Senior Leadership Team

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Contact: tbrownlow@simpsonhousing.org | 612.455.0841

Tonya Brownlow, MSW, LISW, joined Simpson Housing Services as Executive Director in September 2026. She brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in housing, homelessness, mental health, and trauma-informed care, with a career dedicated to helping individuals and families achieve housing stability, recovery, and long-term well-being.

Prior to joining Simpson Housing Services, Tonya served as Executive Director of Emma Norton Services for 12 years, leading significant organizational growth, expanding supportive housing and mental health services, strengthening public and private partnerships, and advancing trauma-informed practices. Earlier in her career, she held leadership positions with Agate Housing and Services, Cabrini Partnership, and Our Saviour’s Housing.

Tonya holds a Master of Social Work from College of St. Catherine/University of St. Thomas, a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Beloit College, and is a licensed Independent Social Worker in Minnesota. In 2019, she was recognized with the MN Council of Nonprofits Visionary Leader Award, and her leadership in creating Restoring Waters, a trauma-informed supportive housing community, earned multiple awards for innovation in affordable and supportive housing.

Outside of work, Tonya enjoys traveling, gardening, hiking, and spending time with her wife and their five children.

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Contact: wwiegmann@simpsonhousing.org | 612.455.0847

Wendy first joined Simpson Housing Services as a Case Manager in 1998 and has been the Director of Programs since 2006. Wendy is dedicated to housing and supporting individuals and families experiencing homelessness. Before coming to Simpson, she was an advocate at the Dorothy Day Center in St. Paul, MN and volunteered for the Christian Appalachian Project in Kentucky.

She has a BA in Psychology and English from Wartburg College and an MA in Organizational Leadership from St. Catherine’s University. She was the 2007 recipient of the Bruce Vento Award for Distinguished Service, and is a community leader on efforts to end homelessness, serving on committees of Heading Home Hennepin and other local initiatives.

In her free time, Wendy likes to ride her scooter, spend time with friends and family, read, and garden.

Wendy has been with SHS since 1998.

Contact: dward@simpsonhousing.org | 612.455.0873

Deb joined Simpson Housing Services in February 2024 as Director of Finance. She is passionate about optimizing finance and accounting processes to support strategic goals and operational success. Prior to joining SHS, Deb worked as a management consultant, assisting organizations with business process improvements. She also has prior nonprofit experience as the Director of Finance at the Minnesota Children’s Museum. Deb is especially drawn to the important work and support Simpson provides to families and youth and is thrilled to have the opportunity to make an impact on Simpson’s mission.

Deb earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and an MBA from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management.

In her free time, Deb enjoys reading, trying new recipes, and cheering on her twin teenagers with their sports and activities.

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Contact: cjacobson@simpsonhousing.org | 612-532-7559

Christina joined Simpson Housing Services in January 2021 as Director of Equity and Human Resources. Christina is an attorney and, prior to joining SHS, worked for several years as an employment lawyer in Chicago at a large law firm. She has extensive experience developing employment policies, diversity and inclusion programming, and harassment training for corporate clients and other organizations. Christina is passionate about streamlining processes. With every client or project, she has always sought to create a more equitable, consistent, and above all compassionate workplace.

Before working as a corporate lawyer, Christina began her career working as a legal fellow for the Chicago Coalition for the Homeless. Her work with the organization made a big impact. She continued to advocate for underserved communities by providing free legal services to youth in criminal matters, representing children in race discrimination cases and serving as pro bono counsel to other low-income individuals in her spare time. A native to Minneapolis, Christina recently moved back home to be closer to her family.

Christina has a journalism degree from the University of Missouri and graduated from Chicago-Kent College of Law in 2015.

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Contact: eloeffler@simpsonhousing.org | 612.210.2343

With more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, strategic communications, and community engagement, Elisabeth Loeffler brings a collaborative approach to building meaningful relationships and inspiring philanthropy.

Since joining Simpson Housing Services in 2014, she has served as Director of Advancement & Communications and is a member of the Senior Leadership Team. She has played a key role in expanding philanthropic support, strengthening community partnerships, and elevating Simpson’s visibility. Her leadership has contributed to significant organizational milestones, including Simpson’s first capital campaign and the opening of Simpson Community Shelter & Apartments.

Previously, she served as Development and Communications Director at Clare Housing in Minneapolis, Director of Development at Project Inform, and Executive Director of Academy of Friends in San Francisco. She began her career in the performing arts at La Jolla Playhouse and The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts from California State University, East Bay.

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Contact: cgiese@simpsonhousing.org | 612.455.0859

Christina has been matching caring volunteers with meaningful service since 2003. She enjoys collaborating with corporate partners, faith communities, schools, and families to provide service and learning opportunities. Her goal is to offer a variety of opportunities for the public to learn more about homelessness so citizens become actively engaged in housing solutions. The most rewarding part of her work is having long-term relationships with volunteers and seeing them grow their involvement with Simpson over time.

Christina enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, learning, cooking, and being an active community volunteer. She passionately believes that every person has a right to safe and affordable housing.

Christina has been with SHS since 2002.