Our People
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Del Christensen
As Chief of Global Business Development for the Bay Area Council, overseeing the Council’s trade, investment, and academic efforts between China and California, Del was instrumental in reopening the California Trade Office in Shanghai. In this important initiative, Del oversaw the Global operations of the China-California Office of Trade and Investment for the State of California from 2013-2020. Del continues to serve on multiple social impact boards.
Following his passion for social impact initiatives Del is actively addressing two of the country’s most challenging epidemics. Choosing to work hands-on, Del is the Executive Director of Homes 4 The Homeless. This non-profit creates housing villages that shelter the nation’s homeless population, as well as providing vocational training for underserved youth and young adults. These young people participate in building homes and shower/bathroom units for deployment to homeless encampments.
Del also serves as the Chief of Policy and Channel Development for Seekhaven, Silicon Valley’s fastest growing startup that offers evidence-based outcomes serving the opioid treatment continuum and homeless communities.
Prior to joining the Bay Area Council, Del established a 20-year track record of extraordinary success in sales, business development, and team leadership working for several Fortune 500 companies.
Stephen Smulan
Stephen is a recent graduate from Sonoma State University, who studied Economics with an emphasis on the Environment. His experience in sales, construction, and project management has helped accelerate our delivery time. Stephen also brings valuable insights from building container housing in Kona, HI.
Christina Meyers
Christina has been growing organizations organically since 2000. Her gregarious spirit coupled with executive project management experience has achieved top results. Most recently she worked in the Global Mobility Industry, helping Fortune 1000 companies relocate their employees globally. Christina is based in Santa Clara, California and enjoys learning about holistic healing practices.
Zayn King-Dollie
Zayn recently relocated to Sacramento CA from Sydney Australia and was immediately struck by the homeless situation in the city. Wanting to learn more and what potential solutions could look like he came across H4H via our VP & COO Mike Loganbill and immediately got involved in activities in and around Sacramento. With a professional background spanning tech, education, and non profit in a variety of different settings from Africa to Asia, he brings his extensive project management, stakeholder engagement and customer success experience to the table. He’s currently at Bitwise Industries, a custom software development firm based in Fresno CA. “Be anxiously concerned with the needs of the age ye live in, and centre your deliberations on its exigencies and requirements” is the Baha’i quote which drives Zayn’s engagement with the community and involvement in social impact initiatives.
Ivonne Zhu
Ivonne Zhu owns Appellations Cellar, starting as an exporter, and eventually establishing relationships with growers and wine makers throughout the region. She cares deeply about the issue of homelessness and hopes to lead the local wine industry in confronting this crisis.
Chris Barnett
Chris is a graduate of Gonzaga University, earning a bachelor of business administration in International Business and Human Resources. Mr. Barnett is recognized by the Worldwide Employee Relocation Council (ERC) as a Certified Relocation Professional (CPR) and a Global Mobility Specialist (GMS). Based in Santa Clara, California, Chris has a passion for travel and learning about wines.
Karla Reyes
We are excited to welcome Karla Reyes to our team as our Outreach Coordinator. Karla brings a great deal of compassion to our nonprofit and has worked in the community for several years helping alleviate homelessness. She first got involved through working with town councilor Rosa Reynoza of Windsor, California. She also volunteered with Queen Tran, owner of Queen Nail Spa in Windsor, delivering aid directly to those in need. She has volunteered with St. Vincent de Paul Society Kitchen in Railroad Square and with Catholic Charities. Karla attended Windsor High School and her work experience includes several years with Freeman Toyota and Lexus in Santa Rosa as a Service Advisor. She did portfolio management at First American Home Buyers Protection. She was the Admin Coordinator for WorldMark Windsor Resort. Karla currently works with Ace Rent a Car and lives in Sebastopol with her son. In her spare time she volunteers with her Church and is interested in helping those suffering from cancer.
Irvin Klein
Irvin Klein is an architect who has done a variety of projects both residential and commercial, new architecture, remodels and interiors. Click Here to see some of his work
Sara Bernate
Sara Bernate is an interior architect and designer who has worked on residential and hospitality projects throughout the Bay Area and Sonoma County. She is an avid environmentalist and long time enthusiast of the tiny house movement. Sara is the principal and owner of Studio Beau Design in Healdsburg, CA.
David Escobar
David Escobar has served as an Administrative Aide to former Fourth District Supervisor Steve Kinsey in Marin County for 15 years, before taking the appointment with the Marin County Board of Supervisors, he served as a parole and probation officer with the Marin County Probation Department in the Adult Division. After 21 years of service with the County of Marin, he took an early retirement to take on the position of Director of the State mandated re-Entry and rehabilitation programs at San Quentin State Prison. David identifies as an indigenous Salvadoran, recognized as a member of the Lenca-Poton nation which encompasses the eastern region of El Salvador, Honduras and parts of Nicaragua. David has attended the Indigenous Permanent Forum at the United Nations in New York for several years as delegate with the American Indian Movement and on behalf of his maternal grandmother’s Poton community. He was the former Director of Programs & Operations for the Multicultural Center of Marin non-profit in San Rafael and now Director of Prevention and Intervention for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sonoma-Marin.
David has also worked as an adjunct professor, at Dominican University and has taught Indigenous Perspectives, Mayan Cosmologies. He has also taught pre-Columbian and Native studies at Holy Names University. David holds a Bachelor’s degree in Humanities from the New College, Masters in Organizational Leadership from Saint Mary’s College, competed a certificate in Higher Learning from the Bok Center at Harvard University. He is currently completing his dissertation at the California Institute of Integral studies in Anthropology and Social Change with an emphasis on Indigenous Cosmopolitanism. Mr. Escobar has been published in several publications including the Marin County Independent Journal, Nectar Magazine, Point Reyes Light and Kaiser Permanente’s Latino Association Newsletter which reaches several thousand members throughout the State of California. David lives with his daughter Kila in Windsor and in their spare time, they both work diligently on a 1952 Chrysler lowrider.
Ginny Scales-Medeiros
Ginny holds workshops on money management, credit recovery and negotiating skills that help the homeless become more self-sufficient. Her unusual story includes being on her own at the age of 15. Learn more at www.ginnyscalesmedeiros.com
Audrey Hauser
Audrey is a recent college graduate at Sonoma State University with a B.A. in Sociology. She has focused her undergraduate career on researching sustainable affordable housing methods around Sonoma County to combat the increasing risks of climate change. We are excited to welcome her to our team as she continues to push our organization forward with grant writing and innovative research towards housing solutions.
Jim Glessner
Founder and President of GST International, an environmental-friendly concrete manufacturer dedicated to the reduction of CO2 emissions in the concrete industry, Jim holds multiple patents in green chemistry. In response to the devastating losses caused by natural disasters and homelessness he founded MATS (Multiple Application Transitional Structures) to provide superior housing quickly and affordably to those in need.
Qiqi Fan
Qiqi Fan is a Director for HadalX, a developer of private submersibles and submarines for research and underwater tourism. During the pandemic she partnered with Veterans United to offer personal protective equipment for front-line medical workers. Qiqi assists Homes 4 the Homeless in communicating with suppliers in China.
Elizabeth Nkandu
Elizabeth Nkandu: A Beacon of Compassion and Advocacy
Elizabeth Nkandu is a dedicated psychosocial counselor with a profound commitment to making a positive impact. Her professional journey is marked by accolades, recognition, and a deep-rooted passion for empowering individuals and advocating for justice.
In 2018, Elizabeth's unwavering dedication earned her the prestigious titles of Customer Care Ambassador and Employee of the Year, bestowed upon her by Madam Bridget, the General Manager of Mika Groups of Hotels. These accolades served as a testament to her exceptional service and commitment to excellence.
In 2021, Elizabeth proudly represented Zambia as one of the top 10 candidates in the SHE Awards, specifically in the category of Healthpreneur of the Year. Her advocacy work centered around championing the rights and well-being of individuals with special abilities, reflecting her unwavering commitment to inclusivity and empowerment.
Additionally, Elizabeth was recognized as one of the top 15,000 finalists for the 2021 Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneur Innovative $5,000.00 Award, a prestigious honor among 200,000 African youths. Her journey of excellence continues as she pursues a nursing program at the University of Lusaka School of Natural Sciences, further expanding her capacity to contribute to the well-being of others.
Beyond her professional commitments, Elizabeth is a passionate advocate for global understanding, peace, and justice. She channels her dedication into supporting individuals with mental health conditions and empowering young people to recognize their intrinsic self-worth.
Elizabeth is not only a prominent psychosocial counselor but also a beloved radio personality known as "Queen E" on Cloud 96.7 FM in central Zambia. Her presence on the airwaves extends her reach as she fosters meaningful connections and provides counseling support to her listeners. Through her program, "Let's Chat with Elizabeth," she embodies her philosophy that true happiness is found in the depth of heartfelt relationships rather than material possessions.
As Elizabeth often emphasizes, "Happiness is not found in material possessions but in deep, heartfelt relationships that bring true joy to the heart." Her unwavering motivation lies in raising awareness, offering counseling, and making a positive difference in society—a commitment that resonates seamlessly with the mission of Homes 4 the Homeless.