You can search our staff directory by department or name.
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Matt Brown
Construction Manager
I was a contractor for many years prior to transitioning to work in nonprofit affordable housing, working for five years supervising construction of houses for Habitat for Humanity prior to joining NeighborWorks Home Partners in 2004. I work with all of our home improvement lending clients as construction manager and rehab specialist, facilitating meetings with contractors and homeowners and verifying work is completed and of high quality. I’m a licensed contractor and continue to take training in all aspects of the construction field.
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Gina DeNardo Graf
Homeownership Advisor
I have spent my career supporting individuals and families as they achieve their financial goals. I love seeing others succeed, and being part of that success is one of my joys in life. Working at NeighborWorks Home Partners as a Housing Counselor, I am able to be the unbiased coach in new home buyer’s team as they achieve the American Dream of owning a home! One of my favorite topics to discuss is credit; how to build, repair and use credit so it can become an asset in a person’s life! I am fortunate that I can bring this knowledge and passion to my job (since my family and friends are tired of this topic!)
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Becky Errigo
Housing Developer
Even as a young girl, I enjoyed touring homes and imagining how to enrich the functionality and aesthetics. My background is in design and construction and I have a strong desire for functional beauty. The majority of my 20+ year career has been working for non-profit, community-based housing organizations. It is very gratifying to help others realize their dream of homeownership and build relationships with community members while positively affecting neighborhoods. When away from work, I enjoy spending time with my family, experimenting in the kitchen, and repurposing underused items.
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Beth Hyser
Chief Program Officer
I have worked for more than 15 years in a number of non-profit community development and fundraising roles including seven years as Executive Director of a neighborhood CDC. I am passionate about serving the community through partnerships and innovative programs to improve housing. I can be found at our cabin on summer weekends and love to grow a variety of flowers and veggies in my home garden.
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MacDella Jaa
Lending Coordinator
I grew up with my mother helping families in need in our community, so working for a non-profit organization was inevitable. One of my many reasons I love working at NeighborWorks Home Partners is seeing the result firsthand. Receiving heartfelt “thank you” and update e-mails from our new homeowners keeps me motivated to tell more individuals and families that Neighborworks Home Partners can help fulfill their goal/dream.
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Tom Lang
Operations and Outreach Coordinator
I have worked in a variety of settings in various roles for public schools, universities, libraries, and healthcare organizations. I also have an extensive background in performing and composing music, and on election days you can find me working as an election judge for Minneapolis. I highly value working with mission driven, non-profit organizations, and I am thrilled to work with the NeighborWorks Home Partners team to help our communities achieve home ownership.
Chris Lubin
Lending Coordinator
I have been in and around the mortgage and real estate arenas for over 25 years and have worked at NeighborWorks as needed since 2013. I am a lending administrator, which means I can do whatever is asked of me. More specifically I administer our down payment assistance. (Chris is too humble to say this himself, but he has excellent taste in socks, and quite a colorful collection.)
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Marie Malrick
Lending Advisor
As a lending advisor my role is to guide homeowners to the right solution for their home improvement needs. I have worked in nonprofit home improvement for nearly two decades after realizing I was passionate about meeting our community’s need for stable and safe housing. I love helping homeowners get the repairs they need – such as a new furnace, fixing a leaking roof, or replacing lead paint-covered windows – and am thrilled to know that with every loan I close I am enriching that family’s life and the long-term value and integrity of their home.
Sarah Martin
Service Delivery Documentation Specialist, AmeriCorps VISTA
My goal in life has always been to help others. As a recent college graduate, working with NeighborWorks Home Partners as their 2022-2023 AmeriCorps VISTA is my first major step towards my career goal of helping communities. What drew me to serving with NeighborWorks is the diversity and depth of services that we are able to offer people in all phases of the homebuying and homeowning process. I look forward to helping build NeighborWorks’ capacity to serve the community during my service year in ways they will be able to use long into the future.
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Christian Novak
Salesforce Administrator
Throughout my nonprofit career, I have enjoyed being a problem solver and resource for others. I learned quickly that Salesforce, as a tool, can help me and my colleagues be more effective in achieving the mission we set out to do. Outside of work, I spend my time exploring nature, baking bread, and helping to make my sons’ ideas come to life.
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Symone Patton
Homeownership Advising Manager
I have been in a variety of roles from the banking industry, to advising, and now as an advising manager. I am passionate about servant leadership and collaborative communication. I believe everyone should be allotted the opportunity to use their skills for the betterment of an organization and their overall growth. I enjoy spreading awareness to communities who haven’t had the resources to learn about wealth building through homeownership. I am excited about the elements of teamwork within NeighborWorks Home Partners and the core values of working together to make the homebuying process uncomplicated.
Jason Peterson
Chief Executive Officer
Safe and stable housing is one of the cornerstones from which all else grows. I have worked for the last 15 years helping families with their housing needs here in the Twin Cities. From assisting families to find emergency shelter to helping families buy their first home – the importance of the basic need for housing is present. I was born and raised and currently live in St. Paul with my wife and kids and what I love most about working at NeighborWorks Home Partners is driving through the neighborhoods where I live and work and seeing the difference we are making each and every day
Fraynke Plachecki
Lending Coordinator
One of my favorite things about working with NeighborWorks Home Partners is how each and every one of the people I work with, directly or Indirectly, has this amazing passion to help others. I’ve never been a part of an organization that is so dedicated to truly impacting our neighborhoods for the better. It’s that feeling and surrounding energy that makes you want to jump in and get your hands dirty!
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Brayden Strachan
Program Assistant
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Janny Thao
Senior Lending Advisor
My passion is helping others. I am thrilled to be part of an organization to empower individuals through homeownership. My family and I have lived in Frogtown for almost 5 years and love the diversity and friendly neighbors. We enjoy the outdoors and spend time together hiking, visiting national parks, or spending a day at the lake. I also enjoy cooking and sharing meals with family.
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Casey Ware
Community Lending Manager
I believe that support can be key to a successful homebuying experience. My passion is seeing people be able to improve in all areas of their lives. I’m excited about getting more people into home ownership. So many people are credit-ready, but just can’t see themselves owning a home. I’m here to say we can help you do it! Come to NeighborWorks – we have the resources to help you get into a home. Outside of work I enjoy spending time with family, going to church, and reading.
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Alan Xiong
Accounting Coordinator
I have always worked for big companies, and NeighborWorks is my first time working with a non-profit. I appreciate what NeighborWorks does to help people buy, fix, and keep their homes. I want to help NeighborWorks continue to improve the lives of people of color and low income families. I know the struggle of finding the right home, and there are so many steps to get to that point.
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Nick Yang
Homeownership Advisor
Helping communities obtain financial success is what drives my passion for the work that I do. I want to be able to share my success as a homeowner to potential first time homebuyers so that they can achieve the goal of homeownership as well. Kuv yog Hmoob, kuv hais lus Hmoob. Kuv yuav pab tau nej.
