Board & Governance

Our Board of Directors

Community Roots Housing is a public development authority (PDA) established by the City of Seattle pursuant to state law R.C. W. 35.21.730. As such, it is a public corporation. The PDA Board of Directors oversees all organizational activity including property management, real estate development, and ongoing operations. The Board is made up of 15 community members; 12 are appointed by the Board, three are nominated by the Mayor, and all are confirmed by the Seattle City Council.

Questions? Contact us at board@communityrootshousing.org.

Governance Quick Links

  • Frank Alvarado Headshot

    Frank F. Alvarado III

    Chair

    Vice President, HomeStreet Bank

  • Derrick Belgarde

    Derrick Belgarde (Siletz/Chippewa-Cree)

    Vice Chair

    Executive Director, Chief Seattle Club

  • Fou 5279

    Chasten Fulbright

    Treasurer

    Founding Principal, Blanton Turner

  • Michelle Morlan

    Michelle Morlan

    Secretary

    Principal, Lotus Development Partners LLC

  • Drew Porter, January 26, 2023, Seattle, Wa, Usa,

    Drew Porter

    Immediate Past Chair

    Deputy Director, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

  • Jill Cronauer

    Jill Cronauer

    Principal, COO, Designated Broker, Hunter’s Capital

  • Sara Cubillos Headshot

    Sara Cubillos

    Strategic Advisor, Seattle Public Utilities

  • Shalimar 2021 Square

    Shalimar Gonzales

    CEO, Solid Ground

  • Bob Fikso

    Bob Fikso

    Principal, Fikso Kretschmer Smith Dixon Ormseth

  • Shaun Frazier

    Shaun Frazier

    Senior Director of Community Housing and Homeless Services, YMCA Social Impact Center

  • Melone, Ann

    Ann Melone

    Senior Vice President & Business Development Officer at U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance

  • Michelle Purnell Hepburn

    M. Michelle Purnell-Hepburn

    Associate Dean for Inclusion and Diversity, University of Washington Foster School of Business

  • Saunatina Sanchez

    Saunatina Sanchez

    Resident Board Member

    Founder of Crafting Sound Meaning

  • Drew Weber

    Drew Weber

    Emerging Leader Fellow

    Director, Accounting Advisory at KPMG

  • Kristin Winkel

    Kristin Winkel

    COO, Jewish Family Services

Frank Alvarado Headshot

Frank F. Alvarado III

Chair

Vice President, HomeStreet Bank

Frank’s banking career started in 2003 after graduating from the W.P. Carey School of Business at Arizona State University. Serving as a provider of financial services, Frank has helped his community by offering trusted banking advice and solutions. The result is the creation of relationships with clients who continue to do business with Frank to this day. As a resident of and employee in the vibrant Capitol Hill neighborhood, he has given back by donating his time, talent, and treasure. Frank’s affiliations include the following organizations: Community Lunch on Capitol Hill, Flying House Productions, Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce, the Greater Seattle Business Association and Community Roots Housing.

Derrick Belgarde

Derrick Belgarde (Siletz/Chippewa-Cree)

Vice Chair

Executive Director, Chief Seattle Club

Derrick Belgarde is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians of Oregon, and also Chippewa-Cree from Rocky Boy Montana. Derrick is currently the Executive Director of the Chief Seattle Club, a day-center that assists urban Native Americans. He serves on the boards of Community Roots Housing and DESC, and on the Housing Development Consortium (HDC). He completed his undergraduate in Public Affairs magna cum laude, and went on to complete his Master’s in Public Administration, both at Seattle University. He is a proud father of three and is married to the wonderful Lua Belgarde.

Fou 5279

Chasten Fulbright

Treasurer

Founding Principal, Blanton Turner

Chasten has been engaged in the Capitol Hill community for over 25 years, leading a homeless ministry from 1995 to 1998, managing 70+ buildings, and calling it home for many of those years. With over fifteen years of experience in real estate management, Chasten is a founding Principal and “Creative Innovator” at Blanton Turner, where he oversees predevelopment consulting, marketing, and commercial operations. Prior to that, Chasten was a Portfolio Manager and Marketing Director at Lorig Management Services, VP at Wilkinson Asset Management, and Operations Director at Darco, Inc. Chasten has served as President of the local chapter of the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM) and currently serves on the Broadway BIA Board as well as the EcoDistrict, Financial Asset Management, and Property Management committees at Community Roots Housing. Originally from Montana, he is a Certified Property Manager (CPM) with a degree in Biblical Literature from Northwest University in Kirkland.

Michelle Morlan

Michelle Morlan

Secretary

Principal, Lotus Development Partners LLC

Michelle has been actively engaged in the direct development affordable housing and community facility projects for over 30 years. As Principal of Lotus Development Partners LLC, a mission-driven development consulting firm, Michelle oversees the work of Lotus team members and provides project management, finance strategy and development services for nonprofit housing owners, primary and behavioral health providers and for-profit developers interested in affordable housing inclusion. Michelle was previously the western states underwriter for a national intermediary’s New Markets Tax Credit program. In that capacity she facilitated investment in a variety of community and economic development projects. Since 1998, Michelle has managed development of more than 1,300 housing units including shelter beds, transitional housing and permanent supportive housing serving homeless individuals and adults with special needs. She has also developed several community and social service facilities including three multi-service centers, two federally qualified health centers, integrated primary care and behavioral health clinics and several facilities serving low income youth. Michelle holds Masters degrees in Social Work and Urban Planning from the University of Michigan. She is a past-Chair of the University of Washington Design and Urban Planning Professionals Council and serves on the Board of the Seattle-King County Housing Development Consortium.

Drew Porter, January 26, 2023, Seattle, Wa, Usa,

Drew Porter

Immediate Past Chair

Deputy Director, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Drew is an attorney with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and works across program areas on issues relating to grant making, advocacy, governance, and compliance. Previously, he worked in private practice with nonprofit clients in philanthropy, including low-income housing. He also served as Tax Counsel to a senior member of the Ways & Means Committee of the US House of Representatives. Drew holds a law degree from Columbia University and a Masters of Law in Taxation from Georgetown University, and graduated from the University of Washington. He lives with his family in the Leschi neighborhood of Seattle.

Jill Cronauer

Jill Cronauer

Principal, COO, Designated Broker, Hunter’s Capital

Jill Cronauer is the Chief Operating Officer and designated broker for Hunters Capital. She is responsible for property acquisitions, marketing, leasing, public relations, and overall business operations. Since joining the Hunters Capital team in 2008, Jill has grown Hunters’ managed square feet from 160,000 to nearly 600,000 square feet in Seattle’s Capitol Hill and First Hill neighborhoods. Jill is dedicated to Hunters Capital’s mission of preserving architectural integrity and Seattle’s historic legacy by restoring and refurbishing turn-of-the century buildings and finding creative and innovative retail and office tenants who serve the neighborhood. Also representing Hunters Capital in local community affairs, she served as President and Chairperson of the Capitol Hill Chamber of Commerce.

Sara Cubillos Headshot

Sara Cubillos

Strategic Advisor, Seattle Public Utilities

Sara is a Strategic Advisor for Seattle Public Utilities with their Drainage and Wastewater Planning Division. Her career has focused on bringing a voice to those most affected and traditionally underrepresented into environmental decision making and investments. Before Seattle Public Utilities, she was the Equity & Environment Program Coordinator at Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment. Sara holds a BA in Public Affairs from Seattle University and a Master of Urban Planning from the University of Washington, specializing in real estate and a certificate in historic preservation. She has been a Capitol Hill resident for nine years.

Shalimar 2021 Square

Shalimar Gonzales

CEO, Solid Ground

Shalimar is a nonprofit professional who started her career working in arts-based youth programs. Shalimar is the CEO of Solid Ground, building community to end poverty. She previously worked at YMCA of Greater Seattle in various roles for over 17 years. Shalimar is engaged in national level change management, community development, diversity, inclusion, and equity work, and global capacity building. Shalimar’s affiliations include the following organizations: White Center Community Development Association, Totem Star, and Community Roots Housing.

Bob Fikso

Bob Fikso

Principal, Fikso Kretschmer Smith Dixon Ormseth

Bob is a founding principal of Fikso Kretschmer Smith Dixon Ormseth, lawyers focusing on real estate and real estate finance transactions. Bob represents developers, homebuilders, and investors. He also is general counsel for closely held businesses. Before organizing FKSDO in 1995, Bob was a principal in Hillis Clark Martin & Peterson. Bob is Trustee and Secretary of the Lucky Seven Foundation. Previously he served on the advisory board of Meredith Mathews East Madison YMCA and was a director of Open Adoption & Family Services, a Portland-based adoption agency, and Center on Contemporary Art. He is a 1981 graduate of the University of Washington School of Law and a 1978 graduate in history from Stanford University. Bob is a lifelong Seattleite, has three children, and resides with his partner in Leschi.

Shaun Frazier

Shaun Frazier

Senior Director of Community Housing and Homeless Services, YMCA Social Impact Center

Shaun Frazier brings over nine years of experience working with youth and young adults by means of case management, administration, and program development at afterschool leadership, workforce development, and transitional living programs. Most recently, Shaun is employed at the YMCA Social Impact Center in Seattle, Washington, as the Director of Community Housing. There he oversees the following youth and young adult housing programs: Youth Engagement Team (YET), Navigation/Diversion, Host Homes and Housing Stability for Youth in Court (H-SYNC). Shaun enjoys being a part of the amazing work in housing, homelessness, and prevention services that are being accomplished among the YMCA of Greater Seattle, City of Seattle, King County, and other community and philanthropic partners. He is also passionate about empowering communities towards recognizing and embodying black excellence, as well as joining in on equity and inclusion work among underrepresented cultural and socioeconomic groups. Shaun has earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Cedarville University and Masters of Nonprofit Administration degree from North Park University.

Melone, Ann

Ann Melone

Senior Vice President & Business Development Officer at U.S. Bancorp Impact Finance

With a career spanning nearly two decades at U.S. Bancorp, Ann has made significant contributions in various roles. As Senior Vice President, Business Development Officer since 2014, she played a key role in originating substantial low-income housing tax credit investments, fostering trusted relationships with clients and partners, and navigating complex transactions, resulting in an impressive annual investment production. Prior to this, during their tenure as Vice President, Relationship Manager she demonstrated expertise in structuring intricate financing deals for affordable housing developments, overseeing a substantial portfolio, and collaborating effectively with product partners. Holding an MBA with a concentration in Finance and a strong background in philanthropy and community involvement, Ann combines financial acumen with a commitment to social justice, as evident in her leadership roles on various boards and committees in the affordable housing sector.

Michelle Purnell Hepburn

M. Michelle Purnell-Hepburn

Associate Dean for Inclusion and Diversity, University of Washington Foster School of Business

M. Michelle Purnell-Hepburn is the Associate Dean for Inclusion and Diversity at the University of Washington Foster School of Business. Prior to this, Ms. Purnell-Hepburn served as Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Director at the Seattle Foundation after serving as its Managing Director, Controller and Accounting. Ms. Purnell-Hepburn was formerly Vice President/Controller of Salal Credit Union from 2012 to 2018, SVP/Chief Financial Officer at Seattle Metropolitan Credit Union from 1999 to 2011 and Vice President of Finance at Group Health Credit Union from 1989 to 1999. She has worked in the accounting and finance field since 1982 in both the high-tech industry as well as credit unions. Michelle earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in finance and economics and her Masters of Business Administration degree, specializing in finance and accounting, from the University of Washington. She was President of the Association of Black Business Students during her graduate school years.

Saunatina Sanchez

Saunatina Sanchez

Resident Board Member

Founder of Crafting Sound Meaning

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Saunatina is the founder of Crafting Sound Meaning and works as a Communications Specialist, using her professional training and lived experiences to bring intersectional perspectives to projects to reach those, like her, who hold multiple marginalized identities; as an autistic child of autistic parents, being able to interpret mainstream society and how to thrive in it has been a lifelong journey. Saunatina has been a resident of Community Roots Housing for over a decade and currently sits on the Board of League of Women Voters of Seattle-King County as the Membership Chair, is active in the Transit Riders Union, Puget Sound Tenants Union, and mutual aid groups serving those in her neighborhood who’ve been marginalized from society.

Drew Weber

Drew Weber

Emerging Leader Fellow

Director, Accounting Advisory at KPMG

Drew Weber, currently serving as the Director of Accounting Advisory Services at KPMG in Seattle, is a distinguished professional with a proven track record in accounting and advisory. Her tenure at KPMG showcases her expertise in leading advisory engagements for buy-side/sell-side assistance, capital markets readiness, technical accounting, ESG, and financial reporting projects for both private and public clients. With a strong focus on ASC 606, having assisted numerous public SaaS companies in navigating complex revenue recognition challenges. Her role as a loan staff controller for a public company demonstrated her agility in evaluating leases under ASC 842 during a transition to a remote-first environment. Her diverse experience encompasses leadership in capital markets readiness assessments, ESG reporting guidance, and performance development for KPMG team members. With proficiency in various technical skills and a solid educational background.

Kristin Winkel

Kristin Winkel

COO, Jewish Family Services

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Kristin is the COO of Jewish Family Services and is responsible for the successful management of the day-to-day operations of the agency, including client services and programs, IT and facilities and budgetary accountability. She acts in the CEO’s capacity in his absence. She provides daily oversight of agency activities and leadership in crafting a vision for the future direction of the agency’s programs and administrative services. Kristin provides leadership in the agency’s strategic planning process and transformation to an outcomes-driven model of service. Before coming to JFS, Kristin spent nine years at King County Housing Authority, where she led the Section 8 voucher program and Homeless Initiatives. Previously, she worked at Abt Associates in Cambridge, Massachusetts, providing technical assistance and analysis to government agencies. Kristin has a Bachelor of Arts from Vassar College and a Master of Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

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