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Model Cities

Communities thrive when people thrive

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Home > About Us > Board & Staff

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

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
Dayna Ballard
Housing Case Manager
Dayna has worked in public health, public service, and social services for over 15 years, now focusing on the housing crisis and case management for Model Cities families. Dayna’s superpowers: using lived experience to spread hope and her career knowledge to help newly housed families find stability! Dayna’s time outside Model Cities is spent being active in her community.
About Dayna
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)
Alicia Miller
Shelter Advocate (On Call)
Alicia has a background in social services and takes pride in helping support shelter guests. Alicia’s superpowers: she’s always ready to offer encouragement and self-esteem boosts during challenging times! Alicia’s favorite things are helping people, art, and cosmetology.
About Alicia
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

Additional Staff

Administrative

Joseph Kennan, Interim Accounts Payable Clerk

Christian Sarna, Interim Office Manager

Shelter & Housing

Erica McKeown, Director of Shelter and Housing Services

Ahmad Crump, Shelter Advocate (Part Time)

Gloria Caples, Shelter Advocate (Part Time)

Tomi Hawkins, Shelter Advocate (Part Time)

Terra Matthews, Shelter Advocate (Part Time)

Trese Mosely, Shelter Advocate (On Call)

Get in touch

Want to know more about Model Cities and what you can do to support our work?

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Model Cities of St. Paul, Inc.

839 University Avenue W

Saint Paul, MN 55104

651-632-8350

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Thank you to our funders and partners

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Target Foundation
Saint Paul Public Housing Agency
Scoular Foundation
9000 Equities
Allianz Life
City of Saint Paul
FR Bigelow Foundation
Frogtown Neighborhood Association
Greater Twin Cities United Way
Hope Community
Housing Justice Center (HJC)
825 Arts
Otto Bremer Trust
Pohlad Family Foundation
Ramsey County
Richard M Schulze Family Foundation
Saint Paul Minnesota Foundation
Saint Paul Promise
NAREB Twin Cities
Rondo CLT
Butler Foundation
HUD
MN Dept of Human Services
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