WHRC Team Members
Denise Rodriguez
Executive Director
Denise joined WHRC as its first Deputy Director in April 2015, was named Interim Executive Director in January 2019, and became Executive Director on February 1, 2019. Denise also served as a WHRC board member from 2012 to 2015.
For over fifteen years, she has been involved in financial empowerment and stability work as a financial educator and asset-building leader. In her previous roles, she has served as the Director of Operations for the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance, Program Manager for Bank on Washington, and Community Outreach Director for Apprisen Financial Advocates. She has also worked as a financial coach for low-income entrepreneurs and as a research assistant with the West Coast Poverty Center.
Denise has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Florida, a Master of Public Administration from the University of Washington Daniel J. Evans School of Public Affairs and Governance, and a Master of Arts in International Studies from the University of Washington Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies. She graduated as President of UW chapter of Pi Alpha Alpha, the public affairs honor society, and as a Senator of the UW Graduate and Professional Student Senate, where she served on the Finance Committee.
Denise became a homeowner in 2013 thanks to the WSHFC Home Advantage program and Mortgage Credit Certificate program. Since then, her main hobbies are home improvement, home maintenance, and trips to the home improvement store. She also enjoys dancing and karaoke.
Elizabeth Perez
Deputy Director
Elizabeth joined WHRC as Deputy Director in 2022.
Elizabeth grew up in a low-income household, wherein homeownership provided stability for her family and was key to lifting them out of poverty. Elizabeth spent the first several chapters of her career as an educator and administrator supporting communities underserved by K-12 and higher education.
Elizabeth’s role at WHRC allows her to apply her skills as an equity-minded leader, problem-solver, educator, community builder, and financial wellness geek to another mission that is deeply meaningful to her: helping Washingtonians statewide attain and retain homeownership.
Kari Jennings
Information and Referral Specialist
Kari has been an Information and Referral Specialist at Washington Homeownership Resource Center since June 2021.
Before joining WHRC, she worked for Snohomish County Government in the Energy Assistance program and as a Community Outreach Counselor for Volunteers of America. Her background includes Administrative Support and Customer Service.
In her spare time, she enjoys hiking with her dog and relaxing with family and friends.
Leysy Martinez
Information and Referral Specialist
Leysy is an Information and Referral Specialist at Washington Homeownership Resource Center. She has a background in Administrative and Property Management.
Her past roles include managing manufactured home communities where she grew a passion for assisting people in need.
In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family and 2 dogs Oreo and Bear, hiking, and taking short road trips.
Susanna M.
Lead Information and Referral Specialist
Susanna has a master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Gonzaga University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington. She has been with Washington Homeownership Resource Center since 2012.
When she is not helping homeowners, she enjoys spending time with her daughter, Lily, and their dogs Echo and Oreo.
Daniel Webster
Information and Referral Specialist
Daniel is an Information and Referral Specialist at Washington Homeownership Resource Center. He has a background in real estate and real estate-related businesses.
Over the years he has been involved in the title insurance industry, escrow, and appraisal and is passionate about improving his knowledge and skills.
Working with Greenfield Advisors in Seattle, WA, he played an instrumental role in their complex real estate and economic projects. During his time there, he became familiar with housing counseling, which led him to become a certified HUD Housing Counselor, igniting his passion to assist others facing homeownership difficulties.
When he’s not making a difference in the lives of others, he can be found working out at the gym, spending quality time with his dog, Lily, and getting to know new people to expand his social circle.
Evelin Martinez
Equity in Homeownership Coordinator
Evelin Martinez is the Equity in Homeownership Coordinator at the Washington Homeownership Resource Center. She has previously worked with Habitat for Humanity as a Family Support Coordinator, where she managed over 60 families.
In her current role at WHRC, Evelin provides outreach to BIPOC homebuyers where she leads various work groups in partnership with Black Home Initiative (BHI) and assists with the development of the WHRC online portal. As Equity in Homeownership Coordinator, she is also dedicated to fostering and building relationships with current and new partners, focusing closely on lending and realty partners.
When away from work, Evelin enjoys spending time with family. Her favorite activities include hiking with her spouse, child, and dogs. Nature is their favorite place to be, from oceans, beaches, rivers, lakes, hiking trails, to a simple trip to the park are enjoyable to her family. Evelin and her family also volunteer at their local church where they council pre-teens and teens, assist with the church’s finances and their sound system, and teach Sunday school to children from 3-8 years old.
Raquel Munguia
Program and Partnerships Coordinator
Raquel is the Program and Partnerships Coordinator at the Washington Homeownership Resource Center.
She has earned undergraduate degrees in Liberal Arts and Social Science and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Washington State University.
She started working in the housing industry as a property manager for Conventional, Tax-Credit, and Affordable Housing units. She then shifted towards working with the Housing Authority and gained knowledge of the HUD Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Public Housing Programs.
Since 2021, she has coordinated the Family Self-sufficiency Program (FSS) where she has helped bring partnerships and the collaboration of other local agencies to the local housing authorities.
In her spare time, she loves watching superhero movies with her three children and her husband.
Kristen Patterson
Operations Coordinator
Kristen is the Operations Coordinator at the Washington Homeownership Resource Center and has worked at the organization for almost ten years.
Kristen received her bachelor’s degree in Media Studies from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in addition to a degree in Paralegal Studies from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.
When Kristen is not in the office, she loves hiking, group fitness classes, gardening, and attempting to gain the affection of her two Bengal cats