Board Member, President & Founder

Wei Qun E

Wei, a recently retired attorney from Fenwick & West, is deeply committed to helping those in need. Believing everyone deserves a safe home, nutritious food, and behavioral health support, she took action during the pandemic, co-founding The United Effort Organization after seeing the growing struggles of unhoused individuals while she volunteered at Hope’s Corner.

A tireless advocate, Wei also became a LifeLine phone agent to help people stay connected to vital resources. She collaborates extensively to find real solutions for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness, and served on the board of Hope’s Corner for three years, driving meaningful change.

Chief Operating Officer & Founder

Claire Hubel

Claire first remembers being concerned about a homeless person at the age of 8, and this concern has persisted ever since. Before volunteering for The United Effort Organization, she volunteered for many other organizations over the years, including Hope's Corner in Mountain View.

Through her volunteer work, she has met a wonderful and diverse population of unhoused people who have enriched her life with their spirit, determination, friendship, and humor.

Founder

Julie Wang

Julie applies her experience in software and database system design to develop tools for improving work efficiency. She volunteers to help people in need.

Board Chair

Mike Patrick

Mike Patrick is a retired Silicon Valley corporate attorney. He worked at the firm of Fenwick & West for thirty years, representing high tech companies.

Mike is currently Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of Environmental Volunteers, also a Palo Alto based non-profit. Mike was previously Co-President of Palo Alto based non-profit La Comida.

Board Member

John Riemenschnitter

John is a Bay Area native and the co-founder and former pastor of The Highway Community, a non-denominational church in Mountain View.

After becoming aware of how many people were living in vehicles in his community, he began volunteering weekly at Hope’s Corner in January 2020 to get to know his neighbors. The relationships he has formed have been transformational.

John is President of the Board of Directors for Hope’s Corner, and serves on the Board of Directors for Footsteps Missions. He presently works as the Director of Compassion Week, and as a life and leadership coach.

Board Member

Dave Atkins

Prior to working with The United Effort, Dave began volunteering at Hope's Corner in Mountain View in 2015, and he has since enjoyed working with interesting people from all walks of life.

He is a lifelong resident of the South Bay, a proud graduate of several local schools (Castro Elementary, Graham Junior High, Los Altos High, UC Santa Cruz and Santa Clara University School of Law) and an attorney with the Social Security Administration. He is also an intense soccer fan (YNWA!) and an avid open water swimmer.

Board Member

Tracy Jiang

Tracy Jiang is a product manager at Google with over twenty years of industry experience serving both product management and engineering roles.

Outside of work, she served as marketing lead for a non-profit microfinancing organization for five years and helped support many small businesses run by people in poverty. She is passionate in applying her skills to volunteer work and helping people lead a better life.

Board Member

Li Zhang

Li moved to Mountain View in 2001 after earning her Ph.D. from UCSD, drawn by its diversity and inclusivity. Working in tech, she applies technology to solve real-world challenges and bring people together. Witnessing homelessness rise in her community deeply moved her, reinforcing her belief that everyone deserves a safe home. She knows real change takes a community effort. Leveraging skills from her career and volunteer work with Boy Scouts, her neighborhood, and the school district, she is committed to supporting individuals and families, fostering collaboration, and advocating for solutions to build a more compassionate and inclusive community.

Board Member

Lucia Foster

Lucia is a retired entrepreneur. She was the owner and CEO of White Enterprises, which serviced the customized hardware side of the telecommunications industry. She was a full partner with Solomon’s Cleaning Service which provided construction clean-up from the start of construction through the final walk-through of new homes. 

Lucia developed a passion for working with the unhoused when a family member became homeless. She believes that using her time, skills and energy are the best way to be of service to our unhoused neighbors. She volunteers with Agape Silicon Valley and The United Effort Organization.

Board Member

Malia Pires

Malia is a uniquely blended Silicon Valley NonProfit Executive, leading from a heart of compassion, lived experience and a "boots on the ground" approach.

With expertise in business consulting, community development, nonprofit leadership, and urban ministry, she is a master of connecting people to resources and relationship-building, while seeking common ground and collaboration across spheres of influence. 

She prides herself on reversing traditional models of social care while addressing real and felt barriers to access for marginalized communities; amplifying needs, advocating for REAL change, she starts by asking "How can I help?” 

She has a huge heart for the next generation and a track record supporting and serving the local elementary and middle school sectors, having served on various boards and advisories. Even as an AYSO soccer coach. She loves ❤️ soccer. Viva fútbol ⚽️

You are speaking her love language and filling her cup when connecting over people, resources, and dreaming of ways to disrupt poverty in Silicon Valley; even better if it’s over coffee.

She believes collaborations and partnerships are key for *impact*passion*purpose*unity* to change lives.

Board Member & Chief Financial Officer

Jarad Backlund

Jarad has worked for 20 years in corporate finance holding leadership roles at large tech companies, most recently acting as a startup CFO. Jarad and his family (wife Stephanie and two young boys) have lived and served in the Mountain View community since 2016. One of Jarad's biggest passions is helping others worry less about money or get into a more permanent living situation, and he cares deeply about helping others achieve their financial goals.

Chief Marketing Officer

Shari Kipp

A versatile marketer for >25 years in diagnostics and medical technology, Shari believes that strong communities empower everyone to pursue their dreams. With a passion for helping others, she is proud of her accomplishments simplifying complex communications for cancer patients and opening patient access to vital clinical monitoring tools.

Shari volunteers on the Board for the South Valley Family YMCA and for Hope’s Corner.

Chief Technology Officer

Trevor Shannon

Trevor left the local tech workforce to be a full-time parent. He cares greatly about housing equity and volunteers his time to improve his community through technology.