Clever was born from a shared passion for design, innovation,
and solving one of the greatest challenges of our time: housing affordability.
We've designed some of the world's most iconic buildings, invented and commercialized advanced technology products, and run manufacturing operations around the globe.
Our founders are also family. As we were building a tiny home for ourselves, we realized that we had a unique combination of expertise and backgrounds that could be used to build incredible quality tiny homes at great prices. Our country is short three million homes. Clever is answering this challenge.
Get to know the people behind Clever.
Didi Zhao
Founder / Architecture / Design
Didi is an award winning architect and designer. She has designed skyscrapers, convention centers, movie theaters, bridges, and even entire cities for clients such as Universal Studios, The Venetian Casino and the Beijing Olympics. Her designs have been featured in top global design publications and honored with a Cooper Hewitt National Design Award (the U.S.'s top design prize).
Jonathan Palley
Founder / Partnerships / Engineering
Jonathan is an entrepreneur and engineer who previously built multiple successful digitally enabled-businesses. Products he's developed and brought to market are used by millions of customers, funded by top-tier Venture Capital firms, featured in Apple stores globally, and prescribed by doctors throughout America. Clever Tiny Homes allows him to combine his passions for carpentry and engineering world-class products.
Asa Feinstein
Founder / Manufacturing / Sustainability
A veteran tiny-home dweller, Asa has owned, run and consulted in complex manufacturing activities worldwide. He started an award-winning, socially conscious factory in the Philippines and consults on building sustainable global supply chains.
Felix Carrillo
Construction
Felix has over 20 years of experience in construction and construction management. He spent a decade in project management at DLB Construction, overseeing commercial-scale projects throughout the United States for large national brands. His diverse portfolio includes projects in the retail, airport, museum, and residential sectors.
Sina Haunga
Sales Director
Sina leads sales across residential, ADU, and multi-family projects at Clever Tiny Homes. She walks clients through financing, zoning, and permitting, connecting them with the right resources to move forward. Structured, practical, and relationship-driven, she earns strong trust from clients throughout the process.
Ben Frese
Customer Success Manager
With over 12 years in customer-facing roles, Ben leads Customer Success with rare technical range. His background spans construction, air quality, energy performance, and project management. From complex builds to day-to-day communication, he’s focused on one thing: making every Clever customer feel informed, supported, and well taken care of.
Virginia Gil
BIM Architect
As our BIM Architect, Vicky turns complex ideas into clear, buildable systems. Her work sits at the intersection of design, coordination, and execution, helping our teams build smarter, faster, and with fewer surprises.
Trixie Palami
Marketing Manager
Trixie's approach to marketing is storytelling rooted in listening: understanding what matters to homeowners, then translating those insights into stories that resonate. With a background in brand strategy and content creation, she keeps the human element at the center—making sure the work reflects not just what Clever builds, but why it matters.
Your new investment is just a phone call away.