Chris moved to Sonoma County in 2013 and fell in love with the beauty, culture, and lively spirit of the community. Endlessly energized by supporting her community, Chris has spent the past decade in the public and nonprofit sectors with a focus in the affordable housing and social services industries.

For the past six years, Chris served with Nation’s Finest, a national veteran housing nonprofit headquartered in the Bay Area. During her time as the Chief Operating Officer, Chris helped lead Nation’s Finest through a period of profound growth, with the agency doubling in size during her tenure. Prior to her time at Nation’s Finest, Chris worked with PEP Housing, a North Bay nonprofit affordable housing developer, provided management consulting services for several nonprofits in the Midwest, assisted students at Golden Gate University School of Law, and served as an active-duty military member of the United States Coast Guard. Chris also serves on the Board of Directors for both Legal Aid of Marin, and Trips for Kids Bay Area.

Chris is dedicated to ensuring the continued sustainability and reputation of COTS, as well as supporting a bright, diverse, and passionate team – a team that will continue to provide extraordinary services to our community for many years.

In her free time, you can find Chris mountain biking, hiking, or otherwise enjoying the natural beauty of Sonoma County.

Cathleen “Cat” Higgins

Chief People Officer

Cat has been in love with housing since she was a wee lass. She grew up spending hours with graph paper, drawing homes until her fingers went numb. She attempted to be an architect, but her math skills did not meet the mark. Not to be one to let a little thing like that stop her passion for housing, she decided to obtain a degree in graphic design and work in administrative roles in new construction marketing departments, supporting real estate sales teams, and eventually landed in property management.

In her property management job, she took on Human Resources and obtained her PHR, SHRM-CP certifications (like CPA exams), launching an entirely different career as an HR Professional working within housing.

Cat wanted to work for COTS in 2018, when her 10-year stint at the property management company was ending due to closure. COTS posted their HR Manager opening the same month her company closed. Kismet. Cat is serious about her duties to ensure each COTS’ employee has a supportive environment to find professional success and make a HUGE difference in the lives of others through housing.

Maureen Vittoria

Chief Operating Officer

Maureen has held leadership positions in both the private and nonprofit sectors, bringing more than two decades of experience in the fields of finance, accounting, HR, program development and management, construction, facilities management, and information technology.

Most recently, Maureen was the COO at Impact Justice, a national justice reform organization, where she provided legal, fiscal and compliance oversight and developed and implemented the infrastructure necessary for organizational health and the development of innovative programs from concept to full implementation.

Maureen also served as CFO for Abode Services, the largest homeless services nonprofit in the Bay Area. She led Finance and HR for four nonprofits under Abode’s umbrella, strengthening the organization’s infrastructure during a period of intense growth.

Maureen started her nonprofit career in 2013 with COTS, as their CFAO. She guided the organization through a transformational period and strengthened the financial and organizational accountability systems.
Prior to her nonprofit work, Maureen was a financial leader with Intel, where she held a variety of positions focused on delivering business and financial results, while maximizing performance, output, and cost. Maureen holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Accountancy, and a Master’s in Nonprofit Leadership and Management, both from Arizona State University.

Erin Krueger

Director of Development

Erin Krueger developed a passion for helping others as a volunteer throughout her upbringing in Minneapolis. Since then, Erin has been a leader in non-profit development for more than 20 years, from Minnesota to Dallas, New York City, and now leading development at COTS. She loves her role, with responsibilities for fundraising, communications, and volunteer programs.

Married with two children, she enjoys traveling with her family, hiking with their aging pup Clementine, and playing keys in a local rock band.

Sanford Robinson

Director of Grants

Sanford (Sandy) Robinson is the Director of Grants at COTS. For over two decades, Sanford has been involved with operating social service programs specialization, and his work experience includes: program development, management, training and providing technical assistance to community-based organizations and coalitions, and providing administrative oversight.

Additionally, Sanford has designed and implemented numerous programs locally and nationally, specifically those addressing substance use disorder and child welfare. His work has included many years experience in the administration of homeless service providers and housing programs. Staying at the forefront of promoting motivational intervention techniques, he has worked in most facets of the alcohol and drug treatment field, including private practice, medical model, adolescent treatment, and HIV/Aids and prevention.

Sanford has earned his Bachelors degree and is actively pursuing his Masters degree at California State University in Sacramento.

Robin Phoenix

Director of Shelter Services

Bio coming soon!

Chris Inclan

Associate Director of Shelter Services

COTS’ Associate Director of Shelter Services, Chris Inclan, spent his early years learning the system from the inside out. He frequented juvenile halls and also became addicted to drugs and alcohol. Reflecting on his life, Chris stated, “[he] was headed down a destructive path.”

Then, Chris decided to change his path and dedicate his energy to gaining sobriety and rebuilding his life. Chris’ new direction led him back to school to become a Substance Use Disorder Counselor. Chris completed two associate degrees, one in Drug and Alcohol Counseling and one in Psychology. Chris also earned a bachelors degree in Human Services Leadership.

Utilizing his education, Chris worked in outpatient treatment and residential treatment to assist those suffering from substance use disorder.

Eventually, his career in caring evolved into a desire to help the unsheltered population work to secure housing. Chris began working at COTS as a case manager and is now the Associate Director of Shelter Services.

Raija Freeman

Director of Housing Services

Bio and photo coming soon!

Robert Carson

Facilities Manager

Bio coming soon!