CLCLT STAFF
Andrea Reese
Executive Director
Andrea Reese is an enrolled member of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe. Growing up in Onigum, near Walker, MN, she moved to Minneapolis in 2004.
Prior to accepting the appointment as Executive Director of the CLCLT, Andrea served her community in multiple roles with Mni Sota Fund, most recently as their Deputy Executive Director. Mni Sota Fund is an Urban based Native Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) building Indigenous Wealth. In the multiple roles, Andrea has experience in facilitating homebuyer and financial wellness workshops, credit coaching and homebuyer advising, program development and implementation, grant writing and reporting, policy advocacy, business and consumer lending, and fundraising.
Andrea also serves as a member of the American Indian Parent Advisory Committee for the Minneapolis Public School District. She credits her strong community development background to her values and service. Andrea is a proud CLCLT homeowner who resides in South Minneapolis with her four children.
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.
Mollie Mosman
Financial Manager
As of January 2020, Mollie Mosman joined the CLCLT as the full-time Financial Manager.
Prior to making this shift, Mollie served as the consultant financial manager for the CLCLT since 2010.
She also provides or has provided services to the Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center, The Native Ways Federation, and The Meditation Center.
Initially working for the CLCLT approximately 5 hours a week, Mollie is now full-time with the CLCLT.
Mollie is a former North Minneapolis resident who now resides in Eden Prairie.
Charlesha McRoy
Administrative Coordinator
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.
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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.
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.
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
SHELIA BLAND
Homeowner Member
Shelia Bland is a long-time professional Artist with over 50 years of acting, directing, teaching, and playwriting in numerous cities across the United States.
Her extensive resume includes what seems like a hundred productions within numerous genres. Most recently, she worked with MN Association of Community Theatres 21st Biennial Festival, VSA Minnesota, COMPAS, and the SteppingStone Theatre.
Shelia attended Brandeis University, the University of California and has multiple degrees in the Arts from The University of New Orleans.
She also has volunteer experience supporting Rep. Karen Clark’s campaigns, Minneapolis Arts Commission, and hosting arts entertainment and reading events.
She continues to be active in the community on multiple levels. Shelia purchased her CLCLT condo recently and lives in South Minneapolis.
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) specializing 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 the Latino Economic Development Center.
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.
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.
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.
MATTHEW SARGENT
General Member
Matthew Sargent most recently was the Senior Vice President at Fifth Third Bank and is currently transitioning into another opportunity.
Prior to Fifth Third Bank, he was the Senior Vice President and Industry Manager of the Title and Escrow Division of U.S. Bank and a member of the Red Sky Risk Services, LLC Board of Managers.
Mr. Sargent is responsible for the Title Industry Depository, Treasury Management, and Lending Relationships across the country.
Prior to joining the bank in 2007, Mr. Sargent was Vice President of Financial Institutions at Union Bank of California, Vice President Institutional Sales for E.J. De La Rosa & Co., and Municipal Bond Associate for Norwest Investment Services, Inc.
Mr. Sargent and his wife Jodi reside in the Twin Cities and have two children. They are active volunteers with Providence Academy, St. Philip the Deacon Lutheran Church, Wayzata Youth Hockey Association, Hamel Baseball, Wayzata Youth Football, Cub Scouts, and National Night Out.
LAO LU HANG
Treasurer
Lu Hang is a Loan Officer and Financial Specialist with Propel Nonprofit in Minneapolis.
Prior to starting his work with Propel in 2013, he served in various capacities over the past 20 years in the Twin Cities, including: Loan Officer with First Children’s Finance; the Executive Director of the Minnesota Hmong Chamber of Commerce; the Vice President of Commercial Banking with Western Bank; Loan Officer/Business Advisor with Neighborhood Development Center; and General Manager with Project for Pride in Living.
He has both a Bachelor's and MBA degrees from Saginaw State University. Lu has served on numerous boards and committees over the years. He and his family live in Woodbury.
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.
TAYLOR SMRIKAROVA
At-Large Member
Taylor Cooper is a Project Manager at Seward Redesign in Minneapolis. Prior to her service there, she worked for the Excelsior Group and at THOR Development.
In those capacities, she focused on growing external partners, leveraging her background in architecture, and commercial banking operations.
Her passion is urban real estate development that not only satieties investors but truly uplifts end users from all walks of life.
When she isn’t hanging out with her fiance James and new kitten Percy, she is an avid Equestrian, amateur seamstress, and budding cinephile.
ALICIA SMITH
Chair
Alicia D. Smith is an experienced executive and community leader with over a decade in mid to high-level positions in the nonprofit and private sectors.
She is a youth development expert and a dedicated community leader. She is currently serving as the Executive Director of the Corcoran Neighborhood in South Minneapolis.
She previously held multiple leadership positions at the YMCA of Greater Twin Cities and her own consulting firm Crowns & Thrones LLC.
As a lifelong community builder, she knows she is blessed to be able to talk to people face-to-face about their passion as well as work with other motivated community members.
She is a believer in a strong work ethic, displaying elegance in execution and collaboration in performance. She spent her early years being the oldest child of a single mom, excelling in school and athletics.
She has always pushed the points of excellence and achievement which became the foundation from which to go forth in the world. Thus, college was followed by graduate school, followed by AmeriCorps, and the continual pursuit of new ideas and learning best practices.
She’s made a name for herself by constantly making connections between issues that impact our communities and the quality of life in our communities. Alicia is a mom of two young sons and lives in South Minneapolis.
CATRICE WILLIAMS
At-Large Member
Catrice Williams is the current Director of Wealth Development at Urban League Twin Cities Located in Minneapolis.
She believes in the power of homeownership to uplift neighborhoods and is passionate about eliminating wealth disparities in BIPOC communities.
Catrice has more than a decade of experience in banking/personal finance. Helping dozens of people on the path to wealth creation.
She is also a licensed realtor and HUD-Certified housing counselor. She is a member of several affordable housing coalitions. Championing access to homeownership at the State legislative level.
Alongside her work in housing, she serves as a mentor to young professionals and is a perennial Junior Achievement volunteer.
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.