Clare Housing Announces New Executive Director — May 26, 2020

We are proud to announce that Phoebe Trepp will take on the position of executive director previously filled by Chuck Peterson. Phoebe comes to us from Willis Dady Homeless Services in Cedar Rapids, Iowa where she served as executive director.

For the past decade, she has led nonprofit organizations that work to ensure neighbors who are marginalized have supportive and affordable housing. Her career is dedicated to creating programs and growing agency impact. During her tenure, Willis Dady grew five-fold, expanding programs, services, staff, and funding. She successfully launched and completed a $3 million capital campaign, the first in the agency’s history, to double the agency’s capacity and staff.

When asked what she attributes her accomplishments to Phoebe states her belief that a strong staff is always at the center of any nonprofit success story. In fact, that’s what attracted her to Clare Housing. “I really strongly identified with the strategic framework. It’s clear that the organization sees staff members as the ultimate resource. I’ve seen over and over that supporting your team is the key to getting work done well. That strength is the foundation for the growth that I hope we can achieve in the future. The organization has seen incredible growth, but there is still more than one person on the Clare Housing waiting list for each unit of housing.”

She also recently earned her Master of Public Health in Community and Behavioral Health. In her new role, Phoebe looks forward to communicating the powerful message that housing equals health for people living with HIV to funders, community members, and policymakers alike.

When asked about the hire, leadership from the Clare Housing Board of Directors shared the following:

“I am very excited to have Phoebe joining us. Her ability to partner across communities to assure a collaborative approach will uphold Clare Housing’s wonderful reputation while growing support for our clients and all those dealing with HIV.” – Don Mayo-Moschkau, President

“Phoebe has a background leading organizations through change. She is a good listener and brings a passion for permanent supportive housing. She has demonstrated a strong commitment to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in her work. We are delighted to have her.” – Joanne Kosciolek, Vice President

As executive director, Phoebe will head the leadership team and serve as the bridge between the staff and the Board of Directors, helping to direct the vision of the organization’s operations and future growth. She will also act as the main public spokesperson and looks forward to continuing Clare Housing’s work to address systemic barriers through advocacy.

Phoebe has a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Minnesota – Morris and was recently awarded her Master of Public Health from the University of Iowa. Originally from South Minneapolis, she and her partner Jill look forward to returning and biking to local brewpubs this summer before she begins work in early August. Be on the lookout for socially distanced opportunities to welcome Phoebe into our community!