Our Team

Josefina Navar was recently appointed as HOPE’s new Deputy Director in November 2022. In her new role, Josefina provides day-to-day leadership and management that aligns with HOPE’s mission, while also coordinating operational functions. Previously, Josefina served as HOPE’s Director of Enforcement from September 2019-November 2022, where she conducted and oversaw numerous testing and non-testing investigations, filed complaints and represented complainants, while also engaging in brief advocacy and mediation on behalf of clients with disabilities needing assistance with reasonable accommodation requests.

Before joining HOPE’s staff, Josefina was the Testing and Outreach Coordinator, and later, Senior Fair Housing Investigations Coordinator at Chicago Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights from 2009 – 2019.  Josefina is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Illinois and worked in Mental Health services for 7 years as a case manager and therapist prior to becoming a Fair Housing advocate.

Ms. Bishop is an integral component of HOPE’s enforcement staff and is involved in systemic investigations and coordinates logistics for on-site assessments. Additionally, she also works with HOPE’s Intake & Grants Manager to compile organizational data needed for HUD grant reporting.

Charlie Morvay began at HOPE in September 2023 with experience in mental health advocacy and working with individuals with disabilities. Prior to this, he graduated from Northern Illinois University with his Bachelor’s in Psychology.

As Intake Specialist, Charlie is responsible for processing intakes from clients, providing administrative support, and assisting in the overall furthering of HOPE’s mission. 

Cameron Rapata joined HOPE in August 2023 with a background in nonprofit communications. He specializes in video production, writing, graphic design, and developing brand identity. Cameron graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a degree in Film and Creative Writing. During his studies, he enjoyed learning from industry professionals who helped him hone his craft.

As Communications Coordinator, Cameron produces digital and print communications in support of our Outreach team. This ranges from managing social media, to designing a brochure, or even producing a video. Cameron is excited to bring his skillset into the fair housing realm and hopes to further our mission of creating greater housing opportunities for all.

Elizabeth Pinder began serving her AmeriCorps term as Fair Housing Enforcement VISTA in August 2024. She graduated from the Ohio State University in 2023 with a degree in Geography and a minor in Economics.

From 2023-2024, Elizabeth was an Employment Specialist for Greenleaf Job Training Services in Columbus, OH. This is a nonprofit focused on helping people with disabilities find and keep meaningful employment in order to become more independent.

Throughout Elizabeth’s year of service at HOPE, she will assist the organization with several capacity building missions including reaching donors, planning the annual conference, recruiting fair housing testers, and collecting client feedback.

Florentina Rendón was born in Mexico and raised on the West Side of Chicago. She attended a Catholic elementary school as well as a Catholic high school. She received her Associate’s Degree in Paralegal Studies.

After working for a Chicago law firm for five years, Florentina worked for the next 17 years in civil rights. One of the organizations she worked for was the Mexican American Legal Defense & Educational Fund (MALDEF), the only national legal organization for the Latino community. While at MALDEF, Florentina worked on a four-month trial in federal court regarding redistricting the City of Chicago.

Florentina also worked for HOPE Fair Housing Center as a Test Coordinator and then as Director of Outreach. While at HOPE, Florentina assisted in housing discrimination cases against the City of Elgin, the City of West Chicago, and Arlington Park Racetrack.

Florentina lives in Lombard with her husband and her two children. Her daughter attends Glenbard East High School and her son attends Montini Catholic High School.

Maria currently serves as a volunteer at Westmont Public Library teaching Spanish, as well as participating in other seasonal Social Services programs for the community. She was also elected as the Secretary of HOPE’s Board of directors in 2018, and she is a member of the COD Foundation Committee. She is Bilingual in English and Spanish and a service-focused social worker and educator with a strong commitment to serving the needs of disadvantaged families and children.

Michael has an extensive background in nonprofit and advocacy work. He received a triple Bachelors from the University of Dubuque, Iowa and an MBA and MHRM from Keller Graduated School of Management. He has volunteered with the Fairy Godmother Foundation,  the Mentoring Program at the Position of Pressure Youth Center, and the Corliss High STEM Mentoring Program.

Michael previously served on the board of directors of Family Rescue, one of the largest Domestic Violence Advocacy programs in Chicago. He is currently on the Board of Directors, as well as Chief Trainer and Speaker for Sister Against Abuse Society (SAAS), with a certification as a Domestic Violence survivor advocate. 

Michael was elected as Bloomingdale Park Commissioner in February 2011. There he worked to make parks handicap accessible, improved programs and increase property values. He is also the former President of the DuPage County Branch of the NAACP, having overseen 21 active committees. He is the current 1st vice-president of the DuPage County Branch of the NAACP. Additionally, he the first African-American ever elected to the DuPage County Board and was elected unanimous County Board Chair Vice-Chair. Hs is a board Member of the DuPage County Historical Museum.

Michael has lived in Bloomingdale since 1988. He has two daughters.

Andrea Juracek is the Director of the Fair Housing/Public Housing Revisioning Team for Enterprise Community Partners Advisors, where she consults nationally with public housing, governmental, and community-based agencies on creating equitable housing policies and programs. Previously, Andrea served as the Executive Director of Housing Choice Partners, a nonprofit organization serving the Chicago area that specializes in advancing equitable housing solutions for communities impacted by historical racial and economic injustice.

Andrea has also served as Director of Fair Housing for Open Communities and Deputy Director of HOPE Fair Housing Center, where she advised on fair housing investigations and complaint filings and assisted with program and organizational management. 

In her free time, she enjoys running, volunteering with local ecological restoration projects, and spending quality time with her husband, Patrick, and rescue dog, Squirrel.

Joerika Stitt is a licensed attorney currently in private practice. She is passionate about housing justice and has dedicated her career to advocating for vulnerable populations. She previously worked as a staff attorney at the Shriver Center on Poverty Law, where she focused on housing issues, and as a legal aid attorney at Prairie State Legal Services. Her background also includes experience as a social worker, where she worked with individuals facing poverty, mental illness, and addiction. Joerika is committed to fighting for equity and justice, and she is excited to bring her expertise and passion to the HOPE Fair Housing board.