Liz Hersh, Director of the Office of Homeless Services, brings decades of experience unifying broad, bipartisan coalitions to build strong communities, expand affordable housing, and create opportunity for those experiencing homelessness. From her early work with the Philadelphia-based Tenants Action Group to 14 years heading the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania, Hersh has consistently found common ground across diverse groups of people to bring about change. At the Housing Alliance, Hersh worked to pass 17 state laws and leveraged nearly half a billion dollars to protect communities and affordable housing.
Hersh earned a master’s degree from the University of Chicago and is a proud alumna of Philadelphia’s Girls High. She has served on numerous boards as well as the transition teams for Governor Ed Rendell and Governor Tom Wolf. Under Hersh’s leadership, the Office of Homeless Services has expanded its permanent supportive housing by hundreds of units and undergone comprehensive, agency-wide reforms to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
A lifelong Philadelphian, she lives in the house she grew up in and knows that having a stable, safe place to call home is something everyone in society deserves. She lives in Philadelphia’s Mt. Airy neighborhood.
David Holloman has over 13 years of experience working with individuals experiencing homelessness in Philadelphia, including supporting outreach teams and building partnerships between various City departments and private entities to address chronic homelessness. In his current role, he supports the Director in ensuring smooth internal operations of the office and informs key managers of day-to-day operational, tactical, and strategic issues within the agency. Holloman collaborates with the Director and the Executive Team in the development and implementation of new initiatives, business processes, procedures, roles, and operational improvement initiatives.
He earned a BA in Public Administration from Shippensburg University and a Master of Science in Organizational Development Leadership from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine.
MaryBeth “Beth” Gonzales is the Deputy Director, Policy, Planning, and Performance Management. She is responsible for driving the architecture of OHS’s work to maximize the efficiency, access, quality, and effectiveness of Philadelphia’s homeless services system, including the Continuum of Care. Beth has worked across governmental and non-governmental agencies to design and implement policies and programs that drive outcomes and impact. She has dedicated her career to improving the lives of vulnerable populations. Beth also helped design and run the nation’s first court-based eviction prevention program in New York City. She holds a BA from Howard University, a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from New York University, and an MPA in Public and Nonprofit Management and Policy from the Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University.
As Assistant Chief of Staff, Indira Aye-Potter leads the human resources and information technology units at the Office of Homeless Services (OHS), while managing additional agency and city-wide initiatives. Her career started with case management, including work at nonprofit organizations and Philadelphia’s Department of Human Services (DHS). Her social services work at DHS earned her distinction and a commissioner’s award. An interest in person-centered strategies and organizational talents steered her toward HR responsibilities within the City. At OHS she has increased both professional development and internal promotion opportunities for colleagues. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she oversaw the transition of most staff to remote work, providing the technical, logistical, and moral support necessary to maintain services to the City’s most vulnerable populations. She loves to build relationships and strategies with the goal of resolving challenges. Indira earned a BA in Social Relations and an MS in Public Administration from Cheyney University.