MISSION
Serving as the North Star for developers and residents of affordable housing through programs, partnerships and services. Our Mission is to advance best practices in the development and programming of affordable housing. Compass leverages decades of experience providing MGP (managing general partner) services, as well as award-winning youth & family programming
LEADERSHIP
Robin Martinez
Executive Director
Robin Martinez, Executive Director of Compass, brings nearly two decades of experience both in residential development, and creating and managing programming for multi-family housing communities. Blending a strong understanding of the needs of developers and the needs of the residents in the communities they serve, Robin’s leadership and vision are guiding Compass as it expands its mission and grows its reach.
Development & Programming Background
Robin has a history of building successful partnerships by working closely with residents, property managers, and developers. She has worked for prominent builders such as Shea Homes managing community development and overseeing HOA programs. She also worked for several companies dedicated to developing and managing Common Interest Developments. Throughout these experiences, Robin gained a deep understanding of both the development process and long-term community management. She also holds several credentials which have helped her develop community programming, including a Certificate in Personal Fitness Training from Cal State San Marcos, a Certificate in Nutrition for Optimal Health, Wellness and Sports from the University of Nevada, Reno, and a Certified Mindset Coach from the American Board of Neuro Linguistic Programming.
Founding of Compass
Helping to form Compass into the organization it is today, Robin co-founded a non-profit organization called Love Your Lunchbox, the predecessor of Compass, in 2008. Determined to help people access food resources in their communities, Robin saw the need for basic nutrition education and healthy cooking classes as an integral part of a larger strategy to address poverty. Soon after, the organization was administering the E.A.T. (Education, Access, Tools) program to residents of affordable housing communities throughout San Diego. As a certified facilitator of Franklin Covey’s The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People®, Robin designs well-structured programs, allowing for replicable success. Complemented by her natural ability to inspire and motivate others, Robin has created effective programming for developers of affordable housing and their residents. Today, Compass has grown to be a trusted resident services provider, program developer, and valued development partner.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Nicki Cometa
Board President
Nicki Cometa serves as the Chief Financial Officer for Affirmed Housing, a developer specializing in low-income housing in California. Before her work in the affordable housing industry, she worked in real estate development for private and publicly owned homebuilders. With over 30 years of finance and accounting experience, Ms. Cometa has been able to lead companies to sustained growth, profitability, and efficiency. She has served on the board of the San Diego Housing Federation and currently serves on the board for Cardiff Housing Foundation. She is passionate about housing and wellness. Ms. Cometa is a graduate of San Diego State University, where she earned her Bachelor of Science in accounting. She enjoys living in Southern California and traveling with her family.
Jim Laverty
Board Treasurer
James H. Laverty leads the Construction and Real Estate Practice Group for Marsh & McLennan Insurance Agency LLC. He has more than 25 years of experience providing risk management services to real estate clients across all asset classes including office, industrial, retail, multifamily, affordable housing, and homebuilding. He is a frequent speaker and panelist at various industry conferences including the National Multifamily Housing Council (NMHC), the Information Management Network (IMN) Real Estate Private Equity Conference, and the Urban Land Institute. He is a board member for the NAIOP Foundation and serves as a Real Estate Committee member of the University of San Diego’s Burnham Moores Center for Real Estate. Mr. Laverty earned his bachelor’s degree in business economics from the University of California, Santa Barbara. He lives in Solana Beach with his wife Kristina and their two children.
Denise Gomez
Board Secretary
Dr. Denise Gomez, PharmD MD trained as a pharmacist at UCSF School of Pharmacy before attending medical school at UC Irvine College of Medicine. She returned to school determined to work in a community health setting to provide high quality, compassionate care. Dr. Gomez completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Harbor-UCLA and immediately started working at TrueCare Clinic. She provides care for patients with complex medical conditions including geriatric, HIV, Hepatitis C, and transgender persons. Dr. Gomez has held several leadership roles over her tenure at TrueCare, including Lead Clinician at the Oceanside clinic, Associate Medical Director of Adult Medicine and Interim CMO, and currently, Director of Adult Medicine. Dr. Gomez was instrumental in initiating the clinical pharmacy program at TrueCare, participated and implemented two electronic medical record transitions, handled response and care coordination during the COVID pandemic, managed a remote patient monitoring program, and initiated a proctoring program for UCSD pharmacy and medical students. She is also the recipient of several awards including: Excellence in Clinical Quality, Provider of the Year, Leader of the Year, and multiple Continuous Quality Improvement awards. Dr. Gomez states her most prized award is the ability care for patients and their families. She enjoys reading mystery thrillers, and spending time with her dogs and grandchildren.
Waheed Karim
Board Member
As the Vice President of Affordable Housing California for Banner Bank, Waheed Karim manages both construction and permanent loans throughout loan conversion and maturity. He is responsible for due diligence review, completion of underwriting, and facilitation of loan approval and closing. During his tenure with Banner Bank, he has established long-term relationships with 16 new clients, and closed over 85 projects with loans totaling $1.2 billion. Mr. Karim has twice earned the national Banner Best Award, recognizing individuals within commercial real estate who have demonstrated excellence in revenue generation and leadership with Banner Bank and the community. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in public administration/city planning from San Diego State University. Mr. Karim is a renowned long-distance runner, recognized by the International Association of Athletics Federations, and holding the Afghan national record in the marathon and the 5,000 meters. In 1991, he ran from Sacramento to San Diego, a distance of 858 miles in 33 days, averaging one marathon per day, to raise funds for a non-profit organization helping individuals with drug and alcohol addictions.
Beth Binger
Board Member
Beth Binger, President of BCIpr, has represented Southern California’s most recognized and landscape-shaping real estate developments, totaling well over $10 billion—from iconic civic buildings and place-making destinations to pioneering affordable housing and master-planned communities. As she has spearheaded the public relations efforts for BCIpr’s developer, designer, general contractor, and civil engineering clients, Ms. Binger has helped to elevate her clients’ reputations and contribute to San Diego’s status as a national destination for real estate innovation and investment. She received her bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of California, San Diego. While a student, she was awarded a scholarship by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS). Ms. Binger is past President of the University of California, San Diego Alumni Association. She currently serves as VP and incoming President of the Board of Directors for Lambda Alpha International (LAI), an invitation-only, global land economics association.
ADVISORS
Cappie Brooks
Educational Advisor
Cappie Brooks, MA, National Board Certified Teacher (NBCT), has nearly 30 years of experience as a teacher for elementary-age kids. Upon graduating from San Diego State University in 1993 with her psychology degree and teaching credential, Cappie began teaching second and third grades. As a specialist in helping children achieve literacy and who often worked with English language learners, she strongly believes that there is a perfect book for every child which will unlock the joy of reading. In 2002, she earned her master’s degree from California State University, San Marcos. Her thesis was focused on the development of an effective after-school literacy program for first graders. Twenty years later and now retired from full-time teaching, she continues to use her research and planning to make a difference for children as a Compass Advisor.
For Compass, Cappie has developed a structure for the FOCUS after-school program, intended to supplement and support children’s education. Administered by Compass’ on-site resident services coordinators, FOCUS provides homework help, enriching activities, and physical education. Her plan, based on her 30-year career as a teacher, provides structured choice, which keeps the options broad to meet children’s needs. Activities promote communication, cooperation, creativity, confidence, equity, and build math and reading comprehension. By designing a fun and engaging, multi-age learning environment, she has set up each day for success.
