About Us
Leadership
Shara Gonzales
President & CEO
Aaron Whittington
Director of Operations
Carissa Paxton
Director of Housing
Jacci Espinosa
Director of Finance
Jo Mora
Director of Job Ready Program
Shara has dedicated her career to addressing homelessness and expanding pathways to self‑sufficiency. Before leading New Beginnings, Inc., she worked in Washington, D.C., directing congressional offices focused on reforming a federal law that displaced 10,000 Indigenous people from their ancestral lands, contributing to a large‑scale homelessness crisis.
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As President & CEO of New Beginnings, Shara guides the organization’s shift from traditional homeless services to driving community‑wide housing solutions. Her leadership emphasizes the connection between economic development, job creation, and housing stability, strengthening long‑term opportunities for the communities New Beginnings serves.
Shara Gonzales
Aaron Whittington
As the Operations Director at New Beginnings, Inc., Aaron Whittington leverages a unique blend of professional expertise and life-tested resilience to drive meaningful change. Having navigated his own path to a new beginning, Aaron leads with deep empathy, providing a powerful example of what is possible when one commits to transformation.
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​A 4th-degree black belt with 3 decades experience, and a USA Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee, Aaron’s leadership is built on the same discipline that earned him titles as the 2016 WKA USA Karate Champion and 2017 NASKA Karate World Champion. He integrates the philosophies of Bushido into his everyday practice, fostering a culture of integrity, honor, and accountability to empower the Hutchinson community.
Carissa is the Director of Housing at New Beginnings, where she combines her passion for community development with a commitment to expanding affordable housing opportunities across Reno County. Prior to joining New Beginnings, she served in housing and community development for the City of Hutchinson, leading initiatives focused on neighborhood revitalization, housing policy, strategic planning, and residential development.
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Today, she oversees New Beginnings' housing operations, real estate development, and long-term asset planning, working to create housing solutions that help individuals and families build stable futures. Carissa holds a bachelor's degree in human resource management, is pursuing a Master of Public Administration at KU, and is a licensed Realtor®. She believes strong communities are built through thoughtful development, meaningful partnerships, and a commitment to helping people move from surviving to thriving.
Carissa paxton
Jacci Espinosa
 Jacci Espinosa serves as Finance Director at New Beginnings, bringing a unique combination of expertise, leadership, and lived perspective to the organization. She began her career working in healthcare and substance use recovery before earning a bachelor's degree in Accounting and Finance and an MBA in Leadership. Her diverse professional background has shaped a passion for building strong systems that help organizations better serve their communities.
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Her experience spans community leadership, grant development, statewide planning initiatives, and street-level advocacy, informing her approach to building effective organizations that create meaningful impact. Jacci believes the strongest organizations are built on informed decisions, sustainable systems, and a commitment to continuous improvement in service of their communities. Â
Jo Mora serves as the Program Director of New Beginnings Job Ready, bringing extensive experience in workforce development, case management, and community partnership building.
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Her background in employment services allows her to adapt proven workforce strategies to meet the needs of participants, ensuring the program remains responsive and results‑driven. Jo holds a Bachelor of General Studies in Organizational Leadership and Business Administration from Fort Hays State University and a Master of Public Administration with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management from Seton Hall University. Her combination of education, community knowledge, and hands‑on workforce development experience strengthens her ability to guide participants toward employment success, economic stability, and long‑term self‑sufficiency.
