Meet Our Staff

Jodi Gingiss Baiyat

Executive Director

Jodi Gingiss Baiyat earned an MBA in Strategy, Finance, Real Estate & Non-Profit Management from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management in 2003. She has managed more than $169 million in HUD funding across multiple communities and administered $70 million in federal grants for Lake County, consistently ensuring compliance and strong financial performance, including achieving clean federal audits.

Amy Tran, BA

Director of Program Operations

Amy Tran joined CLIHTF as a Program Development Coordinator in 2017, after providing contractual services as a liaison for nearly two years. She manages a portfolio of properties participating in the Trust Fund's Rental Subsidy Program and serves as the lead staff on the AFC Housing Initiative, Vets Initiative, and Chronically Homeless Initiative Program (CHIP).

Deana Gilbert

Director of People and Organization Strategy

Deana Gilbert joined CLIHTF in January 2022 and serves as a strategic human resources leader focused on organizational effectiveness, employee engagement, and people-centered workplace practices. She is SHRM-certified and a Certified Nonprofit Human Resources Manager, with extensive experience in human resources, payroll, employee relations, union contract negotiations, labor relations, and wage negotiations.

Jason Sethen, Esq.

General Counsel

Jason completed his undergraduate studies at the University of North Dakota and postgraduate at the University of Massachusetts Amherst Isenberg School of Management (MBA) and the University of Notre Dame Law School (JD). He started with CLIHTF as a Notre Dame Law Bank of America Fellow in October 2015 and has served as General Counsel since October 2017.

Jemeika Hicks

Data Systems Management Director (TFC)

Jemeika Hicks joined the Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund as a Program Development Coordinator in May 2020 after previously working at AFC as their lead Care Coordination Specialist for their HIV Resource Hub. Jemeika’s background is in homeless initiatives, housing resources, and case management

Marlana Edwards

Director of Program Development and Outreach, Spanish-Speaking

Marlana joined The Chicago Low-Income Housing Trust Fund in September 2020. She holds a bachelor’s degree in both Communications & Global Black Studies from Howard University, with a concentration in linguistics. She currently facilitates the Trust Fund’s program development, training, and outreach initiatives and provides translation services for Spanish-speaking participants.

Maria Jacinto

Program Data Entry Clerk

Michael Robinson

Director of Finance and Program Services

Michael Robinson joined CLIHTF as the Director of Finance in December 2023. He holds a Master of Accountancy from Phoenix University and an MBA from the University of Illinois at Chicago with a concentration in Human Resources and Operations Management. He has worked in accounting and finance since 2004, when he began his accounting and tax consulting company. His resume covers non-profits, corporations, and independent contractors.

Reese Robinson

Marketing Strategist

Reese Robinson is a 2021 Morehouse College graduate with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. He handles CLIHTF's social media, graphic designs, and assists with outreach initiatives.

Rob Dunbar

Director of Technology & Business Solutions

Rob joined CLIHTF full-time as Director of Technology & Business Solutions in January 2024, following five years of work with the organization. He holds a B.A. in Visual Communications from Ray College of Design and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. Throughout his career, Rob has led technology and creative initiatives for global corporations, international advertising agencies, nonprofit organizations supporting children with cancer, and Habitat for Humanity.