Delisa Burnell-Smith
President & Chief Executive Officer
Delisa Burnell-Smith serves as President & Chief Executive Officer of NeighborWorks® Waco. She is certified by NeighborWorks® Full-Cycle Lending in three categories: homebuyer education, mortgage lending and loan portfolio management. Since joining the organization in 1994, Burnell-Smith has counselled thousands of families. Burnell-Smith has served on non-profit organization boards of the East Waco Development Corporation, Waco Family Abuse Center, Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, Centex African American Chamber of Commerce, City of Waco Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission. She currently serves on the boards and commissions of the City of Waco Building and Standards Commission and Cameron Park Zoological and Botanical Society, Inc.
Delisa, a native Wacoan, earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Paul Quinn College in Dallas, Texas. In her spare time, Delisa enjoys traveling and considers herself a food connoisseur.
dsmith@nw-waco.org
254-752-1647 x 102.
NMLS #296823
Karen Saucedo
Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
As Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Karen is responsible for managing the organization’s grants and assets, and working with our accountants to keep the organization on budget. She works closely with local and national lending sources to generate the funds needed to continue serving Central Texas families. Karen has also been designing homes for NeighborWorks® families since 2001. Whether it is speculative or custom, Karen can create beautiful affordable homes for our families.
When Karen is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family and quilting with her mom.
ksaucedo@nw-waco.org
254-752-1647 x 104
Kris Morgan
Construction Manager
Kris serves as our dedicated Construction Manager, bringing a wealth of knowledge and leadership to the team. He oversees every phase of new home construction and real estate development, from initial planning and permitting through to final inspection and occupancy. In addition to managing construction projects, Kris also directs the operations of our maintenance department, ensuring that properties are well cared for and maintained to the highest standards.
With over 15 years of hands-on experience in both construction and property maintenance, Kris combines technical expertise with practical insight. His ability to manage complex projects, coordinate teams, and deliver quality results makes him an invaluable asset to our organization.
Outside of work, Kris is a devoted family man who enjoys spending time with his wife and their three sons. Much of their free time is spent outdoors camping, exploring nature, and enjoying quality family moments. Kris is also an avid DIY enthusiast who loves tinkering in his shop, working on home improvement projects, and cultivating his vegetable garden. His passion for building and creating extends well beyond the job site.
kmorgan@nw-waco.org
254-752-1647 x 108
Martha M. Johnson
Mortgage Loan Officer
Martha is a highly accredited, passionate, and goal-driven mortgage finance professional with almost twenty years of experience. A strong work ethic was instilled in her at a young age, and this core value is what helped position her as the professional she is today. To date, Martha has an expert understanding of lending guidelines and developed mastery in mortgage qualification processes. Furthermore, she takes mortgage planning a step further by building custom mortgage strategies considering her client’s overall financial goals, such as retirement, tax or education plans.
As an accomplished professional, she enjoys being a valuable resource for her clients to achieve their Real Estate plans and gain financial literacy in all facets of their lives. Her career was built on a foundation of values, integrity, and trust, and the underlying mission to empower others with in-depth information, knowledge, and insight so they can make the best decisions for themselves and their future. This, in conjunction with her commitment to understanding her client's needs without losing sight of their wants, gives her the solidifying confidence that your mortgage needs are in the best possible hands.
Though she loves what she does, when she is not working, you can often find her making memories with her little girl, Zoey and their rescue cat Penelope lovingly nicknamed ‘Peppie’.
mjohnson@nw-waco.org
254-327-5400 (Direct)
NMLS #72225
John Olvera, Jr.
Maintenance Specialist
John Olvera, Jr. was proudly raised in Waco, Texas, and now calls nearby Robinson home, where he lives with his beloved wife, Erica, and their two loyal dogs. With over two decades of hands-on experience in the construction trade industry, John has developed a strong reputation for his craftsmanship, particularly his passion for fine woodworking and custom cabinet building.
When he’s not working with wood, you’ll often find John in the garage with his latest automotive project. He has a deep appreciation for classic pickup trucks, buying older models, restoring them to their former glory, and enjoying them for a time before letting them go to new owners. It’s a hobby that blends his technical skills with his love for preserving the past.
Outside of his workshop, John cherishes spending quality time with his family and exploring Texas wineries with Erica. These moments of relaxation and connection are especially meaningful given the journey he’s walked, John is a two-time cancer survivor. He credits his strength, healing, and every breath of life to his unwavering faith, giving all praise and glory to the Lord.
Today, John brings his skills, heart, and resilience to his role at NeighborWorks Waco, where he is thrilled to be part of an organization making a lasting difference in the lives of families across the community.
jolvera@nw-waco.org
254-752-1647 x 105
Virgen "Ms. V" Latimer
Homeownership Planner
As the Homeownership Planner of NeighborWorks Waco, Ms. V--as she prefers to be called--is responsible for counseling with families to help them achieve their dreams of becoming financially stable and reaching homeownership. Ms. V is delighted to be part of the NeighborWorks Waco team because she is passionate about making a difference in the community by educating and empowering families to achieve their financial goals.
Originally from Puerto Rico, Ms. V has lived in Waco for years and loves our town and the community. After a long run with one of Waco’s oldest logistical trucking companies, she has chosen to bring her skills and experience to helping families navigate the logistics of financial strategy.
When Ms. V is not working, she enjoys spending time with her family, cheering on her grandkids' games, and watching documentaries, especially true crime!
vlatimer@nw-waco.org
254-752-1647 x 107
Katelyn Sharp
Property Manager
Katelyn Sharp has recently joined the NeighborWorks Waco team as the new Property Manager. A true native of Waco, she graduated from Connally Independent School District and brings with her over seven years of experience in the property management field.
Katelyn has a genuine passion for working with people and finds great satisfaction in helping families find their perfect home. She understands how stressful the moving process can be and takes pride in making it as smooth and positive as possible.
Married to her husband Michael for four wonderful years, Katelyn and Michael are the proud parents of two sons who keep their lives full of energy and joy. In her spare time, Katelyn loves embracing the great outdoors with her family. Whether it's riding dirt bikes or driving through the creek in her Jeep, she relishes these adventures and the quality time spent with her loved ones.
Katelyn is thrilled to be part of the Waco team and is dedicated to making a meaningful impact by building strong, supportive relationships within the community.
ksharp@nw-waco.org
254-730-7176 x 109
Alicia Sawyer
Bookkeeper
Alicia Sawyer is an accounting professional with a strong foundation in financial analysis, auditing, and bookkeeping. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Tarleton State University, where she discovered a deep passion for numbers and a genuine appreciation for the role accurate financial management plays in helping individuals, families, and organizations succeed.
Joining NeighborWorks Waco as a bookkeeper has been a meaningful step in Alicia’s career, aligning her professional expertise with her personal mission to serve others and make a lasting impact. She is excited to contribute to the financial stability and growth of an organization dedicated to building stronger, more resilient communities. Committed to ongoing development, Alicia looks forward to continuing to grow both professionally and as a valued member of the NeighborWorks team.
She and her husband have four children—two of whom are now adults—and she enjoys staying active with the younger two through school events, sports, and church activities. Her household also includes two cats and three dogs, adding plenty of energy and joy to their home. Family life keeps Alicia grounded and serves as a constant reminder of the importance of faith, community, and perseverance.
Grateful for the opportunity to be part of the NeighborWorks Waco team, Alicia is looking forward to contributing to its continued success and helping extend its positive impact throughout the community.
asawyer@nw-waco.org
Rose Corujo
Office Manager
Rose brings more than 42 years of broad-based administrative experience to her role as Office Manager at NeighborWorks Waco. Her professional background spans the education, publishing, and insurance industries, providing her with a well-rounded skill set and the organizational insight essential to effectively support the mission of the organization. In her current role, Rose thrives on connecting with prospective homeowners—guiding them through the initial steps of their journey, answering their questions, and ensuring they are connected with the appropriate resources and departments.
Though raised in Waco, Rose spent much of her adult life in Austin, Texas, where she raised her four children. During that time, she worked for a major publishing company for 15 years, steadily advancing in administrative roles and honing her leadership and operational management skills. She later transitioned into the insurance industry, where she continued to strengthen her administrative expertise.
Rose returned to her hometown of Waco to care for her father and, in doing so, discovered a meaningful professional home at NeighborWorks Waco. Her role not only aligns with her professional strengths but also reflects her passion for helping others achieve the dream of homeownership.
A proud mother and grandmother, Rose enjoys spending quality time with her six grandchildren and six beloved “grand-dogs.” Outside of work, she is actively involved in her church, where she volunteers in the children’s ministry. She also finds joy and relaxation in crocheting, a creative outlet she’s cherished for years.
mcorujo@nw-waco.org
254-752-1647 x 103
Meet the Board of Directors
Scott Williams
Board Chair
Pat Nowotny
Board Secretary
Rev. Elton Hall
Board Past Chair
Jim Smith
Business Representative
Oscar Chombo
Business Representative
John Boggs
Neighborhood Representative
Jean Ann Hoover
Neighborhood Representative
Ann-Claire Anderson
Neighborhood Representative
Linda McDonald
Honorary Board Member
Delfina Velasquez
Board Vice Chair
Phillip Prince
Board Treasurer
Chris Gutierrez, CCIM
Board Past Chair
Harrison Gray
Business Representative
Jim Lambert
Neighborhood Representative
Connie Lozano
Neighborhood Representative
Betty Sterling-Black
Neighborhood Representative
George Springer
Honorary Board Member
Linda Weaver
Honorary Board Member