David Adkins
Landlord Liaison
David was born in Minneapolis where he earned his bachelor’s degree in corrections and probation. After graduation, David played professional football with the Minnesota Pike, Minnesota Maulers, and in Canada. David’s years on the football field taught him many lessons, such as hard work, discipline, and collaboration. Since retiring from football, David has worn many hats, including firefighter and first responder, counselor for at-risk youth, and real estate professional. David knows that, like professional football, real estate requires study and a willingness to learn, individual effort, a strong team, and a great coaching staff. David uses this knowledge and the skills learned throughout his careers – including trust, adaptability, pride, and prioritizing the needs of others – to advocate, breakdown referrals barriers, and address the individual needs of each household he serves.
Chloe Bare
Workforce Development Specialist
Chloe is a Tampa Bay native who earned her Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Florida State University. She has previously worked in an emergency shelter, serving our unhoused neighbors through outreach, diversion, and intake. Chloe joined the HLA in June 2023 and hopes to utilize her education, experience, and passion to make an impact in the Pinellas County community. She is a firm believer in the power of community and our inextricable interconnectedness. Outside of work, Chloe enjoys reading, spending time in nature, cooking and baking, caring for her plants, and practicing yoga. Chloe is a RYT-200 (registered yoga teacher) and hopes to pursue further yoga education.
Sedionia Boone
Veteran Intake Specialist
Sedionia has over 30 years of experience working with communities, individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Sedionia worked in Colorado as a Housing Coordinator for homeless clients receiving Section 8 vouchers and assisted with the leasing processes and landlord conflicts. She also worked for seven years as a Community Development Grant Specialist for the State and Counties of Colorado and was responsible for the Community Development Block Grant funding. Sedionia served in the Military for 9 years, obtained rank of Staff Sergeant. Her hobbies are going to the beach, fishing and learning to kayak.
Sezen Boylan
Coordinated Entry Senior Manager
Sezen - who joined the HLA in February 2023 - is originally from New Jersey. Sezen graduated from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, where she developed a passion for policy and change, even conducting a year-long research study entitled Familial Rejection in the LGBTQ Juvenile Community: A glance at Homelessness, Trauma, and Prostitution. In 2017, Sezen followed this passion to Pinellas County, serving our community while working for local nonprofits, assisting individuals and families towards self sufficiency. Outside of work, Sezen focuses on creating memories with her husband, 3 boys, and dog - a 100 lbs. golden retriever who acts like a 10 lbs. lap dog. She also enjoys cooking, photography, playing sports, and crafting. At her core, Sezen believes that leading change must come with compassion, empathy, and understanding.
Lenuel “Lenny” Collazo
Veteran Services Manager
Lenuel “Lenny “ Collazo was born and raised in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico. Lenuel moved to Fort Myers in 1999. After graduating from North Fort Myers High School, Lenuel joined the U.S. Army, where he served for 20 years. During his military career, Lenuel deployed to Iraq multiple times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2011, Lenuel graduated from the Civil Affairs Special Operation’s Course before deploying to Guatemala and Honduras in support of the Special Operations Command South. Lenuel received the Purple Heart, six Army Good Conduct Medals, two Meritorious Service Medals, six Army Commendation Medals, five Army Achievement medals, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault badge, and the Combat Action Badge. To relax, Lenuel likes to get outdoors, travel, ride jet skis, and play / watch sports - especially the Gators, Lightning, and Buccaneers.
Daisy Corea, MPA
Chief Executive Officer
Daisy Corea joined the Homeless Leadership Alliance of Pinellas as Chief Executive Officer on March 25, 2024. Ms. Corea holds a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from Columbia University and a Master's Degree in Public Administration and Leadership from California State University Northridge. She has extensive experience providing services for people experiencing homelessness, serving with People Assisting the Homeless (PATH) in Los Angeles, CA as the Quality Assurance Manager and later the Regional Manager of the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH) program and Manager for the Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) Program, as well as the Homeless Services Network of Central Florida (HSN) as the Veteran's Program Services Manager. Ms. Corea most recently served as the Chief of Housing Programs at St. Vincent de Paul CARES of St. Petersburg, FL.
Hayla Donovan
Rapid Resolution Specialist
Hayla is a Florida native who joined HLA in August 2022. Hayla received a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from the University of South Florida. Prior to HLA she worked at a local nonprofit helping individuals who struggle with substance use and addiction. She has always had a passion for helping and uplifting others. In her spare time, Hayla enjoys going to the beach, exploring downtown St. Petersburg and spending time with family.
Cynthia Kazawitch
Chief Administrative Officer
Cindy is originally from Chicago and relocated to sunny Florida 25 years ago. Prior to joining HLA in 2017, she worked for a non-profit, human service agency for over 18 years where she wore many hats such as data, accreditation, grants and applications, etc. Earning her Bachelor of Science in Management from Hodges University and her Master of Business Administration from Saint Leo University, Cindy is passionate about education as well as professional development. When she is not working, Cindy loves to have cooking lessons virtually with her daughter and granddaughter, gardening, swimming, sunsets on the beach, and being an adopted mom to numerous neighborhood cats.
Victoria Kelly
Senior Manager of Organizational Advancement & Strategy
Victoria Kelly joined the HLA as a Housing Navigator in March of 2021, later serving as the agency’s Special Initiatives Manager and Manager of Organizational Advancement. Victoria has proudly represented the HLA on the Pinellas County Healthcare for the Homeless Board since 2021. Though originally from Scotland, Victoria moved to St. Petersburg in 1996. A graduate of Florida International University and an experienced real estate and hospitality professional, Victoria is driven by a passion for activism and a love of people. In her free time, Victoria enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her rescue pup, Hamilton.
Thanh-Van “TV” Le
Intake Specialist Team Lead
TV joined the HLA in July 2021. She has a law enforcement background and worked in both federal and state agencies where she developed her case management skills and knowledge of community resources. TV graduated from Florida State University with a double major in Criminology and Spanish. She does her best to maintain an active mentor status with youth in her community through organizations like Big Brothers Big Sisters or youth shelter mentorship programs.
LaToya Markle
Rapid Resolution Specialist
LaToya is a Pennsylvania native with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology. Since graduating, LaToya has worked in nonprofit organizations within child welfare and shelter services, helping families develop sustainability as a mental health case manager. In July 2022, LaToya took a leap of faith by relocating to Florida to provide services to families experiencing hardship. LaToya refers to herself as someone who wears her heart on her sleeve and won’t stop until she puts a smile on everyone’s face. She enjoys working within the community and is a firm believer that a village can help people grow, so it is no surprise that she wants to spend her life serving the community that we love.
Heather Nix
HMIS Training & Data Compliance Specialist
Heather joined the HLA in fall of 2020. She has been serving our community through a variety of social service work since 2017. Originally from the San Francisco bay area, housing for all is one of her greatest passions. Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her daughter and dog, preferably on a kayak or a bike. She loves the city of St. Pete and all it has to offer! Heather is an avid reader, yogi and social justice warrior.
LaQuail Powell
Rapid Resolution Specialist II
LaQuail Powell, a Rapid Resolution Specialist, is a South Saint Petersburg native. LaQuail is a USF graduate who obtained her Bachelor’s of Science in Social Work in 2010. She has worked in the social services field at intensive mental health juvenile residential facilities, drug detox facilities, and skilled nursing facilities. LaQuail aspires to have a nonprofit working with at risk youth girls. Through her experiences, she has discovered that she loves to empower and encourage others.
Erica Rafraf
Housing Specialist
Since 2009, Erica has worked in the field of housing, starting with inspections for the Tampa Housing Authority. By 2013, Erica had become a counselor with Tampa Housing Authority, and managed hundreds of clients’ cases annually, which created a need to have an in-depth understanding of the resources, processes, and protocols that are meant to help individuals and families with a need for housing. In February 2022, Erica joined HLA, being drawn to the idea of a more hands-on approach to the housing process, and a more intimate role in assisting clients. Erica has a passion for helping those in need, and along with her husband, has taught her 4 children to strive to make the world a better more equitable place for those around them. Away from work, Erica focuses strongly on her family life, traveling most weekends for sports of every kind when seasons change. She loves fun competition and anything that equates to exercise outdoors.
Karina Ramos
HMIS Administrative Specialist
Karina is a dedicated advocate of community service, driven by the belief that even the smallest efforts can make a significant impact. With a diverse background in a church nonprofit, she has worn multiple hats, including community engagement, data management, and marketing services and resources to the Tampa Bay community. Karina's passion for supporting others extends beyond her professional life – extending support to whoever is in need. In her spare time, she cherishes moments with her family, cheering on her 8-year-old son during baseball games, trying out new restaurants, and enjoying the Florida outdoors.
Mario Rodriguez
Veteran Navigator
Mario A Rodriguez was born in Ft. Hood, Texas and raised in Caguas, Puerto Rico. A few years after graduating from Dra. Conchita Cuevas High School, Mario joined the U.S. Air Force, where he served for 10 years before being medically retired. In the Air Force, Mario discovered his passion for connecting with and helping others - driving him to pursue a career in human services - while training with the Equal Opportunity department of Nellis AFB in Las Vegas NV toward the end of his military career. This ultimately led Mario to join the HLA’s Veteran Services team in February 2023. During his free time, Mario likes spending time with his family, being outdoors, going to the beach, catching a movie, and going on road trips.
Victoria Sailer
Senior Director of Finance
Vicky is a non-practicing attorney who passed both the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Bar. She has bachelor’s degrees from Bryn Mawr College and Western Governors University as well as a paralegal certificate from Boston University. Most of her career has been in the non-profit world providing accounting and administrative support at agencies specializing in domestic violence prevention, neighborhood associations and programs for the developmentally disabled prior to joining the HLA. In her free time, Vicky collects pop culture trivia from movies and television, writes science fiction and reads.
Eduardo “Tony” Salgado
Data Analyst
Tony was born in Puerto Rico and grew up in the south between San Antonio, Texas, and the Tampa Bay area. Joining HLA in 2022, Tony comes from a Market Research background, spending 23 years in the field with concentrations in Information Technology, Project Management, and Data Analytics. He began working in nonprofit three years ago supervising financial assistance and homeless services programs for 211 Tampa Bay Cares. Tony enjoys hiking, nature photography, the sciences, music, and technology. When not working, you can often find him building computers or taking a hike through nature trails.
Imani Smith
Manager of HMIS & System Administration
Imani joined the HLA as a Diversion Specialist in June of 2021 and moved to the HMIS team in May 2022. After graduating from Bard College in 2016, Imani worked in consumer and commercial banking as a Relationship Assistant. Imani then transitioned into the nonprofit sector by providing career readiness advice to future graduates as an Interview Specialist. With a strong passion for serving others, Imani is a member of several community organizations in the Tampa Bay area that dedicate their time to various community projects and volunteering. Imani is also pursuing her certification in Nonprofit Management at The University of Tampa with hopes of pursuing her MBA in the future. Imani enjoys spending time with family, friends, and dog, Milo. She also enjoys the beach, reading, and trying new restaurants.
Alex Strieder
Director of Program Services
Alex Strieder is the Director of Program Services. Her background includes public and affordable housing management, compliance, procurement, community development, and advocacy. She is a Certified Housing Quality Standards Inspector and a Certified Public Housing Manager. She has volunteered at a variety of social service organizations to serve specific needs of the community. Alex holds a B.S. in Public Administration from the University of Central Florida. Outside of work, Alex enjoys traveling, participating in her local Toastmasters Club, and spending time with her friends and family, including her two cats.
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Lara Wojahn
Grants and Contracts Manager
Lara Wojahn joined the HLA in October 2023. Lara started her career in environmental protection and land use in Canada developing and implementing climate change policies. She found a knack for intergovernmental relations, leveraging common interests to influence federal policy. This has served Lara well in her role as Grants and Contracts Manager for HLA, where she uses her skills to win grants. Outside of the office, Lara likes to travel, hike, ride her bike, and spend time on the water with her dog and her husband.
