- 508.693.1117
- info@ihtmv.org
- Building Homes and Preserving Community:
Board & Staff
The Island Housing Trust works in partnership with the six island towns, the Dukes County Regional Housing Authority, member homeowners, and community members.
MEET OUR ISLAND HOUSING TRUST STAFF
Philippe Jordi has worked for over 20 years on Martha’s Vineyard as a developer and manager of affordable community housing for the Island Housing Trust and the Dukes County Regional Housing Authority, and as a community development planner for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah).
Philippe lives with his family in West Tisbury.
Philippe Jordi
Breeze Hodson Tonnesen has over 30 years experience in project and business management, marketing and communications. She has lived on the Vineyard since 1999 and has designed and built several houses here on the island.
Breeze lives with her family in Tisbury.
Breeze Tonnesen
Pam Scott has a Masters of Science in Real Estate Development and a Masters in City Planning. Pam also has an extensive background in real estate project management and owner’s representative services to residential, commercial and non-profit entities.
Pam lives in Edgartown with her family.
Pam Scott
Having grown up spending summers, holidays, and everything in between with her family in Edgartown, Weezie always spent as much time as she could on the Vineyard. After 18 years of residing and raising her two children in Bermuda, she found her way back to her beloved Martha’s Vineyard full-time in 2020. Weezie brings over 12 years of experience managing office operations and is thrilled to be part of the IHT team. She lives in West Tisbury with her family.
Louise O'Brien
Inspired daily by the generosity, spirit and warmth of the Martha’s Vineyard community, Joanna McCarthy brings 25+ years of Major Gifts Fundraising and Advancement Management expertise to the island.
Joanna has been an island visitor for the past twenty years, always dreaming of working in a place she and her family love.
Joanna McCarthy
Brae comes to IHT with a background in project and supply chain management. One of Brae’s first outings to Martha’s Vineyard included building a Habitat for Humanity home, which is where her appreciation for affordable housing began. Brae moved to the island year-round in 2014. She lives in Oak Bluffs with her husband, her corgi Moose, and cat Mookie.
Brae Eddleston
After spending numerous summers on the Vineyard, Ellen made Chilmark her year-round home in 2003 where she lives with her husband and 3 children. Ellen brings her experience of the past 25 years working in both Governmental and Public Accounting roles.
Ellen Biskis
Jennifer grew up spending summers and holidays on the Vineyard and moved full-time to the island in 2023. She has over 15 years of experience in business operations, project management and systems administration. In her free time you will find Jennifer walking the Vineyard trails with her Australian cattle dog, Jazz.
Jennifer Lincoln
Keith McGuire
Elissa has worked with island non profits and local government on a variety of projects that include housing equity and food security.
An island resident since 2005, she lives in an IHT-built house with her two young daughters in Vineyard Haven.
Elissa Turnbull
For over 27 years, Teri has held Director positions with Community Development Corporations in the cities of New Bedford, Providence, Taunton, Chelsea and Pittsburgh. She has managed the completion of many small and large housing and mixed-use projects utilizing an array of public and private funding sources. Teri holds a master’s degree in urban planning from George Washington University. She is thrilled to be working with the team at Island Housing Trust.
Teri Bernert
John has spent most of his career building and designing homes on Martha’s Vineyard, including a recent affordable accessory apartment for him and his wife, on the land he grew up on in West Tisbury. He has seen firsthand the importance of creating permanent affordable housing to support the island community he holds dear. John also runs a drafting side-business serving a year-round client base.
John Stanwood
Erin brings more than 15 years of experience in non-profit program management from institutions across the world. She enjoys facilitating positive connections between organizations and their constituents.
Erin has been an island resident for over a decade. The beaches, historic landscapes and open space brought her to the Island, but it is the friendly and supportive community that keeps her here. She is excited to be a part of IHT to work to maintain the strong community aspect of Martha’s Vineyard.
Erin Hepfner
MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Retired Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel of Avaya, and a resident of Edgartown
Pamela Craven
John is the retired President and COO of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. He is a resident of Edgartown with broad not for profit and public company board experience.
John Schaefer
Norman has worked in the CFO role for both privately held and public companies in a variety of industries. He has served on the boards of national and local non profits. He resides in Chilmark..
Norman Werthwein
James “Moss” Hanrahan lives in Oak Bluffs with his wife Scout Austin. Moss is a retired lawyer who practiced for 44 years and was a partner with Bowditch & Dewey LLP. His practice specialized in land use planning, non-profit corporations and a wide variety of affordable housing projects. In addition to his continued interest in affordable housing initiatives. Moss now devotes his time to photography and writing fiction and poetry. He also spends time wrangling his two dogs and five grandchildren.
Moss Hanrahan
Senior Vice President of Rockland Trust Bank and a resident of Edgartown.
Delos Lander
Robert is a retired bank executive lending to farmers and agricultural cooperatives. He serves on several nonprofit boards and is a resident of Edgartown.
Robert Egerton
Victoria is the social outreach worker for older adults in the town of Edgartown. She works at the Council on Aging and is involved in numerous civic activities. She is a year-round resident of Edgartown.
Victoria Haeselbarth
Beverly has worked for the Dukes County Commission and has served as Selectperson of the Town of Aquinnah and the Chairperson of the Wampanoag Tribe. She has also served on the Wampanoag Social Services Committee, the boards for the MV Center for Living, the Aquinnah Cultural Center and the Aquinnah Lighthouse Advisory Board, as well as volunteering at the IGI Food Pantry.
Beverly Wright
Karen founded, and was the Executive Director of Harbor Homes of MV, a nonprofit providing housing and shelter to residents who face homelessness. Previously she served as the Associate Commissioner for the MA Department of Early Education and Care and administered programs for at-risk children.
Karen Tewhey
Barbara brings decades of leadership experience in both the private and nonprofit sectors to her current work building nonprofit capacity on Martha’s Vineyard. She is a full-time resident of West Tisbury.
Barbara Bellissimo
Jason is a seasoned CPA, successful business owner, and dedicated yoga teacher. He has a decade of expertise working with public and private companies in the financial, technology, and wellness sectors. His diverse background empowers him to balance fiscal precision with holistic well-being, delivering valuable insights to his clients, partners, and community.
Jason Mazar-Kelly
Lisa is a retired marketing and sales executive with a career in the direct marketing industry. For several years, she has been volunteering in the non-profit sector, focusing on women’s healthcare and housing. Lisa is a resident of Edgartown.
Lisa Berkower
Jane is a retired lawyer living in West Tisbury and Boston. She has extensive experience in real estate development and financing. Her expertise includes financing projects to benefit non-profits using tax-advantaged instruments such as tax exempt revenue bonds and Low Income Housing Tax Credits.