Meet The HSSA Team.

Board of Directors

Tweenzette Ross

Tweenzette has 10 years of multifamily affordable housing compliance experience working with New Hope Housing, INC, managing State and Federal guidelines alongside multi-layered funding agreements for 10 properties.

Board Chair

  • She is well versed in regulations regarding Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), HOME, TCAP Replacement Funds, and HUD Section 8 Voucher programs. For the past 8 years, Tweenzette played a pivotal role in the implementation of policies and strategic initiatives for New Hope's Onsite Operations.

    Tweenzette joined the national team for the national non profit Lemonade Day, a program that teaches youth how to start, own, and operate their own business by having a lemonade stand, in 2023 taking on the role of Regional Director – Eastern U.S where she is responsible for managing the logistics/operations of programming.

Shay Webb

Shay Webb is a native Texan who has spent most of her life right here in Austin. As a licensed Realtor since 2001 and a Broker since 2009.

Board Member

  • Shay has seen firsthand how increasingly unaffordable Austin has become and the challenges many individuals and families face in simply staying housed.

    With rent growth often outpacing income, the continued impact of inflation, and a shortage of affordable housing for lower-income residents, Shay believes nonprofit organizations and supportive programs play a critical role in helping people maintain stable housing. She has been an active volunteer with HSSA since its creation and is proud to serve on the board and support its mission.

    Outside of work and volunteering, Shay enjoys being a mom, early morning runs, playing tennis, spending time with friends, and hanging out with her dogs and chickens.

Angela Avendano

Board Member

  • More about Angela coming soon!

Kimmie Ellison

Kimmie Ellison became a registered nurse in 2006 while attending the University of Texas at Austin’s Alternate Entry Master’s of Science in Nursing program. She obtained her master’s degree in nursing in 2008.

Board Vice Chair

  • Her master’s thesis was focused on HIV education for incarcerated people, a project whereby she provided classes on HIV biology, transmission, and treatment for incarcerated individuals at the Travis County Correctional Facility.

    Shortly after obtaining her master’s degree, Kimmie joined the United States Peace Corps, and moved to Ghana, West Africa. There she worked in a clinic in a small village and also taught nursing students at the University for Development Studies in Tamale (pronounced tom-uh-LAY), Northern Ghana.

    After completing her service with the Peace Corps in 2010, Kimmie moved to Chicago, Illinois where she worked as an ICU nurse at the University of Chicago while attending Rush University for her Doctor of Nursing Practice Degree. Her doctoral research focused on outcomes in a cardiac ICU amongst patients managed by nurse practitioners. She graduated from the program in 2015.

    In 2016 she joined the Seton Family of Hospitals (now Ascension Texas) as a nurse practitioner. She now is the Director of Clinical Operations for the Ascension Seton Breast Program, where she works to improve care for women with breast cancer in central Texas, particularly women experiencing poverty. She also sees patients in clinic several days a week.

    Prior to becoming a nurse, Kimmie graduated with a bachelor's degree in Government from the University of Texas. For a brief period of time she worked on political campaigns and held political appointments in the United States Departments of Transportation and Housing and Urban Development, and also in the White House for the Executive Office of the President.

    Kimmie lives in Austin, Texas with her husband, Dylan and their rescue-dog, Harold. She enjoys distance running, backpacking, and is an amateur birder. Her pronouns are she/her/hers.

John Murphy

Board Member

John has spent nearly 40 years working with or for nonprofit organizations of various sizes and sorts.

  • While working on a masters degree in Administration Planning and Policy at Harvard's graduate school of education John demonstrated aptitude in software applications such as (then new) Lotus 1-2-3 for budgeting and monitoring a nonprofit’s performance and statistical packages for the social sciences.  Upon graduation, John began working with the software firms offering software and services to assist the fundraising and marketing operations of nonprofits.

    In 2005, a Stroke forced John to take early retirement due to residual cognitive and physical deficits from Stroke. Yet, John soon reconnected with nonprofit work as a volunteer with the Austin chapter of American Heart Association - participating as an advocate for legislation promoting public health and preventative medicine at the Texas Capitol. In 2019, the AHA recognized John as the Survivor Advocate of the Year.

    John firmly believes adequate and affordable housing has intersectional influence on inequity of health outcomes in the US. Hence, John sees great potential for the work started by Housing Support Services Alliance to enable more families to live longer healthier lives.

Kathy Cordova

Board Member

  • More about Kathy coming soon!

Cameron Dorsey

Cameron currently oversees operations of his family’s real estate business in central Texas and provides consulting services for affordable housing development.

Board Treasurer

  • He previously spent 10 years with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA), where he served in numerous roles, including Chief of Staff and Deputy Executive Director of Multifamily Finance and Fair Housing. During his time with TDHCA, he was responsible for the allocation of over $1 billion in Housing Tax Credits and $500 million in HOME, TCAP, and other low interest loans used to facilitate the development of high-quality, affordable multifamily properties throughout the state of Texas.

    Cameron also worked as a Case Manager and Donations Assistant with Lutheran Social Services' Refugee Resetttlement Program in Tucson, Arizona while attending graduate school.

    He holds a Bachelor's in Economics from Southwestern University in Georgetown and a Master of Arts in Latin American Studies from the University of Arizona. He's an avid runner, cyclist, and loves all things endurance and outdoors. Cameron lives in southeast Austin with his partner Lorrie and their gaggle of rescued animals.

Yvette Rodriguez

Board Member

  • More about Yvette coming soon.

Executive Director

Patrica Murphy

Founder & Executive Director

Patricia is the owner of Patricia Murphy Consulting, a firm focusing on compliance with affordable housing programs. Patricia previously spent 25 years with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) as Director of the Compliance Division and responsible for oversight of over 2,000 developments and 250,000 units.

  • Patricia previously spent 25 years with the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) as Director of the Compliance Division and responsible for oversight of over 2,000 developments and 250,000 units.

    During her extensive career, Patricia played an instrumental role in the development of Department’s monitoring protocols and provided substantial guidance, training, and leadership not only to her staff but to TDHCA’s partners as well. Due in no small part to Patricia’s efforts, TDHCA is recognized as being a leading voice among State Housing Finance agencies nationwide.

    Patricia has in depth experience with all affordable housing programs, most notably, the Housing Tax Credit program. She knows §42 of the Tax Code, the Treasury Regulations, Revenue Procedures, Notices and Rulings inside and out. She authored the bulk of the current compliance rules in the Texas Administrative Code. She has expert recall of the relevant sections of the HUD 4350.3.

    Patricia served on the National Homebuilders Housing Credit Certified Professional Board during the time that the exam was drafted and was a major contributor to that project. She has been a frequent panelist at the National Council of State Housing Agencies and the Texas Affiliation of Affordable Housing Providers conferences providing expert insight on hot topics along with colorful commentary to keep things interesting.

    In addition to being a champion for the Department’s affordable housing programs, she has opened her heart and home to many foster children over the years, tirelessly advocating for society’s most disadvantaged and vulnerable. Patricia has consistently given her time to help building a better community for all.

Rent Relief & Resident Activities Program

Azucena Rivera

Azucena Rivera is a dedicated Latina case manager with over four years of experience supporting low-income and marginalized populations.

Case Manager

  • She holds a Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice (2021) and has served in pivotal roles, including case manager for unaccompanied children and data specialist for immigrant shelters. With a strong foundation in trauma-informed care and data-driven service delivery, she remains deeply committed to advocacy and equity. She will begin her Master of Social Work (MSW) program in August 2025, further advancing her mission to serve and uplift underserved communities.

    Through Housing Support Services Alliance, her work centers on connecting individuals and families with essential resources, including rental assistance and community-based support. She also provides clients with financial literacy education, empowering them to make informed decisions and build long-term financial stability.

Kristen Williams

Kristen moved to Austin in 2020 to advance her career in social services. She graduated from Texas A&M Corpus Christi with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a minor in Social Work.

Case Manager

  • Since then, Kristen has dedicated herself to various non-profit organizations, gaining valuable experience working with diverse populations. Kristen’s journey includes supporting children with autism, providing crisis intervention on a suicide prevention hotline, and offering case management for the Salvation Army, where she assisted the homeless community. Additionally, she worked with Family Eldercare to help vulnerable elderly individuals regain their independence. Driven by a strong passion for helping others, Kristen strives to be a voice for those who cannot advocate for themselves and is committed to making a meaningful impact in all the communities she serves.

Amanda Gonzalez 

Resident Event Coordinator

Amanda Gonzalez is a wife, mother, and community advocate dedicated to making a difference through her role at HSSA. With a professional background in sales and child development.

  • Amanda combines her multitasking skills with a lifelong passion for service that began through years of church outreach and tutoring.

    Driven by her love for working with youth, she also provides a tutoring program at The Rhett to support student learning. Today, she enriches the lives of HSSA residents by coordinating fresh food market access with healthy, nutritional meals and organizing engaging, educational activities for all ages. For Amanda, every event and program is an opportunity to build a stronger, more connected community.

Amy Bridges

Amy Bridges is a dedicated case manager at Housing Support Services Alliance. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Family and Child Development from Texas State University in 2018.

Case Manager

  • She is also a recent Master of Social Work graduate from National University, with plans to become a licensed social worker. She holds previous experience working within the foster and adoption sector and working with clients who have experienced homelessness. Amy is committed to supporting a strengths-based approach to improving client wellness and personal improvement.

Edwin Orriols

Resident Event Coordinator

Edwin Orriols is an experienced professional with a background in congressional campaigns and nonprofit organizations focused on affordable housing.

  • He holds a degree in Public Relations from The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley and has worked extensively in advocacy and community outreach.

    As the Resident Events Coordinator at Housing Support Services Alliance, Edwin leads initiatives to connect communities, organize events, and support individuals in need. His work is driven by a strong commitment to housing accessibility and meaningful engagement.

Living Well Program

Maya Shead

Administrative Coordinator

Maya Shead is an Austin native and serves as an Administrative Coordinator with Housing Support Services Alliance, supporting programs, events, and community initiatives.

  • She is passionate about creating meaningful connections and helping build communities where people feel supported and empowered.

    Maya is also the co-founder of Texas Sistas Society, a women-centered community focused on connection, personal growth, and creating intentional spaces for women to thrive. As a mother and community minded women, she brings a compassionate, creative, and people-centered approach to her work. She is committed to using her skills and experiences to serve others and make a lasting impact in community.

Tiffany Bond

Resident Engagement Specialist

Tiffany Bond serves as a Residential Engagement Specialist with the Housing Support Service Alliance, bringing a unique combination of professional experience, lived experience, and a deeply rooted commitment to recovery and human connection.

  • With a background in community-based mental health and forensic services, Tiffany has supported individuals navigating mental health challenges, substance use, housing instability, and other complex life circumstances.

    Tiffany holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Leadership and Development and an Associate of Arts in Psychology and is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work. She is also a Mental Health Peer Specialist, allowing her to integrate professional training with the perspective that comes from lived experience. Her approach is trauma-informed, recovery-oriented, and grounded in meeting people where they are—recognizing that meaningful change often begins with safety, trust, and genuine human connection.

    Central to Tiffany’s work is the belief that people are more than the hardest chapters of their lives. She understands recovery is deeply individual and believes there is no single path toward healing, stability, or a meaningful life. Through authenticity, compassion, advocacy, and a strengths-based approach, Tiffany works alongside residents to help them recognize their own resilience, reconnect with their strengths, and create lives defined not by where they have been, but by where they want to go.

Ron Scanlon II

Resident Engagement Manager

Ron’s story is one of resilience, accountability, and purpose. Raised in a single-parent household, he faced early challenges but showed strong promise as a standout athlete, excelling across multiple sports. 

  • A defining turning point came in 2008 when he lost his uncle—someone he deeply respected—to prescription drug abuse. That loss ignited a desire to make a difference, leading Ron to found SafeMedNow, LLC, a patient identification program designed to support law enforcement in combating prescription drug misuse. 

     Ron’s path was not without obstacles, but he remained committed to growth and to helping others. Determined to turn his experiences into purpose, he moved to Seattle, Washington, where he earned his certification as a Peer Counselor. He later relocated to Austin, Texas to continue his work in recovery support. 

     Today, Ron serves as a Lead Resident Engagement Specialist with HSSA, where he dedicates himself to helping individuals overcome deep trauma. Through compassion, consistency, and lived experience, he creates a safe, supportive environment where residents can rebuild trust, meet their needs, and begin to heal. 

     His journey reflects both the realities of addiction and the power of transformation, offering hope and inspiration to those on a similar path.

Aimee Bowlin

Resident Engagement Specialist

  • More about Aimee coming soon!


Joshua Meeks

Resident Engagement Specialist

Joshua Meeks serves as a Residential Engagement Specialist with the Housing Support Service Alliance, where he specializes in providing high-impact support for residents in permanent supportive housing.

  • With a career rooted in years of dedicated social work, Joshua has cultivated a profound expertise in navigating the complexities of human services to advocate for those in transition.

    His professional approach is defined by a rare blend of lived experience and unwavering advocacy. Having navigated a journey marked by significant personal adversity—including overcoming a life-altering accident and a complex family history—Joshua possesses an innate ability to connect with residents through a lens of genuine relatability. He does not simply provide a service; he leads with a deep-seated compassion that fosters trust and stability.

    At the core of Joshua’s practice is the conviction that hardship is a circumstance, not a character trait. He operates on the foundational principle that trauma is not a person's identity, but rather a hurdle to be cleared. By treating every resident as an individual experiencing a temporary challenge, Joshua empowers them to reclaim their narrative and build a future defined by their potential rather than their past.

Cindy Walters

Resident Engagement Specialist

  • More about Cindy coming soon!