Our Team

The Driving Force Behind Our Clients' Success

Meet the Team

Carrie Sanders

Founder, CEO

Carrie leads the firm’s strategic initiatives with a mission to support equitable, mission-aligned development across the country, particularly in the areas of affordable housing and community facilities. Carrie has been integral to the closing of over $1 billion in New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC) transactions nationwide, with a specialization in structuring financing for community-serving real estate projects.

With 19 years of experience in community development finance, Carrie’s experience spans strategic planning, public housing evaluation, re-entry housing, and economic impact analysis. She has successfully developed NMTC programs for two prior companies and deployed a range of capital tools, including NMTCs, Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, TIF, and HUD programs. She earned her master’s degree in City Planning from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), with a concentration in community and economic development finance. Additionally, she holds bachelor’s degrees in music and political science from William Jewell College.

Carrie proudly serves as Secretary on the Board of Rooted & Rising, a Milwaukee-based nonprofit dedicated to building a nurturing, thriving community where all people feel welcome, supported, and a sense of belonging.

Sierra Johnson

Vice President, New Markets Tax Credits Practice

Sierra leads the firm’s national work in New Markets Tax Credits (NMTC), QALICB consulting, CDE advisory services, and complex community finance strategy. With over 15 years of experience across academic, nonprofit, and government sectors, she brings deep experience designing and documenting capital strategies that blend grants, public funding, and private investment to drive equitable access and long-term sustainability, supporting initiatives like solar deployment, rural infrastructure, and housing for underserved communities. Sierra brings a rigorous approach to community impact analysis, funding pipeline development, program compliance, and post-award implementation support.

Sierra is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer (Burkina Faso) and former USDA researcher. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, and has completed training with the Congressional Management Foundation on citizen-led policy engagement.

Peter Beeson

Director of Redevelopment - Church Owned Properties

Peter has more than 15 years of experience leading congregations through catalytic change, particularly as it relates to transformative church-owned real estate projects. Prior to Hope Community Capital, he served – and continues to serve – as a parish pastor while also working as a regional executive leading multiple congregations in reimagining their real estate as a strategic asset, rather than a burden.

He holds a Master of Real Estate Development from Iowa State University and a Master of Divinity from the Berkeley School of Theology.

Emily Francis

Director - Development Advisory

Emily brings more than 15 years of diverse experience in affordable housing development, finance and policy. Prior to joining Hope Community Capital, Emily served for seven years with Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority (WHEDA). During five of these years, she led the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program on behalf of the state, overseeing the allocation of more than $186 million of Credits to create or preserve more than 10,800 units of affordable housing in Wisconsin. Emily began her career in community organizing around housing issues and also worked with a national affordable housing real estate company to develop low income housing projects in several states.

Emily holds a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Spanish from Beloit College and a Master’s in Urban Planning and Policy from the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Miles Launspach

Community Development Finance Senior Consultant

Miles embarked on his educational journey at Northeast Iowa Community College in his hometown of Dubuque, IA, where he discovered his passion for economics. This passion led him to The University of Northern Iowa, where he majored in Business Economics. Before assuming his current role at HCC, Miles originated, structured, and underwrote loans that directly impacted the lives of individuals within his community. Driven by a deep-seated desire to effect positive change in underserved communities, Miles is dedicated to his role and strives to make a meaningful impact.

Beyond his professional endeavors, he embraces an active lifestyle, indulging his passion for outdoor adventures and bicycling. Miles embodies a blend of professional acumen and personal passion, channeling his expertise in finance towards the betterment of communities, while finding joy in the simple pleasures of life outdoors.

Annabel Kuhn

Analyst

Annabel is a recent graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied Economics, Community & Organizational Development, and Sustainability. After working with HCC for over a year, she transitioned from her role as Communications & Marketing Intern to full-time Analyst, providing effective project, administrative, and operational support, while also leading communications and marketing efforts.

She is passionate about the connection between built environments and quality of life and is dedicated to continuously engaging with initiatives that strive to create more equitable, thriving communities.

Dave Porterfield

community development consultant - affordable housing

Dave has decades of professional experience in a wide range of community and economic development activities, including multifamily and single-family development, designing and operating financing programs, including both debt and equity resources. Dave has provided technical assistance to nonprofit organizations and state and local government agencies to design programs to address complex community and social challenges. He has extensive experience in designing and operating housing and financing programs for special needs populations, including people with disabilities, those experiencing homelessness and military veterans.

His accomplishments include the development of over 3,000 units of multifamily rental and owner-occupied housing, the development of mixed-use commercial real estate, and the creation and support of specialized nonprofit housing organizations. Dave has served on a variety of government policy committees and is currently the Chairperson of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Chicago’s Community Advisory Council.

Careers

Hope Community Capital is dedicated to uplifting a diversity of thought and talent to disrupt how localities, cities, and states have been traditionally developed. We attract highly skilled employees, contractors, and subject matter experts to work with our clients and their beneficiaries.

Studies have shown women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every one of the qualifications described. We encourage you to explore our job openings if our work speaks to you, even if you don’t think you check all the boxes.