Board of Directors & Advisors
At Tenant Organizers & Advocates (TOA), we believe in the power of intergenerational collaboration to drive lasting change in housing justice and tenant advocacy. Our leadership structure is unique—we have both a Board of Directors (BoD) and an Advisory Board, ensuring that knowledge, experience, and fresh perspectives work hand in hand.
Our Board of Directors consists of passionate individuals dedicated to shaping TOA’s mission, while our Advisory Board is made up of highly experienced professionals who provide guidance, mentorship, and strategic insight. By harnessing the energy and innovation of youth alongside the wisdom and expertise of seasoned advocates, TOA ensures that knowledge is continuously transferred and expanded upon. This dynamic approach empowers the next generation of tenant organizers with the skills and expertise needed to create a more just and equitable housing landscape.
Brady
Board Member
Brady Fankhauser is a dedicated advocate for youth empowerment, education, and community well-being. As a Behavioral Health Technician and Paraprofessional Educator at Maxim Healthcare, as well as a former Program Staff Member at the Boys & Girls Clubs Brady has spent his career supporting and uplifting others.
Rooted in his Samoan heritage, he proudly embraces the value of service, living by the proverb: “A fia matai, Ia muamua tautua”—“If you want to be the master, be the first to serve.”
Brady’s commitment to tenant advocacy is an extension of his lifelong dedication to helping others thrive. Through TOA, he works to ensure that individuals and families facing housing challenges have the resources, education, and support they need. His passion for both cultural preservation and social justice fuels his work in building stronger, more resilient communities.​
Katalina
Board Member
Katalina Leomiti joined Tenant Organizers & Advocates (TOA) after facing her own housing challenges, turning her personal experience into a commitment to help others. Reflecting on her journey, she shares, “There is a sense of unity at TOA; I asked for help with my renters’ issues, and now I help other renters.” Katalina is deeply passionate about financial empowerment and fostering economic evolution within marginalized communities.
She believes that financial literacy is a key tool in securing housing stability and tenant rights. Through TOA, she works to equip renters with the knowledge and resources they need to navigate housing systems, build resilience, and advocate for their futures.
Joshua
Board Member
Joshua Johnson has been deeply involved in community advocacy since 2019, volunteering alongside Violet Lavatai to support tenants and fight for housing justice. Now a proud member of Tenant Organizers & Advocates (TOA), Joshua remains dedicated to uplifting and empowering renters. He reflects, “I have been a volunteer since 2019 for Violet Lavatai and am proud to be a part of TOA.
‘Teach one, reach one’ is our guiding principle, as we aim to highlight and address key issues affecting our community.” With a passion for education and grassroots organizing, Joshua works to ensure that those most impacted by housing inequities have access to knowledge, resources, and the power to create change.
Russell
Board Member
Russell Lavatai Mitchell has been immersed in the organizing and housing justice movement since childhood, proudly watching his family and community members organize and fight for equality. Inspired by those who paved the way for him, he now strives to pay it forward for the next generation, recognizing that the injustices his elders fought against continue to impact him, his family, and his community today.
With a deep-rooted passion for tenant rights and social equity, Russell is committed to ensuring that renters have the knowledge and resources they need to stand up for their rights and build stronger, more resilient communities.
Geo
Board Member
Geo Clark's journey with Tenant Organizers & Advocates (TOA) began with a personal struggle—recovering a wrongfully withheld security deposit. Through TOA, Geo learned to assert their tenant rights and successfully reclaimed what was theirs. Reflecting on their experience, they share, “Volunteering for TOA has pushed me out of my comfort zone. I initially sought help to recover my security deposit, and after asserting my tenant rights, I received it. I joined TOA to tackle issues that hit close to home and make a tangible difference.”
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Now, as a dedicated advocate, Geo is committed to empowering renters with the knowledge and tools they need to stand up against housing injustices. Their work at TOA is driven by the belief that no tenant should have to navigate these challenges alone.
Ben
Advisory Board Member
Ben is the visionary behind Light Air Media, a creative powerhouse dedicated to amplifying the voices of grassroots movements and community organizations. With a passion for storytelling, digital media, and social justice, Ben specializes in crafting compelling visuals that inspire action and drive change. Through Light Air Media, he collaborates with organizations like TOA to document tenant struggles, victories, and ongoing fights for housing justice.
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Committed to using media as a tool for empowerment, Ben blends technical expertise with a deep understanding of advocacy work, ensuring that underrepresented communities have a platform to share their stories. His work not only sheds light on critical social issues but also strengthens movements by making them more visible and impactful.
Tammy
Advisory Board Member
Tammy Nguyen is a dedicated Vietnamese-American community activist with a long history of organizing for environmental, economic, and housing justice. Since joining Got Green as one of its first members in 2008, she has worked to uplift the voices of low-income, immigrant, and women of color in the green economy. She founded the Women in the Green Economy Project in 2010 to ensure that those most impacted by economic and environmental injustices are leading the fight for solutions.
As a Power Building Organizer at TOA, Tammy brings her expertise in community organizing, nonprofit leadership, program development, and public speaking to strengthen tenant power and collective action. A proud single mother of three—Julie, Tuyet-Nhi, and Alan—she is deeply engaged in her New Holly neighborhood, where she serves as a leader and advocate for equitable housing policies. Tammy is committed to creating spaces for grassroots leaders to build relationships, develop shared knowledge, and organize for lasting systemic change.