Northeast Ohio Conference Speakers - Fair Housing Resource Center, Inc.

Sherrod Brown

U.S. Senator

A lifelong Ohioan, Senator Sherrod Brown has spent his career fighting for the Dignity of Work – the idea that hard work should pay off for everyone, no matter who you are, where you live, or what kind of work you do. He has held nearly 500 roundtables across Ohio, because he believes the best ideas don’t come out of Washington – they come from conversations with Ohioans across our state.

Building on his successful work to make the Earned Income Tax Credit permanent, Senator Brown has a plan to overhaul our tax code to put people first, and to make hard work pay off for more Americans. That includes putting more money back in the pockets of workers and families, giving workers more power in the workplace, making it easier to save for retirement, and encouraging companies to invest in their greatest asset: the American worker. Senator Brown also believes we need to broaden our definition of work – caring for children or an aging parent is work, and so is getting an education.

Sherrod has fought for Ohio jobs and Ohio companies, he’s fought against trade and tax policies that sell out workers, and he has taken on Wall Street greed. Sherrod pushed this country to save the American auto industry in 2009, and is fighting for Ohio’s auto supply chain with legislation to get rid of tax incentives for auto companies to ship jobs overseas.

Patricia Kidd, Esq.

Fair Housing Resource Center, Inc. , Executive Director

Patricia Kidd is a graduate of Lakeland Community College (AAS 1994), Lake Erie College (BS 1995) and Cleveland-Marshall College of Law (J.D. 1998). Ms. Kidd began her career as a staff attorney with Housing Advocates, Inc. where she was responsible for conducting fair housing investigations and representing plaintiffs in housing discrimination matters. Ms. Kidd also supervised students from Cleveland-Marshall College of Law in the Fair Housing Law Clinic.

In 1999, Ms. Kidd was hired as the Executive Director for Fair Housing Resource Center, Inc. As the Executive Director, Ms. Kidd is responsible for executive leadership and overall management of this multi-faceted community action agency. Ms. Kidd develops and implements programs to combat illegal housing discrimination and assists clients who have been victims of discrimination resulting in over 300 fair housing cases filed. Ms. Kidd has also implemented a Foreclosure Prevention program serving Lake County residents and routinely consults with local municipalities on issues involving fair housing. Ms. Kidd was also an adjunct professor at Lake Erie College where she has taught for 19 years in both the legal studies and the criminal law division.

Hollie Rondini

Fair Housing Resource Center, Inc., Assistant Director

Hollie Rondini joined Fair Housing in 2009 in an entry level position as a receptionist. Ms. Rondini quickly climbed the ladder in the agency and was promoted to Education and Outreach Coordinator in 2010. In this position, Ms. Rondini was responsible for all agency marketing, advertising, and managed special events. Ms. Rondini was also responsible for administering the rental financial assistance programs and assisting with Landlord Tenant counseling. In March of 2018 Ms. Rondini was promoted to Program Director. In this position, Ms. Rondini is responsible for all agency marketing, advertising, and managing special events. Ms. Rondini is also responsible for administering the rental financial assistance programs, Veterans home rehabilitation program and assisting with the Landlord/ Tenant counseling. Ms. Rondini is also responsible for the fair housing division where she currently monitors grant reporting, conducts fair housing investigations, and manages the testing program. In 2022, Ms. Rondini was promoted to Assistant Director at FHRC where she monitors all grant programs, grant reporting, and staff management. Ms. Rondini has her associates in Business Management from Lakeland Community College and has over 10 years of Fair Housing experience.

Erin Kelley Turner, LISW-S

Crossroads Health, Director of Crisis Services

Erin Turner LISW-S, is the Director of Crisis Services at Crossroads Health in Lake County Ohio, Adjunct Faculty for Youngstown State University School of Social Work Graduate Program and Clinical Consultant for Project Hope for the Homeless. Erin is a career Social Worker with a strong background providing direct care and leadership within community based mental health settings for all ages. Erin has worked in community mental health for over 20 years as a volunteer, direct service provider, clinical supervisor, and director. She has extensive experience working with children, adolescents, families, and adults with a variety of behavioral health needs. Erin has provided multiple trainings within the context of Social Work including Suicide Risk Assessment, Trauma, Crisis Intervention and Motivational Interviewing. Erin’s side hobby, which greatly aids in her own self-care, is baking and decorating royal icing sugar cookies.

Steve Dane, Esq.

Dane Law LLC

Dane has received numerous awards and honors for his civil rights work, including the Public Interest Law Award from Advocates for Basic Legal Equality, HUD’s Fair Housing Award for Outstanding Contribution and Commitment to Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity, the Fair Housing Award from the Ohio Civil Rights Commission, the Community Access Award from the Ability Center of Toledo, the Award of Excellence for the Promotion of Equal Housing Opportunity for All People from the National Fair Housing Alliance, and The University of Toledo College of Law Distinguished Alumnus Award. In 1998 Dane was selected as one of eight Lawyers of the Year by Ohio Lawyers Weekly. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America© in the field of Civil Rights. In 2022 Dane was named the Best Lawyers® 2022 Civil Rights “Lawyer of the Year” in Toledo, Ohio.

Currently Dane is spearheading the development of legal theories supporting claims of rampant REO maintenance discrimination in communities of color. These are the first such cases of their kind to be filed under the Fair Housing Act. At this time these claims remain pending before several district courts, having survived aggressive motions to dismiss on legal grounds.

Joe Maskovyak, Esq.

COOHHIO, Affordable and Fair Housing Coordinator

Joe Maskovyak started at COHHIO in August 2014 after having served on the COHHIO board for many years. He is a long time housing advocate, starting his career at the Legal Aid Society of Columbus (LASC) where he became the managing attorney for housing and worked on behalf of low income housing clients in Franklin County. In 2007 he moved to the Ohio Poverty Law Center (OPLC) where he pursued legislative work around housing on the state and national level. He has a bachelor’s degree in Russian and Political Science and a master’s degree in Political Science from Bowling Green State University (BGSU). Prior to attending law school, he spent 4 years teaching in the Political Science Department at BGSU. He earned his JD from The Ohio State University and is licensed to practice law in Ohio and Florida.

Sandra Tenkku

Lake County ADAMHS Board, Community Outreach Specialist

Sandra Tenkku holds a B.S. degree in Human Development and Family Studies from Bowling Green State University as well as an M.B.A. from North Central University. She has been working in the field of behavioral and social services for 15 years. She coordinates and leads the Lake County Suicide Prevention Coalition, the Trauma Response Team and the Community Alliance of Law Enforcement and Mental Health Services Committee. Before coming to the ADAMHS Board she was the Director of Housing Services at Extended Housing. Prior to Extended Housing, Sandra worked with people with behavioral health issues who were homeless and victims of domestic violence. She is a certified trainer in Mental Health First Aid, QPR, Signs of Suicide, and is trained in a number of other evidence-based programs. Sandra loves to be active and enjoys being outside every chance she can get!

Donald Wayne McLeod

PERCEPTIONOLOGY, LLC

P.O. Box 451

Chardon, Ohio 44024

Cell: 216.210.5420

Donald Wayne McLeod, author and creator of PERCEPTIONOLOGY, has been teaching interpersonal communication skills since 2006. He has an inherent ability to connect with others on a personal level and can teach you to do the same. Being perceived as sincere, energetic and engaging are quintessential characteristics necessary for forming the interpersonal relationships that drive our lives. You need to hear the truth as to how others perceive you, your company, your employees and Donald Wayne can help.

Discussing everything from being the “Best Hello” to the “Best Goodbye” Donald Wayne will help you understand the subtle yet critical nuances that influence others’ perceptions of you enabling you to make a great first impression, endear yourself to others while inspiring them to want to help you achieve your ultimate goals in life

Jessica Jones, LSW

Intake Care Coordinator Team Lead

Jessica is a Licensed Social Worker who graduated from Youngstown State University. Jessica has worked in the mental health field since 2009, holding various positions in Ashtabula and Lake Counties. Jessica has worked with individuals and family members of individuals with severe mental health conditions her entire career. Helping to navigate the housing system, mental health system, court system and advocate for individuals on various levels. Jessica also worked with the homeless population for almost four years and has a passion for housing and assisting individuals with finding a place they can call home. Maintaining the dignity and respect of individuals while assisting them with the basic needs they need to thrive in recovery…..this is what Jessica strives for.

Corrylee Drozda, Esq

The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, Senior Attorney

Corrylee Drozda is a Senior Attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland, where she represents low-income and vulnerable immigrant survivors of violence and crime. Her practice focuses on removal defense, asylum, and other forms of humanitarian-based immigration. In addition to her direct representation of clients, Corrylee is the co-chair of Legal Aid’s Language Equity Committee, which is dedicated to ensuring that individuals with limited English proficiency have access to justice and community services regardless of the language they speak. She is also a member of Legal Aid’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee.

Prior to joining Legal Aid in 2018, Corrylee completed a two-year term as an Attorney Advisor for the San Antonio Immigration Court through the Department of Justice Honors Program.

Corrylee obtained her law degree from Boston University School of Law and is admitted to practice law in the State of Ohio.

Amber Blackston-Balogh, LISW-S

Crossroads Health, Trauma Programming Supervisor for Youth Services

Amber has provided outpatient therapy for children and families for over ten years, and she specializes in treating complex developmental trauma and harmful sexual behaviors in youth. Amber has been a member of the specialized sexual behavior treatment team at Crossroads Health since its inception in 2013, and she now coordinates and oversees the program and trains new staff to join the team. Amber regularly conducts trauma and sexual behavior-related trainings and consultation for staff, community partners, local school districts, and organizations across the state

Mary McMamara, LISW

Director of Aging, City of Cleveland

Mary McNamara was appointed by Mayor Frank G. Jackson as the Director of Aging for the City of Cleveland in December 2016 and was re-appointed by Mayor Justin M. Bibb in January 2022. Mary joined the Department of Aging team in 2008. She leads a dynamic and passionate team that is committed to making Cleveland more age friendly. She oversees the department’s home repair and maintenance services, social services. Aging and Disability Resource Center, safety programs, Age Friendly Cleveland Initiatives and special events. Mary earned her undergraduate degree in Social Work from The Ohio State University and a Master of Science in Social Administration from the Mandel School of Applied Social Science at Case Western Reserve University. She holds an Independent Social Worker License with supervision designation from the State of Ohio.

Liz Militante–Advey

Lake County Health Department

Liz graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Biology from Cleveland State University. Ms. Militante-Advey introduction into Public Health began when she started as an intern with the Cuyahoga County Board of Health. In 2019, Liz joined the Lake County General Health District working in the Solid Waste program, Swimming Beaches Water Quality, Infectious Waste program (Tripoint and Lake West Hospital, and Tattoo/Body Art facilities), Housing, and Mobile Home Park program. During this time, Liz conducted routine inspections at licensed facilities, and investigations when necessary as complaints are filed with our office.

Amelia Serio

Behavioral Health Hospital Liaison for Lake County

Amelia Serio is the Behavioral Health Hospital Liaison for Lake County. She attended Ohio University to obtain a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology, and later obtained a Master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Cleveland State University. She a member of the Lake County Trauma Response Team (TRT), Lake County Quick Response Team (QRT), is a certified Question, Persuade and Refer (QPR) instructor, Health Safety officer, and assists with gatekeeping various grant funded programs to assist Lake county residents with access to mental health resources. She is EMDR trained, and continues to hold a small caseload of EMDR clients through Signature Health

Ellen Sizer

Associate Planer, Clinton County Regional Planning Commission

Ellen Sizer serves as the Associate Planner for the Clinton County Regional Planning Commission and staff for the Clinton County Land Reutilization Corporation (Land Bank). In these roles, Ellen works on a number of initiatives and long-range planning projects for communities ranging in size from 300 to 42,000 population. Ellen holds a Masters of Community Planning from the School of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning at the University of Cincinnati. In addition to her role with the Clinton County, Ellen is an Adjunct Professor at Wilmington College, board member for the City of Wilmington’s Tree Commission, and a part time yoga teacher Alumnus Award.

Kerstin Yoder

Kerstin Yoder graduated in 2000 from Baldwin-Wallace University with a Bachelor’s in Sociology; and then went on to get her Master’s in Social Work from Case Western Reserve University. Ms. Yoder has been working in the field of social work and behavioral health services for the past 20 years. Throughout the past 20 some years, Kerstin has been able to work with a wide variety of populations including: children, youth, families, couples, group therapy, and currently aging adults.

Ms. Yoder has been with Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging for the past 7 years. Her work at Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging includes: facilitating the Mental Health Day Treatment groups, assessments, counseling, mental health case management, and doing presentations on various topics. In 2020, Kerstin became a state certified Instructor for Mental Health First Aide through Mental Health America. She enjoy meeting, and working with people, whether as clients or colleagues, and look forward to continuing working with others.

Lisa Gold-Scott

Assistant Law Director/Housing Attorney/Assistant Prosecutor, City of Shaker Heights

Lisa Gold-Scott is an Assistant Law Director/Housing Attorney/Assistant Prosecutor for the City of Shaker Heights. She concentrates on fair housing issues as well as issues relating to code enforcement (including criminal prosecution of housing, building, fire, and health code violations), foreclosures, and vacant property issues. She also serves as the City’s ADA Coordinator, and as an Assistant Prosecutor. Prior to joining the Shaker Heights law department, Ms. Gold-Scott was Associate Director/Staff Attorney for The Housing Advocates, Inc. where she litigated cases involving fair housing discrimination and predatory lending. She was also responsible for the supervision of law students enrolled in the Fair Housing Law Clinic in conjunction with Cleveland-Marshall College of Law. Prior to her employment with HAI, Lisa served under former City of Cleveland Mayor Michael White as the Fair Housing Administrator for four years, and Director of Community Relations in his last year of office. Before coming to Cleveland, Lisa worked as staff attorney at HAI from 1997-1998 where she was involved in authoring two studies involving fair lending practices and discrimination in the provision of homeowners insurance to Cleveland residents. Lisa is a 1994 graduate of Cleveland-Marshall College of Law, and an honorary trustee for the Cleveland-Marshall Law Alumni Association.