Charly Ligety is responsible for helping launch Housing on Merit’s Housing Innovation + Learning Laboratory (known as the “HILL”). Prior to joining HOM, Charly worked in the commercial real estate finance industry for over 10 years, and was recently focused on enhancing state and local housing policy and structuring collaborative transactions to address Los Angeles’ affordable housing crisis. Charly is passionate about applying a creative, inclusive, and entrepreneurial mindset towards overcoming the vast range of challenges within the housing industry.
Charly has experience working on both the equity and debt sides of commercial real estate, working for a boutique real estate private equity firm as an analyst prior to joining Wells Fargo’s Commercial Real Estate Group as a Relationship Manager in Los Angeles. In that role, Charly developed new business relationships with large investment firms and developers and managed a $400 million loan portfolio, which included underwriting and managing value-add and construction loans on a range of property types throughout the U.S.
Charly graduated with honors from the full-time MBA program at University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business in 2018. While in graduate school, Charly became a published author of Very Engaging, an interactive conversation guidebook for couples, which he co-authored with a former colleague. Charly earned his Bachelor of Arts from Dartmouth College, majoring in Geography and Economics. At Dartmouth, Charly was a varsity member of the nationally-ranked Division 1 Dartmouth Ski Team. As a native of Park City, Utah, Charly is still a passionate skier and mountain biker. Charly enjoys exploring his adopted city of Los Angeles, along with biking, hiking, and long walks on the beach with his wife.
Prior to joining Housing on Merit, Miki Metz worked for over ten years as the Manager of Planning & Program Development at Child Action, Inc., a non-profit based in Sacramento, California that provides for the education and social welfare of children and families by organizing, sponsoring and administering services to children. Miki received her Bachelor of Arts in English and Women’s Studies from California State University, Sacramento. In addition to her work at Housing on Merit, Miki volunteers her time to local non-profit organizations that fight for social justice and work to support, empower, and educate women and children in San Diego County.
Valerie Nguyen started in the non-profit field as a Programs and Development Intern for Read to a Child, a non-profit that focuses on improving literacy for elementary school students in the greater Los Angeles region. She has volunteered as a tutor for underserved students in Los Angeles and participated in traditional Japanese dance during her time as an undergraduate at UCLA. Valerie earned a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with minors in Asian Humanities and Global Health. She is passionate about researching and implementing improved health services for children and seniors. In her spare time, Valerie enjoys reading and cruising on her skateboard.
Vivian Preciado has dedicated herself to empowering others through education on a national and international level. She has also acted on her passion for human rights by volunteering with organizations serving minority populations, advocating for the LGBTQ community, and promoting adult literacy throughout San Diego County. Vivian is an Emerging Leader in Affordable Housing through National Housing Conference, and is also a member of MANA de San Diego, a national Latina organization with the mission to empower Latinas through education, leadership development, advocacy, and community service. Vivian is a Co-Chair of the Hunger Advocacy Network and is certified through the Resident Service Institute and Certification Program designed to provide specialized and fundamental training for professionals in the field of Resident Services within the Affordable Housing sector. Vivian received a Bachelor of Arts in Comparative International Studies from San Diego State University while earning a minor in both Latin American Studies and French.
Berenice Monroy was born and raised in Oxnard, California. She began working with Housing on Merit because of her passion for making a difference in the lives of youth and underprivileged families. She has a particular interest in helping children and, in addition to HOM, works and volunteers at a local elementary school. Berenice has also volunteered her time with numerous organizations and outreach causes including children’s hospitals and the homeless community. She hopes to one day start her own foundation and continue making a difference in the lives of the underprivileged.
Beverly Jackson has a long history working in social services coordinating and directing programs in underserved communities focusing on senior mental health, advocacy, services as well as HIV treatment and prevention. She developed the Electric University for San Francisco Network for Elders, providing power safety for homebound seniors and spearheading the Healthy Neighborhood Initiative for seniors and people with disabilities on the San Pablo Ave corridor of Oakland, California while at the East Bay Asian Local Development Corporation. She brings creative program ideas to increase quality of life for residents at Harriet Tubman Terrace Apartments.
Monserrat Cubillas is currently working toward her Associates Degree in Child Development and is fascinated by social studies. She has a special interest in environmental issues, and has volunteered as an environmental educator cultivating awareness and nurturing curiosity at schools. Because of her passion and commitment to teaching and helping youth reach their full potential, she has worked as an English as a Second Language Teacher in Mexico. Besides her work at Housing on Merit, Monserrat volunteers at a local non-profit environmental organization, working in school-based reforestations and beach cleanups.
Yeping Tran is a second-year student at Sacramento State University, majoring in Health and Human Services. Her passion is working with seniors, and therefore hopes to gain more experience and skills to better serve the senior community in the future. She volunteers at the University of California, Davis Hospice Program weekly. As a volunteer, Yeping visits hospice patients in their home and dedicates her time to small chores, reading, or simply spending time with patients. In her spare time, Yeping likes to hike and connect with nature.
