Our Staff
Mi Casa Inc. Board of Directors:
Jonathan Cohn, President
Senior Consultant, Bearing Point, Inc
Maurice Perry, Vice President
Vice President, Community Development Banking for Bank of America
Holly Lennihan, Secretary
Architect, Hickok, Warner, Cole Architects
Tamara King, Member
Director Loan Production, Mortgage Bankers Association
Zixta Martinez, Member
Senior Director for State and Industry Relations
Freddie Mac
Fernando Lemos, Ex Oficio Member
Founding Executive Director, Mi Casa Inc.
Fernando Lemos, Executive Director
Fernando Lemos has more 20 years of experience in the nonprofit housing and economic development sectors. Originally from Paraguay, Lemos is a long-time resident of Washington, DC with extensive experience working with the Latino community. He is trained in architectural design, housing and community economic development, small business management, and home inspection. Lemos also serves on the boards of District of Columbia Housing Authority, Latino Economic Development Corporation, Cornerstone, Inc., and the National Association of Latino Community Asset Builders.
Elin Zurbrigg, Deputy Director
Elin Zurbrigg has over a decade of experience in community development. Prior to joining Mi Casa, she worked and volunteered with nonprofits as a homeless rights advocate and teacher, leading and developing urban environmental conservation and design projects. She holds a Masters in Community Planning from the University of Maryland with a concentration in community development and design and affordable housing. She is a LEED accredited professional for new construction and existing buildings and holds Housing Development Financial Professional Certification. Zurbrigg also serves on the board of the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development.
Judy Meima, Multi-family Programs
Judy Meima joined Mi Casa in 2003 as the Tenant Purchase Program Coordinator. Previously, she worked in community organizing and housing and community development in Illinois for more than 20 years, including as executive director of the Statewide Housing Coalition in Illinois. Meima’s work on behalf of low-income populations has also included positions with a grassroots community organization and economic development technical assistance center.
Juan Cardona, Program Associate.
Juan Cardona began his work with Mi Casa as a tenant organizer and translator. After obtaining his B.S. in Architecture at the Catholic University, he taught architecture, environmental education and bilingual education at a Washington, DC charter school. Currently, he is project manager and construction monitor for the Multi-family Program.
Juan Pablo Vacatello, Program Associate.
A native of Argentina, Juan Pablo Vacatello came to the Washington, DC area after completing his degree in Business Administration at the University of Buenos Aires. He has put his knowledge to work on behalf of low-income populations, helping them to access equal opportunities in housing, education, and other sectors of society.
Cheryl Davis, Operations Manager.
Cheryl Davis joined Mi Casa in January 2009, bringing with her more than 15 years of experience with architectural and other private firms as office manager, bookkeeper, and personnel manager. Davis is a native of the Washington, DC area.
Raquel Martinez, Multi-family Program Assistant/Administrative Assistant.
In her dual position, Raquel Martinez helps support first-time homebuyers navigating the home purchase process. A native of El Salvador, Martinez is a long-time resident of the Washington DC area. She is active in the local Salvadoran community, volunteering in her free time as an ESL teacher. Martinez is completing studies in business administration.
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