Executive Director
Executive Director
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541-316-0129
she/her/hers
Eliza Wilson is a dedicated affordable housing advocate and strategic systems builder whose lifelong connection to Central Oregon informs every aspect of her work. Drawing from her own lived experience with youth homelessness, she has built a career focused on transforming housing and homelessness systems to be more equitable, responsive, and rooted in human dignity.
As Executive Director at Rooted Homes, Eliza leads initiatives to expand access to permanently affordable homeownership and support long-term housing stability for communities across Central Oregon. She plays a key role in aligning the organization’s mission with regional strategies and collaborative efforts that advance housing justice.
Eliza’s background includes extensive advocacy at the local, state, and national levels—working to shape policy, drive systems change and elevate community voices in decision-making processes.
She serves as Chair of Central Oregon’s Continuum of Care and is a board member of the Regional Housing Council. Guided by a deep belief in community-driven change, Eliza is committed to breaking cycles of poverty through equitable access to opportunity and safe, stable housing for all.
Real Estate Director
Real Estate Director
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541-316-0544
he/him/his
Griffin brings over a decade of diverse experience to RootedHomes, having established a strong foundation in the construction industry. With a bachelor’s degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from the University of Utah and a master’s degree in Architecture from the University of Oregon, where he specialized in sustainability, Griffin has honed his skills across multiple disciplines. His career includes experience in residential structural engineering and multifamily design in the Colorado mountains. His experiences have equipped him with exceptional design coordination skills and a keen sense of constructability and affordability. His passion for creating well-crafted, contextually appropriate buildings is complemented by his active lifestyle. When not immersed in work, Griffin enjoys exploring trails on foot, wheels, or skis with his family.
Homeownership Program Director
Homeownership Program Director
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458-202-4598
she/her/hers
Tess is a Colorado transplant who found her way to Bend in 2015. Previously, she has worked for newspapers all over the country as a photojournalist and multimedia storyteller. She graduated in 2013 from the University of Oregon with a B.A. in journalism and communications. Her passion for the environment and for social justice has led her to work on a wide array of projects from a multifamily recycling pilot project to joining her sister in Mexico to photograph for her book No Option but North. When not working, she can be found in the mountains via split board, bike, or navigating a nearby river on an 18-foot raft.
Construction Project Manager
Construction Project Manager
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541-550-7691
he/him/his/él
Cody Comes to Rooted Homes with some 25 years of experience in Residential and
Commercial Construction. Mostly in and around Central Oregon, with a few side trips to build in
the Rocky Mountains, Hawaii, Mexico, and Alaska. As a native of Central Oregon, Cody has
been privileged to see and participate in the growth of our burgeoning community, with projects
ranging from single family homes to road work, apartment and commercial buildings, and
everything in between.
Cody feels blessed to have a role that allows him to help contribute to a positive, inclusive
community with the sustainable, permanently affordable housing that Rooted Homes is able to
provide through the Community Land Trust model, and proud to be at a point in his career
where it’s next to impossible to go through a day in Central Oregon without driving past, living
in, or driving on one of his past projects.
Accounting Manager
Accounting Manager
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541-362-4688
she/her/hers
Patti’s experience includes ten years in public accounting, most recently as a Senior Manager in Deloitte’s Financial Advisory Group in New York. In that time, she worked on a wide range of engagements, including financial statement analysis, securities analysis, compliance, and valuation. Patti holds a BBA in Accounting from Southern Methodist University and is a Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Financial Analyst. Outside of work, you will most often find Patti cycling, swimming, and running with her husband as she trains for endurance triathlons.
Development and Communications Manager
Development and Communications Manager
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541-247-1244
she/her/hers
Destiny has lived in Central Oregon for over 25 years, working passionately to make positive changes in our community. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Social Science with a focus on community development and leadership from Oregon State University – Cascades. Her expertise are in communication, outreach, and environmental sociology.
Her time at Oregon State University – Cascades was a journey of learning how to empower individuals and have meaningful conversations. Now, she’s excited to use her skills at RootedHomes as an Administrative Coordinator to make sure that everyone has a chance to own a home in this great community.
Outside of work, Destiny is active in her community. She serves on the board of City Club, where she advocates for diverse voices and inclusive spaces. When she’s not busy with work or meetings, Destiny enjoys spending time outdoors. You can often find her at local dog parks with her dog, Goldie, or exploring the wilderness to find hidden waterfalls. She also loves trying out new foods at local restaurants and enjoys culinary adventures with her fiancé.
Homeownership Program Coordinator
Homeownership Program Coordinator
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541-247-1244
she/her/hers/ella
Dulce, originally from Baja California, Mexico, has called Central Oregon home since 1992. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences from Oregon State University-Cascades. As a dedicated mother of four, Dulce balances her professional and personal life with grace. In her free time, she enjoys reading, writing, salsa dancing, hiking, traveling— especially to warm beaches —and experimenting in the kitchen.
Dulce is passionate about empowering others and dedicated to helping Central Oregonians achieve the dream of homeownership. A milestone she believes lays the foundation for a healthier and more stable future. She is enthusiastic about guiding individuals through the homeownership process and is well-prepared to provide support to those whose primary language is Spanish.
Board President
Board President
Jasmine (she/her/hers), Is the Communications Director for School Board. She has a background in strategic communications, public relations, and marketing strategy. She is passionate about the continual transformation of the leadership structures across Central Oregon and is dedicated to building our capacity for equitable systems. She grew up in Central Oregon and loves our beautiful, increasingly diverse, and growing community. Jasmine serves on the executive board of Everychild Central Oregon, Strengthening Central Oregon PAC, and RootedHomes. She was recently nominated to be the chair of the Human Rights & Equity Commission for the City of Bend. Jasmine earned an undergraduate degree in public relations, and she continued her education and received an advanced degree in global strategic communications at Georgetown University in 2019. Jasmine lives and works in Bend, and many in her large family are close by as well. She is currently a foster mom to three brilliant boys, ages 8, 6, and 5 months old.
Board Secretary
Board Secretary
Chris (He/His), First moved to Bend in 2013 and has called Central Oregon home ever since. Chris is an avid skier, and spends as much time outside with his wife, Lacie, and their pup, Ollie, as he can. Chris graduated from the University of Utah with a Masters degree in Public Policy, with an emphasis in affordable housing, which jump started his career in housing and homelessness in Central Oregon.
Chris is passionate about affordable housing, specifically the land-trust model which creates affordable housing that exists in the community in perpetuity. He believes that Central Oregon is a place for everyone, regardless of race, socio-economic background, or life-experience. Chris has served on the Deschutes County Dog Board, and currently serves on the Deschutes County Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC). Chris is eager to support RootedHomes in their mission to expand access to affordable housing in Central Oregon.
Board Member
Board Member
Christa (she/her/hers), A human resources professional, offers expertise in evaluating and identifying business needs, building HR functions which enrich the employee experience, driving positive company culture, and improving organizational effectiveness. After working for 20 years in the tech industry in HR leadership roles, Christa transitioned to the hospitality industry and is currently the Director of Human Resources for Tetherow Resort. Throughout her 25 years as a Bend resident, she has enjoyed contributing to both the for-profit and non-profit sectors, volunteering her time in the community for several organizations, and having served on the executive board for the Humane Society of Central Oregon. A nature lover and native Oregonian, Christa also enjoys spending time exploring the trails, lakes, and forests with her husband, children and golden retriever.
Board Member
Board Member
class=“center"Jenna (she/her/hers), Found her way to Central Oregon while attending Oregon State University, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology. For the last 10 years she has been enjoying the sunny side of Oregon and calling this wonderful community Home. Jenna currently works in real estate and is co-founder of the Mountain Home Collective: a property consulting team driven by purpose and community. She believes it’s our responsibility to use our experience, talents, and passions to better the lives of those around us, which has led her to work with RootedHomes. When she is not working, you can find her outside and near the water with her one year old son, two year old daughter, and their two yellow labs.
Board Member
Board Member
Sam (He/Him), Has 25 years of building experience starting back when he was working construction at just 17 years old. He began with framing, drywall, and heavy equipment operation for new construction, office and warehouse spaces. While going to night school, he earned his BAS in Construction Technology from Siena Heights University. After graduating, he moved to Las Vegas and LA to work on high end commercial interior nightclubs, restaurants, and casinos. In 2015, he moved with his family to Bend for the outdoor lifestyle and a more intentional way of living while shifting his focus to homebuilding. Since moving to Bend, he has managed the building of over 200 single family homes and built and remodeled homes for local nonprofits. In 2022 he managed the building of St. Vincent transitional housing shelter development in SE Bend.
His positivity energy and creative leadership shines through all that he does. He earned the prestigious Avid Platinum award in 2022 for his commitment to providing customers with an exceptional experience with homebuilding. Sam is passionate about net zero building and finding ways to provide green homes that are affordable to all. Sam has a spark for life that is infectious and is a difference maker in companies, with projects and on teams.
Sam’s pride and joy is the neighborhood he built and lives in with his family. It is here where he is intentionally expanding his neighborhood into an ideal example of a strong, connected community where neighbors gather regularly and can depend on each other. In his spare time, he likes to crush challenging goals like riding a single speed bike 100 miles up mountains and tearing through the fresh powder on Mt. Bachelor. His wife and his two kids are the joy of his life.
Board Member
Board Member
Dana (she/her/hers), Holds a master’s degree in public policy and brings both lived and academic experience to her role on the RootedHomes board. Raised in Central Oregon, she is committed to helping the community remain a place where families can thrive. Dana currently works as an administrative assistant at First Presbyterian Church and serves on the board of Healthy Families of the High Desert. She is passionate about expanding access to permanently affordable homeownership and amplifying underrepresented voices in housing and community development. When she’s not working or volunteering, Dana enjoys spending time with her five children and staying engaged in Central Oregon’s civic life.
https://rootedhomes.org/about/staff-board
Printed 10/20/25 - 2:46:32
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