HomeAid San Diego, a nonprofit organization working to provide services to mitigate the housing crisis in San Diego County, announces that it has elected its 2023 board of directors. Melissa Stern, C&S Companies’ Business Development Manager, will serve as the organization’s Board President.
“We’re thrilled to apply Melissa’s knowledge of the building industry to HomeAid San Diego’s work and mission,” said HomeAid’s Executive Director Mary Lydon. “Melissa has demonstrated her leadership ability on the HomeAid San Diego board as well as other significant nonprofit boards in our region. We are grateful for her willingness to serve as president for the next two years.”
Stern is a passionate advocate for affordable housing and solutions to homelessness. She has been involved with HomeAid San Diego since 2016. With more than ten years of experience in the construction industry, she has held leadership roles in several organizations including ULI San Diego-Tijuana, where she currently serves on the Young Leaders Board and Management Committee; the Building Industry Association (BIA) of San Diego, having served as Past Chair of the yGEN Board; and Downtown San Diego Partnership, where she currently sits on the board.
“The need for solutions to house our unhoused community members has never been greater,” said Stern. “During my two-year term I intend to work with our board and the community at large to help catalyze development of more affordable housing and continue to help alleviate the suffering of those without a home.”
Other members of HomeAid San Diego’s 2023 board include Staci Reidinger, Reidinger Public Relations; Robert (Buddy) Bohrer, San Diego Housing Commission; Barbara Hunter, Financial Consultant; Brian Adkins, Buchalter; Jamie Prevost, Prevost Construction; Hala Garmo, US Bank; Stacie Greene, Over the Moon Sales & Advertising; Vera Howell, Turner Construction; Mark Janda, Avalon Bay Communities; Alex Leonard, Greystar; Tony Pauker, Brookfield Properties Development; David Potter; Joe Vettel, Geocon; Alan Willingham, Lennar; Drew DeFalle, Swinerton; Eric Smith, Smith Consultancy; and Erik Flores, Lowe.
HomeAid San Diego’s 2023 leadership team also includes the addition of Miguel Bernal, who will serve as program manager. Bernal holds more than 10 years of experience working in the non-profit sector helping vulnerable communities achieve greatness through community building, advocacy and education. As HomeAid San Diego’s program manager, he will work with Executive Director Mary Lydon to manage the coordination of the organization’s WORKS Construction Training Program, establish a new volunteer program, plan special events and complete other tasks to pave the way for individuals experiencing or at-risk of homelessness to succeed. This also includes involvement with the operations of HomeAid’s BUILDS and CARES campaigns, which serve all of San Diego County and help increase access to housing, stability, access to education and career opportunities.
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About HomeAid San Diego
Founded in 2002 by Mark Read of Kidder Mathews, HomeAid San Diego is a local affiliate of HomeAid America, which includes 19 chapters across the United States that attack the reality of homelessness with a unique and collaborative approach. Through housing development, community engagement, advocacy and workforce development, HomeAid improves and expands housing and resources for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness in the San Diego region.
By bringing together homeless service providers, local builders and trades, national and local resources, and community leaders, HomeAid builds and renovates shelters and transitional housing at a fraction of the cost. Through partnerships, the organization reduces the time service providers spend on managing a project and the costs associated with construction, allowing these entities to assist in mitigating homelessness in San Diego County.
For more information, visit https://www.homeaidsd.org