MEET THE PHC TEAM
Meghan Freebeck
CEO
Carla Praglin
COO
Carla Praglin comes to Project Homeless Connect with 10 years of experience as a Program Manager, Social Worker, and Case Manager working to support individuals, youth, and families in San Francisco. Most recently, she was the Director of Case Management at Compass Family Services working with families experiencing homelessness. She is a San Francisco Native and is invested in making San Francisco a livable city for everyone and preserving its diversity. Her partner and their two kids now live in the Excelsior where he grew up. Carla is excited to be part of PHC Team because of their reputation for collaboration, innovation and responsiveness to the needs in the community.
Caleb Plakun
Development Manager
Caleb Plakun moved to the Bay Area in 2015, and is honored to work at an organization committed to addressing the homelessness crisis in San Francisco. Prior to moving to San Francisco, Caleb spent several years living throughout Asia and Africa. He has worked on a variety of projects in various roles, including training mining personnel in the Gobi Desert, teaching children in Ulaanbaatar’s slum districts, and establishing a health clinic in rural Kenya. A graduate of Reed College, he is originally from western Massachusetts.
Phylicia Hisel
Executive Assistant, PHC; Programs Assistant, Simply the Basics
Samuel Gast
Volunteer Coordinator
Sam Gast brings experience from both the policy and direct service sides of the homelessness crisis. He conducted mental health policy research at the Oregon Health and Science University and most recently supported youth experiencing homelessness directly as a street-based counselor here in San Francisco. In addition to being a Reed College graduate and Andrew Mellon Post-Baccalaureate Research Fellow, Sam has experienced chronic pain that led to housing instability first-hand. He came to appreciate that people arrive on the street honestly and cares deeply about humanizing this experience. At birth, this San Francisco native weighed in at a whopping 10 pounds – “Thanks Mom!”
EVENTS TEAM
Amy Golsong
Director of Logistics & Special Events
A 20-year veteran of the nonprofit sector, Amy has been with Project Homeless Connect for 9 years. She brings experience from The American Red Cross, the YMCA, and the National Council of Jewish Women. She is honored to be a part of a great team that has grown PHC into a best practice model implemented in over 200 cities around the world. Her desire to learn, teach, and create an inclusive environment fuels her work at PHC.
Emily Brunts
Logistics Manager
Emily was born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri before moving to southern California and earning a BA in Psychology from Pomona College. During college, she worked with Jumpstart and developed a passion for community outreach while providing educational support for preschool students from low-income households. After graduation, she moved to San Francisco and worked in sales and public health research before joining the PHC team in 2013.
SERVICES TEAM
Solange Bonilla-Leahy
Director of Services
Alison Van Nort
Services Manager, Every Day Connect
Alison moved to San Francisco from Columbus, Ohio where she was working as a case manager for homeless families. She is an alumna of The Ohio State University with a BS in Human Development and Family Science and a Master of Social Work. Alison is proud to be part of a team that is making a difference in the community and in the lives of the individuals they serve.
Leah Campos
Resource Specialist, Every Day Connect
Originally from upstate New York, Leah is passionate about human rights and social justice issues. She has over four years of experience working with vulnerable populations, including LGBTQ youth, domestic violence survivors, refugees and populations at risk for HIV/AIDS. Leah earned her Masters in Public Health with a concentration in Social Behavior and Community Health from SUNY-Albany. She is also a certified yoga teacher. Leah is excited to serve homeless communities in San Francisco through her work with Project Homeless Connect.
Denita Carter
Resource Specialist, Every Day Connect
I was born and raised in San Francisco California. I first started out in non-profit as a childcare provider, and after seeing such a homeless crisis in this city I wanted to get more involved with helping and how I can help and make a difference in my community. I worked in Shelter programs for a while before coming to PHC. I have over 10 years of experience working with our diverse and vulnerable population, I’m also very passionate about human rights and social injustice. I’m very proud to work in an organization that is always working towards change and making a difference, not only are we providing a service but quality service and I think that is what makes all the difference.
Deia De Brito
Resource Specialist, Every Day Connect
Brittany Horwich
Resource Specialist, Every Day Connect
Originally from New Jersey, Brittany received her M.A in Crisis and Trauma at Tel Aviv University. Living abroad for the past few years, both traveling and working, Brittany has gained experience through teaching in Thailand and supporting at-risk individuals and refugees in Tel Aviv. Brittany has dedicated her life to social development and justice and hopes to bring a sense of equanimity to those in need.
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