Meet Our Team
We are a diverse, passionate group of individuals working as a team and united by a shared commitment to equitable solutions to homelessness.
Staff
Leah Alvarado
Director of Organizational Effectiveness & Engagement
Bétyna Berice, MPH
Senior Research Associate
Bétyna Berice leads research, evaluation, and data analysis projects, with a focus on education systems and student homelessness.
Kayla Blau
Strategic Advisor of Housing and Education
Kayla Blau, MSW, leads Building Changes’ work in education and student homelessness.
Hong Chhuor, CFRE
Interim Director of Development
Hong Chhuor, CFRE, directs Building Changes’ strategic fundraising and development efforts, stewarding both institutional and individual giving to advance the organization’s mission.
Julius Henrichsen
Youth & Young Adult Diversion Portfolio Specialist
Julius coordinates project implementation, training, peer learning, and outreach efforts for the Youth Diversion Infrastructure Project (YDIP) and the Homelessness Prevention & Diversion Fund (HPDF).
Brandon Lee
Communications
Devin Noel-Endres
Director of Measurement, Learning, Evaluation (MLE)
Devin Noel-Endres leads research, evaluation, and data analysis projects, with a focus on youth and young adult homelessness.
Jaclyn Pueyo
Controller
Jaclyn Pueyo oversees all accounting activities for Building Changes and also helps guide strategic financial decisions.
Joyce Saldanha
Payroll and Benefits Manager
Joyce Saldanha manages benefits and payroll administration across the organization.
Mehret Tekle-Awarun
Executive Director
As Executive Director, Mehret Tekle-Awarun leads the organization with purpose—one grounded in stability, centered on equity, and rooted in strong partnerships.
Manami Wakuta
Senior Accountant
Manami Wakuta maintains and supports internal controls associated with cash receipts, accounts payable, accounts receivable, and other accounting processes.
Darlene Weigle
Interim Director of Programs & Strategic Initiatives
Aaron Yared
Director of Policy & External Affairs
Aaron Yared, MA, JD, oversees Building Changes' policy and advocacy work, including developing and advancing a state legislative agenda that supports the organization's strategic goals.
Board of Directors
Michael Brown
President
Chief Architect of Civic Commons, The Seattle Foundation
He/Him/His
Rhonda Hauff
Vice President
CEO, Yakima Neighborhood Health Services
She/Her/Hers
Sarah Calkins Holloway
Managing Partner, McKinsey & Company
Forrest Moore, Ph.D.
Senior Policy Fellow, Chapin Hall
Rogers Weed
Treasurer
Managing Director, Clobotics Corporation
He/Him/His
Tracy Hilliard
Secretary
Director, ORS Impact
Chanita Jackson
Managing Director, Office of Apple Health & Homes | Permanent Supporting Housing Division at Washington State Department of Commerce
Mark Putnam
Vice President, Social Impact Center at YMCA of Greater Seattle
Srivats Srinivasan
Founder & CEO, Nayamode
He/Him/His