Board of Directors

As the Director of Development for United Way of Mid Coast Maine, Joni Boissonneault brings a wealth of experience and dedication to our Board of Directors. With an impressive career spanning almost 30 years at Portland Housing Authority, Joni played a pivotal role in the resident services sector, spearheading the growth of the Family Self Sufficiency (FSS) program. Joni’s leadership transformed the FSS program into a robust, multifaceted initiative focused on increased financial stability. She fostered crucial partnerships with local financial institutions, United Way of Southern Maine, the University of Maine system, Goodwill of Northern New England, and various housing organizations. Her vision encompassed not only housing but also extended to asset building, education, employment, and homeownership opportunities, creating a comprehensive support system for residents. With an in-depth understanding of housing challenges and the struggles individuals face, Joni has been instrumental in achieving positive outcomes. A lifelong Mainer, including graduating from the University of Southern Maine, Joni Boissonneault is committed to enhancing the lives of individuals through her expertise and passion for creating thriving communities.

Bill Brauner brings over 30 years of experience in affordable housing to The Caleb Group’s board. Currently the Director of Real Estate at Urban Edge Housing Corporation in Boston, Bill is widely respected for his affordable housing expertise. His career includes two decades at CEDAC, where he provided technical assistance and predevelopment lending to nonprofit housing developers across Massachusetts.  Prior to that, he served as the Director of Acquisitions at Caleb for five years.

Earlier in his career, Bill worked for Habitat For Humanity in the countries of Guatemala and Colombia developing affordable ownership housing.

Bill has authored several important papers on housing, including A First Look at Supportive Housing for the Elderly (Section 202) in Massachusetts, and Preserving Affordable Housing in Massachusetts with Private Activity Bonds and 4% Tax Credits. His deep knowledge and thought leadership in the field have earned him recognition on both a state and national level.

Bill and his wife, Holly, live in Salem, MA, and have been long-time supporters of Caleb.   His hobbies include singing in a choir and amateur theater.  Bill’s extensive expertise and leadership will be invaluable in advancing Caleb’s mission of providing affordable housing for communities in need.

Holly Burbank is the Chief Financial Officer of Bangor Housing in Bangor, Maine which she joined after serving as CFO at Amity Companies, a private equity real estate investment firm.. Previously, she served as the Senior Vice President of Capital Management of Evernorth, a non-profit syndicator of low-income housing tax credits in Northern New England. In that role, she and her staff managed more than 20 active funds invested in affordable housing throughout Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont. She joined the predecessor organization of Evernorth (Northern New England Housing Investment Fund) in 2005. Ms. Burbank serves on the Board of Directors and Finance Committee of Shalom House, a mental health services and housing agency based in Portland, Maine. She also volunteers as an advocate with Through These Doors, a domestic violence resource center. A lifelong Mainer, Holly Burbank graduated summa cum laude from the University of Maine with a BS in Business Administration with an Accounting concentration and lives in Westbrook with her husband.

Melissa Gonzalez brings over 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector to the board, specializing in strategic planning, program development, and community outreach. As the Assistant Director of Energy Services at Making Opportunity Count, Inc., Melissa is responsible for driving high standards and managing federal, state, and utility contracts to deliver impactful energy programs to underserved communities. Her career also includes leadership roles in housing and fair housing advocacy, with a focus on providing resources and opportunities for low-income and at-risk populations. Fluent in both English and Spanish, Melissa’s work has spanned across diverse communities in both Texas and Massachusetts, with a dedication to creating equitable housing solutions.

Melissa and her husband live in Athol with the two youngest of their four children, a cat, and a dog. She and her husband enjoying volunteering for local and regional organizations that impact their community. When not working, parenting, or volunteering, Melissa is working towards her Master’s degree in Public Administration at Suffolk University, painting, practicing photography, or reading fantasy novels.

Melissa’s personal and professional journey, combined with her deep understanding of housing instability, provides valuable insight as she joins The Caleb Group board.

Gigi Guyton-Thompson, a Loan Officer and the Portfolio Manager at Genesis Community Loan Fund in Brunswick, Maine, brings a wealth of experience and commitment to her role on The Caleb Group’s Board of Directors. Prior to joining Genesis, Gigi collaborated with Caleb during her 14-year tenure at New Ventures Maine, playing a crucial role in the introduction and growth of the FSS program at The Ledges. Gigi’s work at New Ventures Maine focused on business start-up, financial education, and advocacy. She engaged with diverse communities including New Mainers, incarcerated individuals and individuals newly released from prison, and those residing in affordable housing. Her profound understanding of the economic challenges associated with poverty and the available resources for transformation was evident in her work. As an FSS coach for Caleb and other affordable housing providers in Maine, Gigi actively contributed to enhancing financial literacy and economic empowerment. Originally from the South, Gigi earned her BS from the University of Alabama (Roll Tide) and a master’s from Louisiana State University (Geaux Tigers). Embracing “The Way Life Should Be,” Gigi and her family make their home on Peaks Island.

Roxie Severance is president of RS Consulting, LLC a health care consulting business that provides strategic planning, senior living community planning services and workforce development to numerous nonprofit organizations. She is a CNHA, Certified Nursing Home Administrator, and an FACHCA, Fellow of American College of Health Care Administrators. Previous work included being CEO of The Morrison a nursing home and assisted living facility. Roxie has a BS in Human Services from Springfield College and Master’s in Nonprofit Management from Regis University. Roxie is currently Board Chair of the North Country Home Health and Hospice Agency; Board member of North Country Healthcare; past Chair of the New Hampshire Health Care Association, a member and past Chair of the North Country Health Care Consortium, a member and Past President of the NH Chapter of the American College of Health Care Administrators. She worked as a Resident Service Coordinator for The Caleb Group from 1993 to 1999.

Kyra Walker has over 25 years’ experience working with nonprofits in the affordable multifamily housing field. Her expertise spans the administration of federal and state rental voucher programs, as well as the financing, asset management, compliance, and ongoing property management of affordable housing ranging in size from single-family properties to communities with hundreds of apartments. She has spent much of her life working to ensure vulnerable populations have a place to call home. She recently started her own consulting business focused on providing support to socially conscious organizations working to increase the national supply of affordable housing.

Kyra’s passion for real estate extends beyond her career. She is currently restoring her own Portland, Maine duplex built in 1904. She received an undergraduate degree in sociology from the University of Southern Maine and a graduate degree in public policy and nonprofit management from the Muskie School of Public Service. Kyra also serves on the board of the Portland (Maine) Public Library