Team at HANDS!
Elliott Lee, Executive Director
Elliott is the executive director of Housing and Neighborhood Development Services, Inc. (HANDS), where he had served as Chair of the Board before stepping down to assume the staff position in January 2019. Elliott leads Communitas Consulting LLC., a NJ-based firm assisting organizations to achieve sustainable results in the areas of community revitalization, small-business development and education. Elliott has extensive experience working in all three sectors. In 2015-16 he served as the Community Engagement Officer for the Orange, NJ, Board of Education. From 2008 through 2014, Elliott was a vice president at JPMorgan Chase & Co., where he was a member of the Global Philanthropy team responsible for grantmaking and relationship management in the New York Tri-State region. During his tenure, he helped launch and develop Community School initiatives in Orange and in Paterson, NJ. He also championed the growth and expansion of Rising Tide Capital, a nationally recognized and award-winning training organization for low-income entrepreneurs in northern NJ. Elliott also helped New Jersey Community Capital develop an innovative and nationally influential foreclosure mitigation program.
Andrew Regenstreich, Director of Real Estate and Economic Development
Andrew Regenstreich is the Director of Real Estate and Economic Development at HANDS. Andrew spent the last 15 years working to facilitate economic development opportunities in communities in the United States and throughout the world. His passion for community engagement started at Northeastern University where Governor Dukakis encouraged him to understand politics at all levels. He subsequently worked in the Massachusetts State Legislature, United States Senate, and the U.S. Embassy in London. After graduation his first job was in Zambia where he ran a micro-finance bank for refugees. He then pursued academic work at NYU, while working for Jersey City where he led a cross agency process to develop a plan to track and rehab their vacant and abandoned properties. After graduating from NYU, and a short fellowship in Israel, he joined NJ Community Capital. Andrew implemented a wide array of programs to organize and develop vacant and abandoned properties as part of a larger community development strategy. He helped increase assets by over 400 percent and worked intimately with municipalities across the state to improve functions relating to housing and economic development. After three years at New Jersey Community Capital, Andrew opened his own firm where advising private companies entering urban markets, creating financial systems for domestic and international companies, and consulting on business strategy.
Tesha Kelley, Director of Finance
Tesha Kelley joined the HANDS team in September 2019 as a finance consultant. She is currently serving as the Director of Finance and is responsible for the oversight of the Finance department. Her duties include the preparation of the organization’s financial reporting, monthly cash flow projecting and reporting, preparation of the annual budget, and various financial analysis. In addition to her work with HANDS, Tesha is the founder and CEO of Jireh Consulting, LLC, a boutique accounting and bookkeeping company. Over the past 17 years, Jireh Consulting has helped business owners maintain accurate accounting systems and manage their finances with integrity. Before establishing Jireh Consulting, Tesha worked in both public and private accounting companies offering accounting, tax preparation, budgeting, cash flow projecting, and financial analysis services. She also provides technical assistance services through various business development organizations furthering her efforts to promote sustainability in under-served communities.
Robin Gordon, Director of Administration
Joining the HANDS’ staff in mid-2005, Robin continues to marvel at the impact and accomplishments of HANDS and its stature in the community development field. As the Administrative Manager, she is a generalist with responsibility for grant writing and management, personnel and oversight of office administration and public relations. Passionate about housing issues and their critical influence on the health of a family and a community, Robin has volunteered with Habitat for Humanity since 1994. She also volunteers at a community soup kitchen and homeless program. Interests include exploring new urban places and natural areas, experiencing historic architecture and hiking.
Nancy Molineiro, Controller
With over 25 years of experience in accounting, Nancy Molinerio has been a part of the HANDS team since 2010. Leading financial affairs for HANDS, Nancy has spearheaded initiatives related to auditing, financial reporting, and fiscal management. Outside of her finance role, as a native from Peru, she is passionate about supporting the growing Latino population in Orange.
Vidya Ramakrishnan, Asset Manager
Vidya received her bachelor degree in Engineering from Anna University in Chennai, India. Soon after immigrating to the United States, she started her career in Real Estate where she has held various leadership positions for investors, owner-operators, and third-party property managers. In her previous role, she managed a $20 million portfolio that included over 200 doors and performed third party property management services for numerous companies throughout New Jersey. Vidya was also pivotal in implementing and managing a successful new business line of vacation rentals in NYC and Hudson County that contributed to the company's ability to grow and expand into new markets. Seeking to be a part of HANDS’ mission to create opportunity for the vulnerable populations they serve, Vidya joined HANDS in November 2019 as a full-time staff member after managing their portfolio the previous year. At HANDS, Vidya continues to work directly with the Director of Real Estate and Economic Development to maximize revenue and organizational objectives across HANDS- owned properties. Vidya manages a diverse portfolio that includes residential, commercial, and mixed-use buildings with affordable and market rate units. Her role includes Asset Management, Property Disposition, Affordable Housing Compliance, Vendor Management and Construction Management. Vidya is a key part of HANDS strategic planning and is leading their efforts in reactivating their dormant affordable home ownership business line. Having worked with several municipalities across North Jersey on both rehab and ground-up construction, she is familiar with City and State codes and regulations, project management, the construction process, and turning around non-performing assets in pursuit of a larger mission. Outside of work her interests include cooking, reading, and traveling.
Andrijana Bilbija, Program Manager
Andrijana Bilbija graduated with a B.S. in Psychology from Princeton University before beginning her role as Program Manager at Housing and Neighborhood Development Services Inc., (HANDS) as a Project 55 Fellow. At HANDS, she designs and implements creative solutions to help uplift historically marginalized and underserved communities. As an immigrant from Bosnia and Herzegovina, she is driven to ensure all members of our collective American community are seen, valued, and served with dignity. In her spare time, Andrijana loves to cook, read, and write poetry.
