Team Updates at the Minnesota Homeownership Center (HOC)

These staff changes reflect an investment in the key strengths we heard our members and partners value: convening across sectors to form homeownership solutions, advancing policy change, and innovation that centers human experiences. We look forward to building a stronger and more equitable homeownership ecosystem together.

Welcoming New Roles

Sondra Reis Promoted to Chief Operating Officer

Sondra brings more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience to her new role, with deep expertise in human resources, financial management, and organizational operations. As Associate Director at the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits for over 14 years, she provided executive leadership for finance, HR, IT, and vendor management, overseeing cross-functional teams and building systems and infrastructure to support a complex, multi-entity organization.  
 
Most recently, as Senior Director of Homeownership Programs at HOC since 2023, she led key initiatives, including a full rewrite of the Homeownership Advisors Network Standards, the launch of a HUD-funded pilot establishing a fee-for-service model for homebuyer advising, and development of a new eLearning curriculum for manufactured housing homebuyers. As Chief Operating Officer, effective June 1, Sondra will lead organizational operations and infrastructure to align people, systems, and strategy for long-term impact.

Symone Patton, Innovation Project Manager – Program Engagement and Development (starting June 1)

Symone Patton brings more than 15 years of experience across HOC network organizations including Urban League Twin Cities, NeighborWorks Home Partners, and PRG Inc., and has led as the Co-Pastor of the Wave Ministry for 9 years. Across her roles, Symone has had a focus on community engagement to build access to wealth building opportunities and homeownership. In her recent role as Grants Compliance Manager at HOC, she led performance and compliance strategy across HOC’s statewide Homeownership Advisor Network.  
 
Her new role as Innovation Project Manager prioritizes homeowner engagement to turn community insights into impactful program design and improvements alongside professional partners. 

Shoua Lee, Innovation Project Manager – Homeownership Systems Coordination (starting June 1)

Shoua Lee brings experience from Wells Fargo, the Metropolitan Council, and the City of Saint Paul, where she worked across community development, government, and private-sector systems. Her work has focused on building partnerships that expand economic opportunity and access. As HOC’s Innovation Project Manager, she will convene partners across sectors to address the gap between what people can afford and what homes cost. Her work will focus on building shared solutions that better align systems and expand access to homeownership, focused initially on system coordination of down payment assistance.

Foluke Akanni, Director of Policy and Advocacy (starting June 15)

Foluke Akanni brings over a decade of experience in nonprofit and public-sector roles, most recently at fellow statewide HUD intermediary Housing Action Illinois, where she led member coalitions, housing policy advocacy efforts and strengthened federal advocacy initiatives. Her work has included helping to advance legislation, coordinating Continuum of Care advocacy strategy, and building partnerships across community organizations and government. At HOC, she will lead policy and advocacy strategy, advancing priorities that support homeownership stability and access. Her role will focus on coalition-building, influencing policy at multiple levels, and strengthening alignment between advocacy and program efforts. 

Celebrating Brooke Carroll Walker’s Transition

Brooke Carroll Walker has served as HOC’s Director of Homeownership Innovation for five years, leading major initiatives including deployment of over $150 million investment in down payment assistance (DPA) through programs grounded in deep partnership with community to address systemic barriers to homeownership through first generation and special purpose credit program focuses.  
 
She will step into the role of Executive Director at the City of Lakes Community Land Trust, which is the largest community land trust in Minnesota focused on affordability within the City of Minneapolis, marking an exciting next step in her leadership. Her impact in advancing inclusive homeownership systems will continue to be felt in the years ahead and we’re excited to continue our collaboration in her new role. Brooke’s last day at HOC will be July 10. 

Appreciating Jade Otoya

Jade Otoya, Program Assistant, will be moving on to return to her home state of California to be closer to family. During her time at HOC, Jade made meaningful contributions across multiple initiatives. She supported reporting and compliance for the Center’s statewide network of 30+ homeownership counseling agencies, managed communications to ensure timely submissions, and helped align work with HUD, state, and national standards. Jade also coordinated logistics for the 2026 Homeowner Advisor Network Conference, led the transition to an online certificate renewal system, and provided support to the statewide call center connecting homeowners with resources. We are grateful for Jade’s contributions and wish her all the best in her next chapter.