Our Team

Kandis Williams has over 25 years of community and economic development experience, and most recently was the Vice President for Economic Opportunity with Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, a community development intermediary in Cleveland, Ohio. In this capacity, she supervised work related to asset building, economic development, and workforce development to advance greater equity, inclusion and opportunity for Cleveland residents and the broader community.

Before rejoining Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, Kandis was with Citizens Bank as the Vice President of Community Development Lending for the state of Ohio and western Pennsylvania. In this role, she was responsible for fostering lending opportunities in affordable housing, and community and economic revitalization. Prior to her tenure at Citizens Bank, Kandis spent several years as the Senior Vice President of Village Capital Corporation, the CDFI lending subsidiary of Cleveland Neighborhood Progress.

Kandis’ professional career has also included experience as a Program Officer for Local Initiatives Support Corporation, the Commercial Development Director for Mt. Pleasant NOW Development Corporation, and as a City Planner for the City of Cleveland. Kandis has a Bachelor’s degree in Urban Studies from the College of Wooster and a Master’s degree in Urban Planning, Design, and Development from Cleveland State University’s Levin College of Urban Affairs.

Outside of work, Ms. Williams actively participates on several boards and committees. She is the Board President of the Shaker Heights Development Corporation, a Visiting Committee member of Cleveland State University’s Levin College of Urban Affairs, and an Executive Committee and Governing Board member of the Fund for Our Economic Future.

Jeanine Colozza most recently served as the Chief Lending Officer for the Cornerstone Fund, a church extension fund affiliated with the United Church of Christ. Prior, Jeanine was a Senior Loan Officer with Village Capital Corporation, a Senior Project Manager with New Village Corporation, a CDC Director and a Development and Project Management Consultant with over 30 years of project development and lending experience in the Greater Cleveland and Akron markets.  She has worked primarily with non-profit organizations to provide technical assistance and project management services. Jeanine is a graduate of Carnegie Mellon University with an MS in Pubic Management and Policy with her BS from Pennsylvania State University. She contributes her time and expertise to a variety of local efforts, most recently serving as a Board Member and Finance Chairperson for the Berea Animal Rescue Fund.

Walter comes to LISC with over 20 years of experience in financial counseling, community development, and social work. Walter recently served as a Financial Services Manager with Cleveland Neighborhood Progress, a local community development intermediary. While there, Walter was a vital contributor to the development of the Community Financial Centers program, which provided integrated financial coaching services to over 6,000 individuals from 2014-2021. Walter is a graduate of Cleveland State University with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations. He also attended Universidad Internacional (UNINTER) in Cuernavaca, Mexico, where he studied public policy while working with local residents and politicians to strengthen Mexican-American relations. Walter is a member of the Financial Therapy Association and is an Accredited Financial Counselor® (AFC®) through the Association for Financial Counseling and Planning Education® (AFCPE®). 

Chanel C. Starks is a dedicated affordable housing professional and has most recently served as the Deputy Director of Contracting & Inspections for the Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA). Over her 23-year tenure with CMHA, she has held key positions in several departments including Research and Program Analysis, Inspections, Property Maintenance, Internal Audit, Purchasing, and Resident Services.  She has extensive knowledge and HUD regulatory compliance in both the Low-Income Public Housing (LIPH) and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) programs.  She also brings her property management, residential and commercial real estate skill-set to the Cleveland LISC office.  Chanel is a graduate of University of Phoenix, with an MBA, and her BSBA from David Myers University. Chanel is also a graduate of the Cleveland State Leadership Academy, Class XX. Her professional affiliations include the Akron Cleveland Association of Realtors and a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority, Inc.