Envision Family

Envision Community brings together a unique group of organizations from across our community including homeless advocacy groups, housing providers, supportive service agencies, health experts, academic institutions, faith communities, and other groups interested in making Envision Community a reality.

Envision Leaders & Staff

Freddy Toran

  • Freddy Toran has dedicated the last seven years of his life working with Envision to make its solutions to homelessness a reality. He has firsthand experience with homelessness, and sees Envision as the chance people need to stabilize their housing situation.

    Freddy is especially proud that Envision will be a low barrier housing option for people, and that it will provide the opportunity for services that can improve their lives. Born in Saint Louis, Missouri, Freddy has made Minneapolis his home. He is a good listener who will make time for others who need someone to talk to, and is always willing to provide help when needed.

    In his spare time, Freddy is a collector of Hot Wheels and baseball cards. He loves going for long walks, and is the proud papa of three cats.

Envision Leader

Wayne Watson

  • Wayne Watson is a native of Gary, Indiana. His friendship with an Envision Leader brought Envision to his attention. Wayne contributes to Envision to use his experience with homelessness to show others that success is possible. He knows that his contributions to Envision will help inform and improve the way that the organization delivers stable housing to others who have experienced homelessness. Mr. Watson knows how it feels to be homeless and knows the stress that is relieved by finding a stable place to call home.

    In his spare time, Wayne likes to shoot pool, write and watch movies. He is happiest being around friends and family. He counts his father and big sister among his heroes, and is inspired by them to do better and be better. Wayne can always be counted on to be his real, authentic self in every setting, and to bring his truth and perspective to the world around him.


Envision Leader

Ethel O’Bard

  • Ethel O’Bard, a native of Saint Louis, Missouri, became aware of Envision Communities through her work with Street Voices of Change. As a person who has experienced homelessness, Ethel has a passion for helping individuals find options for access to sustainable housing. Ethel sees Envision as a community-based organization that is seeking to provide different options for people who are or have experienced homelessness. She is excited to have an opportunity to learn, grow and advance Envision’s mission. Her versatility and ability to multitask are huge assets for the Envision family.

    In her spare time, Ethel enjoys going to restaurants, getting her hair and nails done, and walking. She gains inspiration from her family, especially her son and grandparents and, as a multicultural woman, empowering others to see options for improving their lives.

Envision Leader

LeShawn Burton

  • Born in Chicago, Illinois and raised in Waterloo, Iowa, LeShawn Burton found inspiration in the work of Envision Communities. With a passion and calling to help others, LeShawn feels that Envision is uniquely positioned to help people succeed and push forward for change.Through her own trials with homelessness, LeShawn found strength to revamp her life and found the courage to survive. Sharing her experiences helps her to inspire others to find their happiness and peace of mind in difficult circumstances. LeShawn is a problem-solver who works to give others hope and confidence that what needs to be done CAN be done.

    LeShawn finds comfort in the examples set by other women who continue to rise to meet extraordinary challenges. She finds inspiration in women that are close to her, like her momma, and also women leaders like Michelle Obama and Kamala Harris.

    In her leisure time, you will likely find LeShawn enjoying a good book, gardening and taking time to enjoy walking the parks and trails.

Envision Leader

Jenny Fields

  • Jenny Fields commitment to Envision comes from a deep desire to help others and help the larger community. A native of Detroit, Michigan who was raised in Memphis, Tennessee, Jenny has lived in Minneapolis for nearly 15 years. Her devotion to helping others was shaped through her own experience with homelessness. Jenny sees Envision as an opportunity to be a part of something good and positive, and wants to share its message and work with the community.

    When Jenny isn’t working, she loves to hang out with friends, play dominoes and has a passion for cooking. She is inspired by people like Malcolm X and Nat Turner, people who fight for the welfare and freedom of others.

Envision Leader

Past Envision Leaders

Thank you to all of our past Envision Leaders for your dedication and contributions to Envision Communities. Your work and commitment have made a lasting impact, helping to shape our mission and support the community

Willie Buchanan

Junail Anderson

Malik McDowell

Dewayne Parker

Rome Darring

Sherry Shannon

Armel Green

2025 Board of Directors

Freddy Toran, Envision Leader
William Walsh, Chair, Minnesota Design Center a the University of Minnesota, 
Kyle Van Acker, Treasurer, Goodwill Easter Seals, MN
Catera Etheridge, Ryan Companies
Courtney Kiernat, Peris Foundation 
Ozuya Crow

Former Architecture and Development Group

Tom Fisher, Director, Minnesota Design Center
Jacob Mans, Decentralized Design Lab
Geoffrey C. Warner, AIA, Alchemy Architects, Principal Architect
Tommy Schaperkotter, Decentralized Design Lab
Chris Wilson, Development Consultant
Chris Dettling, Development Consultant

Research Team

Assists the Envision Leaders and serve as co-investigators on research studies. This group focuses on the intersection of housing, social-connection, and health.

Stuart Grande, PhD, University of Minnesota School of Public Health
William Walsh, MD, Hennepin Healthcare and Minnesota Design Center
Lawrence (Ripley) Smith, PhD, Bethel University

Want to join a working group? Click Here

Donor Family

We thank the organizations who generously supported the development of Envision Community:

  • Bush Foundation

  • Center for Urban and Regional Affairs (CURA) at the University of Minnesota

  • Cross of Hope Lutheran Church

  • Dayton Hudson Endowment at the Minnesota Design Center

  • Family Housing Fund

  • Graves Foundation

  • Head Count Lizzo Campaign

  • Headwaters Foundation for Justice

  • Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)

  • McKnight Foundation through a grant to the Minnesota Design Center

  • Pohlad Family Foundation

  • St. Odilia Social Justice Committee

  • United Health Foundation through a grant to Hennepin Healthcare

We also thank the individuals who financially supported Envision:

  • Julia Dayton

  • Gretchen Musicant

  • Jamie and Bill Walsh

  • William Walsh Sr. in memory of Mary Cecilia Walsh

  • Dori Wholey in memory of Doug Wholey

We thank the suppliers who generously donated materials to our prototype unit: