 2020 and prior to that lived in Austin and Chicago. In Austin, she was a board member for the Red Line Parkway Initiative as well as AURA, a land use and transit advocacy group. In her day job, she works in the nonprofit industry, focused on technology used by nonprofits for fundraising and operations.

Ian Jamison

Chapter Lead

Bio

Ian Jamison came to Madison 12 years ago as a student and never left. Moving to the “15-minute” Marquette neighborhood and going car-free in 2020 transformed his daily life. Now, as chair of the Transportation Committee, he advocates for policies that would give neighbors across Madison the same option. He is passionate about sustainability, affordable housing, public transit, and building strong, cohesive communities. His nine years in the healthcare industry sent him all over the world, and he loves sharing the great ideas he’s seen in other countries.

Mike Zenz

Chapter Lead

Bio

Mike Zenz first moved to Madison in 2004, but then did a stint in Washington D.C. for grad school. When he returned to Madison in 2015, he was shocked at how scarce and expensive housing had become. He is particularly interested in finding ways to focus local governments on the needs of both renters and home-owners when they are crafting community plans and policies. He loved the sort of transit oriented development he experienced when living in D.C., where he could walk to the subway and get anywhere in the city, and is excited that his neighborhood of Eken Park is turning into just such a place. He is also an avid watcher of Madison Plan Commission and Common Council meetings. Must See TV!

David Welton

Chapter Lead

Bio

David Welton was born and raised in Oregon. When he moved to Bend, he and his family rented a place, and saw firsthand what the rising costs and scarcity of available housing look like. David became interested in housing and cities because of how deeply they affect everything, from the economy to the environment and people’s emotional well-being. He works professionally as a software engineer.

Jim Roberts

Chapter Lead

Bio

Jim Roberts has been coming to Bend since the 1970’s. He’s seen it grow from a shuttered mill town into the wonderful city it is today. Jim helped start Bend YIMBY because he believes our great city can only grow and prosper if everyone who works here can afford to live here. He once accepted a beer from a developer. Once.

Kathryn Olney

Chapter Lead

Bio

Kathryn Olney is a retired attorney, gardener, and community activist. She serves on the Board of a statewide non-profit that raises money for legal services for low-income Oregonians, does pro bono legal representation, stewards a Little Free Library, and advocates for housing for all.

John Heylin

Chapter Lead

Bio

John Heylin is a community-minded leader, business owner, and problem-solver dedicated to making Deschutes County a place where everyone can thrive. He serves on two City of Bend committees, is the co-founder of Represent Deschutes and the Central Oregon Tool Library, and has helped expand civic engagement and increase access to local resources.

Kim Ely

Chapter Lead

Bio

Kim Ely is a scientist who studies the effect of environmental change on plants, and has a broad interest across the intersection of housing, transportation and sustainability. She believes that access to a safe and secure home is fundamental for the well-being of individuals and families, and the health of our entire community. She also serves on the City of Bend Transportation Bond Oversight Committee.

Brooks Stephens

Lead, Fairfax

Naveed Easton

Lead, Fairfax

Gillian Burgess

Arlington Strategist

Peter Sutherland

Lead, Alexandria & Events Director

Phoebe Coy

Lead, Alexandria

Mostafa El Nahass

Lead, Fairfax

Joe Schiarizzi

Primary Lead, Falls Church City

Alex Goyette

Primary Lead, Alexandria

Jason Schwartz

Primary Lead, Arlington

Joshua Booth

Lead, Fairfax

Dan Alban

Strategic Advisor & Co-Founder

Bio

Dan is a senior attorney at the Institute for Justice and YIMBY Law board member. He lives in Ballston/Bluemont, Arlington with his wife. They enjoy traveling, hiking, dining out, live music and theater, and wine tasting in NoVA. @DanAlban

Jane Green

Regional Lead & Co-Founder

Bio

Jane is director of philanthropy operations at Food & Water Watch and a volunteer board member with the Alliance for Housing Solutions. She proudly rents in Courthouse, Arlington, with her husband and children. @janefgreen

Luca Gattoni-Celli

Founder Emeritus & Lead, Alexandria

Bio

Luca is a business researcher and recovered federal tax reporter. He lives in Alexandria West with his wife and children. They enjoy seeing friends, hiking, e-biking, and the stellar food in NoVA from around the world, particularly Pho 75 and Mediterranean Bakery. @TheGattoniCelli

Adrian Covert

Bio

Adrian lives in the West End with his wife and toddler. He became a part of the YIMBY movement because he wants Santa Rosa to be affordable for his son to start a family here someday.

Lauren Fuhry

Bio

Lauren lives across from Howarth Park in eastern Santa Rosa with her partner and two lazy dogs. She became a part of the YIMBY movement because she loves Santa Rosa and all the great local businesses here, and wants our city to affordably house workers of all kinds.

Peter Erickson

Bio

Peter believes in common-sense solutions to make housing more affordable (and walkable) for all Fort Collins residents. A faculty member at CSU since 2016, he owns a historic home in Old Town with his wife Zoey and baby daughter Ida.

Kate Conley

Bio

Kate is a long time YIMBY advocate who moved to Fort Collins with her Colorado native husband in 2021. She believes the housing crisis is a supply problem, and is an architect who specializes in affordable housing at all scales.

Evan Roberts

Bio

Evan is a mechanical engineer, urbanist, and amateur GIS researcher. Evan believes we must achieve an affordable and walkable future.

Pranay Bhargava

Chapter Systems Manager

Housing Story

I lived in a rapidly changing neighborhood during my time in Chicago. I loved where I lived, but as the neighborhood got more attractive and in demand with every passing year, I couldn’t help but notice that some legacy residents could not keep up with the rising rents. The solution was obvious to me: if people want to move here, we need to make sure that we build enough housing for them to move into. If we don't build space for everyone, those without the means to pay more are ones who experience the most adverse effects.

Bio

Pranay first got involved in the pro-housing movement while living in Chicago, and believes that our cities can and should be available to people from all walks of life. As a Chapter Lead for Abundant Housing Illinois, Pranay projects a housing-and-climate-first message across Chicago and stays at the forefront of removing barriers to housing abundance and sustainable urban living. Pranay takes a data-backed approach to decision-making and is always looking for ways to optimize processes that further the movement. Pranay has degrees in Marketing and Business Analytics from Indiana University.

Luchia Brown

Communications Chair

Nolan Hahn

Treasurer

David Pardo

Education Chair

Frank Locantore

Vice President

Anna DeWitt

Secretary

Robert Greer

Membership Chair

Ryan Keeney

President

Chang Sun

Volunteer Lead - San Francisco

Sonja Trauss

Executive Director, Yes In My Back Yard

Housing Story

I moved to the Bay Area in 2011, looking for work. I found a job right away, but housing was another story. I was able to stay with my dad’s cousin in El Cerrito before eventually moving in with two roommates in West Oakland. By 2014, I had been working in the bay for 3 years, mostly as a high school math teacher, but I still didn’t have any savings. The combination of low pay, high rent, and high transportation costs trapped me. I even considered moving back to my parents’ house in Philadelphia, but I couldn’t afford to move. What was incredible about the situation was that everyone was unhappy - even higher income renters I met were unhappy with their housing situation. The only people who seemed to be winning in this were homeowners, and they were complaining too - about too many new neighbors. I felt that both personally, and as a region, we had nothing to lose. The current situation was miserable and untenable and it had to change. So I started organizing!

Bio

Sonja Trauss started the volunteer collective “SF BARF,” the San Francisco Bay Area Renters Federation, in 2014. In 2017, SF BARF split into several organizations, YIMBY Action and YIMBY law the largest among them. Currently Sonja is the Executive Director of YIMBY Law, which works in concert with YIMBY Action and their 67 chapters in 25 states to facilitate community organizing for housing proposals and pro-housing local and state policy. YIMBY Law also supports educational programming, reports on housing policy impact and enforces state housing laws by suing cities, as necessary.Sonja received her Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Temple University, and holds a Master’s Degree in Economics from Washington University in St. Louis.

Courtney Porcella

Senior Manager of Business Partnerships

Housing Story

Today, I live one city away from where I grew up. When it comes to housing, my hometown is often vilified by my current neighbors – too many people, too many apartments, and not enough wealth aka “we don’t want to be the next Lynn.” But I view it as an example of how diversity both in population and housing typology enriches the fabric of our neighborhoods. After seeing just how fierce the opposition to housing is, I became a vocal YIMBY, advocating for density in the suburban city I call home.

Bio

Courtney has worked in the housing and real estate development space for five years. Before joining YIMBY Action, Courtney led the growth team at coUrbanize, a community engagement platform that empowers more people to have a say in what gets built in their neighborhood. She is also a frequent contributor writer, covering real estate development, green buildings, and of course, housing solutions. She is growing our membership of developers, architects, land use attorneys, and other key stakeholders in the building industry.

Jaclynn Garry

Operations Manager

Housing Story

Jaclynn is a former Bay Area science teacher, who transitioned into the YIMBY movement after contending with sky-high rents in her neighborhood. As a teacher she observed a harmful cycle for the neighborhood; excellent teachers were driven out of their homes in an effort to find more affordable housing in other school districts. As a teacher-leader, Jaclynn supported students and their families who also experienced the effects of housing scarcity. She became a YIMBY because she sees the housing shortage as a root cause of many of the issues we experience in education and in our neighborhoods.

Bio

Jaclynn brings a diverse background to her position at YIMBY Action. In her role as an Operations Manager, she draws on her extensive experience in teacher leadership and operations across various sectors including construction, logistics, and non-profits. In her capacity at YIMBY, she focuses on operations and project management to create a healthy and efficient organization that can better serve the pro-housing movement. She has a Bachelor of Science. from Wittenberg University and a Masters of Education Degree in Policy and Administration from Loyola Marymount University.

Andrew Gothard

Chief of Staff

Housing Story

While most people know Florida for its sandy beaches and theme parks, the Sunshine State is also one of the least affordable housing climates in the country. Although Andrew and his partner were both working full-time as educators, it became clear that they could no longer afford to rent an apartment, much less to buy a home, anywhere within commuting distance of their jobs. So, they changed jobs, packed up, and moved over 200 miles north, all so they could afford to own a home and raise a family. Housing is a human right, and no one should have to uproot their lives to afford a home. These are the values that Andrew fights for every day as a member of the YIMBY Action team.

Bio

Andrew Gothard is a former labor organizer, union leader, and higher education faculty member who joined the pro-housing movement after experiencing unsustainable housing costs in South Florida. He earned his Ph.D. in English in 2017 from the University of Miami and taught for six years at Florida Atlantic University. During that time, he also served as an organizer and elected union official with the United Faculty of Florida, the Florida Education Association, and the Florida AFL-CIO. Andrew comes to YIMBY Action with substantial experience in grassroots organizing, political advocacy, legislative campaigns, state and federal court litigation, and press relations.

Connor Riley

National Chapter Manager

Housing Story

In 2019, Connor was housing insecure and that motivated him to become an advocate for producing new types of housing, making housing affordable, and reducing barriers to new housing developments.

Bio

Connor became involved in advocacy as a teenage student with a disability. He required additional help and resources to thrive and this imbued in him a sense of service. After studying political science in college, Connor set his sights on electoral politics in 2018. Over several years, he worked at the local, state, and national level for campaigns and democracy-focused organizations. Connor became the youngest member ever elected onto one of his hometown’s political committees and joined the activists who helped pass a criminal justice reform act in 2020. Connor joined the pro-housing movement and YIMBY Action in order to make a difference in Denver, the city that he has fallen in love with. Everyone needs a home, so Connor is motivated to ensure Denver can accommodate all current and future residents! Connor received his Bachelor’s of Arts in Political Science and Government from Hartwick College.

Amy Klein

Director of Development

Housing Story

When a new development was proposed in my backyard (literally), I was very excited! It meant that I would be able to walk to a new gym, restaurants, healthcare, and we’d have a couple hundred new residents. I learned first-hand that my neighbor’s fear of traffic was enough for them to speak out against the development and new homes. This pushback reinforced my passion for creating communities that are welcoming to all and prompted me to start advocating!

Bio

Amy has over a decade of experience in fundraising, event planning, and marketing for nonprofit organizations. She has led development strategies for organizations focused on the livability of our cities including working on local food accessibility, small business development, and urban forestry. Most recently, she served as the Director of Development at Transportation Alternatives in New York City, advocating for better walking, biking, and public transit options for all. She holds a Bachelors in Communications from Edgewood College in Madison, WI, a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Indiana University, and an MBA from Northeastern University in Boston, MA.

Jason Sanchez

Volunteer Chapter Lead

Bio

Jason Sanchez is a resident of Gainesville. He became lead for the YIMBY movement because he believes we need denser, more walkable, and more accessible housing for everyone.

Joshua Ney

Volunteer Chapter Lead

Bio

Joshua Ney is a father of three great kids and a longtime fixture in the Gainesville music scene, having played in bands including Control Freak, Mouthfeel, Waylon Thornton and the Tomatoes, Light Ages, Parallel, Nervous Systems, the French Horns, Brittle Stars, and Crush 22. When he's not making music, he can be found on the soccer field or playing ultimate frisbee on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings. Joshua moved to Florida after experiencing firsthand the housing shortage in Northern Virginia. That experience fueled his passion for housing advocacy, and he became a chapter lead for the YIMBY movement with a simple belief: everyone deserves housing that fits their budget and their life. He's also a vocal advocate for safe streets in Gainesville. Not as mean as he looks.

Michael Sacks

Volunteer Lead

Housing Story

I'm a renter who dreams of living in a dense walkable community in California.

Bio

I am a housing and transit advocate. I grew up in San Diego and now I'm living in San Francisco.

Adam Lamont

Volunteer Chapter Lead

Adam Theo

Communications Director & Co-Founder

Bio

Theo is a communications consultant and former Air Force Reserves veteran who previously ran as an independent candidate for Arlington County Board. He enjoys hiking, cycling, and is a sucker for any restaurant with an outdoor patio and string lights. @TheoForARL

Meghan Howard

Chapter Lead

Bio

Growing up in South Dakota and moving to the Twin Cities for college means I am a hardworking, midwesterner through and through! After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 2004 - I spent a year in Seattle, Washington working in the great outdoors with EarthCorp, a non-profit specializing in reforestation and restoration work. Trail building in the mountains was my favorite! At the end of the program, I returned to Minneapolis to continue volunteering at various non-profits throughout the Cities. I began working at Feed My Starving Children in 2006. I worked in a number of roles however - my favorite position was creating and overseeing “The MarketPlace.” In this role I had the honor of connecting with artisans around the world to purchase and promote their beautiful, handmade items in order to create additional economic growth through fair, sustainable wages - especially for women. In 2017 I left FMSC to work with local, non-profit organizations to help them create online stores to promote their great work. At the same time, I pursued my real estate license which I've maintained for the past 6 years. I enjoy helping friends and family find houses throughout the Twin Cities. I believes housing is a basic human right. Joining the St. Paul Affordability Task Force and helping create the first YIMBY (Yes in My Backyard) chapter in Minnesota are a few ways in which I hope to work towards sustainable, affordable and abundant housing for ALL in the Twin Cities and beyond.

Nichole Hayden

Chapter Lead

Bio

I'm a Twin Cities native who loves calling Minnesota home. I grew up in Plymouth and Richfield, spent my twenties in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, and bought my first home in Columbia Heights. I now own my dream property in Andover that allows me to garden, grow apples, and support a robust pollinator population. From a young age, my single mother instilled the importance of giving back to people in our community. The value of each person and their right to be housed, fed, and clothed. Because simply, they are people and it's a human right. While attending college in Iowa, I engaged in grassroots organizing for a political campaign. I learned first hand the power of people uniting for a cause. I spent a summer in Baltimore living in an intentional community focused on nuclear weapon disarmament. I'm passionate about working with others to improve the greater good of the people in our communities. I worked in advising, coaching, and product operations for an education company downtown for 8 years. I loved the people I worked with and the students we served, but when the pandemic hit it was a turning point, a time to refocus my time and energy. I developed an interest in housing through my post college AmeriCorps service; a program that equipped high school youth with skills in home renovation while supporting community rehabilitation. This grew into a passion for guiding others through the home ownership process and teaching folx how to leverage generational wealth building through real estate. After getting licensed in 2020, I discovered the network professionals in this industry who are also passionate about housing affordability, housing as a human right, and ensuring accessibility to the stability of home ownership. When I'm not assisting clients or volunteering for community causes, you can find me walking a bear sized dog or enjoying live music at a local venue with my husband. I enjoy hiking, biking, birding and gardening. I also like to sponsor events or volunteer with organizations close to my heart. I believe we each have the power to weave the fabric of strong, interconnected communities that thrive, collectively.

Paige Kahle

Chapter Lead

Bio

I live with my two teenagers, their father, and a Shihtzu named Stella in St. Paul. We have happily been renting our home for 6 years. I work primarily in the Twin Cities region. Home has always been important to me - thinking about it, longing for it, and helping individuals and families build it. Before I was eighteen years old, I had lived in a dozen+ homes in various cities throughout the US. I learned first-hand how disruptive moving often is on a child, even when it’s within the same city, but especially when it’s cross-country. During my formative years, I lived in Mississippi with my mom where I witnessed blatant racial discrimination - from attending a mostly segregated parochial school to hearing stories from my mom about her childhood growing up in rural Mississippi to seeing Ku Klux Klan members "marketing" on street corners. As a child, I was horrified and confused by all of it. It's a feeling that has stayed with me decades later. My educational background is architecture and urban planning. While studying urban planning, I became interested in patterns of neighborhood segregation and how to create more integrated, inclusive neighborhoods. It is absolutely possible to create opportunities for more inclusive and racially diverse neighborhoods. There needs to be more education and outreach to the general public about why it’s important to create more affordable housing in ALL areas. And, to offer opportunities for grassroots involvement. I have been a Realtor for almost 20 years, and believe everyone in my industry should be vocal enthusiasts for the creation of more housing, especially the missing middle housing. In most instances, the real estate industry continues to advocate for private property rights, at the expense of real people’s lives. This is why Nichole, Meghan, and myself joined together to create a TC YIMBY chapter early in 2023.

Grayson Orsini

Chapter Lead

Peter Mains

Chapter Lead

Paul Rice

Chapter Lead

Seth Quick

Chapter Lead

Pat Pozzi

Volunteer Leader

Tatiana Morales

Volunteer Leader

Nathan Hagen

Volunteer Leader

Vincent Woo

Board Member

Housing Story

I used to live in a below ground-level living room that always smelled of mold, for which I had the privilege of paying a couple thousand dollars a month for. I thought this was an unalterable fact of life until the early YIMBY movement coalesced, which I was all too happy to join.

Bio

Vincent has been a housing activist since 2014. He founded of CoderPad, a tool for remote, skills-based job interviews for programmers, and is now effectively retired.

Parag Gupta

Board Member

Housing Story

My parents were immigrants that worked hard to put a roof over our heads. Now that quintessential American Dream seems more and more out of reach for hard working folks across the country.

Bio

Parag Gupta is the Chief Program Officer at Mercy Housing, the largest US nonprofit affordable housing provider for families, seniors, and people with special needs. Providing affordable housing is the first step, and Parag oversees the wrap-around support provided to Mercy Housing’s residents. Parag has worked in coffee, education, solid waste, sanitation, and other industries with a focus of empowering communities across the world. He returned to San Francisco Bay Area to stand with folks seeking to make the community more inclusive. He lives in San Francisco with his wife and daughter where he attends public meetings and informs neighbors of pro-housing and pro-transportation initiatives.

Jeff Fong

Board Member

Housing Story

I first joined the workforce during the 2008 recession and spent the better part of a decade trying to find a foothold in the job market. Even after finding full time employment, I regularly worked an additional 20-30 hours a week as a Lyft driver to cover my cost of living. I eventually found stability, but I was lucky—and too many others were not.

Bio

Jeff has been active in housing policy debates for years, making the case for greater housing production and a revamped social safety net. He periodically writes about housing policy and politics. Jeff was formerly Vice President of Product at Postmates, an on-demand logistics platform. He now works at Hover, a technology firm that builds products for the home construction industry.

Nick Pinkston

Board Member

Housing Story

When I moved from Pittsburgh, PA to San Francisco at 25 to pursue my dreams, my rent tripled. I spent most of my savings, and it was hard to survive until I got on my feet. Since then, housing costs have more than doubled yet again, which would’ve made it impossible for me, were I 25 now. When I see people struggling on the street, I think about how close we all are to losing our homes. It reminds me daily that something must be done and that there is no time to waste.

Bio

In 2018, Nick fundraised to help Josh Harder (D) flip the CA-10 US House seat. Energized by this win, he turned his attention closer to his home of San Francisco. Having built a factory in the city, Nick knew firsthand the punishing impact of the local building regulations, and the burden that expensive housing and limited transit put on his production staff, not to mention most residents of the city. He got involved with YIMBY Action after seeing them effectively build a movement to make change. Nick brings his deep network in the tech and manufacturing communities into the movement to make better, more affordable, and equitable cities across America.

Anthony Dedousis

Board Member

Housing Story

After moving to Los Angeles, I quickly came to love my adopted home city, but found myself shocked at the region’s struggles with homelessness, traffic, pollution, and inequality. After realizing that these issues were all related to L.A.’s severe lack of housing, I decided that I wanted to be part of the solution to these challenges.

Bio

Anthony has been a leader in the pro-housing movement in Los Angeles since 2018, most recently serving as Director of Policy and Research at Abundant Housing LA. His work on housing reform has appeared on the op-ed pages of the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and Streetsblog. Anthony is a graduate of Harvard College and the University of Chicago MBA program. He is founder and CEO of Revival Homes, a startup that matches homeowners to financing and contractors for ADUs.

Leora Tanjuatco Ross

California Director

Housing Story

When I was working as a secretary in between undergrad and grad school, my income was $1,200 a month and my rent was $900. Things were tight! Then, my checks started to come in late from my boss, and I knew I had to get a second job. I did this, and it made things a little easier, but I developed an autoimmune disorder that I still have today, from the stress of trying to pay my rent. This is why I’ll be a life-long housing advocate.

Bio

Leora Tanjuatco Ross has been organizing for housing since 2015. Before YIMBY Action, she worked at the Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo, where she focused on organizing people in support of affordable housing. Leora has also served as the president of the Peninsula Democratic Coalition, the oldest and largest Democratic club in Silicon Valley. When she’s near surface-level parking lots, she’ll point out that they could be homes to anyone within hearing distance. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English and Media Studies from the University of Virginia.

Nikki Yang

Marketing Design Coordinator

Housing Story

Being born and raised in the suburbs of Los Angeles, I grew up in the physical and social isolation that occurs in communities that are designed exclusively for single family homes and McMansions. With a lacking public transportation system connecting the LA area, traveling into and within the city easily takes an hour or more to travel across short distances. I’m a YIMBY because dense cities supported by robust public transportation systems should be a standard, not an aspiration.

Bio

Nikki Yang joined the YIMBY Action Marketing and Communications team in 2022. Previously, she worked in the sustainability sector in California advocating for environmentalism on college campuses as a Zero Waste Coordinator at UC Davis Sustainability. Nikki also worked at affordable housing non-profit Community Land Trust Bruxelles in Brussels, Belgium. As the Marketing Design Coordinator for YIMBY Action, Nikki supports graphic design and marketing work that increases awareness of our movement and attracts new members. Nikki earned her Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Environmental Design from the University of California, Davis. She is currently pursuing her Master of Landscape Architecture at the University of California, Berkeley.

Mariah Redfern

Marketing and Communications Manager

Housing Story

I’ve lived in several major cities and seen the impacts that the housing crisis has had on local communities. Living in cities with extremely high rates of homelessness has made me passionate about finding solutions to support people who are experiencing homelessness. YIMBY Action is the first organization I’ve found that fights for a future where everyone can have secure housing.

Bio

Mariah started working in advocacy in 2017 at a nonprofit geared toward youth social justice initiatives in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Later, she supported digital marketing efforts for a White House Initiative and worked on projects for agencies such as USAID, the State Department, and several U.S. Embassies overseas. In 2022, Mariah joined YIMBY Action’s Marketing and Communications Department. Mariah leverages social media and email marketing to spread awareness about the pro-housing movement and help grow our people power! Mariah earned her Bachelor of Arts from American University in Public Relations and Strategic Communication.

Julia Teitelbaum

Digital and Design Director

Housing Story

I spent three years in the living room of a shared apartment and commuting three hours a day to have affordable rent. I spent a year living as a nomad to save on housing costs. Now, I consider myself lucky to have found an apartment with an unreliable refrigerator, leaking tub, and unresponsive landlord. I want housing abundance to give power back to renters and aspiring first-time homeowners!

Bio

Julia Teitelbaum has worked in design and technology for more than ten years. Julia designed digital products for companies including General Electric and Cisco. After volunteering with YIMBY Action for a few years, she joined staff in 2020, working to advance the YIMBY movement through her technology and digital design skills. Her work includes brand stewardship, service design, website management, data management, and automation. She holds a degree from Carnegie Mellon University in Information Systems & Human-Computer Interaction, with a minor in Communication Design.

Nolan DiFrancesco

Chapter Lead

Laura Foote

Executive Director

Housing Story

When I moved to San Francisco I worked in sales. My friends in the city all worked in retail, food service, and similar industries. We worked full time, but the cost of living was too high for us. I struggled for a while to find an apartment that I could afford on my own. Eventually, I realized that the housing crisis trapped people like myself and my loved ones because—despite the fact that we were working hard and earning money, it wasn’t enough for me to find a place to live.

Bio

Laura Foote became a housing activist in 2014, when she became one of the key founders of the YIMBY movement. As a Founder and the Executive Director of YIMBY Action, Laura has grown the organization into a thriving grassroots political organization with tens of thousands of activists. As of 2022, YIMBY Action has nearly 40 chapters in cities across the country. Laura is widely recognized as an authority on effective housing activism in the US. Her work building the YIMBY movement has been covered in Forbes, The San Francisco Chronicle, The New York Times, the book Golden Gates, and more.