Staff Directory

Community Housing Network Staff A-Z

Bratton, Chuck, Housing Resource Center Manager
Brinkmann, Shelley, Property Manager
Chambers, Karla, Asset Manager and Contract Services
Christofel, Jamie, Housing Resouce Center Specialist, CPSS
Craig, Marc, President & CEO
Daoust, Nicole, Director of Operations
Elliott, Kirsten, Vice President of Development
Hendren, Debra, Housing Resource Center Director
Heyer, Cristen, MSW, LMSW, HUD LAP Supportive Services Specialist
Lax, Sherryl, Housing Resource Center Specialist, CPSS
Madsen, Tanya, Shelter Plus Care Program Manager
Messina, Michelle, MSW, LMSW, LAP Housing Inspector and Recertification Specialist
Mumma, Jessica, MSW, LMSW, Homeless Leasing Assistance Program Manager
Nigro, Michael, Housing Resource Center Specialist, CPSS
 Osmer, Anne Community Relations Manager
Pilla, Dorothy, Macomb Housing Resource Center Manager
Pischel, Dawn, JD, Vice President of Operations
Pluger, Karen, Accountant
Rehbine, Morene, Senior Accountant
Ruskin, Steve, Housing Resouce Center Specialist, CPSS
Shoemaker, Jill, HUD Program Director and HMIS Coordinator
Shah, Aashish, Network Architect
Shull-Sweeny, Kay, Property Manager
Siehda, Jessie, LAP Supportive Services Specialist
Velandra, Linda, Home Buyer Program Specialist
White, Audrey, MSW, LLMSW, HUD LAP Assistant
Wiegand, Kathy, MSW, HUD Supportive Services Specialist
Williams, Jennifer, MSW, LMSW, HUD LAP Supportive Housing Navigator

Community Housing Network Executive Team

Marc Craig, President & CEO

A passionate advocate for providing homes for people in need, Marc Craig has been involved in the affordable housing sector for over 25 years.  In 1991, he founded Springhill Housing Corporation, a certified CHDO receiving HOME funds and a recipient of HUD 811 grants, FNMA programs, and others.  He went on to become the founding President and CEO of Community Housing Network where he continues to lead.  He has been excited to oversee the rapid growth of the organization, from three staff members in 2001 to over 50 today, a testament to the tremendous need for affordable housing in the region.  Marc leads a team that throughout the years has leveraged over $18 million in resources to create and maintain the stock of affordable housing in Oakland, Macomb and St. Clair counties.  Marc is active in numerous affordable housing, homelessness and disability service and advocacy organizations.  He represents the Oakland County Taskforce on Homelessness and Affordable Housing on the Oakland County Human Services Collaborative Council, serves as Treasurer for the Oakland County Association for Children and Adults with Psychiatric Disabilities, is a member of the Oakland County Community and Home Improvement Division Advisory Council, and was recently named to the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis Affordable Housing Advisory Council.  He also serves as a board member for the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM).  Marc is licensed as a Michigan Real Estate Broker and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Michigan State University as well as a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University.  He has completed additional management courses, including the Strategic Perspectives in Nonprofit Management program at the Harvard Business School.  Marc enjoys spending time with his family, and serves as Scoutmaster for his son’s Boy Scout Troop.

Dawn Pischel, JD, Vice President of Operations

Dawn Pischel is responsible for managing Community Housing Network's operations and administration, as well as program and policy development and implementation. An avid advocate for people in need, she has extensive experience helping people with disabilities plan their housing and support needs, and in her current role continues to provide individual consultation and technical assistance. She holds a Michigan Real Estate license and serves as CHN's Director of HUD Leasing Assistance Program Compliance. Dawn also holds a license with the State Bar of Michigan, with both state and federal jurisdictions, and served as Staff Attorney for The Arc of Oakland County for five years before joining Community Housing Network in 2002. Dawn is an active member of numerous organizations including the North Oakland County Board of Realtors, Oakland County Task Force on Homelessness and Affordable Housing, and The Arc of Saint Clair County. She chairs the Oakland County Regional Interagency Consumer Committee and co-chairs the Oakland County Community Mental Health Agency Core Provider Housing Group. She is a Leadership Oakland alumna and active community volunteer, serving the Warren Consolidated School District, St. Rene Parish, Gift of Life Michigan and the Clawson Youth Soccer League, among other organizations.

Kirsten Elliott, Vice President of Development

Kirsten Elliot is an experienced administrator of project and program development. Some of her accomplishments include successfully developing 13 HUD Supportive Housing Programs that created over 260 units of housing; developing and implementing two HUD Section 811 grants resulting in $2.4 million to produce affordable housing units; leading the effort to develop and implement the Homeless Management Information Systems (HMIS) in Oakland County; implementing 10 federal leasing assistance programs with outstanding site reviews; and creating the Community Housing Network Affordable Housing Database. She serves on the Executive Committee for the Oakland County Taskforce on Homelessness and Affordable Housing, and is Co-Chair for both the Continuum of Care and Point in Time committees. She is a member of the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan (CEDAM) and is an active alumni member of Leadership Oakland. In addition to holding a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Wayne State University, she holds certificates in the Grantsmanship Training Program and CEDAM Real Estate Development Training Program.

Community Housing Network Management Team

Chuck Bratton, Housing Resource Center Manager

Chuck Bratton is one of the Housing Resource Specialists at CHN for people with disabilities served by Oakland County Community Mental Health. He has a Social Worker License and a Real Estate License. Chuck provides information and referrals for your housing needs. Chuck also pursues and coordinates creative cutting edge possibilities for affordable housing in Oakland County. Chuck worked as CHN's Resource Manager/Property Manager for the people in licensed group homes for two years. Chuck has over 25 years of experience working in the mental health field, including direct care, home management and Social Work. Chuck's hobby's are bible study, exercise, and home improvement projects. Chuck has been on building mission trips to Tennessee, Wisconsin, and Jamaica.

Nicole Daoust, Director of Operations

Nicole Daoust attended Oakland University where she majored in Business Administration. She has over twelve years of experience in administrative management and department operations.  Ms. Daoust has been trained as an inspector for both Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and Uniform Physical Condition Standards (UPCS) and she holds a Michigan Real Estate License.  She has worked as a Realtor for Century 21 Associates; a Finance Administration Supervisor at Crain Communications; and a Manager of an Investment Holding Company.  Ms. Daoust joined CHN in December of 2006.  As Director of Operations, her responsibilities include overseeing the Organization's overall Operations, Quality Assurance and Compliance, and the management of several departments including; Human Resources, Information Technology, and Administration. For adventure and relaxation, Ms. Daoust enjoys scuba diving.

Debra Hendren, Housing Resource Center Director

Debra Hendren earned her BFA in metal work and M. Ed. in Art Therapy from Wayne State University. Ms. Hendren currently manages the Housing Resource Center and the Homeless Housing Resource Centers in Oakland County and Macomb County. Prior to joining the staff at Community Housing Network, Inc., Ms. Hendren worked at Training & Treatment Innovations, Inc. (TTI) for 9 ½ years. Ms. Hendren started her career at TTI providing direct care support to children and adults with disabilities. As a supervisor of the direct care staff, Ms. Hendren developed and implemented in-home treatment plans. Before leaving TTI, she was the Program Manager for the Family Support Services and Housing programs. Debra enjoys photography and on more than one occasion has been available to take pictures of significant happenings here at CHN!

Jessica Mumma, MSW, LMSW, Homeless Leasing Assistance Program Manager

Jessica Mumma earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Social Work degree from the University of Michigan. While at college Ms. Mumma worked at Community Residence Corporation as a direct-support staff person for participants in a Supported Living Program. This work was instrumental in helping Ms. Mumma discover her skills and in addition, the inspiration to pursue a degree in Social Work. She joined the staff at Community Housing Network, Inc. in August 2005 working as a Supportive Housing Navigator at a satellite office in Macomb County. In June 2008, Ms. Mumma became the Homeless Leasing Assistance Program Manager for the Homeless Leasing Assistance Programs in Oakland and Macomb Counties. These programs serve individuals and families who meet HUD's definition of homeless and have a severe and persistent mental illness, developmental disability, and/or other qualifying diagnoses. In her spare time, she enjoys thrifting, selling things on eBay, cooking and spoiling her dogs.

Anne Osmer, Community Relations Manager
Anne Osmer comes from a communications and marketing background.  Previous positions include writing content for WWJ News Radio 950's website; managing a marketing outreach program at a statewide arts advocacy organization; directing marketing circulation programs for a major business-to-business magazine publisher in New York City; and membership marketing at the Bronx Zoo. In her current role as Community Relations Manager at Community Housing Network, she oversees communications for the organization and manages additional responsibilities. She enjoys reading and spending time with her husband and two girls.

Jill Shoemaker, HUD Program Director and HMIS Coordinator

Jill Shoemaker joined the team at CHN in 2004 as the Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Coordinator/System Administrator for the Oakland County implementation. She continues to oversee the successful implementation of HMIS and is HUD Program Director, overseeing and managing more than 14 federal grant budgets. Jill sits on the Michigan Statewide Homeless Management Information System (MSHMIS) Reports Committee, and chairs the Reports Committee and the Data Collection Committee for the Oakland County Taskforce on Homelessness and Affordable Housing. Jill's efforts led to HUD's recognition in 2006 of Oakland County for outstanding achievement in the field of HMIS implementation. Jill holds a bachelor's degree in Sign Language Studies and has a diverse business background that includes project and database management. Her personal and professional goal is to use HMIS data to end homelessness.

Jennifer Williams, MSW, LMSW, Chronically Homeless Leasing Program Manager

Jennifer Williams has a background in social work; both clinical and community focused. She was awarded her BSW in 2002 and MSW degree in 2003 from Wayne State University. Her experience includes case management and job placement of adults with mental illnesses, community outreach and organizing, program development, and in-home family therapy with a diverse population. In addition, she has worked as a Research Technician for Wayne State University's Denver Housing Study. Ms. Williams has been on staff at CHN since March 2004. She has a Black Belt in Martial Arts and is training to enter into the world of competitive boxing. Ms. Williams and her husband share their home with two cats, Bootsie and Precious.

CHN Staff

Shelley Brinkmann, Property Manager

Ms. Brinkmann has been with CHN, Inc since October 2001. She has strong experience in property management and in contractor and lease negotiations. Shelley previously served as a Support Coordinator for Macomb Oakland Regional Center for three years. She is a Licensed Social Worker and Real Estate Agent in the State of Michigan, and has her HQS certificate.

Karla Chambers, Asset Manager and Contract Services

Karla Chambers has Associates' Degrees in Accounting and Culinary Arts. She has worked in the food service sector and at an accounting firm prior to becoming the office manager at CHN in 2003. Currently, Ms. Chambers administers the property management and client certifications for Springhill Housing Corporation, several HUD Section 811 grants, the Macomb CHDO grants and SIP homes. She is a Certified Occupancy Specialist (COS), a Management Occupancy Review Specialist (MORS) and has been certified as a Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspector. Ms. Chambers is married, has a son in college, and enjoys playing with her border collie. She also enjoys reading, gardening, movies and cooking at home for family and friends.

Jamie Christofel, Housing Resource Center Specialist, CPSS

Jamie Christofel has an Associate's Degree in Business Administration and Liberal Arts from Oakland Community College and is currently pursuing her BA in Political Science at Oakland University. Ms. Christofel has been on staff in the Housing Resource Center (HRC) since August 2007. She provides technical assistance and referral information to callers in need of affordable housing. Ms. Christofel also works in the Homeless Housing Resource Center (HHRC) at CHN providing outreach to the homeless in Oakland County. Prior to joining CHN, Ms. Christofel held various administrative positions through Kelly Services. She attributes her past work experiences as an administrative assistant to helping her design a call log which has been instrumental in gathering demographic information and statistics about the people we serve and assist with resources and referrals. The best part of her job is seeing hope and trust return to the faces of the people who are homeless. For fun, she enjoys writing poetry, playing the bass guitar and singing.

Cristen Heyer, MSW, LMSW, HUD LAP Supportive Services Specialist

Cristen Heyer has both her Master's Degree and Bachelor's Degree in Social Work from Wayne State University. Her previous social work experience includes medical case management, psychiatric case management, inpatient psychiatric care, and home health care. Ms. Heyer has been on staff at CHN since June of 2006. As a Supportive Service Specialist, she conducts home visits; assists clients with identifying their goals to remaining in stable housing; and links the clients to community resources when needed. When not working, Ms. Heyer enjoys spending time with her family especially while participating in most outdoor activities including boating, swimming, sledding, and taking walks.

Sherryl Lax, Housing Resource Center Specialist, CPSS

Sherryl joined Community Housing Network in January 2009 and serves as a Housing Resource Specialist, helping people find solutions to their housing questions. She recently was awarded certification as a peer support specialist, which entailed training for peer support, mediation and leadership. Sherryl studied liberal arts at Oakland Community College and psychology at Oakland University, and she holds a Secretarial Certificate from Detroit Business Institute, where she also studied business law. She completed classes at the Dale Carnegie Institute in public speaking where she went on to become graduate assistant for the following class. Her experience includes 25 years at ATT where she worked in collections, clerical positions and as a customer service leader. She enjoys helping others and volunteering at Community Housing Network. Sherryl also likes to spend time gardening and attending art fairs and exhibits

Tanya R. Madsen, Shelter Plus Care Program Manager

Ms. Madsen has several years experience working with persons who have both mental and physical disabilities. She has worked in education, both with troubled teens and post-secondary students. She also has a strong accounting/accounts receivable background. Currently, she is project manager for the Housing Resource Center and is managing the Shelter Plus Care Leasing Assistance Program.

Michelle Messina, MSW, LMSW, HUD LAP Supportive Service Specialist

Michelle Messina graduated with her MSW from Eastern Michigan University and her BSW from Madonna University. Ms. Messina has been providing case management services for several years to residents of Oakland County. A real significant highlight for Michelle was her participation in the first International Learning Experience in Mexico where she better learned to serve people with disabilities. She is pleased to have the opportunity to combine her experience as a licensed Realtor with her training as licensed Social Worker to better serve the consumers of Community Housing Network, Inc. In her spare time, Michelle enjoys travel, photography and computers.

Michael Nigro, Housing Resource Center Specialist, CPSS

Michael Nigro earned his BS in Engineering with a minor in mathematics from Western Michigan University. While attending WMU, he was elected engineering student of the year. In March 2008, Mr. Nigro joined the Housing Resource Center (HRC) staff at Community Housing Network, Inc. He provides technical assistance and referral information to callers in need of affordable housing. Mr. Nigro began his career as a Certified Peer Support Specialist at Easter Seals in the Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) program. Before switching to the nonprofit sector, Mr. Nigro worked for an automotive supplier for Ford Motor Co. engineering accessories for all trucks and cars. He noted that helping people is a lot more fulfilling than making things. Besides his passion for mathematics, Mr. Nigro enjoys reading.

Dorothy Pilla, Macomb Housing Resource Center Manager

Ms. Pilla's experience in the human service field includes working with the Developmentally Disabled population and their families as well as coordinating staffing for respite services. She has also has extensive experience working as a Supported Housing Coordinator for people with Mental Disabilities in the specialized program of Shelter Plus Care. The Shelter Plus Care program is where she learned hands on housing case management, HUD, MHSDA, Fair Housing, and how to teach Consumers about affordable and safe housing. Dorothy has also worked for Oakland County Community Mental Health as a case manager for adults with mental illness, including the ACT program and a Housing Specialist with Easter Seals. At Easter Seals she provided comprehensive housing services for people who were homeless and had a mental disability. The position consisted of training consumers and case managers how to secure and maintain safe and affordable housing and the importance of treatment compliance in regards to housing. Moreover, she provided consultation and services for the Hispanic (El Centro) and forensic (Collaborative Solutions) population.

Karen Pluger, Accountant

Karen Pluger has a bachelor's degree in accounting from the University of Toledo & brings to Community Housing Network over 12 years of accounting and bookkeeping experience with property management corporations and multi-company environments. She is currently overseeing the compliance and financial reporting for multiple funding sources. Ms. Pluger is enthusiastic about the opportunity to assist in providing financial support for the various programs at Community Housing Network.

Aashish Shah, Network Architect

Aashish joined Community Housing Network in 2009, bringing his vast technology experience. Aashish is a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer, a Cisco Certified Network Associate and a Certified Microsoft SharePoint Specialist. Prior positions include Network Architect & Administrator at Optimized Technology and Senior Network Engineer at Primary Support Solutions. His work has moved him throughout the United States, with posts in Michigan, New York, Texas, and Pennsylvania. He enjoys skeet shooting, bungee jumping and parasailing.

Kay Shull-Sweeney, Property Manager

Kay has a bachelors degree from MSU. She recently retired from the State of Michigan, Department of Community Health, after thirty six years of service. Kay has strong experience in property management, contractor negotiations, and in initiating supportive housing arrangements for persons with disabilities.

Jessie Siehda, MSW, LMSW HUD LAP Supportive Services Specialist

Jessie Siehda has her MSW from Wayne State University and a BS in Psychology from Central Michigan University. She has professional experience as Psychiatric Mental Health technician and as a Neurological Recovery Systems (NRS) Technician. As a psychiatric technician, Ms. Siehda provided support to patients with psychiatric disabilities and substance abuse issues as needed. As an NRS technician, she worked with clients in a residential setting who were living with closed head injuries. She also served as Activities Director and Marketing Director at a closed head injury facility. Ms. Siehda has been employed full time at Community Housing Network since May 2008. She enjoys helping people who are homeless find permanent supportive housing. The best part of her job is seeing the appreciation on the faces of the people she helps. Ms. Siehda enjoys walking her two dogs, spending time with family and friends, and water activities.

Linda Velandra, Home Buyer Program Specialist

Ms. Velandra brings to Community Housing Network, Inc. over 14 years of experience in the field of Social Work. She has worked with a variety of populations including individuals with developmental disabilities and mental illness, teen parents and families involved with the foster care system. Prior to joining the CHN team, she worked as a Supports Coordinator at Saginaw County Community Mental Health Authority. Linda runs the Home Buying Program which includes home buyer counseling, acquisition, development and rehab. She also provides information and referral services for a vast array of housing needs. Linda enjoys helping families reach their dream of home ownership. In 2005 she received her Michigan Real Estate License.

Audrey White, MSW, LLMSW HUD LAP Assistant

Ms. Audrey White has a Bachelor's degree in Sociology, an MSW in Administration from the University of Michigan, and a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from Wayne State University. Audrey has worked primarily as a Network Administrator and Teacher/Trainer in computers, customer service and career readiness for the past 20 years. She has worked in the corporate setting and in non-profits throughout her career. She is currently the HUD LAP Assistant and holds a limited Master's of Social Work License in the Macro Field.

Kathy Wiegand, MSW, HUD LAP Supportive Services Specialist

Kathy Wiegand has a Bachelors of Science Degree from Eastern Michigan University and a Masters Degree in Social Work from Wayne State University. She is also a Certified Addictions Counselor Level II. She has worked as a District Court Probation Officer in Macomb County. She believes she benefits from working with persons with disabilities who have been homeless. In assisting the Supportive Housing Navigator, she enjoys providing services for individuals and accomplishing new goals.