Spirit of MHP Winners
Congratulations to MHP’s VP of Advancement, Eva Dillon, and Senior Accountant, Samuel Wakamu, for jointly winning the Q1 2025 Spirit of MHP Award. Eva was recognized for her excellent leadership, compassion, and a deep commitment to the values and mission of MHP. She was particularly honored for her incredible dedication and exceptional leadership in raising an impressive $21.1 million over the past 38 months, a remarkable milestone in MHP’s history. Thanks to Eva’s leadership on this campaign, MHP will be able to double its impact by the end of this decade.
Sam was recognized for working assiduously in meeting MHP’s numerous critical financial audit deadlines. Along with his supervisors, Sam has worked many late evenings, sometimes until midnight. He holds MHP’s values in high regard and has dedicated himself to its mission. He is always willing to help, and in every interaction, he brings a positive and dependable presence with a willingness to collaborate.
Spirit of MHP Winners
The Spirit of MHP Committee has selected the group of staff members who organized and hosted an officewide Hispanic Heritage program and luncheon. The event was very well organized, creative, entertaining and educational. The organizers found a unique way for staff to learn more about fellow colleagues’ identities and cultures while demonstrating MHP’s commitment to our values. Coworkers commented on how much they enjoyed the event and how special it was. Kudos to the entire team that helped organize this event. They exemplify the spirit of MHP!
Nancy Rhyne
Congratulations to the recent Spirit of MHP award winner, Nancy Rhyne, Asset Manager. Nancy is an exceptional staffer. Whether rain or shine, snow or sweltering heat, Nancy never hesitates to volunteer at every event—if there’s a sign-up sheet, Nancy is sure to put her name first. Beyond her role, she’s the office “cake queen,” rallying the team to celebrate birthdays by messaging reminders and sending a flurry of emojis and GIFs to the birthday honoree. Nancy’s kindness, hard work, and ability to foster connection embody the spirit of MHP’s mission.
MHP is grateful to have Nancy as part of our team.
Team Neighborhoods
The Spirit of MHP committee recognizes the Neighborhoods team for going above and beyond their duties to support residents facing challenges, expand advocacy and build up local business districts. This committed group of employees has reached hundreds of MHP residents and helped them connect to vital resources to address their issues, including job loss, food insecurity, medical needs, family crises, and possible eviction. In addition to outreach, the Neighborhoods team also facilitates monthly events in Long Branch, business support in Bonifant, and new partnerships in Lyttonsville, leading dynamic placemaking activities that enhance local communities. When it comes to advocacy, the Neighborhoods team has facilitated tremendous participation from peer organizations, MHP staff, board members and residents. You name it, the Neighborhoods team does it! Members include Ali K., Brownette, Chris, Cristina, Fatima, and Paul. MHP thanks them for embodying the Spirit of MHP.
Lauren, Julia, Ilana, & Stephanie
Congratulations to our recent Spirit of MHP award winners. For the first time ever, a group of creative staff members devised a quiz with questions about MHP’s history, mission, and current data. The winners of the quiz were awarded the coveted Spirit of MHP award. Lauren Hoke, Julia Moran Morton, Stephanie Roodman, and Ilana Guttin proved their merit and displayed their knowledge about the organization. This year, MHP celebrates its 35th anniversary, so the there was a lot to learn!
Lauren Hoke
Congratulations to the recent Spirit of MHP award winner, Lauren Hoke, Office Administrator.
Lauren is known as the go-to staff member for any office related questions. She is very knowledgeable and highly reliable. Lauren is the first face people see when they come into the office and the last face they see when they leave. Inter-office collegiality is very important and Lauren makes an effort to support staff from every division. Lauren also serves on the Vision Committee and is essential to organizing team events and arriving early to help set up.
Lauren often volunteers to help our many programs in Community Life, Neighborhoods, and Advancement. Whether she is wrapping gifts in the conference room or helping residents at our many properties, Lauren does not hesitate to volunteer her time in order to provide outstanding customer service to our internal and external contacts.
MHP is grateful to have Lauren as part of our team.
Bill Highsmith
Bill Highsmith, Vice President of Operations, embodies our core values of integrity, excellence, and teamwork. He goes out of his way to build relationships within the organization, makes everyone feel welcome, and is quick to help solve problems.
Bill played a huge role in the office renovations that took place over the summer. He made sure the work was completed with minimal disruption to staff productivity. Some comments from the survey included: “His commitment, effort, hard work, and organization dedicated to the recent office renovations should be recognized and celebrated. During the renovations he not only worked late and came in early several days, but he also did it all with a positive attitude!”
Overall, many staff members appreciate the effort that Bill puts forth daily. One nomination commented, “Having him join MHP was one of the best decisions ever made.” MHP appreciates Bill’s dedication to supporting other employees and giving them the tools needed to perform their duties.
Violeta Martell
MHP Program Manager Violeta Martell is dedicated to creating a safe and engaging environment for her students and the larger community at Great Hope Homes. She invests time in ensuring the classroom is inviting and filled with learning resources to enhance enrichment programs. Violeta has a keen sense of color which she uses to purposefully select classroom paints and decor to make the environment feel vibrant.
When Violeta noticed that there were some uninvited guests (feral cats) at her property, she quickly sprang into action, developing new relationships with local partners to spay, neuter, and microchip the cats, mitigating the problem in a humane way.
MHP thanks Violeta for bringing residents together to solve a problem, making our community welcoming and safe for all!
Ash Bhatia
Director of Asset Management Ash Bhatia arrived in January and in this short period, he has created clear lines of communication among MHP’s Community Life, Property Management, and Asset Management Departments. He has provided extra support for many community and fundraising events, pitching in however he can. Ash shared his expert golf knowledge and passion with young MHP residents who came to our spring golf event, and he stuffed countless backpacks for our fall backpack drive. Despite the challenges of budget season and other busy times for his department, Ash makes himself available to help others.
Paul Grenier
Community Economic Development Specialist Paul Grenier has been working hands-on in Long Branch to keep the community clean and safe. When there’s a change in seasons, he’s diligent about making sure that the planters in Long Branch are filled with flowers and plants that are appropriate for the season, which helps beautify the area. He has also been leading our efforts to organize regular monthly cleanup events. Paul is responsible for managing volunteers at these events and then stays afterwards to socialize with volunteers at a local restaurant. He has been working closely with the Long Branch business community to address recent issues concerning homelessness and public safety in the area. Paul embodies the spirit of MHP and puts in extra time to make Long Branch all that it can be.
Fatima Coreas
Fatima is the Community Engagement Specialist with MHP’s Neighborhoods Department. She is the glue that connects many aspects of MHP’s activities and programs. She is bilingual in Spanish (and has been a professional salsa dancer!). Fatima supports MHP’s Green Clubs for youth, helping plan special activities like a movie night. She has worked with residents to prepare them to advocate for affordable housing before the County Executive and County Council. Fatima meets with residents to help MHP develop programs that respond to their needs. Fatima is a valued teammate who embodies the Spirit of MHP through collaboration and creativity. She is willing to pitch in wherever she is needed.
MHP COVID Outreach Team
MHP recognizes the COVID Outreach Team for demonstrating commitment, compassion and empathy in reaching out to MHP residents who are challenged by serious problems due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
This committed group of employees and volunteers has reached hundreds of MHP residents and helped them connect to vital resources to address their issues, including job loss, food insecurity, medical needs, family crises, and possible eviction. With skill and compassion, this group interviews individuals and provides them with the resources they need to achieve stability and security. Bravo to all, especially our volunteers.
The outreach team is led by Chris Gillis, MHP’s Policy and Neighborhood Development Director. These are the other members of the outreach team:
- Raquelle Contreras
- Fatima Coreas
- Martina Tinong
- Jo Ann Woods
- Stephen Durako (volunteer)
- Cesia Delcid Hernandez (volunteer)
- Eduardo Chaves Serrano (volunteer)
MHP Community Life Team
