I had breakfast recently with a colleague who runs an allied organization, and like many of these conversations do, it started with a little mutual commiserating. The pace, the pressure, the politics, the constant feeling that we need to do more. But somewhere between the coffee refills and the second agenda‑free tangent, the conversation shifted. We found ourselves talking about how fortunate we both are with our teams, and how much gratitude we have to work with people who are deeply competent, wildly dedicated, and fully bought into the mission.
That led us into strategizing, comparing notes, and ultimately grounding ourselves in why we do this work in the first place. Every day we both get to work with a wonderful cast of teammates supporting mission‑driven housing professionals who pour their time, talent, and treasure into building homes for Californians. It was one of those moments that left both of us energized and humbled, reminded that even on the hardest days, this work matters—and so do the teams who make it possible.
Here at CCAH, we’ve been celebrating our team anniversaries. Just about a year ago, Lindsey Dole and Paul Shafer both joined CCAH. Prior to finding them, I was a team of one and, while things were ticking along OK, the board and I both knew adding to the team was the key to success. We were implementing a new vision, our conference was growing rapidly, and we were getting more active on the advocacy front. To use a sports metaphor, growth without a strong team can feel a little like playing a championship season with a short bench.
Since joining CCAH, Lindsey has taken the lead on making our conferences better in really tangible ways. She’s dug into conference technology and recommended smarter tools, improved how our registration actually works for real people, and activated her deep network of contacts in the hospitality world to bring our attendees a noticeably better experience. The result is a conference that feels smoother, more thoughtful, and more welcoming and that’s not by accident. Lindsey is the person I rely on to see around corners and execute with care and precision. She recently returned from maternity leave and while we are all thrilled for her and her growing family, I’m not going to lie…we felt the absence. Anyone who has watched a great team lose a key starter knows the feeling. The plays still run, but not quite as smoothly, and everyone is very aware of how much that player brings to the game.
And then there’s Paul who has leaned all the way into bringing CCAH to the forefront of state advocacy. He’s leveraged his public policy background to forge strong partnerships and has quickly built a network of allied colleagues we can work with to create better outcomes for affordable housing across California. He has a natural ability to connect people, ideas, and opportunities and people genuinely enjoy working with him. Watching Paul do this work, with his outgoing personality and deep commitment to the mission, is an absolute pleasure and a huge asset to the organization. He’s the kind of sixth man every strong team needs, always ready to step in, shift the momentum, and make the whole team better when it counts.
Since they joined CCAH, I’ve come to know Lindsey and Paul as the kind of teammates who make everyone around them better. Both of them are smart, steady, willing to do the unglamorous work, and always focused on the bigger goal. As the championship winning Chicago Bulls and LA Laker’s coach, Phil Jackson, once said “The strength of the team is each individual member. The strength of each member is the team.” That idea shows up every day in how we work together at CCAH. All of us bring our full selves, supporting one another, and staying committed to something bigger than any single role. I’m deeply grateful for both of them and for what they’ve helped us build together.
If you’re attending our sold out conference in Napa June 8-10th, when you see Paul and Lindsey, please congratulate them on a year well done. If you can’t make it, feel free to drop them a note letting them know you appreciate them as much as I do.
In partnership,
