Our Team
Alma Harmsen – Executive Director
Alma Harmsen (Executive Director) is a UCSB Alumni and first generation college graduate
holding a BA in Sociology with a minor in Spanish. Her professional background includes
experience in the financial industry and business administration. Growing up in a low-income
community with high levels of violence and homelessness she can relate to the struggles and
resilience of our clients. She knows firsthand the difference community organizations can make.
Her personal experiences along with her passion to help others are what led her to join PHS in
2019.
Sara Dow Hanover – Director of Finance
Sara Dow Hanover (Director of Finance) has been with PHS since 2018.
She has more than 14 years of experience in non-profit/government accounting. She started
working in the non-profit sector in 2010, which led her to pursue a B.S. in Accounting. She
assists the Executive Director in the strategic operation of the agency, which encompasses
oversight of financial systems and policies, including accounting systems and internal controls,
budgeting, cash flow analysis, and contract management of agencies’ contracts and individual
grant budgets.
Maria Lopez – Case Manager-Housing Specialist II
Maria Lopez (Case Manager/Housing Specialist II) has previously worked as a property
management director for over eight years to both low-income and mid-income tenants in Los
Angeles. She served as a liaison between landlords and tenants, allowing her to balance the
viewpoint of both parties. She supervised several multi-unit family complexes where she was
involved in the tenant selection process. Maria has been a key part of the PHS team for four
years and recently added case management to her duties. Her personal approach has helped her
build and maintain strong relationships with our network of landlords, which is ever growing.
Through her years of experience in this field, she has an understanding of obstacles that
homeless individuals and families face.
Jessica Sotelo – Case Manager-Housing Specialist II
Jessica Sotelo (Case Manager/Housing Specialist I) holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology
and has a background as a behavioral health professional in the Central Coast region, showcasing her deep connection to her hometown community. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated expertise in assisting clients from diverse backgrounds and cultures. Jessica is dedicated to making a positive impact in the lives of the families she serves.
Desiree Domingues – Housing Specialist II
Desiree Dominguez (Housing Locator II)’s professional background includes property
management and HOA management and in-depth knowledge of Low Income Housing Tax
Credit programs. Desiree joined PHS in 2023 and brings a unique understanding to the housing
locator role and is dedicated to housing the unhoused and helping them move through the
systems she personally navigated during her lived experience of homelessness and housing
insecurity. Her work background and personal experiences allow her to relate to both landlords
and clients in a meaningful way, which has heightened PHS’ ability to further bridge the housing
gaps across sectors. The duality in her experiences and her testimony make her well suited to
connect with landlords and clients on a deeper level.
Nohemi Vazquez – Case Aide/Administrative Assistant
Nohemi Vazquez (Case Aide/ Administrative Assistant), the daughter of immigrants, carries
with her a deep appreciation for the values of hard work, perseverance, and the opportunities that arise from dedication. With a solid background in retail and hospitality industries, she has honed exceptional customer service skills and developed a genuine passion for helping others. Having spent the majority of her life on the Central Coast, Nohemi is driven by a commitment to make a meaningful impact in her hometown and contribute positively to the community.
Gina Quiroz (Comprehensive Housing Specialist)
Gina Quiroz (Comprehensive Housing Specialist) holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and has spent over two decades working in the non-profit sector. A native of Goleta, she is a dedicated advocate for social justice with a deep commitment to serving the unhoused population of Santa Barbara County—a mission rooted in her own lived experience of homelessness for more than six years.
Her journey into case management began when her AmeriCorps case manager encouraged her to join the United Way Home For Good Team. For the past two years, she has served as a homeless outreach worker, housing navigator, and case manager, permanently housing and connecting people in South County with critical resources and support. Gina combines professional expertise with first-hand insight, making her a powerful voice for change.
She is a proud board member and Outreach Coordinator for the Committee for Social Justice, with a platform centered on meeting the basic needs of every resident—shelter, food, and healthcare—and building a more compassionate, inclusive community. She works tirelessly to break down the stigma around homelessness through education, workshops, public speaking, and community engagement, aiming to replace judgment with understanding and empathy.
Her advocacy extends across multiple organizations, including Families ACT, Santa Barbara Tenants Union, CLUE Housing Justice Work Group, League of Women Voters Criminal Justice Work Group, United Nations Working Group to End Homelessness, National Coalition for the Homeless, National Alliance to End Homelessness, and the National Low Income Housing Coalition. She is also a recent graduate of the Lived Experience Training Academy (LETA) through the National Coalition for the Homeless.
Luz Juarez (Comprehensive Housing Specialist)
Luz Juarez (Comprehensive Housing Specialist) holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology and is a proud first-generation college graduate. She possesses a strong connection to the community where she was raised and now resides, bringing invaluable insight into the socioeconomic barriers faced by underrepresented populations. Her professional background includes positions with both the Department of Social Services and the local Housing Authority, where she developed experience navigating systems that support individuals in need. In her current role as a Comprehensive Housing Specialist, she approaches her work with integrity, compassion and a solutions-oriented mindset. Guided by a deep sense of purpose, she is committed to advancing equitable access to resources and services. Her dedication stems not only from her professional expertise but also from a personal understanding of the challenges faced by those she serves.
Rachel Lopez (Comprehensive Housing Specialist)
Rachel Lopez (Comprehensive Housing Specialist) is a first-generation college graduate who holds three Associate degrees from Allan Hancock College. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo.
Her deep commitment to supporting others is rooted in her own lived experiences growing up in a low-income household led by a single mother. Rachel is passionate about serving her community with empathy and compassion, always striving to meet individuals where they are. Her personal journey allows her to relate closely to the challenges surrounding housing stability and economic hardship.