Leaders in transformative housing
We believe housing is a virtuous cause and a moral and ethical endeavor that provides the fundamental human need for shelter in creative and life-enhancing ways.
Transformation Through Light
and Space
Our Expertise
This infrastructure allows Porchlight to take advantage of a scalable and sophisticated approach to the creation of not-for-profit housing. We leverage the scale and buying power of our large-scale commercial development enterprise to maximize every dollar and deliver housing solutions that rival high-end residential developments in design and quality.
Our Sponsors
meet our team
Phillip leads the organization’s strategy to design, develop, and build housing for non-profit partners who have a housing need. Phillip is also the Founder and President of Framework Group, LLC, a Tampa-based multi-family development and general contracting company, and brings a keen focus on planning and design, seeking to provide the highest functioning, most creatively executed housing at all points on the pricing spectrum.
Colleen has a passion for helping the underserved in our community. Colleen is also the President of August & Ivy Educational Consulting which is a boutique educational consulting firm that advises families and students on finding and applying to the college that best suits their unique skills, social needs, and academic goals. She has worked with students for the past 30 years in many capacities including social work, teaching, and advising.
Nick Herring is a Board Member of the Porchlight Foundation and is responsible for supporting all of the organization’s endeavors by leveraging his consultant, contracting, and political relationships, as well as his experience in housing development. Nick’s contributions to Porchlight are made possible through his tenure at Framework Group where he has developed nearly 4,500 multifamily housing units since joining in 2015, and where he currently serves as the firm’s Executive Vice President. Nick’s commitment to philanthropy dates back to his time in New York City serving as a House Captain for Rebuilding Together, and today includes supporting Redefining Refuge in Tampa with his wife Amanda, who serves on the organization’s board.
With over 30 years of experience as a complex transactions real estate attorney, Marilyn Mullen Healy has developed an extensive background in commercial and multi-family real estate. Marilyn concentrates her practice in the areas of commercial/multi-family real estate transactions, and business and governmental law: land use, zoning, workforce/affordable housing, public/private partnerships, and finance matters. Throughout her career, Marilyn has been actively involved, through leadership and volunteer roles, in the Tampa Bay community and is strongly committed to the mission and growth of The Porchlight Foundation.
Jeffery is the founder of Trinity Sky Advisors, and sources debt and equity for real estate developers and investors. He spent 35 years in Real Estate Banking, with the last 25 years managing the Southeast Real Estate Division for Regions Bank. He has financed over $75B of real estate development, working with most major developers and equity providers in the U.S. Jeffery is a passionate giver and has served on a variety of community and corporate boards.
Katherine Cowley is Porchlight’s Secretary and Treasurer, and through the process of helping establish this non-profit, she developed a passion for housing those in need. Katherine has served in a variety of volunteer capacities in her community and for the city at large. Her support for The Porchlight Foundation is rooted in her desire to see the disadvantaged gain an opportunity to grow through the provision of safe and affordable housing.
With over 40 years of faithful service to the city of Tampa, Rev. Kathy Conner and her husband, Rev. Fitz Conner lead First Presbyterian Church in Tampa. She is currently the Board Chair for Created Tampa, a founding and current Board Member of Mary Lee’s House, and a Junior League Sustainer. Kathy has also served Young Life Africa/Middle East for the past 30 years. Kathy and Fitz helped launch Matthew 25, a First Presbyterian outreach devoted to meeting the needs of men and women living on the streets of Tampa.