Project Staff

Ms. Michele Byrnes, MPP, is the Project Manager for the Homeless Youth Capacity Building Project. She brings to the Project her three years of experience managing the THP-Plus Statewide Implementation Project, for which she conducts advocacy, research and training to expand the supply of high quality housing and supportive services for former foster youth. Prior to joining the John Burton Foundation, Ms. Byrnes was the Director of Honoring Emancipated Youth (HEY), a coalition of current and former foster youth and organizations working to improve opportunities for youth transitioning out of the foster care system in the San Francisco Bay Area. Prior to HEY, she worked as the Program Director at BRIDGE Housing Corporation, the largest nonprofit housing developer in California. In this role, she designed and implemented social services in affordable housing developments throughout the state.

Ms. Heather Dearing, MSW, is the Executive Director of the California Coalition for Youth. Prior to that, Ms. Dearing worked for the San Francisco Unified School District as the coordinator of their Foster Youth Services program. Ms. Dearing began her career in social services at the YMCA Youth & Family Services as the Director of the Independent Living Skills Program, for foster youth transitioning from care. As Executive Director, Ms. Dearing has done extensive training, technical assistance and development with members of her coalition through workshops, personal consultation and conferences, with audiences ranging from 5 to 150 people. Additionally, Ms. Dearing trained in the Technology of Participation method, an integrated set of facilitation methods and tools, including focused conversation, consensus-building, and action planning.

Ms. Amy Lemley, MPP, is the Policy Director of the John Burton Foundation, founded by former California State Senator John Burton. Ms. Lemley develops and implements legislative, regulatory and administrative strategies to achieve the goals of the Foundation. Prior to joining the John Burton Foundation, Ms. Lemley was the Executive Director and co-founder of The First Place Fund for Youth, a nationally recognized program providing affordable housing and supportive services to former foster youth.

Ms. Diane Matsuda, JD, is the Executive Director of the John Burton Foundation, and manages grant oversight for the Homeless Youth Capacity Building Project. Prior to joining the John Burton Foundation, Diane was the Executive Officer of the California Cultural and Historical Endowment in Sacramento where she administered a $122 million capitol grant program to support and preserve projects of significant cultural and historical significance in our State.

Ms. Debie Raucher, MSW, is the Housing Specialist for the Homeless Youth Capacity Building Project. Ms. Raucher has worked in the field of affordable housing for over twelve years, including serving as the Deputy Director of the Tenderloin Housing Clinic (THC) and as the Director of East Bay Housing Organizations (EBHO). She brings to the Project her experience providing assistance to non-profit and government agencies with designing and implementing new housing and homelessness related programs; needs assessment and analysis; the creation of written materials including policies and procedures and training curriculum; and conducting program evaluations including facilitation of community stakeholder processes. . Ms. Raucher also has demonstrated expertise in the procurement and oversight of a variety of funding programs that includes federal, state and local funding streams.

Ms. Judith Stotland, MBA, is the Project Coordinator for the Homeless Youth Capacity Building Project. Ms. Stotland has over 20 years of experience in capacity building and leadership in the non-profit world. She specializes in non-profit fundraising, board development, and outreach to improve organizational and financial capacity. Ms. Stotland has held positions of leadership in a number of organizations, including her role as Executive Director at numerous non-profit organizations across California. Most recently, she served as the Associate Director of Resource Development, Strategic Planning, and Budgeting at the American Foundation for the Blind. Ms. Stotland has extensive experience in administering training and technical assistance through lectures, workshops, and publications.