CLCLT STAFF

Staci Horwitz
Operations Director
Staci Horwitz joined the CLCLT in March of 2006 and serves currently as the Operations Director overseeing homeownership programming as well as the organization's property development projects.
Prior to her work with the CLCLT, Staci served as president of a small software technology firm, grant writing consultant, youth specialist, and medical sales consultant.
Staci also has experience in nonprofit administration; program development, implementation and evaluation; small business financial management; contract management; computer network design and support; and facilitating workshops on financing, community land trust stewardship, and homeowner engagement.
Outside of her work with the CLCLT, Staci has facilitated various workshops for NeighborWorks® America and Grounded Solutions Network.
Staci received her Bachelor of Arts in Dietetics from the College of St. Scholastica and lives in North Minneapolis.
Sheng Vang
Stewardship Manager
Sheng joined the CLCLT in 2016 as the Program Associate. Sheng took on the role as the Engagement Coordinator in 2018.
The title of the Engagement Coordinator was re-established as the Stewardship Manager
In the role of the Stewardship Manager, Sheng is the direct support for CLCLT homeowners post purchase, providing resources and coordinating homeowner events and training.
Sheng facilities the CLCLT Homeowner Committee meetings and focus on community outreach network, she utilizes her role as an existing CLCLT homeowner of five years to advocate on behalf of the organization.
Sheng has two cats and lives with her family in North Minneapolis.


Jake Soper
Property Development Manager
Jake joined the CLCLT as Property Development Manager in February 2021. In his role, Jake manages the rehab of CLCLT-owned properties and acts as a resource for existing CLCLT homeowners regarding home maintenance.
Prior to the CLCLT, Jake served as President of a real estate consulting firm specializing in telecom infrastructure development. He has 20 years of experience in multi-site development including property due diligence, contract negotiation, entitlements (zoning, permitting, and other approvals), and management of architectural, engineering, and environmental services.
In 2019-20, Jake spent four months volunteering in Northern Thailand with a non-profit working to improve the lives of disadvantaged Northern Hilltribe children.
Jake received his Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from the University of Wisconsin – Madison while also playing ice hockey for the Badgers. He obtained his MBA from the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota.
Jake grew up in western Wisconsin and has called Minneapolis home for the past 20 years.
Charlesha McRoy
Homeowner Service Manager
Joined As of 2020 and oversees office administration including Application intake, Financial Calculations Financial Bookkeeping, Resales, Capital Improvements, Facilitates Homeowner workshops for resales and Capital Improvements and supports other CLCLT staff.
Prior to coming to the CLCLT, Char worked for a nonprofit and has a strong business administration background in the surgical medical field. Char also values leading with a positive professional attitude, Humility, teamwork, and continuous learning.
Char received her BA in Business Administration from Metropolitan State University – St. Paul, and Minors in Entrepreneurship and Organizational Communications.
Char was born and raised in the Minneapolis area and enjoys singing and traveling in her spare time.


Julie Bui
Education Manager
Julie joined the CLCLT in May 2022 and currently serves as the Education Manager overseeing homebuyer programming.
Julie graduated from Bethel University and served as an elementary special education teacher for students with emotional/behavioral disorders.
Julie was in the public education field for seven years in various roles prior to her role at the CLCLT.
Outside of her work with the CLCLT, Julie has a dog named Charlie and a hairless cat named Bean.
She enjoys rock climbing and outdoor activities in her free time. Julie currently resides in Northeast Minneapolis.
Board Members
CATRICE WILLIAMS
Board Char
Bio coming soon ...
NATALY SANCHEZ
At-Large Member
Although Nataly was born in sunny Los Angeles, she has called the Twin Cities "home" since 2003. Nataly graduated from the University of St. Thomas, receiving a bachelor’s degree in communication and journalism. Immediately afterward, Nataly immersed herself in the Real Estate world by joining Neighborhood Development Alliance (NeDA). Within her former role as a Home Purchase Counselor at NeDA, Nataly provided her clients with a tailored plan to help them achieve their first home purchase! Nataly is now a licensed, Real Estate Professional. She brings energy, integrity, and expertise to every Real Estate transaction. She has extensive knowledge of the home buying process and first-time homebuyer programs. Nataly loves establishing relationships and helping clients achieve their Real Estate goals. One of Nataly's most rewarding activities is teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) to adult learners at the Minnesota Literacy Council.
BONITA TURNIPSEED
Homeowner Member
Born and raised in Minneapolis, Bonita has been a long-time resident and community advocate. She brings compassion and resources to many in the community while having raised two children with disabilities for over 20 years. Bonita is a continuous advocate for people with disabilities and is active with her church. Aside from shopping, she genuinely enjoys spending her time thinking about how to make tomorrow a better day for those around her. Bonita purchased her North Minneapolis home through the CLCLT in 2019.
RALPH PACE
General Member
Ralph Pace, Executive Vice President, and Central Region Manager for U.S. Bank Commercial Real Estate since February 2018. Pace is responsible for the Minneapolis, Wisconsin, Chicago, Denver, Missouri, and Texas Commercial Real Estate offices. Prior to the current Regional Manager assignment, Pace was the Region Manager for the Denver, Salt Lake City, Portland, and Seattle Commercial Real Estate offices beginning in October 2014. With the Commercial Real Estate Group at U.S. Bank since 2008, Pace and his family currently reside in Minneapolis with his new role as CRE Central Region Manager position after 10 years in Denver, Colorado. Prior to joining U.S. Bank in 2008, Pace spent 13 years specializing in Commercial Real Estate Banking in New Orleans, Louisiana. He began his career in banking in 1993 at First Commerce Bank in New Orleans and later joined Hibernia Bank. In 2000, he joined AmSouth Bank as CRE Regional Sales Manager responsible for the Gulf South Region. Prior to moving to the Twin Cities, he served as a board member for the Downtown Denver Partnership and Metro Denver Habitat for Humanity.
MARY CHRISTIANSON
Homeowner Member
Mary is an artist, martial artist, and retired educator. In 2018, she became a CLCLT homeowner through Project Sustained Legacy and founded Minnesota Tai Chi to teach Qigong, Tai Chi, and meditation. She grew up in Minneapolis, purchased her first home in North Minneapolis in 2003, and has had a diverse career teaching English and world history to second-language learners in Oakland, California, as well as working with students with learning differences at Minnesota Independence College. With a background in visual arts and over 40 years of experience practicing Taoist Internal Arts, Mary has always balanced her “day jobs” with art and teaching. Her advocacy for affordable housing began in the mid-70s, contributing to the nation’s first solar and wind energy projects for multi-family dwellings in New York City. As a long-time advocate of CLTs, she served on the CLCLT Board from 2003 to 2012 and gained a deeper understanding of the land trust model when making her home part of it in 2018. When not teaching or creating, Mary enjoys gardening, making music, walking, and working on her house.
CHRISTINA JENNINGS
General Member
Christina Jennings is the Executive Director of Shared Capital Cooperative, a national CDFI loan fund (formerly known as Northcountry Cooperative Development Fund) specialized in financing cooperatively owned businesses and housing. Christina joined Shared Capital in 2008 where she provides strategic leadership, oversees lending programs, and leads capitalization efforts. Christina has served on the boards of directors for numerous community development and social justice organizations. Since 2008, she has served on the finance committee of the City of Lakes Community Land Trust. In addition, Christina currently serves on the board of the Cooperative Development Foundation and on the finance committee of Latino Economic Development Center.
JASMINE BILLEY
Homeowner Member
Bio coming soon ...
LIBBY MURPHY
Secretary
Libby is the Policy Manager at Minnesota Housing Partnership (MHP). Before joining MHP, Libby was nominated and won an Upper Midwest Regional Emmy for her contributions to Twin Cities Public Television's The Past Is Alive Within Us: The U.S. Dakota Conflict documentary. She previously was an Organizing Fellow for Organizing for America - President Barack Obama’s reelection campaign. Libby is a volunteer with the Minnesota Chapter of the American Red Cross and various food justice organizations. In addition to working to secure resources to develop affordable housing, Libby understands firsthand the need for affordable housing, especially for disabled adults and families with disabled members.
RHEA BLUE ARM
Vice Chair, Homeowner Member
Rhea Blue Arm has been a proud homeowner with the CLCLT since July 2014. As a dedicated mother of six (or more) children, Rhea works tirelessly to provide for her family. She holds her traditional values close to her heart, recognizing the importance of preserving them in our fast-paced world. Rhea generously volunteers her time for various community events, where she helps teach and promote traditional practices such as regalia making, moccasin making, ribbon skirts, and ribbon shirts. These events are particularly focused on supporting babies and youth as they make their way towards graduation. In addition to her community involvement, Rhea has also been an employee of Hennepin County for the past 23 years, serving as a dedicated human service worker.
MINKARA TEZET
Homeowner Member
Minkara Tezet, the Griot of Psychology and Psychiatry. He is a Community Fellow and a faculty member of the Cultural Wellness Center. He acknowledges that he is a Student of Khepra and is studying to become a teacher as a Candidate for the Certificate of Khepra Ankh. Minkara’s Community Fellowship focuses on cultural calling, the work, and aptitude, and an instinctual knowing. Minkara’s cultural calling and instinctual knowing have been developed and matured through his study of the African System of Thought and Cultural Self-study. As a facilitator, guide, and instructor Minkara creates spaces for Maps to Wellness; Cultural Self- Study, Transformational Leadership Coaching; Cultural Consultation; Community Truth Telling Healing Rituals and Ceremonies; Rites of Passages Classes; Curriculum Development for boys and men of African Heritage; and hosts a culturally specific writing collective called Tree Space. Minkara believes what makes us human are our connections to our family and our engagements with the community. He has learned, bring people together will teach everyone how to become humane to ourselves and the planet. Minkara is deeply connected in Minneapolis and lives in North Minneapolis.