Executive and Administrative Team
Justice Castañeda — Executive Director
Justice Castañeda serves as the Executive Director of Common Wealth Development, a long-standing community development organization in Madison, WI, and is completing his dissertation work in Urban and Regional Planning at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. An educator and community development specialist by trade, Justice’s professional and academic work explores the intersections of housing policy, economic development and community violence, looking at the role these intersections play in educational & life outcomes for youth who have experienced traumatic events in early childhood and adolescence. His most recent research explores the relationship between land-use polices (including housing policy) and economic / educational outcomes for youth in Madison, WI. His academic career began at the Red Caboose Early Childhood Center in Madison, and his professional career began in the US Marine Corps, where he served for 8 years before being honorably discharged.
justice@cwd.org | Phone: 608.620.7745 x1525
Ashley Hoeft — Director of Economic Development
Ashley Hoeft is the Director of Economic Development at Common Wealth Development, where she oversees the Adult Workforce Development, Youth Workforce Development, and Business Incubation sections. With a passion for community-centered work, Ashley leads initiatives designed to empower individuals and foster local economic growth. Ashley joined CWD in 2019, initially facilitating youth programs before transitioning to a leadership role, managing the program area. With experience working with youth in both educational and professional settings, she is deeply committed to creating opportunities that support long-term success for the community. She holds an undergraduate degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and a Master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Outside of work, Ashley enjoys spending time outdoors with her four-year-old and indulges in her love for reading.
ashley.h@cwd.org | Phone: 608.620.7862
Stefan Davidson — Finance Director
Stefan currently serves as the Finance Director. He joined Common Wealth Development (CWD) in January of 2016 with 9 years of industry experience and 7 years in public accounting. Originally from Colorado, after graduating from the University of Colorado, Stefan worked in Colorado and Washington before settling in Wisconsin. Stefan really appreciates the comprehensive approach that CWD takes to community development and the culture of improvement his colleagues have fostered during his tenure. When not at work he enjoys spending time outdoors with his partner and their French Bulldog (who sometimes also traps him on the couch).
stefan@cwd.org | Phone: 608.620.7842 x1526
Kevin Sandoval — Administrative & Finance Coordinator
Kevin currently serves as the Administrative & Finance Coordinator. Kevin joined Common Wealth Development in July of 2020. He has a Finance degree from Edgewood College. Kevin originally started as an intern and has been dedicated since to support CWD’s mission. He enjoys watching and playing sports on his free time such as Racquetball and Ultimate Frisbee. He is a big Green Bay Packer and Milwaukee Bucks fan. He also enjoys spending time with his Fiancée ,Lizzie and their dog, Nova.
kevin@cwd.org | Phone: 608.620.7844 x1528
Tino Corona — Administration and Finance Specialist
Valentino has been involved with Common Wealth Development since his freshman year of high school. He participated in the Wanda Fullmore Youth Internship program during high school, where he interned at Madison’s Street Department, Parks Division, and Fire Department. After graduating in 2021, he started working full time at Common Wealth as a Youth Employment Specialist, where he supported various youth programs. He currently works as an Admin & Finance Specialist while attending the School Of Business at UW-Madison.
valentino@cwd.org | Phone: 608.620.7940 x1565
Benny Ramirez Gomez — Executive Administrative Assistant
Born and raised in Madison and the surrounding area, Benny is a passionate individual ready to lend a hand to any arm of the organization. They have spent the majority of their career in the service industry and the education sector, and are currently studying half-time at UW—Eau Claire. In their freetime, you will find them rock climbing, cooking, or daydreaming.
benny@cwd.org | Phone: 608.575.0991
Adult Workforce Development Team
Kari Alston — Adult Workforce Development Manager
Kari is a lifelong Madisonian and a UW Madison Alumni. She majored in Geography with a concentration in People – Environmental Interaction, fascinated by how people influence their environment and how the environment influences who we are. With her passion for environmental conservation and stewardship and her understanding of the importance of environmental health to equity and inclusion, community development seemed the natural area for her to gravitate towards. Starting with property management, which led to her desire to do more for her community, she now currently serves the Adult Workforce Development Manager. She loves building miniature dollhouses, reading and spending time with her family. She tells terrible jokes but has an amazing sense of humor and is often smiling.
kari@cwd.org | Phone: 608.516.5332
Housing Operations Team
Nick Lee — Interim Housing Manager
Nick currently serves as interim housing lead and oversees day to day housing operations. He was born and raised on the west side of Madison. Nick loves animals and has been a vegetarian since he was 8 years old. In his free time, he enjoys painting, playing music, and spending time with his friends and family.
nick@cwd.org | Phone: 608.516.0420
Conner Wild — Asset Manager
Conner is a native Wisconsinite, and has spent his career working in homeless services and affordable housing. In his free time, he enjoys gardening, music, hiking, reading, travel, and photography. His favorite part of working for Common Wealth is the passion, commitment, and drive of his coworkers and the multifaceted projects and work involved in property management.
conner@cwd.org | Phone: 608.620.7933
Emily Hill — Housing and Resident Relations Coordinator
Emily serves as Housing and Resident Relations Coordinator. She is a recent graduate from the University of Iowa, where in the spring she graduated with her degree in Economics. She has spent a majority of her life serving the Iowa City community, and is ecstatic to be given the opportunity to work with individuals in the Madison area. Prior to starting at Common Wealth, Emily worked with a non-profit that provided beds, furniture, and other household goods to families in need. Outside of work, Emily enjoys playing ultimate frisbee, attending live music events, or visiting the Henry Vilas Zoo.
emily@cwd.org | Phone: 608-286-2876 x1599
Karen Gilbert — Housing and Resident Relations Coordinator
Karen has worked in many different roles in housing over the years with both rental and home ownership programs. During her time away she worked for two different community land trusts, and for another affordable housing provider during their large redevelopment project. She is excited to be back working with CWD residents. Outside of work Karen enjoys hiking and biking and is currently practicing her archery.
karen.g@cwd.org | Phone: 608.515.6454
Sarah Batarfi — Housing Administration Coordinator
Sarah comes from Mexican and Middle Eastern roots. Growing up with two rich cultures has deeply shaped her worldview, values, and how she shows up both personally and professionally. She is dedicated to improving the social determinants of health in our community through capacity building, and strongly believes in autonomy and self-determination. She is trained in trauma-informed care and property management to ensure that people feel valued, safe, and heard. In her free time, she enjoys creating art, storytelling, and dancing, which allow her to stay connected to her creativity and community.
sarah.b@cwd.org | Phone: 608.516.9443
Evelyn Betts — Real Estate Development Coordinator
Evelyn serves as Common Wealth Development’s Real Estate Development Coordinator. She is a native Madisonian who graduated from Madison East High School before moving to Washington D.C. to attend Howard University. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Evelyn returned to Madison and was hired to CWD’s staff as a Youth Employment Specialist in 2021. In 2022, she obtained her real estate license and then was promoted to her current position in 2023. Along with attending classes part-time in pursuit of a degree in public affairs, Evelyn enjoys spending time with friends and family, and traveling on the weekends.
evelyn@cwd.org | Phone: 608.620.7919 x1560
Maintenance Team
Sataro Sato — Maintenance Manager
Devin O’Brien — Maintenance Coordinator
Paul Harty — Maintenance Coordinator
Maintenance Hotline: 608.573.8832
Business Incubation Team
Brendan Vandenburg-Carroll — Business Development Manager
brendan@cwd.org | Phone: 608.256.6565 x1555
Youth Workforce Development Team
Htet Hlawn — Youth Workforce Manager
Maggie Douglas — Youth Programs Operations Coordinator
Jaley Bruursema — Youth Employment Coordinator
Pong Xiong — Youth Employment Coordinator
Kalia Thao — Youth Employment Specialist
Tommy Pack— Community Development Specialist - WFYIP
Board of Directors
Jocelyn Acuna – Director
Jocelyn Acuna lives in Madison, WI where she serves on the board of Common Wealth Development.
Vanessa Kuettel – President
Vanessa joined the Board in 2019. She is a practicing attorney in the Madison area. Vanessa and her husband live in the Eken Park neighborhood where she greatly enjoys visiting Cafe Domestique and Bloom’s North street locations. Vanessa started her legal career with a nonprofit law firm and continues to carry the mission of helping others with her today.She is passionate about Common Wealth’s mission to preserve the vitality of Madison neighborhoods, and is proud of Common Wealth’s work improving the housing and building climate of Madison neighborhoods by providing safe and affordable housing, spaces for businesses to grow and thrive, and job opportunities for youth and adults.
Ben LeRoy – Vice President
Ben is a lifelong Madisonian who believes in the value of community as a verb. He is a freelance writer and editor.
Beth Welch – Secretary
Beth Welch studied Behavioral Science and Law at UW-Madison, Early Childhood Education at MATC, and Supervisory Leadership at UW Green Bay. She has worked for nineteen years as a Community Support Coordinator at Options in Community Living in Madison, Wisconsin. She is passionate about volunteering for nonprofit organizations that have person-centered missions and values. Advocating for equity and accessibility is her calling. Beth loves living in a cohousing community with her husband and son. In 2022, she helped plan the National Cohousing Association Conference in Madison. Previously, she served on the PTO, the Green Schoolyard Committee, and the Community School Committee of her son’s elementary school. Beth is currently the Vice President of the Board for her library and condominium association. Beth received The “North Star Award” for community building in 2019 and the “Backyard Hero Award” for volunteering in 2024. Beth enjoys gardening, baking, and thrifting, but she lives her best life as a winning Yahtzee player. Beth joined the Common Wealth Development Board because she strongly believes in their mission to provide safe & affordable housing and equitable economic development. She also wants to support Common Wealth staff as they build strong & meaningful relationships with their residents, businesses, students, and stakeholder agencies. Beth currently serves as the Secretary of the Board for Common Wealth Development.
Connor Sabatino – Treasurer
Connor first came to Madison to attend the University of Wisconsin, after which he spent three years working in the State Capitol before attending Wisconsin Law School. Connor moved to the near east side in 2005 and continues to live on the Isthmus. After graduating from law school in 2009, Connor sought out an opportunity to support our community as locally as possible. Common Wealth Development was an easy and obvious choice. The organization’s support for a variety of needs, including affordable housing, youth employment, adult employment, ensures a broad spectrum of support and services to folks right here in our community. Connor currently serves as the Treasurer of the Board for Common Wealth Development.
Rudy Moore – Director
Rudy is an engineer and a lawyer with a background in housing issues. He has volunteered on Common Wealth Development’s board for thirteen years. While he came to Common Wealth with a background in housing, he was looking to broaden his own experience into other community needs. In addition to housing, he looks to Common Wealth’s focus on community through its business incubators, adult and youth education programs, and community events.
Bob Paolino – Director
When Bob Paolino isn’t at the office doing legal research, you might find him playing hockey, swimming, photographing nature, bicycling, or judging beer. (Yes, judging beer; he is a National-rank beer judge and in the top 10% of the Beer Judge Certification Program, and judges in competitions ranging from local to international.) His undergraduate degree from Washington University was in economics, and one of his graduate degrees from University of Minnesota was in public policy with a concentration in community and economic development. Paolino believes in Common Wealth’s multi-faceted mission in affordable housing, small business incubation, youth mentoring, adult employment, and community engagement. In addition to serving on the Common Wealth board, he is also a member of the Board of Directors for the Madison Area Community Land Trust, along with a variety of other volunteer activity in the community.