Our People
Executive Committee
Shawn Flynn
Shawn Flynn spent 4 plus years living and conducting business in Beijing, China. While in China, he founded, grew, and profitably exited a successful education company. Shawn moved back to San Francisco to invest his experience, connections, and resources back into the world’s deepest and most vibrant technology ecosystem.
Shawn works with institutions, governments, and various capital sources, to help promote economic growth at a global scale. He is heavily involved in the Silicon Valley technology ecosystem of fast growing, high potential businesses. He has played a pivotal role to help multi-nationals, both pre and post-IPO companies including overseas “Unicorns”, set up operations in Silicon Valley while connecting prominent Silicon Valley companies with strategic and funding sources overseas. Shawn’s contacts, talent, and energy are directed at achieving Global Capital’s Clients’ goal of maximizing shareholder value during liquidity and growth capital events.
Shawn is the founder of the award-winning podcast “The Silicon Valley Podcast”. He is passionate about building bridges that connect Silicon Valley to the rest of the world.
Shawn holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from UCSD and speaks Mandarin and Spanish. He also holds FINRA Series SIE, 7, 24, 63, and 79 licenses.
Carlos Serrano
Mr. Carlos Serrano-Quan is the Managing Partner of Sequoia Commercial Group, a San Francisco Bay Area Brokerage and Investment Company providing Commercial Real Estate Consulting, Sales, Leasing, Management, and Development Services. He is also the Vice President of the San Mateo Planning Commission. In his career, he has successfully helped both for profit and nonprofit organizations with commercial real estate acquisitions, dispositions, and leasing advisory services. He has been awarded with the prestigious CoStar Power Broker Award for Leasing Commercial Real Estate, between 2020 and 2024.
Carlos is actively involved in affordable housing, real estate development, and economic development organizations, as both an advisor and consultant. He is Past President and Chairman of the Chinese Real Estate Association of America (CREAA), a board member of the Silicon Valley Asian Real Estate Association America (AREAA), and member of both the San Francisco and San Mateo Chamber of Commerce.
In addition to his business accomplishments. Carlos has served the City and County of San Francisco in various positions. He was appointed to the Citizen’s Advisory Committee of the Department of Aging and Adult Services, and the Department of Children, Youth and Families. He is also a United States Army Disabled Veteran.
Among Carlos' favorite activities is volunteering for nonprofit organizations. He was the former Executive Director HomeownershipSF, Community Youth Center, Chinese Newcomers Service Center, and Senior Director of the American Diabetes Association and Goodwill Industries. He is currently the Chairman of San Francisco Pre-Trial Diversion and a Board Member of the National Asian Pacific Center on Aging.
Carolina Ravassa
Carolina Ravassa is a dynamic force in the entertainment industry, boasting a diverse skill set as an actor, director, producer, and writer. Her remarkable journey includes iconic voice acting roles, such as Sombra in Overwatch and Raze in Valorant, as well as her production and starring role in Morgan's Mask, a film on Amazon Prime Video that tackles mental health issues affecting the gaming community.
As a multilingual artist, fluent in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and Italian, Carolina's global perspective and cultural richness are evident in her work. Her roots in philanthropy run deep, having spent her formative years teaching at a camp for low-income children in Cali, Colombia, and actively supporting the Trinity School—a cornerstone for the Bellavista neighborhood in Cali.
Carolina's commitment to social impact extends beyond borders. In Rio de Janeiro, she collaborated with Augusto Boal and the Theatre of the Oppressed, engaging with diverse communities, including prisoners, housemaids, mentally ill patients, and public school teachers. Witnessing the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, she immediately flew to New Orleans to contribute to rebuilding efforts, showcasing her hands-on dedication to humanitarian causes.
A passionate advocate for women's rights, Carolina facilitated a collaboration between Eve Ensler's organization and Jumbo Roses in Ecuador, uniting for a campaign against violence towards women. Her streaming platform serves as a powerful tool for fundraising, supporting causes such as wildfire victims, families separated at the border, and hurricane relief efforts.
Carolina's education, including a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Boston College and training at The New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts and Rio de Janeiro's Center for Theatre of the Oppressed, underpins her precision and depth as an artist. Her extensive credits, spanning animation, video games, and live-action productions, showcase her versatility and impact in the entertainment landscape.
As Carolina takes the helm of the Trinity School project and oversees initiatives in Colombia, her passion for education, cultural understanding, and philanthropy align seamlessly with the core values of Homes 4 the Homeless. Her wealth of experience, both in the entertainment industry and in humanitarian efforts, makes her a perfect asset to our nonprofit, poised to elevate our mission and contribute to positive change on a global scale.
Connect with Carolina Ravassa at carolina@homes4thehomeless.org on Twitter at @carolinaravassa, Instagram at @ravassa, and YouTube at @hispanglosaxon.
About Trinity: Trinity School stands as a beacon in the Bellavista neighborhood of Cali, Colombia, providing high-quality education to 272 students from low-income families. With a fundraising goal of $50,000 and an average family income of $222/month, the school ensures that no child is turned away, regardless of financial circumstances. Carolina's dedication to Trinity, coupled with her entertainment prowess, solidifies her position as a catalyst for positive change within Homes 4 the Homeless.
COMMUNITY DATA
- Students Enrolled: 272
- Grade Levels: Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 9
- Yearly Tuition Per Student: $491/year
- 20% Single Mothers among Parents
- More than a third of families survive on minimum wage, with a significant portion facing financial challenges. Yet, the school remains committed to providing education to all, reflecting the inclusive values upheld by Homes 4 the Homeless.
Yash Mehta
An award-winning designer with a passion for understanding the social impact of architectural change and realizing ideas drawn on paper into built projects. Yash is a founder of 2 non-profits, established in the USA & in India. He has worked around the globe and has experience with a variety of building typology from drawing to construction. His love towards architecture & passion to help people aligns him well with the H4h goals.
Letitia Hanke
Founder and Executive Director of the Lime Foundation. I’m a small-town girl from Hidden Valley Lake in Lake County, California. After years of being bullied in school, I found music as a path to boosting my self-esteem. I started learning the trumpet at 7 and was playing with the middle school band by age 8. By the time I was 10, while still in middle school, I was performing with the high school marching band. At 12 I taught myself to play piano and sing, and I’ve loved performing ever since. Music not only kept me out of trouble, it helped me excel in academics too. I was able to skip the 11th grade and graduate a year early.
Dreaming of a career in music, I enrolled at Sonoma State University. However, as a starving student working for tips as a guest singer, I saw the need for a “real job” that would provide a reliable income. That’s how I found myself in the roofing industry. (That, however, is a whole other story. If you’re curious about it, you are cordially invited to visit my company’s website, where it’s all explained.)
That’s the background to my passion for supporting musical education, the performing arts and education in general. If the LIME Foundation can help a school help a child excel in learning or in exploring music, I think we’re making our community a better place. That’s the thinking behind one of our LIME Foundation programs, the Turner Arts Initiative (Turner is my maiden name, so you can tell I’m passionate about this program). This program helps children – especially kids who have been bullied – to learn and explore music in an educational setting either in or after school. My hope is to create a positive, optimistic and encouraging atmosphere for these kids.
And that’s why, even before the LIME Foundation got on its feet, my company, ARS Roofing, began donating 1% of every reroofing and gutter replacement to the school or college of our client’s choice. We started this program to help ease the burden our schools face in an era of budget cuts. Our donations help schools maintain music and performing arts programs. Today however, we make our contributions differently – and even more powerfully. Today, ARS Roofing donates up to 5% of the earnings from each job to The LIME Foundation, which focuses its resources and energy on three areas: education (especially music education), vocational training in the construction trades, and assistance to seniors.
More about these two other areas of focus by The LIME Foundation: We support a vocational training/construction apprenticeship program (the NextGen Trades Academy) and provide free construction services to low-income families and the elderly. This creates a double benefit for the community. It helps prepare people in disadvantaged communities for fulfilling careers while at the same time providing important services to people who otherwise couldn’t afford them.
Finally, the LIME Foundation also runs programs for the elderly in an effort to address America’s obesity epidemic through light exercise and healthy eating. Heart disease, diabetes and obesity run in my family, and I’m really anxious to break the chain and do something about it with this program.
Robert Dau
Robert has over 37 years of experience in every aspect of the Rental Car industry. An accomplished and results-oriented executive, he developed and executed short- and long-term strategies.
Lisa Dau
Lisa has over 30 years of Rental Car experience where her positions included Financial Analyst and Controller for multiple major Rental Car companies. She now focuses on Consulting, Accounting and Bookkeeping for small to mid-size businesses with an emphasis in the rental car industry.
Ryan Rypka
Introducing Ryan Rypka, a foundational member of Homes 4 the Homeless since its inception and a vital asset to our organization's growth. Currently serving as an Executive Committee Member, Ryan's journey reflects a commitment to excellence, high-level transactions, and the pursuit of innovative solutions for homelessness.
Professional Expertise: Ryan's career began in sales and operations in his home state of California, where he collaborated with domestic and global rental car agencies and dealerships. His role as an operations manager in the car industry not only showcased his business acumen but also marked the beginning of his philanthropic journey. Ryan became an integral part of the executive committee of Homes 4 the Homeless, dedicating himself to the development of modular, transitional housing for vulnerable and unsheltered populations across the United States.
Versatility and Quick Study: Known for his sharp mind and versatility, Ryan Rypka has been a go-to professional within Homes 4 the Homeless. His ability to handle high-level transactions, navigate government relations, and tackle complex projects sets him apart. As one of the quickest studies in the field, Ryan absorbs information like a sponge, ensuring that he stays at the forefront of industry trends and developments.
Philanthropy and Leadership: Ryan's involvement in philanthropy extends beyond his role at Homes 4 the Homeless. After his career in the car industry, he moved to Jupiter, Florida, where he assumed the position of Vice President for Family Office Networks (FON). In this role, Ryan has excelled in creating and maintaining successful relationships with clients, showcasing his leadership and networking skills.
Passions and Lifestyle: Outside of his professional endeavors, Ryan finds joy in adventurous pursuits, such as skydiving, and embraces the vibrant Florida weather. His passion for pushing boundaries in both his personal and professional life is a testament to his commitment to making a positive impact.
Chenghao Qian
Chenghao is volunteering his time helping with China-US Business Development. Studying for his Masters Degree in finance at University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, Chenghao earned a Bachelors Degree in finance from the University of Missouri.
John Farrow
Farrow Construction has built a reputation based on our guiding principles of inspiration, innovation, and integrity. We pride ourselves on having roots in our community that have enabled us to grow nationally. We build with the intention of exceeding client expectations in every phase of the job, and have a long history of transforming our clients’ ideas and visions into award-winning projects. Our extensive portfolio features industry-leading projects that showcase state-of-the-art renewable energy innovations, and we are committed to building relationships and strong foundations in the communities in which we work. This is the Farrow advantage.
For nearly 30 years, John Farrow has worked diligently to create a different kind of development and construction experience—one that focuses on people. Utilizing his keen leadership skills, John is able to strategize and develop business practices that encompass detailed planning, execution, and completion, and his industry expertise gives him deep insight into the subtle yet critical nuances of highly complex projects. Throughout his career, John has been driven by a desire to lead a construction company that is distinctively different, while following proven techniques for the benefit of its clients.
Andriya Glessner
Andriya owns and operates ConserveAwater, Inc., providing superior plant protection technology to the agriculture industry. She has volunteered for earthquake relief in Haiti and a battered women’s shelter in Africa. Andriya is clinically certified in alcohol and drug treatment and has helped thousands of people achieve a clean and sober life. As Division Director for California Human Development she managed Sonoma County’s criminal justice and substance abuse programs with an annual budget of $2.4M with $150K profit.
Heidi Richardson
Heidi is deeply passionate about environmental welfare and social issues and serves in a number of board capacities towards that end. “Let’s all make the world a better place,” she says and believes governance of the ESG (Environmental, Social, and Corporate Governance) should be automatic.
She says it was the reason she joined as Managing Director for Graystone Consulting, because it gives her investment knowledge purpose in tumultuous economies. She is an Institutional Consultant and Investment Manager with more than 30 years experience building SRI and Values-based portfolios. Specializes in building and managing sustainable and values-based portfolios for nontaxable endowments, foundations, and family office clients. Advises clients on overall strategic asset allocation and tactical and opportunistic investing. Asset classes include equity, fixed income, and a variety of alternatives including hedge funds, private investments and commodities.
Deborah Larson
Deborah is a seasoned real estate paralegal with multi-faceted experience in real estate that began when working for The Irvine Company in the development of master plan communities in Irvine. Deborah has extensive knowledge and experience in a variety of projects from the development of Tustin Marketplace to land use entitlements for master planned communities in Lake Elsinore and other projects in Riverside and San Bernardino Counties. Working with a variety of differing personalities including real estate investors, lenders and local authorities, she has learned that the key ingredients to success are the art of negotiation and creating personal integrity. Core values of honesty, authenticity, generosity and excellence are the basis of all Deborah’s relationships. She has achieved successful resolutions with federal, state and county authorities, while maintaining positive relationships with business partners, investors, lenders and engineers. Finalizing real estate development projects in a timely manner drives the objectives of Deborah's developer clients.
Deborah expanded her real estate experience to include Lease Administration, Legal Case Management and Shopping Center Development with such national concepts as Taco Bell, Baja Fresh, La Salsa and Pacific Sunwear and various shopping center developers in California. Working with nationally-recognized landlords has served to heighten her lease negotiation skills, drafting of lease and shopping center documents and maximize her management talents. As a paralegal she plays a strategic and vital role in any contemporary group.
Deborah states, “Throughout my career, I have had the pleasuring of serving on many management and development teams with local Orange County businesses and real estate developers; my favorite service teams are with such non-profit companies as Mary’s Shelter, Obria Medical Clinics, Toby’s Maternity Home, Mariner’s Church, Saddleback Church, Home Aid, Orange County and local soup kitchens.”
Deborah is actively involved in pro bono work and speaking engagements with local volunteer organizations. During her leisure time she enjoys the beautiful horse trails of The Irvine Ranch and the Orange Hills. Deborah resides in Orange, CA and is a devoted member of a very large Italian family.
Specialties: real estate development including procuring entitlements, title research, resolving complex real estate issues between local authorities and developers, contract and lease negotiations, CC&Rs, lease abstracts, document administration and management, corporate compliance with lenders.