Fernando Lemos, the Executive Director and co-founder of Mi Casa, Inc. has more than 35 years of experience in the nonprofit housing and economic development sectors. Originally from Paraguay, Lemos is a long-time resident of Washington, DC with extensive experience working with the Latino community.

He is trained in architectural design, housing and community economic development, small business management, and home inspection. Lemos served for many years on the board of District of Columbia Housing Authority and Cornerstone, and currently serves on the boards of the Latino Economic Development Corporation and the National Association of Latino Community Asset Builders.

A native of Argentina, Juan Pablo Vacatello came to the Washington, DC area after completing his degree in Business Administration at the University of Buenos Aires. Vacatello has put his knowledge to work on behalf of low-income populations, helping them to access equal opportunities in housing, education, and other sectors of society.

Since joining Mi Casa in 2006, Vacatello has designed and overseen the organization’s financial systems, functions, and controls for the last eight years. He serves on the board of directors of the Coalition for Nonprofit Housing and Economic Development (CNHED), a membership organization that represents the affordable housing and inclusive economic development industries in the District. He also serves on the board of directors of Vida Senior Center, the oldest Hispanic non-profit organization in Washington, DC.

Among other influential members of the community, Vacatello was part of the Montgomery County Executive Transition Team, which worked towards a more equitable and inclusive Montgomery County. An advocate for international justice, Vacatello was one of two authors in a report that presents the first global model to measure the capacity of governments to protect and support refugees and proposes a new global platform to do so.

Alejandro Martin joined Mi Casa in August 2014, bringing more than 20 years of administrative and office coordination experience from international and private agencies. Alejandro is a native of Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Arlin, joined Mi Casa Inc, in August of 2021, as Rental Manager, sharing more than 15 years of conventional property management experience. In 2006, Arlin, acquired his property manager License and joined the (IREM) institute of real estate management, to pursue his career as a property manager, and to oversee 206 rental units in Washington D.C. located across the National Cathedral.

In June 2013, Arlin, joined, STOLADI PROPERTY GROUP, as a Property Manager, overseeing 613 residential rental units located in 3 buildings around Dupont Circle and Georgetown area. In 2018, Arlin assumed a position with Schweb Partners, to manage over 700 units in Maryland located in Hyattsville, Bladensburg, Riverdale, and Laurel.

Will holds a Masters’ degree in Community Planning from the University of Maryland, where he specialized in affordable housing and small business development as they relate to community fabric. Will was born and raised in uptown DC and is a proud graduate of DC Public Schools.

He is particularly inspired by the continuation of civil rights era organizing in DC home rule policies and programs as they relate to housing. Will has been a member of a limited equity cooperative made possible through these tools. He is looking forward to expand existing efforts to build equity and enable self-determination of populations made vulnerable through housing insecurity.

Victoria Goncalves joined Mi Casa as a project manager in 2023. Born in Caracas, Venezuela and raised in Miami, Goncalves obtained their Bachelor’s degree in Political Science with a minor in Africana Studies from George Washington University. Goncalves was a tenant organizer with the Latino Economic Development Center from 2018-2021 where they helped tenants go through the TOPA process, fight their negligent landlord, and advocate for better housing protections during the pandemic. Additionally, they were involved in the founding of the Reclaim Rent Control Campaign and the Cancel Rent campaign, both of which aim to tackle the displacement of low income tenants from the city.

After a break from housing work to work with animals, they are excited to grow their knowledge of the development process and continue to empower tenants and residents to fight for their rights.

Brandi, joined Mi Casa Inc, in July of 2023, as the Communications, Training, and Impact Manager. Before joining as staff Brandi was an AmeriCorps VISTA Impact Measurement Specialist volunteer with Mi Casa. Before joining Mi Casa, Brandi served as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Dominican Republic. During her service she advised entrepreneurs and small business owners, recruited and trained volunteer facilitators, and educated youth and women on business, personal finance and entrepreneurship skills. Brandi is a recent Shriver Peaceworker Fellow with a Master of Professional Studies in Community leadership. She has more than 6 years of experience in community development and has worked with several non-profit organizations, helping them with outreach, data collection, grant writing and communications.

Brandi is motivated by a vision of the world where nobody is housing insecure and where people’s potential is not cut short because of inequitable access to resources. She is excited to learn and grow alongside others who are in the fight for equitable community development.