ChangeMakers with Katie Goar

How do you solve one of the most pressing challenges of our time: the global housing crisis? For ChangeMaker Alexandria Lafci, the answer is simple: use technology to create innovative and scalable solutions. In this episode, Katie talks to Alexandria about her journey from growing up in Section 8 housing to becoming a Forbes 30 under 30 Social Entrepreneur and a leader in the affordable housing s...

In the second part of Katie's talk with Gilbert Winn the CEO of WinnCompanies, they dive deeper into Gilbert's remarkable career. He shares what it meant to be inducted into the Affordable Housing Finance Hall of Fame, a testament to his industry leadership. Gilbert is humble about accolades, believing excellence comes from teams, not individuals. Still, he explains why celebrating achievements at...

Katie welcomes ChangeMaker, Gilbert Winn, a visionary leader in affordable and equitable housing. As CEO of WinnCompanies since 2015, Gilbert has spearheaded tremendous growth and innovation. With over 20 years of experience, he has transformed operations, pursued mixed-income developments, and created pioneering resident services programs. Gilbert represents the best in social impact leadership....

After learning about Tanya and Nicole's powerful personal journeys, Katie shifts the discussion to their groundbreaking work at CSG Advisors. Nicole explains the driving mission behind CSG - creating systemic change in affordable housing by guiding and empowering communities. Tanya highlights their concrete impact so far, with over 100 closed projects and 30,000 families housed in affordable homes...

On this week's episode of ChangeMakers, Katie sits down with Tanya Dempsey and Nicole Graham, the co-CEOs of CSG Advisors. With over 30 years of combined experience in affordable housing finance and development, Tanya and Nicole have helped create innovative solutions for affordable housing nationwide. In their conversation, Tanya and Nicole share their passion for increasing access to affordable...

In part two of our conversation, ChangeMaker, Afira DeVries takes us deeper into her inspirational work with Monarch School. We learn the meaning behind the school's name - how even when circumstances are difficult, each child has the potential to transform and take flight like the monarch butterfly. Afira shares powerful stories of students who found hope and purpose through Monarch's unique appr...

What does it take to bring light where there is darkness, provide stability amidst uncertainty, and guide growth through change? The marks of a true ChangeMaker. This week, Katie welcomes Afira DeVries, a devoted leader empowering vulnerable youth. As President and CEO of Monarch School in San Diego, Afira leads an extraordinary public school serving students impacted by homelessness. Join us as w...

The inspiring dialogue continues as Oscar dives into NAYA's critical work helping the large homeless population in Portland and surrounding areas. He shares the unique challenges and barriers that Native communities face when experiencing homelessness. Learn how NAYA provides culturally-specific programs and wraparound services to support those in need of shelter, food, and care. Oscar also candid...

Be the change. Listen to this week's inspiring conversation with Oscar Arana, interim CEO of the Native American Youth and Family Center, as he shares his vision for empowering and uplifting Native communities in Portland. Oscar has dedicated over 10 years to NAYA's mission of nurturing the lives of Native youth and families. As Community Development Director, he spearheaded efforts to provide aff...

Katie wraps up her talk with Art Milligan, Jr., the President & CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Charleston. In part two, Art dives into the origins of the Housing Authority's life-changing scholarship program for young residents. Art also discusses the delicate balance of preserving affordable neighborhoods while enabling residents to improve their lives. He shares how he brought c...

This week on ChangeMakers, host Katie Goar sits down with Arthur "Art" Milligan Jr., visionary leader and President & CEO of the Housing Authority of the City of Charleston. With over 4,000 units of public housing and housing choice vouchers under his direction, Art has embraced change and challenged the status quo to transform this housing authority into a high-performing and innovative organ...

Katie concludes her fascinating conversation with ChangeMaker Doug Menges, who reveals the type of talent that they’re looking for to join Many Mansions. He says that they are always on the lookout for people who share their vision and values, who have a passion for serving the community, and who have skills and experience in various fields related to affordable housing. He also shares the success...

Katie welcomes ChangeMaker Doug Menges, the Executive Vice President of Many Mansions, a non-profit organization that provides well-managed, service-enriched, affordable housing to low-income residents of Ventura and Los Angeles Counties. Doug shares his journey from being a successful real estate developer to becoming a passionate advocate for affordable housing. He also talks about some of the l...

Katie Goar is wrapping up our conversation with Rebecca Hatfield, the president and CEO of Avesta Housing, the largest nonprofit affordable housing provider in northern New England. In this episode, Rebecca shares how she approaches the leadership of her organization. She talks about her values, her vision, and her strategies for creating a culture of excellence and collaboration. She also shares...

This week, Katie is joined by ChangeMaker, Rebecca Hatfield, the president and CEO of Avesta Housing, the largest nonprofit affordable housing provider in northern New England. They serve more than 4,000 residents, many of whom are seniors, veterans, families, and people with disabilities. Rebecca has been with Avesta since 2015 and has transformed them into a successful and innovative organizatio...

Katie wraps up her talk with Galiano Tiramani, the Founder of Boxabl, the company that is revolutionizing the housing industry with its innovative, technology-based solution. In this episode, Galiano talks about why fees and regulations are adding to the affordable housing crisis and how Boxabl is overcoming these barriers. He also shares some of the feedback he has received from his customers, bo...

Meet Galiano Tiramani, the Founder of Boxabl and this week’s ChangeMaker. He is transforming the way homes are built and made affordable with a cutting-edge, technology-driven solution that can mass-produce houses through advanced manufacturing. His company has caught the attention of Tesla and SpaceX founder Elon Musk, who is one of his satisfied customers. Boxabl’s homes are modular, and customi...

Katie wraps up her conversation with Stacey Epperson, the president and founder of Next Step Network. In part two, Stacey shares how she works with HUD and other stakeholders to advocate for better policies and standards for manufactured housing. She also explains how manufactured housing can be faster, cheaper, and greener than traditional site-built homes, and how Next Step Network ensures that...

Are you ready to be inspired by a ChangeMaker who is transforming the way we think about manufactured housing? In this episode, Katie Goar speaks with Stacey Epperson, the President and Founder of Next Step Network, a nonprofit organization that is making homeownership more accessible and affordable for low- and moderate-income families across the country. Stacey tells us how she started Next Step...

In this episode of ChangeMakers, Katie continues her conversation with Carol Redmond Naughton, the CEO of Purpose Built Communities. Carol reveals how her organization is transforming neighborhoods and lives across the nation by providing holistic and sustainable solutions for poverty and inequality. You will hear about the amazing impact Purpose Built Communities is having on the communities they...

Are you ready to be inspired by a changemaker who is transforming lives and communities across the country? In this episode of ChangeMakers, Katie Goar welcomes Carol Redmond Naughton, the CEO of Purpose Built Communities. Carol shares her passion and vision for creating healthy neighborhoods that empower low-income families to achieve their full potential. She also reveals the secrets behind the...

Katie revisits one of her most popular episodes with ChangeMaker, Janet Abrahams, the President & Chief Executive Officer of the Housing Authority of Baltimore City. With an illustrious career spanning over 20 years in public housing administration, Janet has been instrumental in developing groundbreaking approaches to enhance affordable housing communities and elevate the quality of life for...

In the highly anticipated second part of Katie's conversation with ChangeMaker Treger Strasberg, the Founder & CEO of Humble Design, get ready to be uplifted by this incredible organization's unwavering determination and transformative impact. In this episode, we delve deeper into the geographic impact of Humble Design. Join us as Treger shares the inspiration behind the organization's evolved...

Get ready for an incredible story of compassion, transformation, and the power of a single act of kindness on this week's episode of ChangeMakers, hosted by Katie Goar. Our featured ChangeMaker didn't set out to change the world or create a national nonprofit. It all began with a heartfelt act of kindness towards a friend in need. Join us as we dive into the inspiring journey of Treger Strasberg,...

Katie wraps up her conversation with ChangeMaker, Mark Thiele, the CEO of NAHRO. In this episode, Mark talks about NAHRO's role in empowering women in the industry, including the inaugural women's breakfast held last fall in partnership with NAHRO, Quadel, and CSG advisors. This event was a fantastic opportunity for women to connect and network, and it is just one of the many ways that NAHRO is wo...