- Helena L. Jubany, AIA, Chair
Corporate Director & Managing Principal, Jubany – NAC | Architecture
Ms. Jubany is Managing Principal of Jubany-NAC/Architecture, a national full-service architectural firm. Ms. Jubany previously owned her own full-service firm before merging with a national entity. She specializes in institutional and public sector projects, which has given her a unique perspective on working with the public sector and all its opportunities and constraints. Ms. Jubany joined ACOF’s Board in February 2004.
- Sean L. Leonard, Vice Chair
President, S.L. Leonard & Associates, Inc.
Mr. Leonard is the Principal of S.L. Leonard and Associates, a real estate development and construction management firm. Mr. Leonard most recently served as the Senior Vice President/Project Management for the Walt Disney Concert Hall, in Los Angeles. Mr. Leonard has an extensive background in construction management and related disciplines. He teaches at UCLA extension and provides valuable input to ACOF staff regarding project development. He joined the Board in 2001.
- Allen Freeman, Treasurer
Manager, Ernst & Young, LLP
Mr. Freeman is a Manager in the Transaction Real Estate group at Ernst & Young, LLP. Prior to joining Ernst & Young, Mr. Freeman was Managing Director at JSM Capital, LLC, a multifamily real estate development firm based in Los Angeles. Mr. Freeman’s direct experience in corporate strategy, finance and acquisitions, and entitlements rounds out the Board’s development skillset. Mr. Freeman joined ACOF’s Board in June 2007.
- Mitch Menzer, Secretary
Partner, Real Estate Department, Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker, LLP
Mr. Menzer is a Partner with the law firm Paul Hastings, LLP and a member of the firm’s Global Real Estate Group. Mr. Menzer represents investors and developers in all aspects of real estate transactions, with substantial expertise in land use regulation and entitlements for real estate development projects. Mr. Menzer joined the Board in June 2008.
- Marc Binenfeld, Member
General Manager, Sherwood Valley Homeowners Association
Mr. Binenfeld is the General Manager of Sherwood Valley Homeowners Association. He has served in various positions managing real estate portfolios and large homeowner associations. Mr. Binenfeld has been involved in all aspects of residential, retail and commercial management, including lease negotiation and marketing, for over 20 years. As ACOF’s portfolio grows, staff is drawing on Mr. Binenfeld’s expertise in asset management-related issues. Mr. Binenfeld joined the Board in June 2003.
- Brenda Coleman, Member
Tenant and Community Volunteer
Ms. Coleman is a community volunteer who resides at ACOF’s Brandon Apartments. She has been stabilized in permanent housing for five years. Ms. Coleman began her extensive volunteer work at her daughter’s school, resulting in her subsequent nomination to ACOF’s Board. Ms. Coleman joined ACOF’s Board in February 2008.
- Jill Dominguez, Member
Principal, Essergy Consulting
Ms. Dominguez is the co-founder and principal of Essergy Consulting, an economic development consulting firm. Ms. Dominguez brings 20 years of community development experience to ACOF, assisting low-income and economically distressed communities to create wealth by minimizing poverty and creating business environments that attract private capital and livable wage jobs. Ms. Dominguez joined ACOF’s Board in March 2013.
- Suzanne Ekerling, Member
Executive Director, Development and Programs
Ms. Ekerling is the Director of Development at USC’s Lusk Center for Real Estate. Prior to her position at USC, she worked in the residential real estate industry and on a number of political campaigns. Ms. Ekerling brings project management, political, marketing and fundraising experience to ACOF’s Board. Ms. Ekerling was a member of the board for three years before stepping off the board for one year. She returned to ACOF’s Board in July 2011.
- Philip Feder, Member
Chairman, Paul Hastings, LLP.
Mr. Feder is chairman of the Global Real Estate group of the law firm Paul Hastings, LLP. Mr. Feder brings to ACOF tangible experience in real estate finance, acquisitions and dispositions, and real estate loan workouts and restructurings. Mr. Feder is a frequent speaker to both real estate attorneys and other real estate professionals. He served on the Board for 10 years, including six years as Chair. He temporarily relocated to London in 2008 and re-joined the Board in July 2012.
- Elizabeth Garcia, Member
President/CEO, Construction Coordination Services, LLC.
Ms. Garcia is the President/CEO, Construction Coordination Services, LLC. Prior to starting her own real estate and construction coordination business, Ms. Garcia was the Executive Vice President of Operations at Charles Drew University School of Medicine and Science. She is an experienced administrator with a strong background in health care, finance and human resources. Ms. Garcia also worked in various capacities within the County of Los Angeles. Her background in healthcare will help ACOF strengthen its focus on supportive services. Ms. Garcia joined ACOF’s Board in February 2009.
- Michael S. Linsk, Member
Real Estate and Management Consultant
Mr. Linsk is the Managing Director for the real estate consulting practice of FTI Consulting. Mr. Linsk has over 30 years of experience in the fields of real estate finance, consulting, mortgage banking and development, including participation in audits of large portfolios of tax credit properties for investor/syndicators. Mr. Linsk was a member of ACOF’s board in 1998 and 1999, before being temporarily relocated to Tokyo. He rejoined the Board in 2001.
- Jeff Ong-Siong, CPA, Member
Partner, RBZ LLP.
Mr. Ong-Siong is a partner in the public accounting and strategic business consulting firm RBZ, LLP. A certified public accountant, he has more than 15 years of accounting and tax experience. Mr. Ong-Siong’s keen interest in affordable housing and his professional background make him an important resource for policy matters related to ACOF’s financial operations. Mr. Ong-Siong joined the Board in June 2003.
- James Preis, Member
Executive Director, Mental Health Advocacy Services, Inc.
Mr. Preis has been the Executive Director of Mental Health Advocacy Services, a non-profit advocacy agency for persons with mental illness, for 25 years. In this capacity, he has developed a national reputation as one of the country’s leading authorities on law and mental disability. Mr. Preis is a founding Board member of ACOF and actively participates on policy matters pertaining to financial operations and organizational development. Mr. Preis joined ACOF’s Board in September 1988.
- Carmel B. Sella, Member
Community Development Manager, Wells Fargo
Ms. Sella is the Community Development Manager at Wells Fargo Bank. Prior to joining the bank, she worked for 10 years in various capacity of city government, including Deputy Mayor and General Counsel to former Los Angeles City Mayor James Hahn. Ms. Sella was also in private practice as an employment litigator. These experiences, combined with her affordable housing policy expertise, will inform the Board in the governance of ACOF. Ms. Sella joined the Board in November 2006.
- Elizabeth Vaughn, Member
Community Volunteer
Ms. Vaughn is a community volunteer. She has a legal background and has worked as an administrator in a number of different capacities, including in the education field. She has served on the board of other nonprofit organizations and brings a combination of experiences to ACOF’s board. Ms. Vaughn joined the Board in July 2011.

Board of Directors


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