CHAIR

Ruth is the Vice President of Financial Operations at EmpiRx Health.  A lifelong resident of the Philadelphia region, Ruth joined RTP’s Board in 2020 after volunteering in a number of capacities.  Ruth believes everyone should have a safe and healthy home, and she is both honored and proud to be part of RTP’s mission.

FOUNDER

Mr. Bellinger oversees all functions of ASB Real Estate Investments (ASB), a leading U.S. real estate investment management firm, managing approximately $8 billion in assets for over 300 institutional clients. Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, ASB invests in 15 major urban markets across the country, concentrating in office, multifamily, retail, and self-storage properties. Mr. Bellinger also serves as the Executive Portfolio Manager for ASB’s exclusive, core, open-end investment vehicle. ASB also manages a series of low-leverage, closed-end value creation investment vehicles.. Mr. Bellinger has over 35 years of real estate investment experience, and has led ASB Real Estate since 2003. Mr. Bellinger received a BA with honors from Haverford College and an MBA from the Wharton School where he received the Dean’s Award of Excellence.

Michael Desimone is the Chief Lending Officer at Citadel Credit Union, with over two decades of experience in the banking industry. Michael’s expertise in credit risk management, regulatory environments, product management, and digital lending. He has held prior roles at People’s United Bank and KeyBank as well as spending time with a lending software technology company. Michael has served as a board member and volunteer with both Rebuilding Together Portland and Rebuilding Together Seattle as well as a Director at Webster Five Savings Bank.

Rachel has spent most of her life living and working in and around Philadelphia. She started volunteering with RTP in 2012 and has enjoyed helping organize the Run to Rebuild, engage with volunteers and home owners at the builds, and promote volunteer education and involvement in RTP’s mission, because everyone deserves to live in a safe & healthy home. During the day, Rachel works as an IT Business Partner at Sevita, supporting caregivers and leaders providing in-home and community-based healthcare services across the country.

Amanda is Housing Services Manager at HACE, a local non-profit. She oversees the Housing Counseling and Energy departments. Amanda has been with HACE since 2009 and is certified in homeowner counseling, foreclosure intervention and default counseling, post purchase homeownership education, and homeownership counseling for program managers. Over the years, she has counseled 7,500 households on credit, homeownership and foreclosure prevention. Amanda graduated from the Community College of Philadelphia with an Associate’s Degree and is working towards her Bachelor’s Degree with a major in Business Administration at Drexel University. She places her focus and commitment to empower consumers with education, tools and resources to reach financial wellness.

Will founded Bellweather Construction in 2002 after owning several other businesses and partnerships. He earned his MBA from Temple University and studied Fine Art at Lawrence University, with concentrations in design and architecture. Will is interested in engineering, energy efficiency, historical preservation as well as modern, timeless design. His knowledge and team participation in projects involving structural, mechanical, and material applications ensures that all aspects of the project are considered during the sales and design planning phases. Since 2012, he has been the Chairman of the Gloucester City Historical Commission. He is the president of the Philadelphia area chapter for the Professional Remodeler's Organization (PRO) and holds multiple certifications. In his free time, Will enjoys rock climbing, sailing, flying, biking, roller blading and spending time with his son, Val.

BIO COMING

SECRETARY

Zakya is the Communications and Content Manager at Community Legal Services of Philadelphia. Prior to joining CLS, she was Membership and Communications Manager at the Philadelphia Association of Community Development Corporations where she supported community-led efforts to create an equitable Philadelphia. She developed programming for PACDC’s Community Development Leadership Institute, edited annual publications of PACDC magazine, planned its virtual Gala and Awards Ceremonies, and launched the organization’s first podcast. As a proud sixth-generation North Philadelphian, Zakya is dedicated to building power for the people and places from whom it has been stolen. Zakya received her Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of Pennsylvania.

Dawn is the Owner and Founder of Aurora Independence, a consulting practice specializing in home safety, accessibility, and modification. A licensed Occupational Therapist (OTR/L) since 2014, she founded Aurora Independence to help people of all ages live safely and independently in their own homes. Dawn holds a Master of Occupational Therapy from Temple University and maintains certifications directly tied to accessible housing, including Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) and an Executive Certificate in Home Modification (ECHM). She shares her expertise nationally as a continuing education provider for healthcare and remodeling professionals and as a guest lecturer at local universities. Dawn is a member of the American and Pennsylvania Occupational Therapy Associations and has ridden in the City to Shore Bike MS ride for over a decade. She is committed to creating resources that help all people, regardless of background, access a safe and accessible home.

Kim is a lifelong lover of discovery, science, education and building her community through intentional partnerships with corporations and grassroots organizers. As a career K-8 educator for 32 years, Kim has impacted the lives of countless children and families in Philadelphia.

Kim has served as co-chair for the Mill Creek Coalition and the Founder/President of the Dunlap Red Aprons food distribution program (2021-present) and is currently a Homeowner Advisory Council Member of Rebuilding Together Philadelphia.

Kim is a community gardener and has been actively working to beautify her community of West Philadelphia for over three decades.

VICE CHAIR
Marty has over 20 years of senior-level management experience in the real estate industry, including operations management, marketing and sales, development and acquisitions in the commercial, residential, retail and healthcare sectors. From 2007 until his retirement in December of 2018, Marty worked for Ingerman, a real estate development, construction and management company focused in the affordable housing sector with communities throughout NJ, PA, DE and MD. Marty holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Maryland, a Master’s in Business Administration from Temple University, and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Pennsylvania.

Lorraine has a wide range of work experience including stints in state government, small business development and real estate. Retired since 2010, she is a community activist, Homeowner Advisory Member, and proud voter. She has testified on several affordable housing issues in City Council.

Sara is a lawyer by training and works pro bono with Philadelphians on housing, deed issues, and estate management and planning. Sara earned her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, along with a master's degree in philosophy and a bachelor's degree from Penn. She started volunteering with RTP in 2023 and has enjoyed engaging with homeowners and other volunteers who are passionate about reinvesting in Philadelphia's neighborhoods and creating safer living environments. By day, Sara works as an indie film producer with Fresh Fish Films. 

Ryan has a passion for Philadelphia’s neighborhoods, their history and its real estate. This passion, coupled with fifteen years of entrepreneurial experience in building maintenance, construction and real estate development ignited his firm belief that no distressed property should ever remain in an inhabitable, unsafe condition.

This was the basis for Project Rehab, a program Ryan developed and spearheads for University City District to help property owners remediate distressed properties. Since its inception in 2011, Project Rehab has positively affected development in over 55 buildings (154 residential and commercial units) in University City creating approximately $26.3 million in additional real estate value.

Because of his community development efforts, Ryan is a member of several boards and local committees, mentors through the JumpStart program and has been a guest speaker at National Conferences on Vacant Land National Code Enforcement and the Philadelphia Poverty Conference.