Housing Connect Fund

Janice leads the agency with the core belief that housing is the great equalizer. Without a safe place to call home, nothing else can happen. Janice became CEO following 12 years overseeing property management, rent assistance and supportive services for Housing Connect. She holds a Masters of Social Work degree from the University of Utah.

In public and affordable housing, an industry known for its unstable and low federal funding, Fernando believes that excellence and continuous innovation are important values that will make a resilient organization. To accomplish its mission, the agency should be able to adapt to changes and capitalize on opportunities through partnership, collaboration and organizational transformation. Fernando brings more than 15 years of knowledge and experience in development financing, financial management & reporting, administration support and strategic management in the affordable housing industry prior to joining Housing Connect. He is a board member of the Housing Authority Insurance Group. A Certified Public Accountant, he also holds a Graduate Degree in Business Administration and NACD Director Certification issued by the National Association of Corporate Directors.

Marni has served in numerous leadership roles at Housing Connect since 2009. As Chief Operating Officer her goals include finding innovative and simple solutions to best serve all households in Salt Lake County. She is an accomplished program director who excels in creating positive and inclusive work environments and is passionate about affordable housing. She holds a Communication degree with a Spanish minor from the University of Utah.

Darin believes strong communities are built through thoughtful planning, strategic partnerships, and housing opportunities that meet people where they are. At Housing Connect, he works to advance affordable housing development, strengthen relationships with local governments and community partners, and help position the agency for future growth.

Darin brings a unique blend of experience in architecture, real estate development, public policy, and government relations. Prior to joining Housing Connect, he served on the Salt Lake City Council while also owning and operating architecture firms that led projects across multifamily housing, commercial, medical, retail, and institutional sectors. His background provides a unique perspective on housing, combining design, development, community engagement, and public policy. Darin is a licensed architect and holds a Master of Architecture from Harvard University, along with bachelor’s degrees in Architectural Studies and Psychology from the University of Utah.

Paul serves as Human Resources Director for Housing Connect. He has a diverse human resources background including public and private sector employers in a variety of industries. His background in HR and business management has given him the ability to look at complex situations from both a human resources perspectives, as well as an operations perspective. As a result, Paul has developed a unique adaptability and is able find solutions to problems quickly. Paul’s HR background includes experience in benefits management, employee development, employee relations, recruiting, and compliance. He received his BS in Business Administration from UNLV.

Jeanette believes in the need to develop housing opportunities for those who need it most. Jeanette has 23 years of experience in property management. She has managed and supervised property staff and compliance departments with Rural Development, Low Income Housing Tax Credit, HOME, and Section 811 funding. She has been instrumental in the success of nine multi-funded lease-ups ranging from 40 to 160 units, including new development and LIHTC acquisition rehab. Jeanette is a Housing Credit Certified Professional (HCCP).

Ilez Brady has been with Housing Connect since 2010, beginning in the Public Housing Department before moving into the Housing Choice Voucher program. She now serves as the Housing Choice Voucher Director, overseeing the agency’s voucher assistance programs. Ilez holds professional certifications in Public Housing Management, HCV Program Management, Developing and Managing PBVs, and LIHTC Management. She is bilingual and is committed to providing strong customer service, supporting staff, and making housing programs easier for families and community partners to navigate.

Kirk is involved with all aspects of housing development, from inception to construction completion. Kirk especially enjoys seeing the results of deals, whether they be from their impact on residents’ lives, or how the developments positively affect the built environment of the surrounding community. Before coming to Housing Connect, Kirk worked in affordable housing development in the Minneapolis – Saint Paul area for over 24 years, creating or preserving about 1500 units of housing; prior to that, he worked as a community organizer and completed undergraduate degrees in Psychology and Anthropology and a graduate degree in English Education.

Jarin joined Housing Connect in 2019. He is a dependable and detail-oriented technologist, skilled in network and system administration, security and IT leadership. His role includes driving the technology needs of the organization to provide effective housing assistance in a fiscally responsible way. Jarin likes finding creative ways to explain technology and enjoys providing good customer service. He has over 20 years of experience in the technology industry with 16 of those years in public service organizations. He earned a Bachelors degree in Information Technology and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix.

Krysta is driven by her passion to find efficient processes to ensure Housing Connect’s valuable housing resources can be maximized. Krysta oversees all supportive housing and resident services administration grant functions, including data and compliance. Krysta has worked at Housing Connect since 2010. Krysta is a certified Project Management Professional.

Beginning at Housing Connect in 2010 with experience working in direct service and with the administration team, Braidee is passionate about educating the community about who Housing Connect is and the agency’s impact on low-incomes households. Braidee serves as the lead Marketing Strategist as well as the Fundraising & Development Coordinator for Housing Connect Fund, the agency nonprofit entity. She has a Bachelor’s of Science in Psychology with a Business Minor from the University of Utah.