Dr. Margot Kushel is a Professor of Medicine at UCSF and a nationally recognized leader at the intersection of homelessness, health equity, and aging. Dr. Kushel serves as Director of the Benioff Homelessness and Housing Initiative and the UCSF Action Research Center for Health Equity.

Dr. Kushel’s groundbreaking research, including the HOPE HOME longitudinal study and the California Statewide Study of People Experiencing Homelessness, has transformed public understanding of how poverty, housing instability, and health outcomes are deeply intertwined. Dr. Kushel’s advocacy and scholarship have informed policy at every level and continue to shape innovative, data-driven solutions to end homelessness. 

We are proud to present the LAE Outstanding Volunteer Award to Mischelle Mandel, who served as LAE’s Board President for ten years. Mischelle’s steadfast leadership, generosity, and belief in LAE’s mission helped expand our reach and strengthen our impact for older adults and people with disabilities across San Francisco. Her decade of service continues to shape the heart of our work.

We are honored to pay tribute to Daniel Casanova, the late Executive Director of the Eviction Defense Collaborative. Daniel’s unwavering leadership and commitment to justice helped protect the housing rights of thousands of San Franciscans. His compassion, collaboration, and spirit continue to inspire LAE’s mission and our city’s broader fight for housing stability.