Brad Alkire was born and raised in Fresno County. Brad received his Bachelors from Biola University majoring in Intercultural Studies with a minor in International Development. As he entered college he realized that he had his heart set on serving those in society who too often get overlooked or forgotten. After graduating, Brad had the opportunity to serve in AmeriCorps to work with the resettled refugee population in Texas. Now back in Fresno, he is anxious to care for and empower members of his home community.
Prior to joining Housing on Merit, Sanam was the Documentation and Communications Officer at War Against Rape, a Pakistan based non-profit organization. She has been involved in various capacities with women and girls empowerment programs, civic engagement projects, and social science research. Sanam has worked with organizations such as the United Nations Development Program, Family Education Services Foundation, and the SOS Children’s Village of Pakistan.
In addition to her work at Housing on Merit, Sanam is a Professor of Sociology and Global Studies at National University. Sanam has a Bachelor of Science in Social Science with an emphasis on International Relations and a Master’s in Women’s Studies.
Alexis received her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and Sociology from San Diego State University and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Social Work. In addition to her work at Housing on Merit, Alexis works at a domestic violence shelter with Center for Community Solutions, a non-profit based in San Diego, California that provides services to men, women, and families who have experienced domestic violence and sexual assault.
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.
Jimmie began his professional career after earning a B.A. in journalism from Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego. He began both as a writer and photographer working with several newspapers around the country. In 2007 he transitioned into the nonprofit sector working for emergency relief and humanitarian agencies in South Sudan and Sudan where he worked for six years. His roles included monitoring and evaluating health, water and sanitation projects in refugee and returnee camps. Jimmie earned his M.A. in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia focused on photojournalism, reporting and writing.
Prior to joining Housing on Merit, Christopher collaborated with developers to move projects through the rigorous approval process in Southern California. His work focused on building community support, graphic design and understanding each localities respective approach to the Design-Permit-Build processes. In addition to his work at HOM, he runs a small climate-smart farm in neighboring Imperial County. He received his M.S. in Urban Planning from Columbia’s School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation and a B.A. in Urban Studies from San Francisco State University.
