Opportunity through Inclusivity

We center on the perspectives of people with disabilities to speed up development of affordable, inclusive community housing—opening new doors to more opportunities for everyone.

“The Kelsey’s leadership includes entrepreneurs of the caliber of those I have backed in the venture world. This drives their impressive progress and lasting impact. As a donor, I appreciate that my dollars are multiplied through The Kelsey’s unique leveraging of public, private, and philanthropic support to create even more good in our communities.”

John O'Farrell, Donor

Our Co-founder

What started with Kelsey, an advocate for access and community, has become a movement towards an inclusive housing future led together by people with and without disabilities.

Kelsey, Koos, Sunshine Girl – she is the reason our organization exists. Her story and life inspired countless others to share their own stories as part of a movement to build more affordable homes and more inclusive communities for all people.

Kelsey lived her life boldly and bravely.  She enjoyed the simple things in life – good food, loud music, sunshine, and quiet time with a book. When feeling adventurous, she loved riding roller coasters, fast boats, and skiing. She always tried to make people laugh with fake burps, headlock hugs, and a sarcastic sense of humor. Kelsey communicated through modified American Sign Language (ASL) and her favorite sign was “more”. She never hesitated to ask for more or remind people more was possible.

Kelsey taught so many about the importance of inclusion and access, from schools to hospitals to communities to housers. These are lessons we are grateful to carry forward in the mission we advance in her name at The Kelsey.

More About Kelsey

Our Team

We are a committed team of people with and without disabilities that combine our expertise and lived experiences to advance impact in communities.

Together with our growing community of partners, we focus on establishing a scalable model for disability-inclusive, affordable housing across the U.S. and leading advocacy that makes those communities possible.

Staff

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Allie Cannington

Senior Manager of Advocacy and Organizing
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Ari Katz

Associate, Operations and Development
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Caroline Bas

COO
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Fatimah Aure

Director of Field and Capacity Building
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Isaac, a black young man, wearing a navy sweater and eye glasses in an urban background

Isaac Haney-Owens

Communications Analyst
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Micaela is white woman in her thirties. She has long brown hair, and is wearing a yellow blouse and black skirt. There is greenery surrounding her.

Micaela Connery

Co-founder and CEO
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Photo of Michelle Eastman smiling, She has brown hair and eyes. She wearing a white long-sleeve shirt with blue and pink flowers on it. The background is a wall of green leaves.

Michelle Eastman

Housing Summer Analyst
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Molly Wiesman

Associate, Communications and Outreach
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Board of Directors

Chinese American woman with long dark hair and black glasses bearing a silver dot for controlling a head mouse. In the background are blossoms.

Aubrie Lee

Google

Andraea LaVant

LaVant Consulting

Erik Doyle

Chair / CBRE

Carol Weld King

Treasurer / Morris, Manning & Martin

Cate Sullivan

Secretary / Kelsey's Sister / Educator

Colleen Kelly

Harvard Kennedy School

Elizabeth Grigsby

Golden Gate Regional Center

Lindsay Johnson

J.D. Candidate, Georgetown University

Shaina Li

Sidewalk Labs

Stephanie Cornell

Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation

Swathi Bonda

Brookfield Properties

Will Goodman

Strada Investment Group

Dom Kelly

Steve Wade

Advisors

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Caitlyn Fox

Chan Zuckerberg Initiative

Chan U Lee

Devine & Gong

Chris Beda

Wabash Partners

Erick Mikiten

Mikiten Architecture
Jessica is a white lady with reddish brown, long curly hair, staring at the camera with a black t-shirt.

Jessica Carosello

Salesforce

John O’Farrell

Andreessen Horowitz

Rob Wagner

Sares Regis Group

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