podcast
Through thoughtful dialogue with leaders and advocates in the affordable housing space, each episode explores the challenges, opportunities, and solutions driving affordable housing forward. Together, these conversations deepen understanding, strengthen partnerships, and support the collective work of building more equitable communities.
Episode 1: From Idea to Initiative
Episode 5: Sustaining the Mission
Episode 2: Funding the Vision
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Episode 3: From Blueprint to Building
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Episode 4: Opening the Door
meet our guests
SCOTT STARR
SMR Architects
Scott joined SMR Architects in 2002 and became a managing principal in 2011. He has an extensive background in the design of affordable housing, mixed-use buildings, and market rate housing. Scott represents SMR Architects with the Housing Consortium of Everett and Snohomish County, and he serves as Treasurer on the board of the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness. He also recently contributed to the State of Washington Department of Commerce’s development of Evergreen Sustainable Development Standard (ESDS) 5.0 as a member of the “Green Team” committee. Scott has extensive experience designing permanent supportive housing, having designed over 10 permanent supportive housing projects for the Downtown Emergency Service Center.
ERIC LEE
Absher Construction
Eric is a construction leader with over 30 years of experience specializing in housing, affordable housing, and supportive housing projects. He has extensive experience delivering work in occupied environments, with a focus on safety, coordination, and minimizing disruption to residents. Eric is passionate about building strong teams and contributing to projects that positively impact the community.
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SONDRA NIELSEN
DESC
Sondra has over 25 years of experience in construction management and facility operations. She has overseen comprehensive construction services on projects in the Southwest and Northwest, with a focus on healthcare, hospitality, education and residential construction. Sondra has worked at DESC since 2013 as an employee and prior to that as a consultant for Common Ground.
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Jessica, DBIA® Professional, is an established Senior Project Manager with Absher Construction. She entered the construction industry in 2017 as a Development Associate and worked on several residential projects before joining Absher and expanding her portfolio to include hospitality and affordable housing projects. Jessica is known for her transparent communication, collaborative problem-solving, and proactive management style. She is one of the few hand-selected project managers responsible for interfacing with affordable housing clients and leading Absher’s efforts to support affordable housing development in the King and Pierce Counties. Having worked with vulnerable residents on several housing development projects, Jessica is keenly tuned into the challenges they face, and the solutions necessary to build community and equity across the Puget Sound.
JESSICA MOODY
Absher Construction
BRYAN SCHMID
Pierce County Human Services
I’m a lifelong resident of Pierce County growing up in Tacoma and Gig Harbor, and now as a resident of Graham. I’ve worked for Pierce County administering affordable housing programs for 28 years. The work we do at Pierce County Human Services is personally gratifying and I’m happy to work for an organization that is committed to helping residents secure safe, decent, affordable housing.
KATIE RANDALL
Mercy Housing
Katie has seven years of experience in affordable housing development. After completing masters degrees in City Planning and Historic Preservation in 2019, she started at Plymouth Housing where she oversaw development of two Seattle Permanent Supportive Housing projects. Since joining the Mercy Housing team in November 2022, Katie has primarily managed the Tacoma/Pierce County pipeline, including finance closing and construction start of Aviva Crossing, a 129-apartment twinning 4% and 9% tax credit project, and 35th and Pacific Family Housing, an 80-apartment building oriented towards families with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Katie lives in Seattle and spends her time outside work skiing, paddleboarding, and baking treats for the office and jobsite. Bowdoin College '16, Penn Design '19.
DUKE PAULSON
Tacoma Rescue Mission
Duke has more than 30 years of leadership, non-profit management, and fund development experience. Since 2018, he has served as the Executive Director of the Tacoma Rescue Mission. He currently serves as the Chair of the Facilities Committee of the Board. A Pacific Lutheran University graduate majoring in biology with a psychology minor, Duke also holds a master’s degree in education administration from the college. In addition, he earned a certification from the National Housing Development organization in low-income housing finance development.
STEVE O'BAN
Trouves Health Care Corp.
Partner and managing officer over twenty-eight years in a Seattle law firm; served eight years as a WA State Senator as Chair and Ranking Member of the Health Care, Human Services, Behavioral Health, and Law and Justice Committees; served as Senior Counsel and Advisor to the Pierce County Executive; and currently is the Chief Strategy and Government Affairs Officer for Trouves Health Care Corp.
ROXY MAGNO
Multicultural Child & Family Hope Center
Roxy lives and works in Hilltop Tacoma, Washington. She earned a Master’s Degree from the University of Washington in Social Work and currently works at the Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center as the Director of Outreach Services. Roxy has worked in the community, in Early Learning, with youth & young adults, homeless prevention, and families for 15 years. She has a passion for serving her community and being a significant change agent in systems that we interact with on a daily basis.
MATT MYLET
Beneficial State Bank
Matt has been with Beneficial State Bank for 15 years and currently serves as the Affordable Housing Team Leader. Matt has helped grow the bank’s affordable housing program through updating strategy and assembling a team of experienced industry professionals. Prior to becoming Team Leader, Matt spent 10+ years as a Commercial Relationship Manager, focusing on complex transactions related to affordable housing, nonprofits, and mid-sized businesses. Matt began his career working for social service nonprofits, where he gained a firsthand view of the barriers faced by low-income communities. He holds a BS in Finance from St. Mary’s College of California, and an MBA in Finance & Nonprofit Management from Case Western Reserve University.
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MARK MELSNESS
Spinnaker
Mark has over 31 years of real estate and property management experience, grounded in hands‑on leadership, operational discipline, and field‑driven decision‑making. His background includes service in the U.S. Army and experience as a commercial sheet rocker, shaping a practical, results‑oriented approach to managing assets and teams. Mark’s key to success: “Be on the field, in the game of life. If you’re in the stands, you’ll never get the chance to score. When you’re playing in the game of life, you just might get your hands on the ball and SCORE!
DENISE WELLS
Metropolitan Development Council
Denise has served her community through MDC since 2014. She graduated from UW-Tacoma in 2005 with her Bachelor of Business Administration – Accounting and has worked in the Accounting and Finance field since 2005. Prior to this, Denise was a proud member of the United States Army for 8 years and was honorably discharged as a Sergeant who served in Desert Shield/Desert Storm before her exit in 1998. Denise transitioned to the Director of Compliance role mid-year 2023 and currently performs a dual role in compliance and as Director of Community Services. Her lifelong objective has been and is to serve others and make their lives just a little bit better. MDC is a Community Action Agency, and Denise serves the community with Pride and Duty. This keeps Denise solidly committed to MDC’s goals and objectives to serve this community.