Board & Staff

The heart and soul of Model Cities

Creating equity requires a dedicated team. At Model Cities we are proud to have a strong board guiding our efforts and keeping us focused on the future. We are also honored to have a talented staff of experts doing the hard work every day to make our mission a reality.

Officers

Osborne Strickland

Chair, City of Lakes Community Realty

Amy Schwabe

Vice Chair, TWP Architects

Kizzy Downie

CEO, Secretary (ex officio)

Jonathan Cooper

Treasurer, Sunrise Banks

Judith Aminmentse

Board Member, Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies

Brenda Bailey

Board Member, Retired

Brenda Bolar-Ford

Board Member, Retired

Heidi Leise

Board Member, Garfinkel Immigration Law Firm

Tiffany Phillips

Board Member, Bell Bank Mortgage

Marilyn Porter

Board Member, Metro Transit

Administrative Staff

Joseph Kennan

Interim Accounts Payable Clerk

Christian Sarna

Interim Office Manager

Christian majored in convergent journalism and PR at Missouri Western State University. He brings a background in higher education advising, social work coordination, and strategic communications. Christian’s Superpowers: providing administrative support to uplift teammates and keep things flowing. Christian is a live music photographer who loves making art with friends, taking enrichment courses, and spending time with his orange cat, Acme.

About Christian

Kasaye Ayenew

Accountant

Kasaye was a double major in accounting and finance at BSC and has more than 12 years of nonprofit experience. Kasaye’s Superpowers: harnessing the power of numbers to help organizations create systems change! Kayase is a volunteer and their church who loves books and getting outside for long walks.

About Kasaye

Kizzy Downie

CEO

Kizzy brings 25 years of non-profit experience to her role, many of those years at Model Cities in other roles before becoming CEO in 2018. Kizzy’s superpowers: strong leadership that ensures individuals and families can find their own pathways to progress! Kizzy is a whodunnit expert, a 90s R&B music connoisseur, and a huge fan of women’s basketball.

About Kizzy

Libby Turner

Administrative Assistant

Libby has 40 years of social services, nonprofit, and admin experience—including housing advocacy and shelter support. Libby’s superpowers: merging her artistic side (she’s a professionally trained singer) and her organizational side to offer operations support! Libby likes to fish, cook, and learn new things.

About Libby

Community Development

Dean Carlson

Community Development Director

Dean has worked in community development for his entire professional career, using that knowledge to help build stronger communities here at Model Cities. Dean’s superpowers: finding joy in making sure everyone has a decent place to live! Dean loves to hang out at First Avenue when he’s not bike-riding or hiking along the river.

About Dean

Kris Hagan

Property & Facilities Manager

Kris has been in non-profit spaces his whole career, from legal services to environmental work and now property management. Kris’ superpowers: cultivating client relationships, problem solving, and finding solutions in real time! In his spare time, Kris enjoys travel, DIY projects, yoga, and time outdoors.

About Kris

Gillian Onyango

Property & Asset Manager

Gillian holds a bachelor’s degree in public relations and a master’s in non-profit management to go with 15 years of property management and compliance experience. Gillian’s superpowers: focusing on the little things that make a big difference for families, like listening and being present! Gillian enjoys being out and about in nature and game night with family and friends.

About Gillian

Dennis Sweeney

Caretaker

Dennis brings a love of learning to his role on our community development team. Dennis’ superpowers: using curiosity and things he’s learned along the way to make Model Cities a comfortable place for residents! Denis enjoys cultivating an eco-friendly life through gardening.

About Dennis

Economic Services

Alex Westberg

Financial Wellness Specialist

Alex brings over 20 years of experience in the financial industry and background in counseling and sociology to our Economic Services team. Alex's superpowers: living each day to help people in community reach their full potential. Alex spends their spare time kayak fishing for largemouth bass.

About Alex

Linda White

Housing Counselor (Lead)

Linda has years of experience in banking and brings that knowledge of financial systems to her role with Model Cities. Linda’s superpowers: using her expert-level wealth building know-how to help individuals and families build futures for themselves and their communities! Linda likes to spend lots of time with family and friends and is a bingo champion at family gatherings.

About Linda

Jeff Wills

Economic Services Manager

Jeff has a background in banking and consumer lending, having moved into the homeownership counseling space in 2020. Jeff’s superpowers: helping clients navigate the road to financial stability and homeownership; sharing resources and education to address systemic inequities! Ask Jeff anything about basketball, chess, or “The Office.”

About Jeff

Shelter & Housing Services

Mosope Ani

Shelter Advocate (On Call)

Mosope’s undergraduate education in psychology and experience working with unhoused neighbors ground her in her role at Model Cities. Mosope’s superpowers: using case management and resident resource associate knowledge to be an effective advocate! Moose’s favorite hobby outside of work is reading.

About Mosope

Erica McKeown

Director of Shelter and Housing Services

Erica has more than 20 years of non-profit and human services experience working with youth and adults of various backgrounds and experiences. Erica’s superpowers: supporting people on their journey to independent full lives across the housing spectrum. Erica understands how essential it is to learn, respect, and support one another empathetically. Erica enjoys reading fantasy novels and comics and watching their respective TV adaptations—when she’s not dancing to dancehall music for fun!

About Erica

Keyson Crump

Shelter Advocate (Part Time)

Keyson’s experience with communications, sales, and management helps him provide services for shelter guests at Safe Space. Keyson’s superpowers: leaning into a strong sense of community and family to create change in the world! Keyson also really loves being a grandfather.

About Keyson

Jaustin Culbert

Shelter Advocate (On Call)

Jaustin grew up in Minnesota and brings his hometown values to his work here at Model Cities. Jaustin’s superpowers: being a positive influence in the community! Jaustin is a proud dad who enjoys basketball and staying active.

About Jaustin

Sidney McNair

Shelter Advocate (Part Time)

Ivette Torres

Shelter Advocate (Full time)

Ivette is an experienced de-escalation security professional and caring community member with over 10 years experience. Ivette’s superpowers: figuring out the best resources to support pathways to progress for shelter guests. Ivette’s favorite hobby is focusing on wellness with regular trips to the gym.

About Ivette

Robert Varner

Shelter Operations Coordinator

Robert has a background in ministry and public service to inform his work in our shelter programming. Robert’s superpowers: supporting unhoused neighbors needs with compassion and care! Robert is also a songwriter, poet, and multi-instrumentalist musician.

About Robert

Yer Xiong

Shelter Manager