Meet Our Awardees
NPH is proud to recognize these awardees for their outstanding contributions to our affordable housing movement and industry. They embody NPH’s multi-year theme “Grow Power, Secure Justice”, uplift our collective value of homes for all, and actively work toward housing and racial justice all over the Bay Area region and beyond.
This year we are honored:
Inspirational Non-Profit Leader Award
Jan Lindenthal
MidPen Housing
Jan has demonstrated a deep commitment to both mentorship and initiatives that prioritize racial equity and inclusion. Through her mentorship and leadership roles with California Coalition for Rural Housing’s internship program as well as NPH’s Bay Area Housing Internship Program (BAHIP), Jan has helped advance equitable outcomes within our field and strengthened the affordable housing development sector, breaking down barriers for interns and uplifting them into leadership roles.
Biography
Jan serves as Chief Real Estate Development Officer at MidPen and she joined the organization in February 2009. During her tenure at MidPen, Jan has grown MidPen’s Development Team from 11 professionals in 2009 to more than 50 today. She oversees a pipeline of nearly 5,000 affordable homes in all stages of development with 800+ homes starting construction in 2022. Jan was a found member of and serves as the Executive Sponsor to MidPen’s Collective Voices for Equity Council. Before joining MidPen, Jan served as Vice President of Development and Construction at South County Housing where she oversaw the production of more than 1,600 affordable housing units at nearly 30 properties, several of which won national awards of excellence. Prior to this, Jan held key roles at the Santa Clara County Housing Authority and the Central New York Planning and Development Board. Jan has a bachelor’s from Hamilton College and a master’s from Tufts University Center for Public Service. She has been recognized as a Woman of Influence by the SF Business Times and serves on the Board of the California Coalition for Rural Housing (CCRH) and SV@Home. She serves on the Racial Equity and Diversity and Inclusion committees for both CCRH and SV@Home.
Regional Advocacy Leader Award
Sonya Freeman and Bernadine Martin
Eden Housing
Bernadine and Sonya have been key in growing regional advocacy and engagement within the resident services sector. Their work has inspired other organizations to take on the critical work of resident voter engagement and advocacy work at affordable housing sites, uplifting the voices of those most impacted by affordable housing policies. They have both made meaningful contributions to NPH’s Community Advocacy & Voter Engagement (CAVE) Professional Certification Program, helping NPH expand this programming and include more diverse voices.
Biography
Sonya: As a Resident Services Manager at Eden Housing, Sonya Freeman oversees the delivery of resident services programming at affordable housing properties that serve families, seniors, and those with special needs within Eden Housing’s portfolio.
Freeman joined Eden Housing in 2014 as a Resident Services Coordinator. She was promoted in 2019 to her current role. She has thirteen years of experience providing services in affordable housing communities. She has an Associate of Arts degree with majors in social sciences and American Sign Language and a Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in child and adolescent development from California State University Northridge.
Bernadine: As Associate Director of Resident Services, Bernadine Martin is responsible for the development and management of all services programming for Eden Housing Resident Services, Inc. Martin oversees a team of Resident Services Managers and leads resident advocacy initiatives. Bernadine has more than fifteen years of administrative experience, including positions at city, county, and nonprofit organizations. Before her employment at Eden, Martin worked at the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Program, California National Guard, and State Impact Program.
Bernadine sits on several professional, civic organizations, including serving as a board member of Jubilee West; Advisory Committee Member to Solano Economic Development Corporation; member of the Alameda County Community Re-Entry Task Force; and Interim Chairperson of Leadership Oakland. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from San Francisco State College and a Master’s degree in Public Administration with an emphasis on housing from the University of San Francisco.
Catherine A. Bauer Lifetime Achievement Award
Scott Barshay
Gubb & Barshay LLP
Scott has spent his entire career dedicated to affordable housing law and finance. His commitment to and knowledge of real estate finance, low-income housing tax credits, and nonprofit development has contributed to the construction of hundreds of affordable housing sites throughout California over the span of his thirty years of work. His expertise has strengthened the capacity of nonprofit developers to deliver high-quality affordable housing and inspired generations of affordable housing lawyers.
Biography
Scott Barshay is of counsel to Gubb & Barshay LLP, specializing in affordable housing, real estate and tax matters, syndications, and nonprofit law. He has assisted lenders in analyzing underwriting risks, documenting transactions and negotiating favorable loan provisions. He also has been involved in structuring numerous syndications and advising clients on tax, fair housing, and relocation matters. Scott graduated from Duke University in 1981, summa cum laude with a B.A. degree in Economics. He also received a J.D. from Harvard University Law School in 1985, cum laude.
