The cornerstone of our governance model is a Board of Directors composed of individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences.
These individuals undertake roles including providing strategic direction, financial oversight, fundraising, and advocating for our mission within the community.
Alongside the Board of Directors, we also host an Advisory Committee of a broad range of experts from the fields of housing and land use, as well as community members who bring a deep passion for housing issues.
The Advisory Committee’s role is to provide expert insights, offer strategic recommendations, and serve as a bridge to the community, ensuring that the organization’s strategies and programs are relevant, practical, and impactful.
Board of Directors
Samir Tuma, Board Chair
Samir is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Kila Properties, formed in 2007. He is responsible for all aspects of this real estate development firm which specializes in the acquisition, development, management and disposition of hotels and workforce housing in Northern California resort destinations. Previously, Samir worked in Silicon Valley in Senior Executive roles focusing on business development and marketing. He helped guide and grow four technology companies over the course of nine years, all of which were acquired by larger companies. Prior to that, Samir was an attorney in private practice. He received a JD, with Honors, from George Washington University, and a BA in Psychology, with Honors, from Wake Forest University.
Heather Rankow, Board Vice-Chair/Board Secretary
As an Owner’s Representative, Construction and Development Consultant, and Project Manager, Heather assists developers, general contractors, owners, non-profits, public agencies, and community organizations in taking projects from initial concept to final execution. She specializes in project management, design consultation and review, land use planning, affordable housing, housing and development public policy, pro forma, financing and pay apps, historic projects, multi-family developments, shopping centers, and commercial and mixed-use commercial construction. Heather is highly skilled and experienced in planning and development, entitlements, permitting, subcontractor management, monthly pay applications, architectural design, engineering, consultant coordination, value engineering, etc. Her real value lies in her local industry relationships and effectively facilitating communication and execution of tasks between all project stakeholders.
Paul Bancroft, Board Treasurer
Paul Bancroft was born in Truckee, California and grew up in North Lake Tahoe. He holds an MA in Latin American & Iberian Studies with an emphasis on Adult Literacy. In 2018, Paul helped lead the merging of four long-standing social service organizations — Family Resource Center of Truckee, North Tahoe Family Resource Center, Tahoe SAFE Alliance, and Project MANA —to form Sierra Community House. Paul formerly served as Executive Director of Tahoe SAFE Alliance and has served as the Executive Director of Sierra Community House since its inception. He has served on the boards of the Chantal Paydar Foundation and the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence. Paul is currently a Board Trustee for Sierra College. He lives in Kings beach, Ca with his wife and 2 kids.
Seana Doherty, Board Member
Seana is a facilitator, public information and outreach specialist and communications expert with more than 20 years of experience working with nonprofits and government agencies on a wide range of complex issues including: mental health, transportation, land use planning, redevelopment, education, recreation, economic development and natural resource management. She has extensive experience designing complex, multi-stakeholder collaborative planning processes and facilitating controversial public meetings designed to maximize participation that informs policy decisions and improves communities.
Jill Schott, Board Member
Jill opened Tahoe Moon Properties in 1999. Through keeping up with the Real Estate market and continuing education in the areas of marketing and rentals, she and her team have created a company that assists renters in finding the perfect property to ensure the foundation for a fantastic vacation. Likewise, for their property owners, Tahoe Moon Properties cares for all aspects of maintaining and renting their second home. They specialize in all areas of property management encompassing short-term vacation rentals, ski leases, as well as managing properties for homeowners who do not rent their properties. Tahoe Moon Properties’ service also includes working closely with carefully selected Realtors who can assist in the home purchasing or selling process.
David André Tirman, Board Member
David is a seasoned architect with over forty years of management expertise across a diverse range of project types, including mixed-use developments, commercial spaces, and residential properties. His professional journey began as a Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines, leading him to work in New York City, Southern California, France, and the Netherlands before settling in the North Lake Tahoe region. In addition to his architectural and planning work, David has been actively involved in local governance, serving as Mayor, Council Member, and Planning Commissioner for the Town of Truckee. He earned his undergraduate degrees from the University of Arkansas and a graduate degree in urban planning from McGill University. David resides in Truckee with his partner, Lorna, and enjoys cycling and Nordic skiing in his free time.
Staff
Erin Casey, CEO/President
Erin is a seasoned leader with over 20 years of experience in spearheading community service organizations across nonprofit and governmental sectors, encompassing economic development, workforce housing, public transportation, and environmental protection. In the North Lake Tahoe region, Erin has distinguished herself through a deep understanding of the area’s unique community needs, leveraging her extensive experience in public outreach and engagement to forge strong connections with residents and stakeholders alike. Erin’s participation on the Mountain Housing Council, coupled with her prior experience in local government, gives her a unique perspective on workforce housing initiatives, enabling her to navigate complex challenges and drive solutions that are both innovative and deeply informed by the intricacies of local policy and community needs.
Recently, Erin led the development of the North Tahoe Community Alliance sponsorship and grant program, aimed at bolstering local initiatives through financial and strategic support, further highlighting her commitment to community resilience and partnership. With a background that includes directing initiatives for the Truckee River Watershed Council and playing a key role in the allocation of hotel tax dollars for community projects, Erin’s work has fostered over $10 million in community enhancements. An alumna of the School for International Training, Erin’s commitment extends beyond professional achievements to her passion for environmental protection, exemplified by her volunteer work and love for outdoor activities with her family and partner, Andrew.
Karolina Scarcia, Housing Development Project Manager
Karolina has over a decade of experience in residential design, development, and regulatory compliance, with a focus on simplifying complex codes and guiding clients through the intricacies of the entitlement process. With a background in local government, she’s become a valuable resource for navigating regulatory frameworks. Karolina holds a bachelor’s degree in architecture and urban planning and is committed to smart-growth strategies that promote vibrant, sustainable communities. She believes that well-designed, functional spaces, coupled with accessible housing, are key to creating dynamic environments where people can live, work, and play in close proximity.
Outside of work, Karolina enjoys exploring the wide variety of activities our region has to offer, from hiking and skiing to relaxing by the lake. She’s passionate about exploring different cultures and off-the-beaten-path destinations, both near and far, which has broadened her perspective and deepened her understanding of how people live and thrive around the world.
Shelly Purdy, Advocacy and Public Engagement Director
Shelly loves to tell stories. Stories about people, places, and things. She has a natural curiosity about the world around us that has always guided her personal and professional life. An affinity for research and a stickler for the truth led Shelly to an early career in broadcast journalism with a focus on environmental reporting. From TV news, she moved into television entertainment programming, documentary film making, and corporate video production.
Now the owner of a small communications firm, Story Makers Media, Shelly leans on her 30+ years of experience to manage complex marketing, community outreach and engagement campaigns for a wide variety of clients. Shelly grew up in Olympic Valley and raised her own family in Truckee where she enjoys all that mountain life has to offer. She served on the Excellence in Education Foundation board for 10 years, is a current Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation board member, and has held various positions on school site councils and local youth sports team boards.
At the national level, Shelly served as an advisory board member for the Radio Television Digital News Association’s Environmental Journalism Center and received a commendation from the United States Senate for her work reporting on environmental issues related to Lake Tahoe.