Kayla Gillispie joins Community Roots with 13 years of affordable housing experience, having built her career from the ground up. She began as a leading agent and advanced to the Regional Director at Mercy Housing Northwest. Her leadership, passion, and dedication to excellence in property operations will energize and support the organization. Originally from Auburn,
Read MoreTeam Role: Staff
Erin Arnold
Erin Arnold has been with Community Roots since 2022 and serves as the Director of Human Resources, also overseeing the Administrative Department. Prior to joining Community Roots, they worked in behavioral health program management, counseling and human resources in Oregon and Washington. Erin is a SHRM Certified Professional and holds a B.A. in Sociology from
Read MoreNelda Jackson
Nelda Jackson comes from a twenty-three-year profession in Property Management with a strong focus on leadership and team development. She’s passionate about creating positive, organized environments where both residents and staff can thrive. Nelda recently assisted in creating a training program for her department, aimed at strengthening team performance and improving service standards across the
Read MoreScott “Mac” McEachran
Scott “Mac” McEachran oversees the operations of Community Roots Housing maintenance services program and capital projects. He has supervised the maintenance department since 2002. Mac has vast knowledge and experience at Community Roots Housing buildings and has managed increased responsibilities in his tenure. His efforts have grown the maintenance department and its ability to provide
Read MoreColleen Echohawk
Colleen Echohawk brings over 20 years of experience as an executive leader, small business owner, and community organizer to the role. This includes serving as Executive Director of Chief Seattle Club, where she led the effort to create nearly $100 million in new affordable housing in Seattle, and CEO of Eighth Generation, a Native-designed art and lifestyle
Read MoreCarolina Rocha
Carolina Rocha serves as the Operations Manager, overseeing crucial aspects of strategic planning, policy development, and organizational governance. Her leadership extends to spearheading policy development and maintenance efforts, managing records, and ensuring compliance with document retention policies. With an MBA in Strategic Management and International Trade & Logistics followed by her bachelor’s degree in business,
Read MoreAnthony Tuong
Anthony Tuong serves as Controller at Community Root Housing, drawing upon his extensive experience in third-party real estate operations and housing authorities. With an accounting degree from Washington State University and a CPA license, Anthony excels in financial reporting, budgeting, and external communication. His passion for real estate and analytics fuels his commitment to driving
Read MoreAmy Forsaith
Amy first joined Community Roots in 2020 as the Grants Manager for the Community Roots Housing Foundation. In this role, she led the preparation and submission of grant proposals big and small, securing millions in funding for Community Roots’ priority projects and programs. After a brief hiatus in 2022 to provide grant writing support for
Read MoreLisa Hagen
Lisa worked in commercial real estate valuation for seven years before joining Community Roots Housing in 2015 to pursue a more fulfilling career in nonprofit affordable housing. She earned a BBA in Real Estate and Urban Land Economics from the University of Wisconsin and is a CHAM Certified Asset Management Specialist. She has a passion
Read MoreAndrew Oommen
Andrew Oommen joined Community Roots Housing in 2021. He has worked in housing and community development for over a decade, previously working with Rebuilding Together, Habitat for Humanity, and Mercy Housing. He holds a Master of Public Administration degree from The Evergreen State College, a Bachelor of Arts from Western Washington University, and a Certificate
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