CoC Leadership Council
The Leadership Council is the official governing board acting on behalf of the Northern Nevada Continuum of Care (CoC). The Council is responsible for taking action on matters requiring direction, oversight, and formal decision-making in support of the CoC’s mission to end homelessness throughout the region. Its responsibilities include strategic planning, coordination and oversight of workgroups and committees, policy development, funding and program guidance, and other functions necessary to support the CoC's operations and goals.
CoC Leadership Council Officers
- Chair: Amy Jones
- Vice-Chair: Jamie Newfelt
CoC Leadership Council Roster
Seat 1 – County and City Representative
- 1a Organization: City of Reno
- Member: Elaine Olson (formerly Wiseman)
- Back-Up: Katelyn Piepmeier
- 1b Organization: City of Sparks
- Member: Amy Jones
- Back-Up: Sienna Reid
- 1c Organization: Washoe County Human Services Agency - Housing & Homeless Services Division
- Member: Travis Sandefur
Seat 2 – Agency Representing Homeless Youth
- Organization: Eddy House
- Member: Trevor Macaluso
- Back-Up: Ryan Sexton
Seat 3 – Private Sector Business or Industry
- Organization: Two Hearts Community Development
- Member: Susan Clark
- Back-Up: Evelyn Cunningham
Seat 4 – Veteran's Administration Representative
- Organization: VA Healthcare for Homeless Veterans
- Member: Chris Stadter
- Back-Up: Kara Fraki / Tanya Jolley
Seat 5 – Faith-Based Organization
- Organization: Catholic Charities of Northern Nevada
- Member: Annie Allen
- Back-Up: Marie Baxter
Seat 6 – Emergency Shelter Provider
- Organization: Reno Initiative for Shelter and Equality
- Member: Benjamin Castro
- Back-Up: None
Seat 7 – CoC Grantees
- 7a Organization: Volunteers of America
- Member: Julianna Glock
- Back-Up: Michael Tausek
- 7b Organization: Northern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services
- Member: Heather Niel
- Back-Up: Brian Burriss
- 7c Organization: Safe Embrace
- Member: Afshan West
- Back-Up: Cassandra Cobos
Seat 8 – Washoe County School District Representative
- Organization: Washoe County School District
- Member: Eric Ohlson
- Back-Up: Lisa Guzman
Seat 9 – Substance Use Treatment Provider
- Organization: Vacant
- Member: Vacant
Seat 10 – Affordable Housing Expert
- Organization: Reno Housing Authority
- Member: Heidi McKindree
- Back-Up: Jamie Newfelt
Seat 11 – Mental Health Provider
- Organization: Northern Nevada Adult Mental Health Services
- Member: Heather Neil
- Back-Up: None
Seat 12 – Person Experiencing Homelessness or with Lived Experience
- 12a Organization: United HealthCare
- Member: Austin Pollard
- Back-Up: None
- 12b Organization: ABLE
- Member: Lawrence Dodson
- Back-Up: Bobby Hinton
Seat 13 – Law Enforcement Representative
- 13a Organization: Washoe County Sheriff's Office
- Member: Sgt. Kellie Wright
- 13b Organization: City of Sparks Police Department
- Member: Sgt. Dustin Butler
Seat 14 – Coordinated Entry Representative
- 14a Organization: Volunteers of America
- Member: Julianna Glock
- Back-Up: Michael Tausek
- 14b Organization: Safe Embrace
- Member: Afshan West
- Back-Up: Cassandra Cobos
Seat 15 – Domestic Violence and/or Human Trafficking Victim Service Provider
- Organization: Safe Embrace
- Member: Afshan West
- Back-Up: Cassandra Cobos
Seat 16 – Healthcare Provider & Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC)
- 16a Organization: United HealthCare & Health Plan of Nevada
- Member: Austin Pollard
- 16b Organization: Northern Nevada HOPES
- Member: Edward Lopez
Ex Officio (Voting Members)
Local Specialty Court
- Elected Official Representative: VACANT
Workforce Development Board
- Representative: VACANT
Community Services Agency
- Representative: Leslie Cobrese
Child Protective Services
- Organization: Washoe County Human Services Agency - Children's Services Division
- Representative: Natalie Miller / Rayna Labarry
Ex Officio (Non-Voting Members)
CoC Coordinator
- Organization: Washoe County Human Services Agency - Housing & Homeless Services Division
- Representative: Laurie Gleason
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
- Representative: Las Vegas Field Office
Bitfocus
- Representative: Nevada Bitfocus
Total Voting Seats: 23
Effective June 2026