Our Team
Becky Reinhart : Executive Director
Becky was born and raised in southside St. Louis. An alumna of the St. Louis Public Schools, Becky continued her education with a double-major in American Studies and Spanish at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. She earned her MA in Applied Literary and Cultural Studies in Dortmund, Germany. Following her drive to help St. Louis become a healthier, more equitable city, Becky joined DeSales Community Development as Director of Community Health Initiatives in January 2017, served as Assistant Director starting in 2019, and was promoted to Executive Director in 2022.
A resident of the Tower Grove East neighborhood, one of Becky’s favorite things about her job is the opportunity to serve the community where she lives.
Tiffany Minx : Assistant Director
Tiffany came to South City in 2006, transplanting the Columbia-based shop and venue Apop Records to Cherokee Street. After closing the beloved music-community hub, she earned a BSc in Economics at SIU Edwardsville and served at the International Institute of St. Louis. Tiffany is committed to supporting positive change in her community and brings a critical but service-oriented approach, enthusiasm for learning, and entrepreneurial know-how to bear in her role as Assistant Director at DeSales. Tiffany is the board President of the New Music Circle, and in her free time you’ll find her in the garden weeds, or hiking, biking, reading, music-ing, beer-ing, and exploring.
Lisette Ortega-Vidal : Chief Operating Officer
In 2019, Lisette Ortega-Vidal became DeSales Community Development/Fox Grove Management’s first Chief Operating Officer, after holding the title of Controller since 2015. Though born in Rhode Island, she was raised in the Dominican Republic, and since 2010 has called St. Louis her home. Lisette likes to do things in threes: she holds three degrees, an MBA and two bachelor’s in management and accounting; has three boys; speaks three languages (but hopes to learn two more.) Lisette is an avid reader, a sports enthusiast and joyful dancer.
Tatyana Cody : Controller
Tatyana is a lifelong St. Louisan with over eight years’ experience working in community development organizations via both the Community Asset Management Company and DeSales / Fox Grove Management. After graduating cum laude with a Bachelor’s in Accounting from Harris Stowe University, she continued her education with a Masters in Finance from Webster University in 2016. With three young boys, Tatyana prioritizes spending time with her family and participating in church leadership, yet still finds time to jump double-dutch.
Mariah Byrne Sullivan: Community Services Manager
Mariah Byrne Sullivan moved to St. Louis in 2017 to work toward her Masters in Social Work and Masters in Business Administration at WashU. Prior to joining DeSales, Mariah served in roles focused on housing services, youth development, diversity, equity, and inclusion, community engagement, social enterprise operations, and grant management. In her free time, she can be found reading, baking, volunteering, or out on a walk in a St. Louis City park.
Kaila Holland: Administrative Coordinator
Kaila Holland graduated from Washington University in St. Louis in 2024 with a degree in Urban Studies and minors in Business of Social Impact and Urban Design. She has previously worked with the St. Louis County Department of Urban Planning researching best practices in zoning code and at Trailnet creating graphics for community engagement projects.
In her free time Kaila spends her time creating, designing, and crafting. Her favorite mediums are linoleum prints, acrylic paints, and reclaimed materials.
Jessica White : Marketing and Communications Coordinator
Jessika brings a thoughtful and people-oriented approach to storytelling and community engagement. As our new Marketing and Communications Coordinator, she brings experience in content creation, project coordination, and digital brand growth. Jessika is currently pursuing a Master's degree from UMSL in Communications with a focus on public relations strategy, and she is committed to using clear and meaningful communication to support the growth and impact of DeSales Community Development.
Kyliyah Walker: AmeriCorps Vista Associate
Kyliyah Walker is a city native, born and raised in North County Saint Louis. She graduated with her bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri Saint-Louis in 2026. Through leadership in club organizations, she hosted numerous lively community-building events and established partnerships with small businesses in the surrounding Normandy area. She is determined to devote her time as an AmeriCorps Vista Associate to continue promoting community partner engagement and drive meaningful growth in the city’s neighborhoods.
In her spare time, she can be found out and about in the city attending music/social events, farmers' markets, restaurants of international cuisine, and local research talks and conferences. Her undergrad years were spent studying biology, and she appreciates staying up to date on current scientific innovations.
LaPortia Jones: Community Services Coordinator
LaPortia (She/Her) is a proud native of Metro East St. Louis and now calls St. Louis City home. She holds an MBA in Strategic Management and Leadership and a bachelor's degree in Political Science and English Studies.
A strategic operations professional, community organizer, and trained mediator, she is dedicated to advancing social justice and mobilizing communities across Greater St. Louis. Her passions include base-building, policy education, coalition engagement, community storytelling, and resident outreach.
LaPortia is the founder of Divine Noire Creations, a handcrafted candle company born from her personal healing journey as a neurodivergent Black woman. Every culturally rich soy candle is infused with ancestral memory, intentional storytelling, and eco-conscious design. She also operates The Noire Anthology, a growing literary social media platform centering Black literature, culture, and community.
Outside of work, LaPortia is a proud Blerd, avid reader, travel enthusiast, and devoted Dog Momma to her two boys, Hayze and Bumi.
Elsie Odei: MSW Practicum Student
Originally from Ghana, Elsie moved to St. Louis to pursue her Master of Social Work at Washington University’s Brown School.
Before transitioning into social work, Elsie spent over a decade working in healthcare. Her experience working with children and families also shaped her interest in community-based work. She is excited to build on that experience through social work and explore new ways to support individuals, families, and communities.
Outside of work and school, Elsie enjoys reading, baking, and finding new things to explore around St. Louis.
Toni Stovall: MSW Practicum Student
Born and raised in St. Louis, Toni is passionate about community empowerment, affordable housing, and neighborhood revitalization. She earned her associate degree in Human Services and a certificate in Addiction Studies from STLCC–Florissant Valley, followed by her BSW from UMSL. She is currently pursuing her MSW at Washington University’s Brown School, concentrating in Domestic Social and Economic Development with a specialization in Social Entrepreneurship and Management.
As a real estate investor with six rental units, Toni revitalizes vacant properties to create affordable housing. She is excited to bring her experience and community resources to DeSales while learning from residents and the development team.
Outside of work, Toni enjoys cruising, Asian cuisine, and a good game of tic-tac-toe—which she’s pretty sure she can beat you at!