Coalition Members
Lynn Meredith
MFI Foundation (Chair)
Lynn Meredith is a long-time Austin resident and philanthropist who has dedicated her career to addressing critical community needs. As the president of the MFI Foundation, she collaborates with non-profits to support basic and essential services in Austin. Lynn also serves on the board of ECHO (Ending Community Homelessness Coalition), where she plays a key role in efforts to combat homelessness by fostering partnerships with policymakers and community stakeholders. Since 2019, she has been instrumental in organizing a coalition aimed at developing strategies, implementation plans, and investment designs to end unsheltered homelessness in Austin. Lynn emphasizes proactive approaches that meet the needs of individuals experiencing homelessness.
David Gray
Director, Homeless Strategy Office
David Gray is the Director of the City of Austin’s Homeless Strategy Office, according to the City of Austin’s Homelessness/Social Service Initiatives. His role focuses on leading the city’s strategic efforts to address homelessness, aiming to make it rare, brief, and nonrecurring. He previously held roles within the city’s Economic Development, Planning, and Housing and Planning departments.
Commissioner Ann Howard
Travis County Precinct 3
Ann Howard was sworn in as Travis County Commissioner for Precinct 3 on January 1, 2021, by former State Senator and LBJ School Dean Max Sherman. She calls herself “the UT Commissioner,” as her precinct covers the University of Texas campuses, downtown Austin, and areas west including Westlake, Circle C, Shady Hollow, Lakeway, Briarcliff, and Jonestown.
Her tenure has spanned the COVID-19 pandemic, the opioid crisis, two winter storms, and the 2023 heat/wildfire disaster. She has increased investment in land management, wildfire prevention, mental health, supportive housing, and elections, directing $110 million in federal relief funds to housing, emergency management, and family support. She helped pass the 2023 bond package, raising $509 million for roads, sidewalks, parks, and water conservation. She was re-elected unopposed in 2024.
Howard is the former executive director of ECHO, a UT Law and LBJ School graduate, and a former attorney for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee under Joe Biden. She and her husband are lifetime Texas Exes and enjoy time with their three grandchildren.
Matt Mollica
CEO, ECHO
Matt Mollica is the Executive Director of the Ending Community Homelessness Coalition, or ECHO. Austin ECHO plans and implements community-wide strategies to end homelessness in Austin and Travis County. ECHO works closely with nonprofits, people experiencing homelessness, and government agencies to coordinate assistance and housing for people experiencing homelessness. Prior to joining ECHO Matt served as the Vice President of Housing Assistance for the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless. He has also worked in San Francisco as a Housing Coordinator for the San Francisco Department of Public Health on the Direct Access to Housing Program and at Brilliant Corners. Matt also serves proudly on the Board of Directors for the National Coalition for the Homeless and HousingWorks Austin.
Davon Barbour
CEO, Downtown Austin Alliance
Barbour has led major economic development efforts across New Orleans, Baltimore, Los Angeles, and Hollywood. In New Orleans, he spearheaded the BioDistrict Strategic Plan, approved by City Council, and advanced equity through initiatives like Black Tech Week, Black Real Estate Week, and ULI’s REDI program.
As Senior Vice President of Economic Development in Baltimore, he led the award-winning Tech Connect program and managed a $2 billion redevelopment anchored by the Johns Hopkins Life Sciences + Technology Park. He also directed advocacy and economic development for The Hollywood Partnership and oversaw redevelopment, loan programs, and $150M in COVID-19 recovery initiatives for Los Angeles County.
Nationally, Barbour has chaired Urban Land Institute panels, serves on the Executive Committee of the International Downtown Association, and is a Trustee of ICSC, where he has held multiple leadership roles. A lifelong arts enthusiast, he is also a former professional West African dancer and instructor.
Bill Brice
SVP Investor Relations, Downton Austin Alliance
For more than two decades, Bill has worked to build relationships with all Downtown Austin Alliance member property owners and key stakeholders. He was responsible for successfully renewing the Downtown Public Improvement District for another 10-year term, which was approved by Austin City Council in June 2022. Bill has been recognized for his work on the issues public safety and homelessness and, on behalf of the Downtown Alliance, has led and participated in many collaborative initiatives that have resulted in the creation of the Sobering Center, Homeless Engagement Assistance Response Team (HEART), Homelessness Outreach Street Team (HOST), Trinity Center Family Reunification Partnership, and funding for a number of key projects and programs including Community First! Village, the Terrace at Oak Springs, and the Salvation Army’s Rathgeber Center for Families.
Shuronda Robinson
Founder, Adisa Communications
Shuronda Robinson is a fourth generation entrepreneur who actively leads civic causes in Austin and nationally. She is a media and public relations expert who seeks equitable solutions to systemic issues, while working with community, business and governments to implement programs and projects.
Diane T. Land
DT Land Group, Inc.
Professionally, Diane Tipton Land has been in commercial real estate for over 40 years. She is a licensed real estate broker in Texas, a Certified Public Accountant and formerly a Certified Property Manager. She has had her own property management company, DT Land Group, Inc., for 22 years in Austin, Texas, specializing in retail shopping centers. She continues as a consultant in real estate and accounting. In addition to her business experience, she has served on many boards in the non-profit arena: The Contemporary Austin (former chair), Austin Region of the Anti-Defamation League, GENaustin (Girls Empowerment Network) (former chair), SAFE Alliance and Literacy Austin, . She is currently a Trustee on the boards of Huston-Tillotson University, and Ballet Austin Foundation (Treasurer). She also currently serves on the boards of Austin PBS, Courageous Conversations Global Foundation, and SAFE Facilities Holdings Board. She was the First Lady of Austin when her husband, Steve Adler, served as Mayor 2015-2023.
Robert Nathan Ochoa
Robert Nathan Ochoa is a seasoned human resources professional with a proven track record of thriving in dynamic, fast-paced startup environments, where he excels at building HR departments from the ground up. Currently, he drives impactful Operations and HR Projects at xAI. Previously, Robert spearheaded the HR department as a volunteer for the Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center, the leading provider of homeless services in Travis County. A passionate advocate for housing affordability, he has made significant contributions to Austin Habitat for Humanity, serving as President of its Young Professionals (HYP) group in 2021 and later joining the organization’s board in 2022. Robert continues to support Home Now Austin leveraging his expertise in data analysis, presentation development, and HR and operational strategy to advance their mission.
Leo A. Ramirez
CEO, Encast
Leo Ramirez Jr. is the co-founder and Chairman of Encast, a social impact technology company making generosity accessible to everyone. Encast’s patent-pending AI platform learns from people’s values, interests, favorite causes, and even cultural influences—turning generosity into a lifestyle. He is also the co-founder and co-CEO of kyzmet, a patent-pending, privacy-first, consent-based AI assistant that puts people back in control of their personal data. Both ventures reflect Leo’s vision: remove barriers, amplify collective impact, and ensure that giving and well-being are not just privileges for the few but a shared way of life for all.
Eric Byrd
Organizing Director, HomeNow: Austin
Eric Byrd is a strategist, advocate, and community leader with deep experience in nonprofit management, public policy, and coalition-building. As Organizing Director of HomeNow: Austin, he leads efforts to unite service providers, funders, and community partners around innovative solutions to homelessness and housing instability.
Eric’s career spans more than 20 years in therapeutic intervention, social advocacy, and government leadership. He previously worked as a Director for The SAFE Alliance, supporting children and families impacted by abuse, violence, and trauma, and later served as Chief of Staff and District Director at Austin City Council. He has guided nonprofits through board development and fundraising, managed policy initiatives focused on equity, housing, and child welfare reform, and leads a consulting firm helping organizations implement transformative practices in leadership, strategy, and equity.
Eric is committed to advancing inclusive systems that meet today’s challenges while honoring the communities most affected by them.