The NeighborWorks Waco Leadership Team

President & Chief Executive Officer
dsmith@nw-waco.org
254-265-6973
NMLS #296823

Delisa Burnell-Smith serves as President & Chief Executive Officer of NeighborWorks^® Waco. A devoted member of the organization since 1994, Delisa has brought over three decades of community development experience and a deep legacy of service to this leadership role.

Throughout her tenure at NeighborWorks Waco, Delisa has counseled thousands of families on their journey to homeownership. She holds a residential mortgage lending license and is an approved HUD Certified Counselor.

Delisa’s leadership and commitment to the community extend far beyond the walls of NeighborWorks Waco. She has served on the boards of numerous nonprofit and civic organizations, including the Family Abuse Center, Greater Waco Chamber of Commerce, Centex African American Chamber of Commerce, City of Waco Parks and Recreation Advisory Commission, City of Waco Building and Standards Commission, the Cameron Park Zoological and Botanical Society, Inc., the Community Race Relations Coalition, the Waco Housing Authority Family Self-Sufficiency Advisory Board, Cadence Bank Community Advisory Council and Heart of Texas Workforce Development Board, Inc. Delisa is also a proud member of Delta Upsilon Zeta of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

Delisa is a native of Waco and earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Paul Quinn College in Dallas, Texas. Further demonstrating her commitment to excellence in leadership, Delisa completed the prestigious Achieving Excellence Program at Harvard Kennedy School, an intensive 18-month executive education program designed to strengthen organizational performance in the nonprofit sector.

Outside of her professional accomplishments, Delisa enjoys traveling and proudly claims the title of food connoisseur. She especially loves cooking for her children and five grandchildren and cherishes every opportunity to spend quality time with them.

Favorite Scripture: Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”

Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
ksaucedo@nw-waco.org
254-262-0136

As Vice President and CFO, Karen oversees the management of NeighborWorks Waco’s grants and assets, working closely with accounting teams to ensure the organization remains on budget and financially sustainable. Her leadership helps secure the resources needed to support a wide range of programs that serve families throughout Central Texas. Through her strong relationships with both local and national funding partners, she plays a vital role in sustaining and expanding the organization’s impact.

Karen also serves as the administrator for the Community Loan Center of the Heart of Texas, a low-interest, employer-based small-dollar loan program designed to offer a fair alternative to costly payday and auto title lenders.

Beyond finance, Karen’s creative touch has helped shape the homes of many NeighborWorks Waco families. Since 2001, she has lent her talents to the design of both custom and speculative homes, ensuring each one is not only affordable but also beautiful and functional.

Outside the office, Karen enjoys spending time with her family. She also shares a love of quilting with her mom and cherishes the time they spend creating together.

Construction Manager
kmorgan@nw-waco.org
254-405-6548

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.

Office Manager
mcorujo@nw-waco.org
254-752-1647 x 103

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.

Mortgage Loan Officer
mjohnson@nw-waco.org
254-227-5459
NMLS #72225

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’.

Homeownership Planner
vlatimer@nw-waco.org
254-265-6945

As a dedicated HUD Certified Housing Counselor and Homeownership Planner at NeighborWorks Waco, Ms. V (as she prefers to be called) empowers families to achieve financial stability and the dream of homeownership.

With a passion for education and advocacy, she guides clients through every step of the process—from financial planning to loan processing, equipping them with the tools they need for long-term success.

A proud Puerto Rico native and longtime Waco resident, Ms. V brings a unique blend of expertise to her role. After a successful career in logistics with one of Waco’s oldest trucking companies, she transitioned her problem-solving skills and attention to detail into helping families navigate the complexities of financial strategy and homeownership.

When she’s not coaching clients toward their goals, Ms. V enjoys family time, cheering on her grandkids at their games, and indulging in her favorite true-crime documentaries.

Why she loves her work:

“There’s nothing more rewarding than helping families turn their ‘what-ifs’ into ‘we did it!’—whether it’s building credit, securing a loan, or holding the keys to their first home.”

Property Manager
ksharp@nw-waco.org
254-730-7176

As a seasoned Property Manager and newly appointed Assistant Construction Manager at NeighborWorks, Katelyn is deeply committed to ensuring that every home NeighborWorks Waco manages is safe, well-maintained, and truly feels like home. Katelyn’s goal is to create high-quality living environments where residents not only feel comfortable but genuinely cared for. She takes pride in maintaining excellence across every property under her supervision, consistently upholding standards that reflect NeighborWorks Waco’s mission of building stronger, healthier communities.

One of the most rewarding aspects of her work is helping individuals and families transition into homes where they feel secure, supported, and proud to live. Whether overseeing daily operations or supporting construction projects, she brings a hands-on, detail-oriented approach rooted in compassion and professionalism.

Outside of her role, she cherishes spending time with her husband and her two children. They enjoy raising chickens, cheering on local youth sports teams, and spending quality time outdoors together as a family. These moments ground her and inspire the work she does every day.

Maintenance Specialist
jolvera@nw-waco.org
254-262-0129

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.

Bookkeeper
254-313-3102
asawyer@nw-waco.org

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.