Our Leadership: Leading the Movement

As senior vice president of key partnerships, Ashley Crawford, together with her team, leads Covenant House International’s strategic partnerships with companies and private foundations to advance our mission to help young people overcome homelessness.

Ashley came to CHI in 2009, working in direct marketing. Inspired by the Covenant House culture, she went on to play a critical role in launching our peer-to-peer movement, Sleep Out. In 2015, Ashley led the development of CHI's first corporate partnerships unit, resulting in new opportunities for young people and new funding for programs.

Prior to Covenant House, Ashley served two years with City Year New York, where she helped develop and implement a service learning and leadership program for middle school students in Long Island City, New York. 

Ashley holds a bachelor’s degree in human resource management from Michigan State University and an MPA in public and nonprofit management and policy from New York University.

When Ashley is not at Covenant House, you can find her with her husband and two daughters (likely on the lakes or slopes!) in Michigan, where they reside.

Prior to joining Covenant House International in February 2023, Bill served as the CEO of Covenant House California since 2014, leading the site to quadruple in size in those eight years. Bill’s passion for working with youth came from his parents, who have been foster parents for over 30 years and have adopted 8 of his 11 siblings through the child welfare system.

Bill began his career doing street outreach, residential care, and therapy in Chicago. He subsequently spent 13 years with the Los Angeles County Department of Child and Family Services, where he helped reduce the number of children in out-of-home care by close to 75% through an emphasis on risk mitigation, family and community support, and faith-based engagement. In 2010, Bill became the executive director at Olive Crest’s Southern California operations overseeing the agency’s foster care, adoption, group home, transitional living, mental health services, and family support operations.

Bill has a bachelor's in business administration and finance from Taylor University and a master's of social work from Loyola University in Chicago. Bill lives in California with his wife and two children and he is an avid Philadelphia sports fan.

Carolyn joined Covenant House International in April 2023 as senior vice president for Latin America. Previously, she worked for Lutheran World Relief for 14 years, including 10 years as senior regional director for Latin America and the Caribbean. Carolyn led the organization's strategic direction and programming in El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Colombia, Peru, and Haiti. Her regional portfolio included economic development, climate change adaptation, gender and youth empowerment, agri-enterprise development, and emergency response.

Carolyn has a dual master's in Latin America Studies and Public Affairs from the University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies from Vassar College. She was named a 2018 Bowe Fellow by the World Trade Center Institute. Carolyn is fluent in Spanish and French and has lived and traveled throughout Latin America. She currently lives in Baltimore, MD, with her Peruvian husband, her creative 13-year-old, and her 2 chunky dogs.

Courtney Underwood joined Covenant House International in 2023. Prior to joining CHI, she served as chief human resources officer at By the Hand Club for Kids, an afterschool program in Chicago, where she led recruitment, retention, employee engagement, benefits management, training, and compliance.

A proud Chicago native, Courtney graduated from DePaul University. She is an award-winning thought leader, noted public speaker, published author, SHRM senior certified professional, and a Gallup-certified strengths coach. Before serving at By the Hand, she founded a management consulting firm, Kassar Consulting. After serving domestic and international clients across various industries, Courtney knew she had to bring the proven strategies she created to heart-centered organizations with purpose.

Courtney has over 21 years’ experience in human resources and leadership development. In her role as senior vice president of people and culture, she oversees all aspects of the employee experience, including building strong collaboration among CHI employees and at our affiliates.

Outside her professional commitments, Courtney spends quality time with her family, mentors youth, and travels extensively.

Daniel Karp joined the staff of Covenant House International in 2019. For nearly 20 years, he has partnered with domestic and international agencies to help save lives, lift communities out of poverty, promote human rights and the arts, and safeguard health.

Daniel comes to Covenant House from the USO, where, as vice president for direct response, he helped connect the men and women of the U.S. armed forces to family, home, and country throughout their service. With a strong foundation and personal commitment to social justice, Daniel joins Covenant House to be part of an organization that addresses the immediate and longer-term needs of young people experiencing homelessness. He envisions a world where no child is without a home.

Daniel grew up in Connecticut. He and his wife have two children.

Edda Santiago joined Covenant House International in 2021 and assumed her current post in 2024. She provides counsel on legal matters, including contracts, employment law, governance, planned giving, and intellectual property, and legal support for CHI’s efforts to build and maintain affordable housing for youth. 

Edda has nearly a decade of legal experience. She began her career at an international law firm, where she advised on the acquisition and financing of commercial properties. She has advised tax-exempt organizations on real estate matters, counseled clients on estate planning and tax matters, and, at The Legal Aid Society, defended low-income New Yorkers facing eviction. 

Edda earned her J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law, where she was associate managing editor of the New York Real Property Law Journal. She completed an advanced professional certificate in taxation from NYU School of Law, earned a bachelor’s in political science from Florida International University, and completed graduate work at American University’s School of International Service.

Edda is fluent in Spanish and serves on the board of the Hispanic National Bar Association VIA Fund.

A graduate of Seton Hall University, Gina Butler-VonDerHeide began her career as a real estate paralegal at Sills Cummis in Newark, New Jersey. During her tenure at the firm, she acquired her master’s degree in public administration at Rutgers University, where a referral from a professor to Covenant House changed her life. Gina made a phone call to inquire about an internship she needed to complete her degree and never looked back!

Gina started at Covenant House New Jersey in 2008 as a development manager, learning the ropes of fundraising and strategic planning. She found herself inspired and motivated then by both the staff and youth she worked with, and she still does. After countless Sleep Outs and Home Team races, Gina led development operations from 2018-2024 and now serves as senior vice president of key relationships with a resolve to grow and sustain transformational support for Covenant House's critical mission to end youth homelessness. Gina lives in New Jersey with her family.

For over 30 years, Jill Vorndran has focused her energies on missions and movements that support young people to harness their considerable power and affect change. As a founder of Do Something, Jill organized and taught alongside other young people to create community development in Newark, NJ. Then she joined Covenant House's movement to support young people to overcome homelessness and live into their dreams.

Since 1999, Jill has held a variety of leadership roles within the organization. She now serves as chief development officer for Covenant House International, leading the movement's efforts to grow support, financial stability, and brand awareness. A lifelong Jersey girl, Jill is a graduate of Rutgers College and Seton Hall University School of Law and lives in Kenilworth, NJ, with her husband, Sean, and their four teenagers.

After a clerkship with the New Jersey Supreme Court, John practiced law at Latham & Watkins LLP, a multinational law firm, and served in executive leadership roles in the New Jersey state government.  He was the deputy commissioner for child welfare reform at the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, where he was responsible for leading a statewide initiative to reform New Jersey’s child welfare system. John joined Covenant House International in 2010, serving as senior vice president for strategic planning and general counsel. He then became executive director of Covenant House Pennsylvania, where he more than doubled the site’s revenues and capacity to serve young people.  John rejoined CHI in 2019 and is responsible for managing legal affairs, real estate, and information technology.

Kary A. Stone, MSW, is the senior vice president of strategic partnerships, research, and impact has held leadership roles that have shaped national best practices and policies in child protection and foster care. Previously, she was president of The Moriah Group, where she focused on building thriving communities of color and advancing social change. Additionally, Kary served as executive director of the Child Welfare Information Gateway, Vice President of Equity and Inclusion at ICF, led the Social Services Administration for the State of Maryland, and directed the Technical Assistance Unit at Casey Family Programs, the nation’s largest foundation dedicated solely to foster care.

In these roles, Kary has honed her expertise in systems redesign, strategy development, and project management, providing critical support to government, human services, public sector, and nonprofit organizations.

Kary holds an MSW from Norfolk State University and a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Criminal Justice from Old Dominion University. She serves as chair of the Graduate School of Social Work and research board of advisors at Bryn Mawr College. Outside of work, Kary enjoys traveling, riding her Harley, and training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She is the proud mother of Sydney and Stone, both college students.

For over 20 years, Kristine Gansico has dedicated her career in financial and grant management of various international development organizations promoting higher education, humanitarian relief, and social justice. Prior to joining Covenant House in 2021, Kristine was the senior director of financial planning and analysis for Girls Scouts of the USA. She led the transformation of the budget office into a world-class business partnership model by leveraging financial data analytics and trend forecasting to make informed financial decisions and ensuring long-term sustainability of the organization so that they can continue to empower girls across the United States.

Kristine holds a master’s degree in Public and Urban Policy from The New School and is passionate in serving young people and committed to ending youth homelessness.

She resides in New Jersey and is an avid golfer.

Lenore Haas is senior vice president of finance at Covenant House International. She came to Covenant House in 2008. Prior to her arrival here, she was an auditor in the middle market department at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for six years. While at PwC, Lenore was exposed to a variety of clients representing an array of industries, from retail and manufacturing/wholesale to nonprofits.

Lenore also worked as an accountant for The Library of America, a nonprofit publisher of classic American literature. She graduated from Queens College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting and information systems.

Leslie McGuire brings 25 years of leadership experience serving vulnerable youth to her role as chief program officer at Covenant House International. From 2017 to 2023, Leslie was senior vice president of operations and site support at CHI, overseeing the program, child and youth protection, and research, evaluation, and learning departments. She also served site ambassador and enterprise risk management functions.

Prior to Covenant House, Leslie was the national head of centers at headspace in Australia, where she oversaw 100 centers providing mental health, physical health, substance use, and vocation and education services to youth. She also was vice president of U.S. partnerships and programs at AmeriCares and deputy executive director at the TeenScreen National Center for Mental Health Checkups at Columbia University.

Leslie has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Lafayette College, an MSW from the University of Michigan, and a Certificate of Business Excellence from Columbia University Business School.

Leslie embraces Covenant House’s goal to end youth homelessness and is thrilled to partner with and support our sites to help young people achieve their dreams and potential.

Lori Maloney joined Covenant House International in January 2016 and became senior vice president for program operations and advocacy in December 2017.

Prior to joining Covenant House, she was an executive vice president and partner in JANUS Solutions, one of the mid-Atlantic region’s most respected human services consulting firms. The firm works with nonprofits and government leaders, turning ideas into results.

Lori has more than 25 years of experience advocating for social change and implementing cutting-edge programs that result in positive outcomes for children, youth, and families. At CHI, she provides programmatic and operational support to our affiliate sites as a site liaison. In addition, Lori leads our federal advocacy agenda, advancing our mission, and fostering our international movement to prevent and end youth homelessness.

Lori graduated from Kean University and received her master’s from Rutgers University, where she was an Eagleton Fellow at the Eagleton Institute of Politics

Luis Roman is senior vice president of finance at Covenant House International. He first came to Covenant House in 2006. Prior to his arrival here, he was a senior accountant at Brink’s Global Services U.S., where he worked for two years. Brink’s specializes in the secure transportation and handling of valuable goods on a global scale. 

Luis graduated from Queens College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in accounting and information systems, with a minor in economics. 

Before coming to Covenant House, Neeta enjoyed a successful career as a leader in large Fortune 500 companies and held various nonprofit board positions. She also built, with her husband, a thriving real estate business.

Neeta retired from the corporate world in 2017, and in 2022, she joined Covenant House California as chief operating officer.  She helped streamline CHC’s IT processes and managed the expansion of CHC’s portfolio of shelter and affordable housing properties.

Known as an innovator, in 2024, Neeta joined Covenant House International to spearhead a new program. As senior vice president of housing and development, she is charged with building the critical affordable-for-youth housing component of our mission, enhancing opportunities for youth facing homelessness to achieve their goals of stability and independence.

Neeta is the recipient of various recognitions, including, in 2002, the Women of Color in Technology Award. Of Indian descent, she was born and raised in Zimbabwe, educated in the United Kingdom, and, with more than 20 years in the USA, now considers herself a true citizen of the World.

Pamela Kournetas is recognized as a finance leader, with a strong for-profit foundation and over eight years' experience in large, complex global nonprofit organizations. At Covenant House International, Pamela determines, drives, and delivers the organization’s financial strategies, supporting CHI’s overall strategic direction for growth. Pamela comes to Covenant House from Girl Scouts of the USA, where she served as deputy chief financial officer. Prior to this, she was senior director for budget and financial planning and acting CFO at International Rescue Committee, where she was responsible for a budget of $700 million.

Pamela started her career in the nonprofit world at New York University, where she served as associate director for budget and financial planning. Before entering the nonprofit sector, Pamela worked for a number of prestigious financial management firms, including Steinberg Asset Management and Gabelli & Co.

Pamela’s strong finance background includes an MBA from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania. She earned her undergraduate degree in political science at Duke University.

Pam Sandonato joined Covenant House in 2014. Pam is the senior vice president of brand and communications, and she and her team are responsible for raising the profile of Covenant House through brand awareness, public relations, special events, and social media. Pam loves and embraces Covenant House's unwavering mission of unconditional love, absolute respect, and relentless support.

Pam originally hails from south Jersey and is a graduate of the University of Delaware. She has been a part of the New York City nonprofit community for 20 years. Prior to Covenant House, Pam spent six years at the National Down Syndrome Society, where she served as vice president of development. Pam lives in Jersey City with her husband and two kids, all of whom are active Covenant House volunteers and Sleep Out participants. She loves good coffee, good jokes, and good people.

As senior vice president of key partnerships, Tod leads an ambitious effort to dramatically grow and sustain Covenant House International’s corporate partnerships program while managing a portfolio of our most generous board members and individual supporters and coaching our team of relationship managers. Tod was part of the team that helped launch the organization’s major gift and corporate partnership programs and the Sleep Out movement. He played an essential role in the $55M capital campaign that included construction of Covenant House New York’s new 120-bed flagship site and CHI’s new headquarters in New York City.

Tod joined Covenant House in September 2000 as an assistant to Sr. Mary Rose McGeady, then president and CEO of CHI. He attended SUNY Binghamton as an undergraduate, earned a master’s in social work from Fordham University, and became a licensed master social worker (LMSW). His early years at Covenant House were spent in our programs, providing direct care to minors, young moms and babies, and young people struggling with substance use.

With nearly 30 years’ experience leading child welfare and social services policy and systems improvement, Ginger Pryor joined Covenant House in 2024. As president and founder of VP Consulting Collective, she built strong partnerships with multiple states to assess the strength of child welfare systems, opportunities for improvement, and the promotion of positive systems transformation and generational impact for children and families. 

Ginger also was a principal associate at Abt Associates and acting director and chief deputy director of the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services.

At Casey Family Programs, Ginger supported over 45 child welfare jurisdictions. She also was the director of the Georgia Division of Family and Children Services, where she managed the Child Welfare Department and Office of Family Independence.

Ginger is a volunteer mentor for youth in the foster care system, board member of Heluna Health, and past board member and president of Black Administrators in Child Welfare. At the schools of social work at Howard University and Virginia Commonwealth University, Ginger helped prepare the next generation of child welfare advocates.

Alexia Clarke is a dedicated public health professional with over 17 years’ experience serving communities. She has focused her career on implementing community-centered behavioral health interventions to enhance the lives of people impacted by violence, poverty, and discrimination. She holds a B.A. from Smith College and a master’s in public health from Drexel University. 

As the executive director of Chester Community Coalition, Alexia provided vital therapy and hospital-response services to survivors of gun violence in Chester, Pennsylvania. She successfully expanded the organization’s scope and spearheaded a collaborative coalition of violence-prevention stakeholders to promote safer schools and neighborhoods. 

Alexia also served on the executive committee of Delaware County Reentry Coalition, working to prevent recidivism. She is a Securing the Roots fellow, holds a certification in diversity, equity, and inclusion, and believes that every person deserves a life of peace and safety.. 

Alexia’s resume ranges from childhood obesity treatment and oral health care to sexual health and trauma recovery. She is committed to transformative change and empowerment. Alexia joined Covenant House as the executive director of Covenant House Pennsylvania in 2023.

Dr. Alie Redd, Ph.D. joined the Covenant House Georgia team in March 2018, bringing 28 years of experience in the field of social work. Alie previously served as vice president of placement services at CHRIS 180, overseeing the organization’s therapeutic group homes, street outreach, community housing, permanent supportive housing, transitional living programs, drop-in center, and supportive services. Previously, Alie worked for Lutheran Services of Georgia. She has served various populations as a direct-service provider, clinician, clinical supervisor, advocate, advisor, administrator, and executive leader.

Alie earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Memphis and, from Clark Atlanta University, a Master of Social Work and a doctorate in social work policy planning administration and social science with a cognate in public administration. Alie has been continuously licensed as a licensed clinical social worker since 2000. Her areas of research interest include social and child welfare policy; commercial sexual exploitation of children; secondary trauma of social workers; refugees and immigration; racial identity; youth homelessness; and military families.

Alison Kear moved to Alaska in 1994 and discovered her purpose when she began volunteering with Covenant House Alaska. Her tenacity, ability to make connections, and her refusal to take no for an answer ultimately propelled Alison to the position of executive director in 2012. In a time of recession, in 2010, Alison successfully raised enough capital to construct a new building and youth center for CHA, inspiring many with her conviction, courage, and leadership.

Alison values learning and has a master’s degree from Alaska Pacific University. In 2019, she was among 15 leaders selected from across the U.S. for the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Children and Family Fellowship, a 21-month leadership program.

Alison’s interests include Special Olympics Alaska, Soroptimist International of Cook Inlet, Alzheimer’s Association, and YWCA Alaska. She also loves to spend time with her devoted labradoodle, Lucy. At CHA, she inspires her staff by throwing 30-second dance parties for anyone with good news.

Angela Jones Hackley has over 24 years of successful leadership in nonprofit management, resource development, advocacy and policy analysis, and philanthropy. She has extensive experience in grassroots social justice work and surrounding issues that continue to affect low-income families and at-risk communities. Before coming to Covenant House Greater Washington as CEO in 2019, Angela served as chief program officer at the Wayfinder Foundation. She also served as interim executive director of the DC Children and Youth Investment Trust Corporation and held leadership positions during her tenure at the Community Foundation for the National Capital Region, including interim president and vice president of philanthropic service.

Angela grew up in the historic Anacostia neighborhood of southeast Washington, D.C., and always felt grounded by her community. She knows that young people who come to Covenant House need community. “Our young people are resilient and strong. By providing community, a feeling of confidence and belonging, we have the honor of walking with our young people and celebrating their lives,” she says.

Cándida Sauceda became the national director of Covenant House Honduras in 2023. She brings to the position her nearly 25 years' experience in senior leadership roles at the organization. Throughout the years, Cándida has been an integral part of establishing Covenant House Honduras as one of the premier children's social service organizations in Honduras. In addition to holding a master's degree in education and psychology, Cándida has extensive expertise in leading nonprofit human resource teams and sits on the board of the Honduran Christian Foundation.

Carolina Escobar Sarti, Ph.D., has been the national director of Covenant House Guatemala since 2010 and is devoted to the children and youth in our care there. Carolina is one of Guatemala’s most recognized poets, authors, and national newspaper columnists and she writes regularly on human rights issues. Carolina has a doctorate in sociology and political science from the University of Salamanca, Spain, and a master’s in Hispano-American literature from Rafael Landivar University in Guatemala, as well as degrees and diplomas in psychopedagogy, education, and research. She teaches at the university level and is engaged in social research. Guatemala’s president named Carolina the country’s ambassador for peace in 2011.

In 2019, Carolina received the Olof Palme Medallion from the Olof Palme International Foundation in Barcelona, Spain. The medal is bestowed in recognition of those who have fostered Olof Palme's legacy to the world: the defense of human rights, commitment to peace, conflict resolution, and sustainable development.

Deb Lester is a visionary leader and clinician who has lived and worked around the world in the health, education, and social service sectors. She joined Covenant House Vancouver as CEO in 2023.

Deb began her career as a registered nurse at BC Children’s Hospital in Vancouver, British Columbia. She then spent 10 years working in reproductive, maternal, newborn, and child health (RMNCH) care in Bermuda, alongside expert clinicians from around the world. SHe continued her RMNCH work in Seattle, while also volunteering with an international development organization focused on East Africa and Southeast Asia 

Deb has served in executive leadership positions in both domestic and international programs. She was an external advisor to the U.N.’s Every Woman Every Child Health Innovation Marketplace, and still collaborates with U.N. partners and international development organizations today. 

Besides her nursing degree, Deb holds a B.S. and an MBA. She is a member of the Canadian College of Health Leaders, a delegate to the 76th World Health Assembly in Geneva, and a wife and a mother to three children. 

For over 40 years, Fred Ali held senior leadership positions with nonprofit, philanthropic, and educational organizations, and in government. In 2021, he retired as the president and chief executive officer of the Weingart Foundation, where he served for 21 years. Prior to his work at the foundation, Fred was the founding executive director of Covenant House California and of Covenant House Alaska.

Fred is also a consultant and strategic advisor on projects and initiatives focused on advancing racial equity and justice, as well as organizational effectiveness. He also maintains an executive coaching and mentoring practice and has written and spoken extensively on issues pertaining to the nonprofit and philanthropic sectors and executive leadership and management.

Fred also chairs the board of Catalyst California.

Julia Einbond became executive director of Covenant House New Jersey in 2023. She joined CHNJ in 2015 as its first director of strategy and learning. Since then, Julia has helped to establish CHNJ as a leader in using data and information to strengthen and redesign programs to enhance outcomes for youth facing homelessness and trafficking. 

Prior to being named executive director, Julia was associate executive director of CHART, Covenant House Action and Research Tank, a CHNJ project that applies research to services impacting young people facing homelessness and individuals experiencing human trafficking. She also supported Covenant House’s anti-trafficking program across our federation.

Julia has worked as a consultant for various United Nations agencies and international NGOs, conducting evaluations of programs on a range of topics, including child protection, gender-based violence, justice, and results-based management. 

Julia received her JD from New York University, where she was a Root Tilden Kearn scholar. After graduation, she clerked for the Hon. Mitchell S. Goldberg of the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Julia received her undergraduate degree from Harvard College. 

Lannette Madison, DSW, MSW, LCSW, is the CEO of Covenant House Missouri. Dr. Madison is a servant leader who cares deeply, gives and expects excellence, and believes in equipping others with the tools and support they need to positively transform the lives of youth and young adults.  

A native St. Louisan, Dr. Madison grew up in the foster care system and was emancipated before graduating high school. She went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees of social work, a clinical social worker license, and a Doctor of Social Work degree, with an emphasis on improving cross-system collaboration to advance better youth outcomes. She has 30 years of professional-practice experience in the field of social work. 

Dr. Madison served as a board member of the Missouri Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, regional director of Eastern Missouri’s Cornerstones of Care, executive director of Kansas Programs and Services for Cornerstones of Care, and provided technical assistance to the state governments of Minnesota and Texas on human trafficking legislation, protocols, and programming. 

Dr. Madison is the proud mother of two adult children. She enjoys traveling, gardening, kayaking, horseback riding, volunteering, hiking, and yoga.  

Leslie Bourne joined Covenant House Texas as executive director in January 2017. Previously, she was the CEO of Ronald McDonald House Houston for over nine years. Leslie also worked at The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, developing and implementing programs for its Children’s Cancer Hospital.

Leslie is a graduate of the University of Texas Health Science Center at Dallas. She has done graduate studies in social work and has a master’s in health care administration from Texas Women’s University.

Mark Aston has dedicated his career to taking action against poverty and homelessness. He brings a unique passion and specialized knowledge to Covenant House Toronto, Canada’s largest agency serving youth facing homelessness, trafficking, or who are at risk of them. With more than 30 years' experience in the not-for-profit sector, Mark joined Covenant House Toronto in 2019. Previously, he served as executive director and then CEO of Fred Victor, where he transformed the organization into one of the leading social service agencies addressing homelessness and poverty in Toronto.

Mark has extensive and varied experience in public policy development, system-change initiatives, board and sector leadership, revenue development, and volunteerism. He also founded and leads the Toronto Alliance to End Homelessness, a volunteer association comprised of 50 organizations —including Covenant House — focused on ending chronic homelessness in Toronto.  Mark brings a shared focus of respect, compassion, and unconditional love to the work we do supporting youth who are transforming their lives and exploring their potential.

As executive director of Covenant House Michigan, Meagan Dunn provides leadership to the teams at our two Michigan locations, Detroit and Grand Rapids. At both, CHMI delivers high-quality programs and services to help young people achieve housing stability, heal from trauma, and hone their interests and skills to forge pathways to independence.

Prior to joining CHMI in 2022, Meagan was vice president of programs at YWCA Kalamazoo, where she managed a $10 million program budget and more than 100 program team members. She supervised a 62-bed shelter for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, as well as one of the first 24/7 childcare centers in southwest Michigan.

Meagan earned a bachelor's degree in English language and literature from the University of Michigan and an MBA from Michigan State University.

Meagan is a member of Inforum and serves on the Belle Isle Conservancy board of directors. In March 2023, the Detroit City Council presented Meagan with the Spirit of Detroit Award in recognition of her commitment to the community.

Patricia Secunza Schott has dedicated her career to the defense and promotion of the human rights of vulnerable children. Through her work in residential programs, she has advocated for children who have been abused or neglected and is a prominent advocate for policy changes to improve the lives of young people in Mexico. Patricia earned a master’s degree in human rights education and is a recognized training specialist for adult education in Latin America and the Caribbean. Patricia also is recognized for developing an intervention model with a focus on human rights education, gender perspective and interculturality, that is focused on strengthening families and promoting participatory and informed processes for girls, teenagers, and young women.

Reneé Trincanello is a transformational servant leader who has been in the social work field since 1999. Reneé has served in a variety of direct care and executive roles at Covenant House Florida. In 2019, she became chief executive officer for two Covenant House Florida locations, Fort Lauderdale and Orlando.  

Reneé is passionate about raising awareness of issues impacting youth experiencing homelessness and has focused her career on building innovative, robust programs which support youth on their pathway to independence.  As an advocate for underserved and under-resourced persons, she is deeply committed to partnering with those who share the commitment to end youth homelessness. 

Reneé obtained her bachelor's degree in social work from the University of Central Florida, a master's degree in social work from Barry University, and is a licensed clinician.

Rheneisha is a passionate, public health professional with over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and community public health. Rheneisha has played a critical role in improving overall health outcomes and quality of life of marginalized communities, with a focus on women, youth, and communities of color. She spent 15 years with the Institute of Women and Ethnic Studies (IWES), a national nonprofit health organization. Rheneisha’s leadership roles at IWES included CPO and COO.

Current and past board service includes Girls on the Run NOLA, Greater New Orleans Breastfeeding Advocacy Coalition, Emerge LA, Iggie’s House (a Nia Robertson Foundation), and New Orleans Metro Stars. Additionally, she was a member of Off the Field Players’ Wives Association, a national association of active/retired professional football players’ wives.

Rheneisha earned a master’s degree from Tulane University’s School of Public Health and a bachelor’s from Xavier University. She’s a graduate of the Brian Bell Metropolitan Leadership Forum and the Rockwood Leadership Institute’s Art of Leadership program. She is a proud native of New Orleans, wife, and mother of two children.

Dr. Shakeema North (known affectionately as “Shak”) is a servant leader with a passion for youth and community development. She is committed to empowering young people to reach their fullest potential despite the challenges many of them have faced. The youth development initiatives she has built are strengths based, trauma informed, healing centered, and designed to serve marginalized youth in search of hope and healing. 

Shak joined Covenant House New York in 2015 and was instrumental in creating and expanding the youth development department. She has played a key role in developing policies and practices to ensure youth safety and well-being and fostered a culture where youth are treated with unconditional love and absolute respect, where their voice is valued. Shak became CHNY’s executive director in 2023.  

Prior to joining Covenant House, Shak worked for over 10 years as a marketing and production professional with HBO. She has a B.S. degree in computer science from North Carolina A&T State University, a Master of Divinity from New York Theological Seminary, and a Doctor of Ministry from Duke Divinity School. 

Susan is a respected local leader with more than 30 years of health and human services experience in the Chicago community. She joins Covenant House from Children’s Place Association, where she was chief program officer. In that role, she was responsible for the organization’s domestic programs, including the early learning center, family and community services, foster and adoptive care and the residential center. She spent 16 years of her career at the Beacon Therapeutic Diagnostic and Treatment Center, where she served as CEO. Susan has focused her career on helping to systematically advance the issues surrounding homelessness and its resulting impact on children and young adults’ mental and physical health and well-being.

Susan is a licensed clinical social worker, with a master’s in social work from Loyola University. She is a first-generation Mexican American with strong roots in Chicago, where she lives with her husband and three adult children. Susan is an avid runner. She completed two triathlons and, for a fundraiser, rappelled down the Witt Hotel in Chicago twice!