Leadership
our CEO
Ellen O’Connor
Chief Executive Officer
Ellen O'Connor has served as Chief Executive Officer of Dave's House since 2019, leading the organization's transformation from a respected nonprofit housing innovator into a developer and catalyst for permanent supportive housing communities. Drawing on more than 30 years of executive leadership across the corporate and nonprofit sectors, she has guided strategic growth, secured significant public and private investment, and built partnerships that are transforming how communities respond to adults living with serious mental illness.
Driven by a lifelong commitment to strengthening communities and creating opportunities for people to thrive, Ellen is leading the development of Dave's House at Celery Community in Sanford, Florida—an innovative permanent supportive housing neighborhood designed to foster stability, dignity, recovery, and belonging. Her collaborative leadership has united government agencies, healthcare providers, philanthropic investors, and private-sector partners behind one of Central Florida's most ambitious supportive housing initiatives.
Recognized for her visionary leadership and community impact, Ellen was named one of Orlando Magazine's Women of the Year. Before joining Dave's House, she held executive leadership roles at Tribune Company, Cox Media Group, and Bonnier Corporation, where she developed expertise in organizational leadership, strategic growth, and team building. A graduate of the University of Florida, Ellen believes that lasting change happens when strong leadership is paired with genuine relationships, thoughtful collaboration, and an unwavering commitment to serving others.
Dave’s House Board of Directors
OFFICERS
Elena Norman | Board Chair | Be Eloquent, LLC
Ray Dorman | Vice Chair | Returning Founding Board Member
Brian Thomas | Secretary | Florida Blue
Bradley Wightman | Board Chair Elect | Certified Building Contractor
Adam Schwartz | Past Board Chair | Schwartz Coaching & Advisory, Inc.
MEMBERS
Mark A. Coleman | CPA | Strombeck Consulting CPAs
Ralph Nattans | Retired Social Worker
Christin Ray | Executive Director of Behavioral Health | AdventHealth
Christina Watkins | Journalist | Communications Specialist
Nancy Wheeler | NJW Designs, Inc.
Lin Wilensky | Co-Founder | Retired Human Resources Executive
Ron Wilensky | Co-Founder | Retired Executive Coach
The Dave’s House Board of Directors is a group of dedicated professionals who bring a wealth of expertise across industries that directly support our mission—from finance and construction to hospitality, healthcare, and nonprofit leadership. Their combined insights and strategic oversight guide the organization’s growth and ensure that we continue to provide life-changing, permanent supportive housing for individuals living with serious mental illness. United by a shared commitment to compassion and impact, our board members play a vital role in shaping the future of Dave’s House.
Community Care navigator
Jen Mauco
Community Care Navigator
Jen Mauco serves as Dave's House's Community Care Navigator, bringing more than 20 years of experience in behavioral health, residential services, care coordination, and community partnerships. Throughout her career, she has helped individuals and families navigate complex life challenges by connecting them to behavioral healthcare, housing resources, social services, and other critical community supports.
Working from the Dave's House LaunchPad in Sanford, Jen collaborates with individuals, families, healthcare providers, behavioral health professionals, housing organizations, and community agencies throughout Orange and Seminole Counties. She helps coordinate services, facilitate referrals, navigate community resources, and strengthen the network of support that promotes long-term housing stability and independence.
Before joining Dave's House, Jen served in leadership roles within residential treatment and child welfare, where she gained extensive experience in crisis intervention, trauma-informed care, multidisciplinary collaboration, and helping vulnerable populations access the services needed to thrive. Her experience building community partnerships and coordinating complex systems of care provides a strong foundation for supporting adults living with serious mental illness.
As Dave's House prepares to welcome residents to the future Dave's House at Celery Community, Jen is helping establish the collaborative network of healthcare providers, behavioral health organizations, and community resources that will support residents as they build stable, independent lives.
our founders
Dave’s House was founded by Ron and Lin Wilensky in honor of Lin’s brother, Dave, who courageously lived with schizophrenia for more than 30 years. After witnessing firsthand the challenges David faced in finding safe, stable housing, Ron and Lin made it their mission to provide permanent supportive housing solutions for others in similar circumstances. Their personal journey inspired a movement—one that continues today through every home we build and every life we help stabilize.
Their tireless efforts have not gone unnoticed. The Wilenskys were named among Orlando Sentinel Magazine’s “10 People Who Make a Difference” and honored as finalists for Central Floridian of the Year. For Ron and Lin, Dave’s House is more than a mission—it’s a labor of love, rooted in compassion and driven by the belief that everyone deserves a place to call home.