Neal Mongold, President
An Arlington resident since 1995, Neal is an architect with The Narrow Gate, a firm specializing in the design of affordable housing and community based projects. A former President of HCA, Neal currently serves on the real estate and finance committees. Former affiliations include volunteering at Rosie’s Place Homeless Shelter, the Boston Society of Architects, Task Force to End Homelessness, and Arlington’s Affordable Housing Task Force. Neal strives to keep Arlington a diverse community, affordable to a wide range of families and individuals who care about each other’s values, challenges and dreams. Neal also represents HCA on the Arlington Affordable Housing Trust. Neal sits on HCA’s Real Estate and Finance Committees.
Makeelia Parker, Vice President
Makeelia is a former dental hygenist who is now a dentistry student at UMass Boston. She moved to an HCA apartment in 2022 with her two children after an injury required her to take a leave from work. She serves on the HCA board in order to share insights from her experience that may help make a better future for others. Makeelia serves on HCA’s DEI committee.
Jillian Standish, Treasurer
Jillian is a Senior Vice President and Chief Equity Underwriter at Merchant Capital Corp, where she is responsible for credit, underwriting, and risk management for Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity acquisitions and fund offerings. Jillian had previous roles with Ernst & Young’s Tax Credit Investment Advisory Services group, the MA Department of Housing and Community Development’s (now Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities) Divisions of Rental Assistance and Housing Development, and Metropolitan Boston Housing Partnership (now called Metro Housing Boston). Jillian started her career as the child advocate at a family homeless shelter in East Boston. She resides in Arlington Heights with her partner, two young daughters, stepson and stepdaughter. Jillian sits on HCA’s Finance Committee.
Deirdre Westcott, Clerk
Deirdre has lived in housing provided by HCA since March 2008, when she and her husband, an employee of a non-profit organization, were having difficulty finding an affordable, de-leaded apartment. Prior to being a stay-at-home mom of two children, she was a financial aid administrator at Boston University. They are grateful to have the opportunity to live in Arlington and are enjoying its many wonderful parks and events. Deirdre is pleased to be able to serve on HCA’s Board and support its mission of providing safe and affordable housing. Deirdre sits on HCA’s Walk for Affordable Housing Committee.
Elena Arrendol
Elena is a mother of four. She was born in the Dominican Republic and migrated to the United States in 1975. She is retired, but held various positions with the Cambridge Public Schools, supporting students. In the early 1990s, she moved with her multi-generational family into Arlington. After many years her family faced medical and financial challenges which caused them to lose their home. Thankfully, they were able to find refuge in Arlington’s public housing, protecting them from homelessness.
The experience of losing their home is a key driver for Elena to work on continuous self-improvement. Her own struggles and perseverance have also instilled in her a deep sense of empathy and a desire to pay forward the support she received. Elena is also a certified Zumba instructor and sits on HCA’s Real Estate Committee.
Danielle Chery
Danielle works in human resources at an area hospital. Prior to this, she worked as a Health Equity Senior Program Coordinator for a health insurance company that served Medicaid/Medicare patients of diverse backgrounds and medical needs. Her work focused on identifying gaps in services, policies, and practices to improve systems in health care for underserved populations. Danielle seeks to apply these skills to help ensure HCA’s work is carried out using an equity lens. Danielle and her daughter have been residents of Arlington and of HCA’s affordable housing for over ten years. Danielle sits on HCA’s DEI committee.
Chris Claflin
Chris is an Assistant Vice President of Asset Management at Merchants Capital, where he is responsible for managing Low Income Housing Tax Credit equity investments from closing through disposition. Prior to Merchants, Chris had asset management and acquisitions roles at other national tax credit equity syndicators. Chris also serves on HCA’s Finance Committee. He lives in Woburn with his wife, who is an employee for the Town of Arlington, and his two dogs, Lola and Boo.
Ken Garden
Ken is a professor of Religion at Tufts University and has lived in a two-family house in East Arlington with his wife and two children since 2008. He is concerned by the housing crisis in Massachusetts and the impact it is having on fellow Arlingtonians and young faculty at Tufts. He has been involved with the Sustainable Arlington Committee in the past. Ken sits on HCA’s Real Estate Committee.
Michael Mango
Mike moved to Arlington as a teenager with his mother. During his adult life, it was impossible for him to afford even a small apartment in town or nearby. This shaped his life. Many years ago his political activism started through involvement in the Occupy Wall St. movement, which at its core rebelled against the commodification of housing. In 2024, Mike’s 6-year wait to receive a housing voucher came to an end. And the only apartment he could find where he could use his voucher with was HCA. After getting to know the organization, he knew this was the organization whose housing he wanted to live in, and with whom he wanted to volunteer. Mike serves on HCA’s Tenant Council Steering Committee.
Thomas Nee
Tom has been a resident of Arlington since 1995. He has over 20 years of affordable housing experience where he currently works for Caritas Communities Inc. as the Senior Operations Director. Tom has experience working on projects involving DHCD, HUD, LIHTC, HOME, HIF, HSF, and NSC funding. Tom has his CPM (Certified Property Manager) designation through the Institute for Real Estate Management and is a member of CHAPA. He believes affordable housing can be a core foundation for future success and opportunities. Tom and his wife Maureen are the proud parents of three young sons and they continue to discover the unique opportunities that make Arlington special. Tom sits on HCA’s Real Estate and Finance Committees.
John Oliver 
John is a Branch Manager at Cambridge Savings Bank (CSB) in Arlington Center and has worked with CSB for nearly 10 years. He is an active member of the Arlington Community, holding the roles of Chair of the Board for Arlington Center for the Arts, as well as Treasurer for the Arlington Chamber of Commerce. With a passion for equitable banking and grassroots initiatives, John seeks opportunities to make housing available to all community members. John and his wife Lauren enjoy life their young daughter.
Jonathan Wallach
Jon is a retired economist. He has served on Arlington’s Town Meeting, Recycling Committee, and Finance Committee. Jon and his wife moved to Arlington in 1989. Jon was a member of HCA for many years before joining the Board in 2015. Jon sits on HCA’s Finance Committee.
Laura Wiener
Laura is an urban planner with a focus on housing and transportation. Laura spent many years as a planner in Arlington’s Planning and Community Development Department as well as working for the City of Watertown Planning Department. She returned to the HCA Board in 2022 after serving as a Board Member earlier in the organization’s history. Laura is currently a Town Meeting Member and serves on HCA’s Real Estate Committee.
Sherika Williamson
Sherika Williamson is a dedicated single mother who has lived in an HCA apartment for 5 years. She works as an assistant to the principal at a language- based learning disability school in Wellesley, where she has been for two years. Passionate about fostering an inclusive & equitable environment , Sherika is also an active member of that school’s DEIJ Committee (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice). Through trust, openness and collaboration she helps promote diversity & create a supportive community for all students. Sherika servs on the HCA Tenant Council Steering Committee.