Drew Porter

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

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Shalimar Gonzales

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

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Kiley Dhatt

Kiley Dhatt oversees fundraising and communications, and supports external relations at Community Roots Housing. As Executive Director of the Community Roots Housing Foundation, Kiley manages the 501(c)(3) arm of the organization, including the Foundation Board of Directors. She works closely with staff, board, and partners to develop and execute effective fundraising and communications strategies to

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Michelle House

Michelle has worked in the housing industry for over 14 years with experience ranging from site manager, portfolio manager, and compliance positions. Prior to her work in the affordable housing industry, Michelle worked with the Community Action Program in Kitsap County for five years, providing assistance in areas of low-income heating and energy assistance, WIC,

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Christopher Persons

Christopher Persons has led Community Roots Housing since 2007 and has more than three decades of senior nonprofit leadership experience. Prior to joining Community Roots Housing, he was the executive director of Inspiration Corporation, a homeless and housing services agency in Chicago. Under his leadership, it grew from a neighborhood agency to a city-wide, award-winning

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