Greater Naples Chamber to host Wake Up Naples May 6
The Greater Naples Chamber will discuss affordable housing in Collier County during Wake Up Naples on Wednesday, May 6. The event begins at 7:30 a.m. at the Hilton Naples, 5111 Tamiami Trail N., and the speakers include Andrew Cribbs, CEO and co-founder of Onda Housing Group, Michael Puchalla, CEO and executive director of The Housing Alliance, and Lindsey Touchette, vice president of community engagement at the Collier Community Foundation.
“Addressing housing affordability is one of the most critical challenges facing Collier County’s workforce and long-term economic vitality,” said Kristina Park, president and CEO of the Greater Naples Chamber. “Through this informative presentation, we are bringing together thought leaders and community stakeholders to explore innovative, actionable solutions that expand access to attainable housing. By fostering collaborative dialogue and forward-thinking strategies, we can help ensure our community remains a place where businesses thrive and residents at all income levels have the opportunity to live and succeed.”
Speakers will share insights on how housing affordability continues to challenge communities across Southwest Florida. Local nonprofits and community leaders are stepping up with creative, mission-driven solutions. This engaging discussion will explore innovative models for affordable housing, the vital role nonprofit partnerships play in development efforts and actionable ways the community can contribute to long-term solutions.
Cribbs is the CEO and co-founder of Onda Housing Group, a national affordable housing development firm founded in 2023. Based in Naples and Las Vegas, Onda’s mission is to provide high-quality and attainable housing for working-class families and individuals throughout the United States. Cribbs has a diverse institutional and entrepreneurial background in real estate and finance, beginning his career in Investment Banking with PNC Bank and J.P. Morgan in New York City, where he focused on mergers and acquisitions. After banking, Cribbs led much of the growth across two family office platforms. First investing in media, entertainment and sports companies, then in workforce housing development. Cribbs’ passion is in workforce housing development. He currently serves on the Carver Finance Board of Directors, a three-member board that oversees the federally subsidized George Washing Carver apartments in River Park, and the board Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition, a national trade association of housing professionals who advocates for affordable rental housing.
Puchalla serves as the CEO and executive director of The Housing Alliance, Inc., which is affiliated with the Housing Development Corporation of SW Florida, Inc., d/b/a HELP and the Collier County Community Land Trust, Inc (CCCLT). These three affiliated entities create a holistic approach to solving housing affordability challenges in our community. Puchalla held Florida licenses in real estate, property and casualty insurance, and life, health and variable annuities insurance. He obtained his Florida Mortgage Broker’s license in 2002, and maintains an active Florida Mortgage Loan Originator’s License. Puchalla worked in mortgage lending from 2002 until 2009, with an emphasis on working with first-time buyers. Puchalla has served on many local boards and committees, including the Collier County Continuum of Care, Age Friendly Collier, Collier Coalition for Healthy Minds and Emmanuel Communities, Inc.
Touchette is the vice president of community engagement at the Collier Community Foundation, where she advances the Foundation’s philanthropic priorities through community engagement and strategic grantmaking. She works closely with community stakeholders to identify new opportunities and strengthen ongoing efforts that contribute to the betterment of the community. With nearly 20 years of experience in the nonprofit sector, she is passionate about helping individuals and organizations achieve their philanthropic goals. In 2025, she was appointed by Gov. Ron DeSantis to the Collier County Housing Authority Board of Commissioners and also serves on the Collier County Citizens Corps Committee. She is a member of the Council on Foundations, Florida Philanthropic Network, CF Leads and the National Scholarship Providers Association. Locally, she is involved with the Association of Fundraising Professionals and the Leadership Collier Foundation Advisory Council. Touchette is a graduate of Leadership Collier. She has also been named a Gulfshore Business 40 Under 40 honoree and Naples Illustrated’s Naples 100 list of Collier County’s most influential business leaders.