LEADERSHIP

Michael M. Ruane

President

Michael M. Ruane, National CORE’s President, leads the development of program and business strategies for the organization and is responsible for overseeing all operating departments. Previously, Mr. Ruane served in a variety of leadership positions in Orange County, including Chief of Strategy and Public Affairs of CalOptima, Executive Director of the Children and Families Commission, Assistant County Chief Executive Officer and Director of the Environmental Management Agency. Mr. Ruane is a graduate of the University of California, Irvine, and earned a master’s degree from the UCLA Graduate School of Architecture and Urban Planning. Mr. Ruane is the Immediate Past Chair of the Orange County/Inland Empire District Council of the Urban Land Institute and is the Jury Chair for the 2016 HUD Innovation in Affordable Housing national design and planning competition.

Robert Diaz

Executive Vice President & General Counsel

Robert Diaz is National CORE’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel. Robert drives organizational growth and works to develop National CORE’s infrastructure to maximize our team’s effectiveness and efficiency in pursuit of our mission.

Robert joined National CORE in 2017 as its General Counsel and previously served as Chief Administrative Officer before assuming his current responsibilities. Prior to joining National CORE, Robert served in various capacities as an attorney in the areas of debt finance, corporate governance, banking regulations, mergers and acquisitions and general corporate law. Robert has also focused on the development and implementation of corporate controls and structure and has significant experience in large-scale regulatory remediation efforts in the financial industry.

Robert graduated from the University of Chicago Law School and received his B.S. degree in Business Administration from Chapman University. He was commissioned as an officer in the United States Army Reserve and served as a member of the Army’s JAG Corps for 15 years.

Doretta “Dorrie” Bryan

Senior Vice President of Operations

Dorrie Bryan began her career with National CORE in 1995 as the Executive Assistant to our Founder and CEO. After graduating from the University of California Riverside Human Resources Certificate Program in 1999, Dorrie was promoted to Vice President of Human Resources and Operations. In her current role, she is responsible for planning, developing, implementing, administering, and budgeting for all areas of employment, compensation, benefits, training, employee relations, legal compliance, affirmative action, and health and safety programs, for National CORE’s 400+ employees. Other professional affiliations include Professionals in Human Resources Association and the Society of Human Resources Management.

Alyssa Cotter

Executive Director, Hope through Housing Foundation

Alyssa Cotter is a fundraising professional with more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit, higher education and local government settings. As Executive Director for the Hope through Housing Foundation, she oversees the day-to-day operations and strategic focus of the Foundation. In her five years with Hope through Housing, Alyssa has been instrumental in building strategic partnerships and strong financial support from the community through numerous initiatives, including the creation of the Women of Hope affinity group, the launch of the Building Bright Futures Scholarship program for high-school graduates and adult learners as well as successfully raising more than $5 million to support resident programs in California, Texas and Florida. Previously, she coordinated individual giving, corporate/private foundation relations and large-scale special events. Before joining Hope through Housing, Alyssa served as director of development at the Inland Empire United Way and as director of constituent and scholarship programs for the UCR Alumni Association.

Alyssa earned her bachelor’s degree in business management and master’s degree in public administration from California State University, San Bernardino. Alyssa serves as incoming chair of the Board of Directors for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Inland Empire Chapter.

Michael Finn

Chief Financial Officer

​Michael Finn is National CORE’s Chief Financial Officer. As CFO, Michael is responsible for the overall financial strategy and fiscal practices of the organization. He oversees corporate, real estate development, construction, and property management accounting, strategic financial planning and analysis, IT, risk management and vendor relations. Has the overall responsibility to steward the organizations $1.2B in real estate assets and works closely with the Board of Directors Audit and Finance committees.

Before joining National CORE, he served as CFO for a major healthcare technology company and brings more than 25 years of management experience in finance and accounting. He has significant experience in the technology, healthcare, real estate, construction, manufacturing, and entertainment fields. He received his bachelor’s degree in economics from UCLA.

Lesley Hampton

Senior Vice President of Development

Lesley Hampton is the Senior Vice President of Project Development for National CORE, where she is responsible for managing an extensive pipeline of potential projects through the development process, overseeing a large team of project managers, cultivating relationships with a variety of external stakeholders, and performing comprehensive financial analysis to create complex deal structures. She embraces the mission of transforming communities and lives through the development of quality affordable housing. With more than 18 years of experience in affordable housing and finance, she has been responsible for the development and construction of more than 2,000 units and securing more than $500 million in financing. Her entitlement and development expertise include acquisition/rehab, mixed-use, and new construction projects. Lesley received a bachelor’s degree from the University of California San Diego and a M.B.A degree from the University of California Irvine.

Chris Killian

Senior Vice President of Construction

Chris Killian, Senior Vice President of Construction, began his career at National CORE in 2004 as an onsite Construction Superintendent and has held various positions within the organization, including Construction Manager and Vice President of Estimating. During his tenure with National CORE, he has been responsible for the construction and renovation of more than 1,240 apartment units, valued at approximately 215 million dollars. Prior to joining National CORE, Chris spent five years with the Fontana Unified School District, where as a Project Manager he was involved in the construction of four new schools with a total value of 103 million dollars. He also was responsible for the coordination of infrastructure and installation of numerous modular facilities during his time with the school district. Chris has a BS from the University of Redlands, and has taken course work in construction and supervision from Riverside Community College. He is a licensed General Contractor(B) in the State of California.

Courtney Richard

Senior Vice President of Property Management

Courtney Richard, Senior Vice President of Property Management, has been a member of the National CORE team since 2012 and has worked in property management since 2009. In her role, she oversees the operations and management of National CORE’s 100+ affordable housing communities and a team of more than 300. She is responsible for setting strategic goals for National CORE’s largest division to meet the growing needs of National CORE’s expanding portfolio and new business lines.

In 2012, Courtney was instrumental in bringing relocation services in-house. Under her leadership, the team has launched a lucrative business line for National CORE, offering third-party services. Her unique approach to relocation minimizes resident hardship and provides consistent communication with residents while complying with mandated regulations.

Courtney has been recognized for her accomplishments by the Southern California Association on Nonprofit Housing (SCANPH) and Affordable Housing Finance. She holds multiple certifications, including RAD Project-Based Voucher, Rental Assistance Certification and Tax Credit Specialist. She graduated from Cal State San Bernardino with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration.

Jill Van Balen

Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications

Jill Van Balen began her career with National CORE and Hope through Housing in 2001 as the Executive Assistant for the Founder and CEO. Since then, Jill has held several positions within the organization, including Marketing and Fund Development Manager, Manager of Corporate Affairs and Grant Writer. In her current capacity, she is responsible for all corporate and business group branding, marketing and public relations to promote, enhance and grow the brands of National CORE and Hope through Housing.

Active in her community, Jill is the Past President of the Board of Directors for the Association of Fundraising Professionals Inland Empire Chapter, she also serves on the Board of Directors for the Purple Hearts and on the Board of Directors’ Fundraising Committee for OPARC. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communications/Marketing from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Alexa Washburn

Chief Development Officer

Alexa Washburn is Chief Development Officer for National CORE. As an affordable housing developer and public agency program manager, Alexa has managed, prepared and implemented a variety of community development projects over her 20 year career. Her projects have been recognized with 12 awards from the American Planning Association and Southern California Association of Governments. She applies her creative land planning, design solutions, and in-depth understanding of progressive policy and implementation strategies to effectively enhance the feasibility, livability, and sustainability of National CORE’s communities. Alexa is responsible for acquisitions, forward and advanced planning, environmental, entitlements, and community outreach. She also established National CORE’s consulting practice, providing consulting services to public and private sector clients.

Alexa is an advanced professional in LEED Neighborhood Development (LEED AP ND), and has earned a certificate from UCLA in Affordable Housing Development, bachelor’s degrees in urban planning, geography and environmental studies, and a Master’s degree in public policy & administration.

Ashley Wright

Senior Vice President of Development Finance

In his role as Senior Vice President, Ashley Wright oversees all development activities for the organization. He has more than 25 years of experience in real estate finance and housing development. His knowledge includes entitlement, project management, development and construction of multifamily rental housing, for sale housing and commercial. He is proficient with numerous market-rate and affordable housing financing sources such as low-income housing tax credits, various state and federal programs, tax-exempt bonds, private equity and conventional financing. Ashley graduated from the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, with a focus in finance, real estate and law.

Tony Mize

Vice President of Acquisitions, Texas

Tony Mize is Vice President of Acquisitions and Forward Planning for National CORE. His career in the real estate industry has focused on the development of affordable multifamily and single-family housing, including workforce, senior, special needs and supportive housing. Tony was an integral part of the company’s early years, serving as Director of Business Development, Acquisitions & Structured Transactions from 1993-99. Prior to rejoining National CORE in 2015, Tony launched and ran his own firms, developing, constructing and operating multiple affordable communities. Tony served from 2008-18 as a Board Member and Treasurer of the Fair Housing Council of Riverside County. He serves as a Board Member of the Civil Rights Institute of Inland Southern California. Tony also served many years as Treasurer and Executive Committee member of the Inland Empire Economic Partnership and as chair of its Small Business Development Center Advisory Board. He has a long involvement promoting economic development and job creation.​

John Seymour

Vice President of Acquisitions and Forward Planning, San Diego

John Seymour has 35 years of development and community-based experience and has been with National CORE 25 years. Responsible for acquisitions, forward planning, environmental, financing, entitlements and outreach, he has assisted in the production of more than 4,000 units including five mixed-use projects at a total development cost of over $1.4 billion. Prior to National CORE, he worked for John Seymour and Associates, the Building Industry Association and as Policy Advisor to the Chair of San Diego County Board of Supervisors. He graduated from SDSU with a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and Economics.

Ariana Brendle

Vice President of Acquisitions, Florida

Ariana Brendle plays a crucial role in bringing the National CORE mission to Florida, with a focus on affordable housing as a vital step toward reducing intergenerational poverty and promoting economic mobility. Ariana has demonstrated her deep expertise in tax credits and tax-exempt bond transactions in California, Florida and Texas. She volunteers for the Miami Rescue Mission and Broward Outreach Centers, organizations that provide essential support to those in need. She also serves as Housing Committee Co-Chair for Healthy Little Havana, which advocates for initiatives that enhance the social determinants of health in Miami’s Little Havana neighborhood. She holds a bachelor’s degree in international business and a master’s degree in business administration and finance from the University of Baltimore. 

Oscar Paul

Senior Development Manager

Oscar Paul oversees all aspects of development, from land and asset acquisition to debt conversion and stabilization to property rehabilitation. Oscar has played a key role in developing more than 1,500 units of affordable housing across Florida and Texas. In 2017, he received the President’s Medal for Volunteer Service. He also is a recipient of the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor granted by the United States Congress to American civilians, for completing over 2,500 voluntary public service hours in a single year. Oscar holds a Bachelor of Science in public administration, urban/regional planning & development, as well as a graduate certificate in emergency management and homeland security, both from Florida State University.

Michael de la Torre

Senior Vice President, Los Angeles Region

Michael de la Torre guides day-to-day operations and overall strategy, direction and management of the acquisitions process for National CORE’s Los Angeles Region. His team’s responsibilities extend from project identification and feasibility to securing financing from public and private lenders. The acquisitions team also coordinates development approvals, supervises consultants and serves as a liaison with funding partners and community stakeholders. Michael oversees government relationships, new product development, due diligence and risk management for early stages of affordable housing developments. Before joining CORE, Michael worked in the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) industry. He served as a rental housing specialist and risk assessor for the State of Arizona Department of Housing and managed the development process for a California LIHTC developer. Michael earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University, Fullerton.

Lorraine Kindred

Vice President, Public Affairs

Lorraine Kindred joined National CORE in 2019 as Vice President of Public Affairs. A graduate of UCLA with a degree in Political Science-Public Law, she has over 25 years of leadership and real estate experience. Lorraine oversees government relations in the state and federal arena as well as communications and community outreach working toward building and maintaining a strong reputation in the nonprofit affordable housing industry. Formerly the Chair of the Upland of Commerce and President of the Pomona Valley Chapter of Executive Women International, she currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Upland YMCA and the Baldy View Chapter of the Building Industry Association.