Mallory Patterson (Co-Chair)
Mallory is the Co-Owner of Wrinkle Creative, a production company that focuses on stories for change and narrative justice. As a downtown resident since 2014, Mallory passionately works and advocates with neighbors to create neighborhood change.
Erika Townsley (Co-Chair)
Erika has been a resident since 2016 and business owner of Speckl Goods in Heartside, while also working as a professional photographer. She is passionate about advocating for her neighbors and creating an equitable environment in her neighborhood. Erika graduated from Kendall College of Art and Design with a BFA in photography, and likes to create artwork for her friends and her home.
Zenaida Jimenez
(Historian)
Zenaida Jimenez has been a Heartside resident since 2016. She has enjoyed living, working and playing in Heartside along with her two awesome daughters. She currently serves as the Director of Housing at Safe Haven Ministries and coaches basketball at the YMCA. Community is what drew Zenaida to the Nighborhood Association. She looks forward to meeting neighbors and building community.
Alysha Lach-White
Alysha is founder and CEO of Little Space Studio, a coworking space designed for professionals in creative fields, located on South Division. Arts & tech access is always at the core of Little Space Studio’s mission. She’s also on the board of the Heartside Business Association and Ebony Road Players, a theatre company showcasing meaningful Black plays and playwrights.
Latesha Lipscomb
Latesha currently works with Amplify GR doing community engagement work. She has also served as the Community Engagement Project Manager in the facilitation of the Heartside Quality of Life Study for the City of Grand Rapids Planning Department. In addition she serves on Downtown Grand Rapids Inc. Goal 2 Alliance, the Mayors Census 2020 Complete Count Committee, the Great Start Collaborative Parent Coalition and the DGRI Downtown Neighbor Network.
Nathan Slauer
Nathan Slauer works as the Annual Fund Manager at Disability Advocates of Kent County. He is a former AmeriCorps member, and he remains active in the community through board & committee service, political campaign management, and freelance writing. He is currently pursuing his Master of Public Administration degree through Grand Valley State University.
Santiago Gayton
Santiago Gayton brings over a decade of experience where he served underrepresented students in higher education building communities, and helping individuals navigate complex systems. He currently serves at Steepletown Neighborhood Services as the Operations Director assisting the team reach their goals and develop processes and procedures. Santiago brings a unique mix of process expertise with an innate curiosity to learn from the community. He has lived in Grand Rapids for over 11 years and recently moved to the Heartside Neighborhood 1.5 years ago.