STAFF
Our dynamic team is passionate about solving the issue of family homelessness. We offer expertise in non-profit best practices, technical assistance, program development, fundraising, and communications so our Affiliates can empower families into sustainable independence. Our flagship program in Union County serves as an incubator of innovation. Raising awareness of the issue and elevating voices of families with lived experience are goals in all we do.
For general information, please call our main number at (908) 273-1100 or email us at info@familypromise.org.
STAFF
Ashley S. Allen
Community Engagement Manager, Family Promise Union County
Ashley S. Allen
Community Engagement Manager, Family Promise Union County
Ashley S. Allen is a Union County native, born and raised in Elizabeth, New Jersey. She graduated from William Paterson University with a degree in Sociology and a minor in African American Studies. Ashley later earned her master’s degree in Child Advocacy and Policy from Montclair State University.
With over 10 years of experience as a teacher in both Elizabeth and Newark, Ashley discovered her passion for community service through her work in the classroom. Recognizing the importance of supporting families and individuals, she transitioned into nonprofit work to make a broader impact within her community.
Ashley’s nonprofit career began with South Ward Promise Neighborhood in Newark, where she helped families access medical care, educational resources for their children, and ensured access to essential needs like food. She also hosted parent enrichment classes for both adult and teenage parents, offering valuable resources and knowledge. Additionally, she worked with families in shelters, leading drives for coats, computers, and gift cards, and introducing programs that further supported the community.
Ashley later served as the Training and Education Manager at Imagine, A Center for Coping with Loss in Newark. In this role, she organized and led training sessions for schools, including staff, administrators, students, and families. She also facilitated grief support groups and fostered strong partnerships with corporations, stakeholders, and community members. These collaborations enabled Ashley to connect families with grief services and other vital community resources.
Ashley has a deep love for children and families, and she believes her purpose is to empower others by providing essential information and support. She remains dedicated to ensuring that families receive the tools they need to navigate life’s challenges and thrive.
Brenda Almanzar
Homelessness Prevention Navigator, Family Promise Union County
Brenda Almanzar
Homelessness Prevention Navigator, Family Promise Union County
A Montclair State University graduate with a bachelor’s in Exercise Science, Brenda found her path redirected after college when she became an office manager at a physical therapy clinic.
Guided by her own experiences of trauma, healing and growth, she later founded a Reiki healing practice which provides a sacred space where individuals feel seen, heard and empowered.
Motivated by Family Promise’s mission and core values, it was evident that this work aligned perfectly with her purpose. Brenda is grateful to be able to bring her unique blend of personal and professional experience to a team who is dedicated not only on helping others overcome life’s challenges, but that also provides a safe space and encourages individuals to focus on healing and gives them hope in a brighter future.
Debbie Almanzar
Administrative Assistant, Family Promise Union County
Debbie Almanzar
Administrative Assistant, Family Promise Union County
A graduate from Montclair State University with a major in Sociology and a minor in Criminal Justice Debbie has always had a passion for “making the world a better place for us all.” In her professional career, she has previously held positions in security services and human resources and before that, she worked as a case worker and youth mentor where her main goal was to protect children and stabilize families. She always knew from a young age that her passion and purpose was to help others in becoming better versions of themselves.
Debbie just started with Family Promise Union County on November 1, 2021 as an administrative assistant and she is excited to be part of this team. She is bilingual, fluent in both English and Spanish. She is looking forward to pursuing her goal and purpose and implementing her degree in any way she can.
In her free time she enjoys journaling, reading, hiking, exercising, and cooking, but most importantly she loves to laugh and smile. She's a bit of what she likes to call “an adrenaline junkie”, always looking for the next adventure. She is excited about her future at Family Promise.
Cara Baldari
Director of Advocacy
Cara Baldari
Director of Advocacy
Cara Baldari is serving as the new Director of Advocacy at Family Promise. She has over ten years of experience in fighting for policy change to improve the lives of our nation’s children and families.
Previously she was Vice President of Family Economics, Housing, and Homelessness policy at First Focus on Children, a national children’s advocacy organization, where she directed a policy agenda to address child poverty and homelessness and promote family economic mobility in the United States.
She has a J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and a B.A. in History and Political Science from the University of Pittsburgh Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences.
She resides in Washington, D.C. with her family where she spends her spare time chasing after her two young children, serving as an ambassador for the Greater DC Diaper Bank, and watching British procedural television shows.
Maggie Bernhard
Operations Manager
Maggie Bernhard
Operations Manager
Maggie Bernhard is a proud Mule, having studied History and Media & Communication at Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. She has stayed involved in the college community beyond her four years and currently serves on the school’s Alumni Board and Young Alumni Council. Maggie earned her Master of Public Administration, with a concentration in Non-Profit Management, from Rutgers-Newark. Prior to her work at Family Promise, Maggie worked in Volunteer Management at Jersey Cares and then New York Cares, both part of the Points of Light Network. At these organizations, Maggie worked to engage corporate and civic groups in volunteer service and train new volunteer leaders. Working with volunteers showed her the impact that one person can make in their community whether painting a room, tutoring a child, or serving a meal.
At Family Promise, Maggie serves as Operations Manager, which means that she sends lots of emails. Joking aside, Maggie ensures that all 200 Affiliates are engaged and involved with partnerships and resources that National offers. Some of the programs that she manages are Partners in Housing (Manufactured Housing), Pathways to Workplace Success (Workforce Development Videos), Keys to Good Tenancy, and Family Mentoring. She also works with Affiliates to ensure they have the resources and support to meet all standards of Affiliation, such as completing the Annual Census.
In her spare time, you can find Maggie making nerdy crafts, baking cookies, learning about retro video games from her husband, and listening to True Crime podcasts.
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Melissa Biggar
Senior Director of Annual Fund and Communications
Melissa Biggar
Senior Director of Annual Fund and Communications
Childhood shyness compelled Melissa to hone her writing skills, but once she came out of her shell, her family couldn’t shut her up. The result: more than 20 years of communications and client relations experience in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors. With professional interests as eclectic as her music playlist, she has worked in book publishing, philanthropic foundations, higher education, and the financial industry.
As Senior Director of Annual Fund and Communications at Family Promise, Melissa directs a dedicated and talented team that raises awareness of the crisis of family homelessness and support for families rebuilding their lives. She manages fundraising campaigns, donor giving societies, and marketing communications, including Family Promise’s annual appeal and its quarterly newsletter. Through her role, she demonstrates the transformative and far-reaching impact Family Promise has on families’ lives while in the program and after.
Melissa studied English literature and creative writing at Dickinson College in Carlisle, PA, and has participated in several writing workshops, including the prestigious Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference where she wrote the first chapter of her yet-to-be-published (…or completed…) novel and spent a week without access to the internet or a hairdryer.
Melissa was born in New York City, which probably explains her insatiable attraction to The Big Apple. She grew up in New Jersey, where she currently resides, defying convention by having attended only one Bruce Springsteen concert and knowing how to pump her own gas despite a state ban on self-service fuel stations. Most of her writing now involves dollars and sense, but the Great American Novel still simmers on the back burner. Melissa loves to travel and has never met a plane ticket she didn’t like
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Corina Borg
Major Donor Manager
Corina Borg
Major Donor Manager
Corina Borg is a dedicated fundraising professional with a background in design and event planning. After earning her degree from Pepperdine University, she spent 14 years as a buyer for Ralph Lauren in New York City, honing her creative and organizational skills.
Passionate about giving back, Corina has been deeply involved in nonprofit work, serving on the board of the Area Baby Center and volunteering with Family Promise. Inspired by its mission, she transitioned into a professional role and now serves as Major Donor Manager, leading all fundraising efforts for major donors.
Outside of work, Corina enjoys time with her husband, Josh, their daughters, and their three rescue dogs. Originally from Mexico City, she speaks Spanish and loves keeping the language alive at home.
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Claire Boylan
Manager of Prevention Services, Family Promise Union County
Claire Boylan
Manager of Prevention Services, Family Promise Union County
Claire is a Diversion Specialist for Family Promise Union County’s Shelter Diversion Program. The Program works to stabilize families and keep them in affordable rental units and out of the emergency shelter system. Additionally, Claire oversees other prevention programs and activities to help families remain in their current homes.
Claire joined Family Promise Union County in 2020 as a Rental Assistance Coordinator to support the CDBG Cares grant program, which provided rental assistance to low-income households during the pandemic.
Claire’s previous experience includes work at the MENTOR Network in Philadelphia, where she implemented behavioral interventions for students with disabilities. Claire has also volunteered with Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark, teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) courses.
Claire graduated from Ursinus College in 2017 with a B.S. degree in Psychology and a minor in Education.
In her free time, Claire enjoys drawing and running. She has two dogs, Luna and Gracie, who always join her for hikes in Union County’s Watchung Reservation.
Rhonda Brown
Housing Coordinator, Family Promise Union County
Rhonda Brown
Housing Coordinator, Family Promise Union County
Rhonda earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Rutgers the State University, Newark, NJ. After realizing her favorite moments were when she had an opportunity to help others in need, she started her professional career with over 20 years of experience in the Human Services/Social Services field as an Informational and Resource Specialist in Constituent relations for Union County and the State of NJ, Case Manager for Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury, Case Manager for NJ Medicaid Waiver Programs for the Elderly and Disabled and Family Support Specialist and Parent Advocacy for Children with Special Needs.
Rhonda was drawn to Family Promise because of the holistic, community-based approach to helping families achieve stability which makes Family Promise unique. She recently joined Family Promise and serves as a Housing Navigator. In this role, she provides services for housing location/stabilization, maintains and builds landlord network, provide tenants education for clients, assists with prevention and diversion screening and housing stabilization plans.
In her free time, she enjoys reading, music, travelling and attending football and basketball games.
Shari Competiello
Chief Operating Officer
Shari Competiello
Chief Operating Officer
Shari Competiello is currently the Chief Operating Officer at Family Promise national. She is a member of the Leadership team and is responsible for internal operations, including human resource functions, internal technology, DEIA program coordination, and board activities and functions.
Shari joined Family Promise in February 2016, drawn to Family Promise’s community-based approach to addressing family homelessness. She received her law degree from Rutgers University School of Law-Newark and has an undergraduate degree in Business Administration. After working as a lawyer for several years, Shari was a stay-at-home parent and active volunteer in her local, Summit, New Jersey community. She and her husband have three adult children.
Britt Hegarty-Darrow
Chief Financial Officer
Britt Hegarty-Darrow
Chief Financial Officer
Britt Hegarty-Darrow is a certified public accountant with more than ten years of financial leadership experience in various sectors, including nonprofit, private equity, tech, and financial services. While her love of Excel fits the accountant stereotype, she’s more than just a numbers person and likes to think of herself as a cool accountant!
Prior to joining the national office of Family Promise, Britt was chief financial officer of West Michigan Partnership for Children (WMPC), an agency that administers foster care services to children and families, addresses racial disparities, and advances equity and inclusion in the West Michigan community. She is deeply passionate about social justice, and at WMPC, she actively worked to effect change at organizational, systemic, and social levels.
Britt grew up in three different countries and ten states as part of a military family. Being raised in diverse environments instilled in her a strong appreciation for community involvement and a dedication to supporting her neighbors.
Britt holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting from Michigan State University and is a die-hard Spartans basketball fan (March Madness is her favorite “holiday” season). She lives in Michigan with her partner and their two children. As a family, they enjoy exploring and hiking in local, state, and national parks (she dreams of retiring as a national park campground host!). You can often find them at Grand Rapids’ John Ball Zoo, where Britt serves as a planning committee member for the zoo’s annual fundraising event.
In addition to her professional and family life, Britt enjoys reading, trying new restaurants, and exploring the local brewery scene in Grand Rapids.
Geleen Donovan
Special Projects Coordinator, Family Promise Union County
Geleen Donovan
Special Projects Coordinator, Family Promise Union County
Geleen Donovan joined the national Family Promise team in 2014, as the Executive Director of Family Promise Union County. She has 15 years of experience in nonprofit management and development, working with homeless families and individuals in need. She began her journey with Family Promise as a volunteer coordinator with her church and then assumed the Executive Director position for the Hunterdon County Affiliate, prior to coming to Union County.
“I love working for the Family Promise Program, we bring families in need together with families who want to serve, and the conversations and friendships that ensue truly build a strong community. Every day, I am inspired by our families, as they have lost their home and most of their material possessions, but still greet us with a smile each day. That gift of themselves is priceless and is a reminder that all you truly need is love.”
“One day, I will complete the musical about homelessness that I have been writing for the last ten years!”
(908) 289-7300, ext. 11
Allison Eckles
Affiliate Services Manager
Allison Eckles
Affiliate Services Manager
Allison Eckles received a bachelor’s degree in Management from the University of Notre Dame and an MBA from UCLA Anderson School. Before taking time off to focus on family, Allison worked for Disney Consumer Products in various brand management and licensing roles. After leaving the workforce, Allison stayed active by serving on nonprofit boards, fundraising, and volunteering for organizations centered on promoting educational opportunities for children.
Allison joined Family Promise in August 2021. As the Affiliate Services Manager, she manages the vendor partnerships and education platform, delivers communications to the Affiliate network, and oversees the logistics of special events. She is inspired to be working with a dynamic team committed to finding solutions to ending family homelessness.
For fun, Allison enjoys spending time with her family and friends attending sporting events and Broadway shows, playing a round of golf, and cheering for the Fighting Irish.
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Diane Esty
Director of Development, Family Promise Union County
Diane Esty
Director of Development, Family Promise Union County
Diane is a seasoned management professional networker, and community connector. Her years in retail bank leadership for both national and regional area banks transferred and augmented her non-profit management and fundraising talents serving many nonprofits, a community foundation, and an emergency medical response agency. Diane has years of nonprofit board member experience on national boards and local business associations. She really enjoys the “grapple” of the financial and governance work that goes along with board participation. Possessing skills in financial management, donor engagement, strategic revenue development, and event planning and execution, Diane is thrilled to bring her talents to Family Promise.
As Director of Development for the Union County program, Diane oversees the grant management and application submission process, event and appeal fundraising, and engaging donors from every avenue. She gained her grant writing experience while the Executive Director during the pandemic at the emergency medical response agency. Talk about learning as you go!
Diane was raised in Bergen County and now resides with her husband and daughter in Montclair, NJ. She enjoys her monthly book club group, gardening on a cloudy day, and completing 1000+ piece jigsaw puzzles.
Carolyn Gordon
Chief Program Officer
Carolyn Gordon
Chief Program Officer
Carolyn Gordon has a Master of Social Work from the State University of New York (Albany) and B.A in Psychology from Boston University. They were born and raised in upstate New York, lived all over the Northeast, and now calls Pennsylvania home. Prior to working with Family Promise, they worked with social enterprises and micro-businesses for youth aging out of foster care. They enjoy bringing their social work background and entrepreneurial spirit to the Family Promise movement.
Carolyn Gordon serves as the Chief Program Officer. Carolyn’s work with Family Promise began when they served as the Executive Director of the Northern New Castle County Affiliate in Wilmington, Delaware for 7+ years. Then, they began with the National team as the Northeast Regional Director before serving as Senior Director of Program Development. Today, Carolyn leads the Programs Team in shaping Family Promise’s national strategy on advocacy, housing development, and program innovation. They love that the Family Promise model engages the community through volunteerism while also effectively preventing and ending family homelessness.
When not helping others leverage their gifts and talents, they can be found eating Indian food, at a concert, trying to be a minimalist or starting up some new hobby they hope will stick.
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Risé Grady
Emergency Services Coordinator, Family Promise Union County
Risé Grady
Emergency Services Coordinator, Family Promise Union County
Risé Grady was born and raised in Elizabeth, NJ, but relocated to New York in search of a better life. She worked at E-ZPass in Staten Island but knew she wanted something more rewarding, so she starting taking classes at the Resource Group School in Brooklyn to become a substance abuse counselor. While attending school, she began working in Manhattan as a housing counselor in an SRO.
After completing her schooling, she returned to New Jersey to find meaningful employment. Her sister was serving as an interim director for Family Promise and asked Risé to help provide weekend coverage. Karen Olson, Family Promise’s Founder, and Claas thought she would be a good fit for the agency and she was hired for Family Promise Union County. Although her passion for substance abuse counseling remains, she has come to find case management for the families Family Promise serves extraordinarily fulfilling, as well.
(908) 289-7300, ext. 12
Lorraine Grover
Executive Assistant
Lorraine Grover
Executive Assistant
Lorraine Grover started her career in the banking sector in commercial banking as a credit analyst. After several years in the banking industry, Lorraine transitioned to a local steel company as Credit Manager overseeing a $24MM portfolio, resolving delinquent accounts, and working closely for the VP of Finance. Soon after marrying her husband (John) Lorraine chose to leave the workforce in 1998 to raise a family and has devoted the last 24 years to raising and homeschooling their four children up until high school.
Lorraine re-entered the workforce in 2023 finding the perfect fit with Family Promise as the Executive Assistant to the CEO. She handles the daily tasks of managing the CEO’s calendar, email, scheduling meetings, projects and other daily tasks that come alongside her role to supporting the CEO. Lorraine also helps and supports the COO working on various projects.
Currently living with her family outside of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Lorraine enjoys spending time with her husband and children (when they are home from college), and their four dogs. She loves to be outside, walking her dogs, working in and just enjoying her flower gardens and backyard waterscape, and enjoying the occasional round of golf.
Nakeshia Hedrick
Regional Director (Northeast)
Nakeshia Hedrick
Regional Director (Northeast)
Nakeshia Hedrick is originally from Northwest Indiana. She attended Indiana University-Bloomington and completed a dual Bachelor's degree in Political Science and African American Diaspora Studies with an HR minor. She received a Public Management Graduate Certificate from Indiana University-Northwest before taking graduate coursework at IUPUI (Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis) focusing on Public Affairs-Policy Analysis. She also completed her Master of Education (M.S. Ed) from Arkansas State University. Her work experience includes serving as an advocate for community engagement, a legal assistant in Chicago, a HeadStart program assistant, and in the guidance office in a local school district.
Nakeshia served as Executive Director of Family Promise of Greater Lafayette, IN for two years before joining the national staff as the Northeast Regional Director.
Nakeshia is the proud mother of three daughters, the self-proclaimed "Princess of Everything, Especially Sparkles, Glitter, and Unicorns", the Karate Princess Warrior, and the up-and-coming holistic care businesswoman. She’s married to her own personal McGuyver, and they have three dogs, Baby Ruth, Cardi, and Chops. She is also a football and basketball fan, likes to play Madden, and watch documentaries. She has a weak spot for nice shoes.
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Peter Jacob
Executive Director, Family Promise Union County
Peter Jacob
Executive Director, Family Promise Union County
A lifelong resident of Union County, Peter is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a strong background in housing and nearly two decades of experience in the nonprofit sector.
He began his career at the Elizabeth Coalition to House the Homeless, where he worked in advocacy, supported a transitional housing program, and coordinated a rotational winter shelter program in collaboration with local congregation. Peter also served as a Mental Health Services Supervisor at SERV Behavioral Health.
At Jewish Family Service of Central NJ in Elizabeth, Peter provided mental health counseling and case-management to individuals and families before going on to establish a Housing Department where homelessness prevention, rapid rehousing, and diversion services were provided.
Peter serves on the Union County Human Services Advisory Committee and the Comprehensive Emergency Assistance System/Continuum of Care (CEAS/CoC) Committee.
Peter holds a B.A. degree in Sociology from Kean University and Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis.
Shari Jones
Director of Programs
Shari Jones
Director of Programs
Shari Jones is the Director of Programs for Family Promise and a mission-driven leader in developing innovative, community-based programs that address housing insecurity and promote long-term family stability.
With a background in both social services and the criminal justice system, Shari has created trauma-informed programming, including CBT-based interventions for incarcerated individuals and in-home therapy models for at-risk children referred to by DCF. Her therapeutic work focused on increasing the family's carrying capacity and preventing family separation. She also served the veteran homeless population, honing her skills in navigating access to housing, healthcare, and mental health services, taking a holistic approach to addressing homelessness.
She previously led Family Promise of Gainesville’s expansion through targeted, equity-focused initiatives that serve rural and underserved communities.
Shari holds a Master of Science in Criminal Law from Nova Southeastern University and is widely recognized for her strategic leadership, cross-sector collaboration, and deep commitment to equity and community well-being. She currently resides in Newberry, FL, a small town just outside of Gainesville, with her husband and 9-year-old son.
Mike Kerkorian
Chief Development Officer
Mike Kerkorian
Chief Development Officer
Mike Kerkorian joined Family Promise as the Chief Development Officer in 2023 and leads the organization’s resource development and marketing team. Mike is focused on raising critical resources and driving brand awareness to advance the organization’s mission of making sure all families have a home and a chance to thrive.
He previously served as Senior Director of Corporate Relations at United Way Worldwide where he led the organization’s global account team working with some of the world’s most recognizable brands on fundraising, social impact, and volunteer strategies. With nearly 15 years in the nonprofit sector, Mike has significant experience in driving revenue, creating innovative partnerships, and optimizing operations.
A graduate of Middlebury College in Vermont, Mike started his career in financial services in Boston. He also earned an MBA from Boston University before moving home to Michigan to start his nonprofit career. Mike is a committed lifelong learner having recently completed a program in social impact at the University of Pennsylvania and receiving his Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation.
Mike lives in New York City with his partner where you’ll normally find him running in Central Park or enjoying the City’s fantastic restaurants.
Caroline Lamar
Regional Director (South)
Caroline Lamar
Regional Director (South)
Caroline began her time at Family Promise of Blount County as a board member in 2017. In late summer, 2019 she was named interim executive director and began serving as ED full-time in January of 2020. In 2022, she joined the Family Promise national team as Regional Director (South).
She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She spent more than a decade as a TV news producer. She has also served as the communications director for Church Street UMC in downtown Knoxville. Caroline and her husband, Jamie, have three daughters and live in East Tennessee near the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Paula Massa
Development Operations Manager
Paula Massa
Development Operations Manager
Growing up in Arizona, Paula Massa took an early interest in cultures and society after observing the exploitation and dismissal of Native Americans and their culture. She attended the University of Colorado for two years, but life presented a detour and she finished with a BA in Anthropology & Behavioral Science at Drew University. Because of her love of the outdoors and sports, Paula decided to follow a career in marketing and communications, landing a job in the professional sports industry.
From managing the implementation of marketing projects that included brand awareness and membership retention, to taking a job with a leading nonprofit software provider where she could work with various national nonprofits overseeing their software implementations, her experience in marketing and communications is eclectic, to say the least. Volunteering with various community-driven organizations kept her in touch with social concerns, which eventually motivated her to come full circle and pursue a position with an organization whose mission was to help and serve people. Her role as Development Operations Manager allows her to use her experience for a purpose that she feels strongly about and work with a dedicated group of people with a common goal – helping people who need it most.
Apart from work, you can find Paula hanging out with her family (including their very shy and timid dog Pawz) or enjoying the outdoors, whether sports-oriented or trekking into the city.
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Sandra Miniutti
Chief Network Officer
Sandra Miniutti
Chief Network Officer
While earning an MBA in finance and marketing at Rutgers University, Sandra Miniutti worked with a professor to develop the initial business plan for a new non-profit called GlassRoots. The success of this project solidified Sandra’s passion for advancing the nonprofit sector and inspired her to transition her career out of the corporate sector. In 2000, Sandra entered the nonprofit sector as a member of the PR and Development staff of the Morris Museum. She then went on to work at Charity Navigator where she wore many different hats – including serving as both VP of Marketing and CFO – and often appeared on television, radio, and in print, commenting on the nonprofit sector. Sandra has nearly twenty years of extensive nonprofit experience in public relations, marketing, fundraising, strategic planning, public speaking, partnership-building, financial management, research, analysis, and writing.
Today, she’s proud to bring her deep commitment to advancing a vibrant and healthy philanthropic marketplace in which charities have the necessary skills and resources to solve our communities’ most pressing issues to her work at Family Promise. As Chief Network Officer, Sandra oversees the Regional Directors and Affiliate Services staff to ensure the overall health and success of Affiliates and the coordination of national programs with Affiliates. She enjoys being part of the extraordinary team at Family Promise working to help families experiencing homelessness achieve sustainable independence.
Sandra’s son and husband are bagpipers and her daughter is an Irish step dancer. When they’re not marching in parades and performing at events, her family enjoys traveling and spending time outdoors with their rescue dog.
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Brad Mole
Director of Housing
Brad Mole
Director of Housing
As Director of Housing at Family Promise, Brad Mole brings a strong background in community development and a passion for expanding access to affordable housing.
Brad has spent his career working alongside locally elected leaders, nonprofits, and city planning professionals to create housing solutions rooted in equity and collaboration. He previously served as Regional Director of the Beaufort Jasper Housing Trust, where he led efforts across eight municipalities to establish a regional housing fund addressing affordability challenges driven by population shifts and growth in the coastal South.
As Chair of the Affordable Housing Coalition in Beaufort and Jasper Counties, Brad created space for more than 20 housing organizations to come together, share resources, and pursue policy and zoning reforms that break down barriers to housing. He also served as Housing Administrator for the Town of Bluffton, working with planning and growth management teams to align housing strategies with sustainable development.
Brad also serves on the board of the Gullah and Latino Association, where he champions advocacy for historically underserved communities in the Lowcountry. His work is rooted in regional insight, strategic collaboration, and a deep commitment to helping families thrive.
Lindsay Moore
Regional Director (Mid-America)
Lindsay Moore
Regional Director (Mid-America)
Lindsay Moore studied mass media communication, at the University of Michigan-Flint, and spent more than a decade working in television newsrooms, in both Flint and Detroit. Her passion for broadcast media was always fueled, partly, by wanting to know what was happening in the world around her, but mostly by being able to harness the power of media for the greater good of the community. Throughout her time in media, she continued volunteering, including overseeing a meal ministry which led her to discover Family Promise. Working with financially fragile families highlighted the need for a program specifically serving families and research lead to Family Promise. She worked alongside a group of very dedicated individuals, to launch Family Promise of Genesee County. She served on the founding Board of Directors then spent four years committed to the role of the Affiliate’s Executive Director. Her time serving families and growing Affiliate programming was life-changing and led to an opportunity to work directly with the National Family Promise office as an Associate, doing some contract work with other Affiliates.
Beginning in 2017, Lindsay joined the National team as the Midwest Regional Director, a role she absolutely loves! Her favorite part is working with Affiliate staffs and boards of directors across the Midwest, to continue the amazing work being done in each community and bringing new opportunities for growth and support from the amazing National team. This role brings together her passion for serving people and seeing the power of good grow within communities. She enjoys traveling to the different Day Centers and learning about how each Affiliate serves children and families experiencing homelessness and working with them to deepen community relationships and impact.
She is proud to serve the Midwest region from her home base, in Michigan, where she lives with three amazing humans, her daughters and husband. She continues to volunteer with her family, at Family Promise of Genesee County. She has a ridiculous obsession with office supplies, particularly Sharpies, including some sentimental ones. She loves spending time outdoors and near water; she’s an avid reader and a wanna-be runner and yogi.
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Kristin Mossa
Accounting Manager
Cassidy O'Lear
Annual Fund Specialist
Cassidy O'Lear
Annual Fund Specialist
Cassidy O’Lear is a 2019 Communications graduate of the University of Connecticut. Prior to joining Family Promise, Cassidy worked in the nonprofit sector for Seaside Sustainability and the Center for the Integration and Advancement of New Americans. Her previous work included writing for their website, blogs, and managing social media content as well as aiding in grant proposals. She is passionate about supporting families experiencing homelessness and using her marketing and storytelling skills to help those in need.
Cassidy serves as the Annual Fund Specialist at Family Promise. In this role, she helps manage the organization’s annual giving program and supports the stewardship and acknowledgement of individual donors.
Cassidy is from New Jersey and currently resides in Somerville, MA. She loves spending her free time running, traveling, baking, and reading.
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Beverly Orth
Director of Foundation Relations
Beverly Orth
Director of Foundation Relations
Beverly brings a unique blend of academic rigor and a passion for community service to her role as Director of Foundation Relations. She studied archaeology and cultural anthropology at the City College of New York and the University of Montana, which instilled in her a love of writing, research, critical thinking, and storytelling – invaluable skills for grant writing and institutional fundraising.
Driven by a desire to make a tangible impact on the lives of others, Beverly has spent over 20 years in the non-profit sector, working for organizations focused on healthcare, education, and child protection. Her dedication to improving the lives of children from low-income families fuels her ability to advocate on their behalf and cultivate meaningful relationships with philanthropic people and institutions to secure transformative grants.
Jason Parry
Director of Affiliate Services
Jason Parry
Director of Affiliate Services
Jason joined Family Promise in 2024 after more than 20 years in non-profit leadership and workforce development. Prior to joining Family Promise Jason worked to develop both local and national programming initiatives designed to increase organizational capacity and improve program delivery.
Jason leads Family Promise’s team of Regional Directors and works with our incredible national network of close to 200 Affiliates. The mission of Family Promise, to prevent and end homelessness for families with children and to help them achieve sustainable independence through a community-based response, resonates deeply with Jason.
A graduate of Gordon College in Massachusetts, Jason began his career with the YMCA of Greater Boston. He went on to work for several other non-profit and social enterprise organizations supporting workforce development efforts for people historically excluded from economic opportunities.
Mitchell Petit-Frere
Director of Marketing
Mitchell Petit-Frere
Director of Marketing
Mitchell Petit-Frere earned his bachelor’s degree from St. John’s University in 2014 with a double major in English and journalism. He remained at St. John’s for graduate school and received his master’s degree in international communication in 2016. After finishing school, Mitch worked as an adjunct professor for his alma mater, a camera operator at the 2016 and 2017 US Open Tennis Championships, a freelance writer for the NY Daily News, and a Residence Director at St. John’s-Paris before landing at Family Promise in April 2018.
Mitch leads Family Promise’s marketing initiatives, manages social media channels, oversees press outreach, and produces creative content. He is actively working to help Family Promise become a household name.
Outside of work, Mitch is either training for his next triathlon (a hobby that was born becuase of Family Promise) or creating videos.
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Stacy Pollard
Regional Director (West)
Stacy Pollard
Regional Director (West)
Stacy Pollard has over ten years of experience working in the homeless services field. She has served as Regional Director for Family Promise since 2016. Prior to that, she served as Executive Director of the Nevada Homeless Alliance, and also as Program Director for the Interfaith Council of Southern Nevada’s Camp Anytown. Stacy holds a Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Nevada Las Vegas, with an emphasis in Management and Community Practice.
As Regional Director, Stacy Pollard provides Affiliates with training, support, and resources to enhance program service delivery and operations. In addition, she works to provide Affiliates with opportunities to build interagency relationships, to increase leadership development opportunities and use of best practices among Affiliates. Stacy also serves as Chair of the Family Promise Government Relations Committee, coordinating legislative updates and advocacy efforts.
Stacy is a self-proclaimed social justice warrior. In her spare time, she loves spending time with her husband and her children and exploring the Pacific Northwest.
(503) 328-3118
Cheryl Schuch
Chief Executive Officer
Cheryl Schuch
Chief Executive Officer
After graduating from the University of Michigan, Cheryl spent 16 years living in Chicago cultivating a career as a sales and marketing executive in the computer industry. She worked with large international corporations throughout most of her career, ending with an exciting opportunity to be a part of a small start-up in silicon-valley, helping to grow the organization and take it public.
Cheryl left her career in tech and devoted her expertise to the non-profit sector when she moved back to her home state of Michigan in 2002. She helped to develop one of the largest and most dynamic volunteer organizations in Grand Rapids, with Kids Food Basket, before joining the Family Promise network. After serving as the Executive Director of Family Promise of Grand Rapids for over 14 years, Cheryl took over the role of Chief Executive Officer of Family Promise in March 2023.
Currently, Cheryl also serves as Board Chair at West Michigan Partnership for Children (WMPC) and serves on the Board for Butterball Farms, Inc. She was recognized as one of the Grand Rapids Business Journal’s 50 most influential women in 2016 & 2021, awarded the WGVU “I Have Made a Difference Award”, WMPRSA “Communicator of the Year” 2019 Proof Award, and received the 2018 Paul I. Phillips President’s Award through Grand Rapids Urban League, and the WOTV 2021 West Michigan’s Remarkable Woman award.
Cheryl carries her passion for people forward in her spare time. Developing young women leaders and working with children continue to be the focus for the investment of her time and talents. During the picture-perfect Michigan summers, you will find Cheryl leaning into the nostalgic summer days at the beach reading or enjoying time with family and friends! During the snowy Michigan winters, she hits the road to travel and find adventure, including Broadway shows, skiing, and horseback riding!
Robbin Sims
Day Center Assistant, Family Promise Union County
Robbin Sims
Day Center Assistant, Family Promise Union County
Robbin Sims has a passion for getting to know the stories of everyone she meets. Prior to Family Promise, Robbin worked as a member of the janitorial staff at McCracken Junior High School. She is originally from South Carolina.
As the Day Center Assistant, Robbin assists with the operations of the Family Promise Union County Day Center in Elizabeth, NJ. She also helps with FPUC events, like the annual Health Fair, and manages the food pantry. Her favorite part of her role is getting to know the families we serve and making the Day Center feel like home.
Outside of work, Robbin Sims enjoys walking, cooking, and spending time with friends. She has three adult sons and five grandchildren.
Christine Tolleson
Director of Grants Compliance
Christine Tolleson
Director of Grants Compliance
Christine Tolleson has had a varied career in the financial services sector including auditing, financial reporting, and establishing and improving financial and operational controls and accounting policy. She has worked for large and mid-sized corporations as well as start-up organizations. Christine has been responsible for analyzing business objectives, risk, and controls for financial and operational processes including collaborating with executive and business management to implement action plans. She took time off from her career to raise her son.
Christine re-entered the workforce in 2019 finding a perfect fit with Family Promise as its bookkeeper. She is responsible for the day to day financial operations and is working to improve and implement policies and controls. She is honored to work with the Family Promise team helping to support its mission of helping families experiencing homelessness regain housing and attain sustainable independence.
In her spare time, Christine Tolleson loves experiencing new adventures with her husband and son, “the Shore,” music (anything ‘80’s and all Bruce Springsteen), and is a New Jersey Devils hockey fan in a house where her son and husband “bleed blue” (NY Ranger fans).
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Amber Young
Director of Corporate Relations
Amber Young
Director of Corporate Relations
Amber Young is a nonprofit professional with over ten years of experience in the volunteer engagement field. Throughout her career, she has worked for a variety of nonprofit organizations including the National MS Society and American Cancer Society. Amber received her bachelor’s degree in Public Relations from Hofstra University and master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Eastern University. In 2018, Amber was selected by American Express as an emerging nonprofit leader and successfully completed the American Express Leadership Academy.
Amber serves as the Director of Volunteer Engagement at Family Promise. In this role, she develops innovative strategies to both enhance and advance the Family Promise volunteer program. Amber’s goal is to support the needs of the 200 Affiliates and 200,000 Family Promise volunteers across the country.
Amber lives in New York City and loves being in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city. She enjoys attending Broadway shows, walking in Central Park, and grabbing fresh veggies at the local farmer’s market. Amber can often be found at a karaoke lounge with her friends belting out 90’s pop and R&B songs!
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*Thank you to Bob Elam Photography for the staff head shots!