Leadership

Aubrey Merriman serves as the Chief Executive Officer of LifeMoves, which has become the leading provider of interim housing and support services in Silicon Valley under his leadership. During the 2024 fiscal year, LifeMoves supported more than 7,400 individuals experiencing homelessness across more than 25 sites and programs. In September, The New York Times profiled the organization’s innovative approach, which focuses on interim housing solutions designed to prioritize individual privacy and personalized case management.

Since Mr. Merriman joined the organization in 2021, LifeMoves has rapidly expanded its housing and services, opening three new interim supportive housing sites and additional programs that together serve more than 1,000 people annually. Gov. Gavin Newsom has praised LifeMoves’ approach, which prioritizes modular construction to deliver housing quickly and affordably. Three additional LifeMoves sites and programs serving an additional 1,000 individuals, families and veterans annually will open in 2025.

In recognition of his leadership, Mr. Merriman received Bank of America’s 2024 Neighborhood Builders Social Equality Award, which recognizes just six leaders nationally for their work advancing social equity and economic opportunity.

Mr. Merriman is a graduate of the Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders at Stanford University School of Business and a Senior Fellow with the American Leadership Forum of Silicon Valley. He was one of 15 researchers nationwide selected to attend the prestigious Community Fellows Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT).

Mr. Merriman graduated summa cum laude with an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Hawaii Pacific University and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Hawaii. He serves on the board of directors for Santa Clara County's Continuum of Care and Silicon Valley at Home (SV@Home

Paul Simpson, CFO of LifeMoves, is building the operational and investment strategy needed to achieve the organizations new vision of ending homelessness in Silicon Valley. And, he has the track record to do it.

Paul is an Oakland, CA. native with strong and long-term ties to the Bay Area. He is a respected executive with outstanding interpersonal and consensus-building skills, capable of leading and motivating teams to deliver superior results. Recognized as a creative and effective strategic planner, facilitator, and problem solver.

In addition to strong financial acumen, Paul brings a wealth of leadership qualities from his 20-year career in advising companies on financial strategies, acquisitions, and technology rollouts. In addition to his deep financial acumen and experience, he has extensive experience in Technology/IT/Data, fundraising, strategy, and venture investing.

His dynamic leadership style that values and promotes diversity, collaboration, accountability, and teamwork carries over from his professional to community service activities. He currently serves on the UC Santa Cruz Foundation, The Compton Community College Foundation, and E3 – Education, Excellence & Equity boards. He has previously served on The Marin Academy Board of Trustees, and UC Santa Cruz Alumni Association. He is also the Founder and COO of Silicon Valley Soldiers and Prospects on Deck. Paul’s passion is in his belief that each person has amazing potential and systems need to be designed to propel people’s brilliance.

Paul’s education experience built the foundation for his professional journey with a BA from UC Santa Cruz in Business Management Economics and an MBA from the Haas School at UC Berkeley.

Tarsha Addison is an accomplished Human Resources Executive with over 25 years of experience managing, leading, and transforming HR functions across diverse industries. As a strategic leader, Tarsha excels in creating innovative HR solutions and building infrastructures that align with business goals.

Tarsha has held influential HR leadership roles throughout her career in healthcare, retail, venue property management, food/warehouse distribution, and financial services. Her ability to quickly adapt to various industries has earned her a reputation as a dynamic operations leader.

Tarsha’s achievements include developing sustainable HR processes that drive organizational growth, profitability, and long-term success. She is a Certified Diversity Professional and an active Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) member. Tarsha also served on the Board of Directors for the National Diversity Council and the California Diversity Council, reflecting her commitment to fostering inclusive workplaces.

Tarsha holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Human Resources Management and a Master of Science in Management with a focus on Organizational Leadership and Change. She resides in Northern California, where she continues championing impactful HR strategies that empower businesses and employees.

Rosa Cervantes, a dedicated advocate for stable housing and self-sufficiency, currently serves as the Director of Housing at LifeMoves, an organization committed to aiding households experiencing homelessness. Drawing on her extensive background in fair housing and a genuine passion for community change, Rosa works tirelessly to empower individuals and families on their journey toward a secure and stable living environment.

Before joining LifeMoves, Rosa contributed her expertise as a Fair Housing Counselor at Project Sentinel. In this role, she provided invaluable assistance and counseling, guided by a deep understanding of fair housing laws. Rosa's commitment to ensuring equal housing opportunities emerged from her early experiences in property management and her academic pursuits in Sociology.

A proud first-generation college graduate, Rosa embodies the spirit of curiosity and a relentless motivation to understand the world around her. Her belief in the transformative power of passion fuels her commitment to community change and equity. Rosa exemplifies how individual drive and dedication can make a significant impact, proving that passion truly makes a world of difference.

In her role at LifeMoves, Rosa Cervantes continues to be a beacon of hope and positive change for those facing housing insecurity. Her journey is a testament to the profound impact that compassionate leadership can have on communities and individuals striving for a brighter future.

Heather started at LifeMoves over 8 years ago as a Case Manager. She has brought guidance, direction, and enthusiasm to every site she has worked at - whether a Case Manager, Associate Program Director, or Program Director! She now serves as Director of Santa Clara County Shelters & Services. Before LifeMoves, Heather worked as a Community Support Specialist at Crider Health Center and served in the Peace Corps for two years in Belize. Heather holds a Bachelor’s degree from Augustana College and a Masters in Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis.

Anat Leonard-Wookey, an LCSW and a seasoned leader, brings over two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector. Recognized as a system simplifier, curious explorer, and a root cause sleuth, Anat is known for her ability to make sense of complex data and for her relentless pursuit of improvement. Anat joined LifeMoves as our Vice President of Programs in August 2024, and she has been a vocal advocate for justice and transparency, deeply committed to driving structural changes to uplift marginalized communities.

Anat's dedication to creating robust, client-focused programs that cater to the most vulnerable in our society is a hallmark of her career. She has held senior leadership roles at HomeRise, San Francisco and Bowery Residents’ Committee, New York City, where she has managed a broad spectrum of services, from emergency shelters to workforce development programs. Her work consistently aims to create sustainable, replicable models that address the needs of those experiencing homelessness and offers support to the dedicated staff on the ground.

Anat is a licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York and California and holds a Master’s in Social Work from Columbia University. She is a fervent advocate for harm reduction and social justice and is deeply invested in recognizing and nurturing the wisdom within each individual. Anat's passion extends beyond her work, as she actively contributes to non-profits through her Board Service, currently with the Harm Reduction Therapy Center in San Francisco, and previously at Mission Action (Dolores Street Community Services). Anat is a mom to a creative and kind kid and volunteers as a Crew Leader with the Sutro Stewards, keeping her connected with nature.

Jocelyn Michelsen’s work sits at the intersection of research, strategy, and talent. Jocelyn joined LifeMoves in August 2023 as Associate VP of Impact + Learning, where she’s helping unlock LifeMoves’ vision of using forward-looking data to deliver maximum positive impact to our clients. Prior to LifeMoves, she was VP of Impact at HomeRise, San Francisco’s oldest and largest provider of Permanent Supportive Housing for homeless adults and families. She brings more than fifteen years of data expertise in direct service nonprofits, NGOs, and consulting firms, including at Doctors Without Borders and the UN Population Fund. A Bay Area native, Jocelyn holds a Master’s of Public Administration from NYU, a Master’s in French from Université François Rabelais/Bowling Green State University, and Bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and French from UC Berkeley.

Hannah Sinoway is a seasoned nonprofit executive with 15+ years of dedicated experience in client services, program management, and operational leadership. Renowned for her advocacy for veterans and vulnerable populations, she has crafted impactful programs, built high-performing teams, and engaged strategically with donors, media partners, and decision-makers.
Throughout her career, Hannah has excelled in mobilizing resources, fostering partnerships, and aligning strategies with long-term goals. Her journey spans impactful roles such as professional counselor, case manager, communications expert, and Chief Services Officer. At Iraq & Afghanistan Veterans of America, Hannah served as Chief of Staff, overseeing operations and driving significant legislative victories, securing $275B in emergency healthcare and benefits legislation for 3.5M veterans. Her leadership yielded a 25% increase in operational efficiency, a 400%+ growth in digital revenue, and a 500% increase in program capacity.

With a commitment to fostering diverse teams and innovative problem-solving, Hannah has played pivotal roles in national case management programs and large-scale advocacy campaigns. Her mission-driven approach continues as the Director of Regional Outreach Initiatives at LifeMoves, where she focuses on program development, strategic planning, financial management, operations, and community relations for the agency's diverse portfolio of homeless outreach programs in San Mateo and Santa Clara Counties.

Hannah holds a Master of Science in Counselor Education from Queens College, City University of New York, and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Eve Stoller, LCSW, joined the LifeMoves team in 2017 to build and manage its Master of Social Work (MSW) Internship Program, providing supervision and education to a large cohort of MSW students. She currently serves as the Senior Director of Clinical Services and Training, overseeing two graduate-level internship programs and the Education Department, and providing clinical support and training to program staff. Prior to joining LifeMoves, Eve was a therapist and then clinical supervisor for an evidenced-based therapeutic team addressing teenage delinquent behavior and psychiatric issues on family and systems levels. She received her undergraduate degree from UCLA and her MSW from Columbia University.

Jacob began his career with LifeMoves in 2008 as Facility Coordinator at First Step for Families. Since then, Jacob has held the role of Program Director at multiple shelter sites. Prior to his current position, Jacob held the role of Director of Impact & Learning, where he led the agency's data-related initiatives and managed cross-functional efforts to evaluate programmatic outcomes. Jacob holds a Bachelor’s degree from Quincy University in Illinois.