Staff List
Stephanie Forbes
Director
Ext. 17
sforbes@lisc.org
Stephanie has been with LISC since mid-1998. She was previously with the City of Oakland where she developed and implemented the City’s affordable housing policies and coordinated the City’s community reinvestment programs. Prior to that, Stephanie was a consultant on housing, community development, and welfare policy issues in Southern California. Working primarily with municipalities and legal services organizations, Stephanie took on such projects as the development of local housing financing programs; the development of alternative housing policies for neighborhood community plans; and directed a research project on the effectiveness of a State welfare homeless assistance program. She has over 18 years of direct experience in the field of affordable housing and community development. A San Francisco native, she received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of California at Berkeley and a master of arts degree in urban and regional planning from the University of California at Los Angeles.
Director
Ext. 17
sforbes@lisc.org
Stephanie has been with LISC since mid-1998. She was previously with the City of Oakland where she developed and implemented the City’s affordable housing policies and coordinated the City’s community reinvestment programs. Prior to that, Stephanie was a consultant on housing, community development, and welfare policy issues in Southern California. Working primarily with municipalities and legal services organizations, Stephanie took on such projects as the development of local housing financing programs; the development of alternative housing policies for neighborhood community plans; and directed a research project on the effectiveness of a State welfare homeless assistance program. She has over 18 years of direct experience in the field of affordable housing and community development. A San Francisco native, she received a bachelor of arts degree from the University of California at Berkeley and a master of arts degree in urban and regional planning from the University of California at Los Angeles.
Cathy Craig
Senior Program Officer, Organizational Development
Ext. 21
ccraig@lisc.org
Cathy has been with LISC since 1997 and is responsible for coordinating Bay Area LISC’s capacity-building programs for local community development corporations, which includes performance-based operating support, workshops and discussion forums. She collaborates with national LISC organizational development staff; consults with local CDCs to determine their technical assistance needs, and administers technical assistance grants. Cathy promotes training opportunities in management of affordable housing, helping to develop new curriculum, identify instructors, and market new courses. Before joining LISC, Cathy served as Assistant Director and Asset Manager at Oakland Community Housing, Inc. in Oakland. She also worked as a Rehab Coordinator and Planner for the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation in San Francisco. Cathy earned a Masters in City and Regional Planning from the University of California at Berkeley and a Bachelor of Arts from St. John’s College, Annapolis, MD.
Senior Program Officer, Organizational Development
Ext. 21
ccraig@lisc.org
Cathy has been with LISC since 1997 and is responsible for coordinating Bay Area LISC’s capacity-building programs for local community development corporations, which includes performance-based operating support, workshops and discussion forums. She collaborates with national LISC organizational development staff; consults with local CDCs to determine their technical assistance needs, and administers technical assistance grants. Cathy promotes training opportunities in management of affordable housing, helping to develop new curriculum, identify instructors, and market new courses. Before joining LISC, Cathy served as Assistant Director and Asset Manager at Oakland Community Housing, Inc. in Oakland. She also worked as a Rehab Coordinator and Planner for the Tenderloin Neighborhood Development Corporation in San Francisco. Cathy earned a Masters in City and Regional Planning from the University of California at Berkeley and a Bachelor of Arts from St. John’s College, Annapolis, MD.
Peggy Jen
Senior Program Officer, Housing
Ext. 16
pjen@lisc.org
Peggy Jen has been with LISC since the spring of 2000. She develops and implements LISC work in comprehensive revitalization plans with Community Development Corporations and multiple community, public and private-sector representatives. Working with the Program Director, city officials and private sector representatives, Peggy assembles the financial resources necessary to implement comprehensive neighborhood development strategies. She underwrites and monitors loans and grants for affordable housing, commercial real estate, childcare centers, and other community serving activities and the California-wide LISC Housing Development Training Institute. Prior to joining LISC, Peggy worked in the housing industry for over ten years. She is a graduate of the Rutgers University in New Jersey. She earned her bachelor of arts degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of California at Berkeley with a minor in City and Regional Planning.
Senior Program Officer, Housing
Ext. 16
pjen@lisc.org
Peggy Jen has been with LISC since the spring of 2000. She develops and implements LISC work in comprehensive revitalization plans with Community Development Corporations and multiple community, public and private-sector representatives. Working with the Program Director, city officials and private sector representatives, Peggy assembles the financial resources necessary to implement comprehensive neighborhood development strategies. She underwrites and monitors loans and grants for affordable housing, commercial real estate, childcare centers, and other community serving activities and the California-wide LISC Housing Development Training Institute. Prior to joining LISC, Peggy worked in the housing industry for over ten years. She is a graduate of the Rutgers University in New Jersey. She earned her bachelor of arts degree in Economics and Political Science from the University of California at Berkeley with a minor in City and Regional Planning.
Margaret Gee
Fund Development Director
Ext. 25
mgee@lisc.org
Margaret has been with Bay Area LISC since 2005 and is responsible for fundraising, communications, and publicity. Prior to working at LISC, she was the Assistant Director for East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation with primary oversight for Real Estate Development and Asset Management, and before that she was the Managing Director for Chinatown Community Development Center. Margaret graduated from University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Fund Development Director
Ext. 25
mgee@lisc.org
Margaret has been with Bay Area LISC since 2005 and is responsible for fundraising, communications, and publicity. Prior to working at LISC, she was the Assistant Director for East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation with primary oversight for Real Estate Development and Asset Management, and before that she was the Managing Director for Chinatown Community Development Center. Margaret graduated from University of California, Berkeley with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.
Jennifer Somers
Program Officer, Green Connection
Ext. 28
jsomers@lisc.org
Jennifer Somers joined LISC in October, 2006 and spearheads LISC's Green Connection program, working to build the capacity of affordable housing developers in the areas of green building and energy efficiency. Jennifer has a myriad of experience in both affordable housing development and green building. Most recently she was an associate at an environmental consulting firm working to bring clients through the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) process. Prior to that Jennifer was the land acquisition manager for the Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation in Houston, Texas. She spent a number of years at MAAC Project in San Diego where she managed the pre-development activities for an affordable housing project for people with HIV/AIDS and coordinated social services for residents. Jennifer supported community development staff with inner-city revitalization projects including funding proposals, canvassing, marketing, and policy initiatives. Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Arts in both Economics and Spanish from Fairfield University and her Masters from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin where she focused her studies on environmental policy and sustainable development.
Program Officer, Green Connection
Ext. 28
jsomers@lisc.org
Jennifer Somers joined LISC in October, 2006 and spearheads LISC's Green Connection program, working to build the capacity of affordable housing developers in the areas of green building and energy efficiency. Jennifer has a myriad of experience in both affordable housing development and green building. Most recently she was an associate at an environmental consulting firm working to bring clients through the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) process. Prior to that Jennifer was the land acquisition manager for the Fifth Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation in Houston, Texas. She spent a number of years at MAAC Project in San Diego where she managed the pre-development activities for an affordable housing project for people with HIV/AIDS and coordinated social services for residents. Jennifer supported community development staff with inner-city revitalization projects including funding proposals, canvassing, marketing, and policy initiatives. Jennifer earned a Bachelor of Arts in both Economics and Spanish from Fairfield University and her Masters from the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas at Austin where she focused her studies on environmental policy and sustainable development.
Jessica Waggoner
Assistant Program Officer, Green Connection
Ext. 34
jwaggoner@lisc.org
Jessica Waggoner joined Bay Area LISC in November 2007 as Assistant Program Officer for the Green Connection program; a program that supports affordable housing developers in adopting environmentally sustainable practices in community real estate development. Prior to LISC, Jessica has consulted on various community development projects for four years in the realms of finance, small business development, housing, and energy efficiency. Before graduate school, Jessica both served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nicaragua and with the City of Boulder, Colorado. Jessica completed her Master in Business Administration focusing on sustainable enterprise from Dominican University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Anthropology from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Assistant Program Officer, Green Connection
Ext. 34
jwaggoner@lisc.org
Jessica Waggoner joined Bay Area LISC in November 2007 as Assistant Program Officer for the Green Connection program; a program that supports affordable housing developers in adopting environmentally sustainable practices in community real estate development. Prior to LISC, Jessica has consulted on various community development projects for four years in the realms of finance, small business development, housing, and energy efficiency. Before graduate school, Jessica both served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Nicaragua and with the City of Boulder, Colorado. Jessica completed her Master in Business Administration focusing on sustainable enterprise from Dominican University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Biological Anthropology from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Desirée Sideroff
Program Officer, Commercial Corridor Revitalization and Stabilization
Ext. 20
dsideroff@lisc.org
Desirée joined LISC in November 2004 and is responsible for the Bay Area Commercial Revitalization and Stabilization Program, including San Francisco's Neighborhood Marketplace Initiative and a variety of technical assistance and training programs. Prior to LISC, Desirée worked as a consultant at Moore, Iacofano, and Goltsman focusing on downtown economic development, sustainable development, and urban design. She has over seven years of experience in the nonprofit sector, including leadership roles in business technical assistance, nonprofit management, and cooperative housing. Desirée has a Masters in Urban Studies and Planning from MIT with a Certificate in Urban Design. She obtained her bachelors degrees from UC Berkeley in Peace & Conflict Studies and Conservation & Resource Studies.
Program Officer, Commercial Corridor Revitalization and Stabilization
Ext. 20
dsideroff@lisc.org
Desirée joined LISC in November 2004 and is responsible for the Bay Area Commercial Revitalization and Stabilization Program, including San Francisco's Neighborhood Marketplace Initiative and a variety of technical assistance and training programs. Prior to LISC, Desirée worked as a consultant at Moore, Iacofano, and Goltsman focusing on downtown economic development, sustainable development, and urban design. She has over seven years of experience in the nonprofit sector, including leadership roles in business technical assistance, nonprofit management, and cooperative housing. Desirée has a Masters in Urban Studies and Planning from MIT with a Certificate in Urban Design. She obtained her bachelors degrees from UC Berkeley in Peace & Conflict Studies and Conservation & Resource Studies.
Jacob Schultz
Program Officer, Commercial Corridor Revitalization and Stabilization
Ext. 24
jschultz@lisc.org
Jacob Schultz joined LISC in July of 2006. His role is to contribute to the Bay Area office's growing commercial corridor revitalization program and to manage the AmeriCorps program. Prior to joining LISC, Jacob enabled youth and communities to advocate for policies affecting their public health and trained youth and youth development workers alike on policy development and promotion, action planning, and media advocacy. He has also provided technical assistance to collaboratives in three low-income communities who were planning multi-year initiatives to provide comprehensive after-school physical activities for yourth. Jacob has a Bachelors degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison with Afro-American Studies and Political Science majors and a minor in African Studies. He has traveled extensively on six continents.
Program Officer, Commercial Corridor Revitalization and Stabilization
Ext. 24
jschultz@lisc.org
Jacob Schultz joined LISC in July of 2006. His role is to contribute to the Bay Area office's growing commercial corridor revitalization program and to manage the AmeriCorps program. Prior to joining LISC, Jacob enabled youth and communities to advocate for policies affecting their public health and trained youth and youth development workers alike on policy development and promotion, action planning, and media advocacy. He has also provided technical assistance to collaboratives in three low-income communities who were planning multi-year initiatives to provide comprehensive after-school physical activities for yourth. Jacob has a Bachelors degree from the University of Wisconsin - Madison with Afro-American Studies and Political Science majors and a minor in African Studies. He has traveled extensively on six continents.
Johnasies McGraw
Assistant Program Officer, Commercial Corridor Revitalization and Stabilization/AmeriCorps
Ext. 12
jmcgraw@lisc.org
Johnasies Yu McGraw joined LISC in April 2008 to support a dynamic commercial corridor revitalization program, our comprehensive neighborhood building initiatives and the LISC AmeriCorps program. Before coming to LISC, Johnasies worked on commercial economic revitalization projects in San Francisco and Oakland as a LISC AmeriCorps member. He also spent more than 4 years organizing and working with nonprofit and grassroots groups around the country, which lobbied on energy legislation, consumer protections, campaign finance reform, supporting family farms and environmental policy. Johnasies earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Minor in Urban Studies from San Francisco State University.
Assistant Program Officer, Commercial Corridor Revitalization and Stabilization/AmeriCorps
Ext. 12
jmcgraw@lisc.org
Johnasies Yu McGraw joined LISC in April 2008 to support a dynamic commercial corridor revitalization program, our comprehensive neighborhood building initiatives and the LISC AmeriCorps program. Before coming to LISC, Johnasies worked on commercial economic revitalization projects in San Francisco and Oakland as a LISC AmeriCorps member. He also spent more than 4 years organizing and working with nonprofit and grassroots groups around the country, which lobbied on energy legislation, consumer protections, campaign finance reform, supporting family farms and environmental policy. Johnasies earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Minor in Urban Studies from San Francisco State University.
Julie O'Loughlin
Office Manager
Ext. 11
joloughlin@lisc.org
Julie O'Loughlin has been with Bay Area LISC since May 2005. Prior to joining LISC, Julie worked for an environmental law firm and served over 2 years as a State Senate intern. She has also volunteered with the Asian Law Caucus assisting attorneys to provide legal services to low-income, immigrant and under-served communities in San Francisco. Julie earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science at the University of California at Berkeley. She is currently completing a Master's program in Public Administration with a focus on public policy and management.
Office Manager
Ext. 11
joloughlin@lisc.org
Julie O'Loughlin has been with Bay Area LISC since May 2005. Prior to joining LISC, Julie worked for an environmental law firm and served over 2 years as a State Senate intern. She has also volunteered with the Asian Law Caucus assisting attorneys to provide legal services to low-income, immigrant and under-served communities in San Francisco. Julie earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science at the University of California at Berkeley. She is currently completing a Master's program in Public Administration with a focus on public policy and management.
Ben Palmquist
Program Assistant, Communications & Development
Ext. 18
bpalmquist@lisc.org
Ben Palmquist joined LISC in March 2006 and works with the Fund Development Director on Bay Area LISC's fundraising, communications, and publicity. He graduated from Stanford University in 2005 with a major in Urban Studies. In between his studies Ben served as an intern with the Nashville Civic Design Center and spent two summers working with street children in Latin America.
Program Assistant, Communications & Development
Ext. 18
bpalmquist@lisc.org
Ben Palmquist joined LISC in March 2006 and works with the Fund Development Director on Bay Area LISC's fundraising, communications, and publicity. He graduated from Stanford University in 2005 with a major in Urban Studies. In between his studies Ben served as an intern with the Nashville Civic Design Center and spent two summers working with street children in Latin America.