About the Authors

Natalie Donlin-Zappella serves as a Principal and Legislative Director at LeSar Development Consultants and has over 15 years of cross-sector, inclusive community development experience working with community-based organizations and developers, philanthropy, government, and financial institutions. She leads the Policy Team and client projects with a focus on housing justice and equitable community development initiatives that strengthen the resilience of communities of color from gentrification, displacement, and natural hazards. She holds dual master’s degrees in social work and urban and regional planning from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, and a bachelor of arts degree from San Diego State University, where she studied sociology and art.

Chul Gugich is a Principal at LeSar Development Consultants on the Policy and Legislation Research and Applications Team, bringing 15 years of experience in affordable housing and community building. His work across a diverse spectrum of housing typologies and in service of a wide range of resident populations includes experience with tenant organizing and development of limited equity housing cooperatives and community land trusts. He received a bachelor of science degree in Environmental and Engineering Geology from Western Washington University.

Hilary Carter is a Housing Associate at LeSar Development Consultants and certified planner, AICP. She brings demonstrated experience in affordable housing financing and development to scale affordable housing in California through land trusts and social housing models. Hilary has deep experience in the use of public subsidies for affordable housing, including Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, Historic Tax Credits, Disaster Recovery Funds, HOME, and CDBG funds. She holds a master’s degree in Community and Regional Planning from the University of Texas at Austin, and a bachelor’s degree from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana.

Gerrlyn Gacao is a Senior Program Manager of Public Partnerships at Liberty Hill Foundation. Bringing almost a decade of previous experience in community organizing and public service to her role, she leads the implementation and strategy for publicly funded outreach programs that the organization helps to administer. She proudly earned a Bachelor of Arts and master’s degree in Urban & Regional Planning at UC San Diego and UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, respectively.

About LeSar Development Consultants

LeSar Development Consultants (LDC) is a strategic and innovative consulting firm that works with leaders in creating large-scale, lasting social change through customized consulting services focused on creating a future in which all people can thrive in good-quality affordable homes and inclusive, resilient communities. LDC specializes in working with diverse stakeholders to confront complex public policy and planning issues, such as developing and implementing innovative housing programs, homelessness crisis response and planning, and helping clients resolve locally specific issues related to community development. LDC is particularly adept at developing innovative strategies and plans to rectify housing and equity disparities by leveraging our unique understanding of policy, finance, real estate, and equity on behalf of the communities we serve. We have established deep relationships with thought leaders in the public, private, nonprofit, academic, and philanthropic sectors, and excel at aligning diverse interests to achieve lasting change.

For more than 45 years, Liberty Hill has served as L.A.’s social justice foundation. Thank you for being part of the movement.