Board of Commissioners
MoreHACR is governed by a Board of Commissioners with 7 members.
Members are appointed by the Mayor of Richmond for 4 years.
C. Yvonne Washington - Chairman
Term Date: 12/29/2021 - 12/29/2025
Occupation: Life Coach
Community Involvement: As a native of Richmond, Ms. Washington's passion for safe, affordable housing sprang from her childhood observations of family members collaborating with community members to build custom homes. In addition to serving as HACR Board Chair, Yvonne is committed to leadership development and facilitates life coaching groups that promote spiritual maturity, community activism and social justice. Yvonne currently serves as board secretary for Christian Connectors Richmond, member of the local NAACP and Purdue Extension Office Advisory Committee. Ms. Washington holds both a Bachelors and an Associates of Arts degrees, Indiana University East and an International Missions Diploma, Rhema Bible College.
Kathleen Khamis - Vice Chair
Term Start Date: 1/1/2022
Occupation: Communities in School Site Coordatinor, Starr Elementary, Richmond
Community Involvement: Wayne County Food Council Board, H.E.L.P. The Animals Board, Richmond Shakespeare Festival Board, Columbian Properties Board, Ivy Tech School of Education Advisory Committee, Richmond Education Association Racial Equality Coalition
Roxie Deer - Immediate Past Chair
Term Date: UNKNOWN
Occupation: Executive Director
Community Involvement: Roxie was born and raised in Richmond, Indiana. After graduating college, Roxie returned to Richmond and began working for the community that raised her. Throughout her career, Roxie has advocated for quality housing for all, which led to her appointment to the Board of Commissioners in 2019. In 2023, Roxie took on a new role as Executive Director at Richmond Neighborhood Restoration. In her free time, Roxie serves on numerous nonprofit boards, including: Whitewater Community Television, the Richmond Meltdown Festival, Tri Kappa Indiana, and Tri Kappa's local chapter. In 2022, Roxie received the Wayne County Athena Young Professional Award for her work advocating for women's health issues. Roxie has an undergraduate degree in Sociology from the College of Wooster and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Concordia University. In her free time, Roxie can be found spending time with her adopted puppies, Hudson Reign and Rosie Lynn!
Ashley R. Stephen - Commissioner
Term: 12/27/2021 - 12/27/2025
Occupation: Community Grants and Operations Manager, Community Foundation of Randolph County
Community Involvement: Kiwanis Club of Richmond, Wayne County Challenge, Amigos Club de Tennis, First Presbyterian Church
Kelley Cruse-Nicholson - Commissioner
Term: 9/9/2023
Occupation: Nonprofit Relationship Manager
Community Involvement: Committee member Board of Zoning and Appeals, Board Member Richmond Housing Authority
Chip Belanga - Commissioner
Term: 5/5/2024 - 5/1/2028
Occupation: Pastor
Community Involvement: I have served as the Senior Pastor of First English Lutheran Church since 2018, Volunteer Chaplain for Wayne County Sheriff Department, Treasurer of COAD, Husband to an RCS teacher and father to three RCS students. Volunteer Chaplain for the Richmond Police Department, Serve a community meal once a month.
To contact a Commissioner, please call our office.