About

Edith Yoder, EdM, is the Chief Executive Officer of Bridge of Hope National and serves as community board chair of Bridge of Hope Chester County. She authored the original church volunteer training manual for Bridge of Hope and developed many Bridge of Hope manuals on nonprofit management, fundraising, and board issues. Edith holds a master’s degree in Adult and Organizational Development from Temple University and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Eastern Mennonite University. After 30 years with Bridge of Hope, Edith is more passionate than ever about building neighborhoods of support for families facing homelessness.

Nicole Anderson has over 25 years of operations and business development experience. NAL Speakers represents a diverse group of professional speakers and leadership development workshop leaders. Nicole holds a BA in International Business and Finance from Temple University’s Fox School of Business and a MBA from LaSalle University. A life-long advocate for improving the lives of women and children, she has held several leadership roles on various non-profit boards in the Philadelphia area. Since 2011, Nicole has been involved with Bridge of Hope including working on the committee for the Annual Spring Gala. Nicole shares life with her husband Caswell, two children and their dog Auggie. Nicole commented, “I believe in Bridge of Hope and its mission because every family deserves a home, to feel safe and to feel secure.  This is why I’m passionate about the work that Bridge of Hope does and the positive impact that they have in the lives of mothers and children.”

The reality is, nearly 40% of Americans are one paycheck away from poverty or homelessness. My great passion is determining ways in which to bypass this stage, along with the trauma, hurt and shame that come along with it.

With a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Jim’s career includes experience in manufacturing, product development, product management and executive leadership. Jim says, “I value the opportunity to leverage the skills and connections built over 30+ years in industry to support local families in need and assist them on their path to stability.”    

 Doug is the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Phoenixville. He has a diverse work background including food service, freelance writing and editing, and game design, and he has also spent his adulthood in various social justice groups and, more recently, as a community organizer. Doug has served as a Bridge of Hope Neighboring Volunteer and engaged his church in the work of Bridge of Hope in various ways. He is also a member of another nonprofit board and multiple nonprofits in the Phoenixville area. Doug and his spouse, Pam, live with their daughter Poppy and other creatures including Patches, Sky, Coffee, and Clay. In his spare time, he plays games, designs games, writes, and if you are not careful, he will speak at length about sharks or about the works of J.R.R. Tolkien.  

Leo Hannan is retired from his work as Senior Director of Sales. Leo shares this: “Homelessness anywhere but particularly in the US has always troubled me deeply.  As a teenager growing up in the Kensington section of Philadelphia, I remember seeing people living on the street there and in Center City.  Even then I felt the need to do something.  I used to think that if I could win the lottery that I could do something on the scale that would be required to make a serious impact.  Fast forward some fifty plus years and being involved with Bridge of Hope has given me the opportunity to help.  One family at a time.” 

Afnan, born and raised in Kfar Yasif Galillee in North Israel, BA in Family Studies, trilingual (Arabic and Spanish), is the Special Projects Coordinator at CCIU.  She is the Homeless Outreach Specialist County Wide and Supervisor for Interpretation Services.  Afnan works to help individual students and families to connect to resources and meet their basic needs to help maintain their school attendance and protect their education under McKinney Vento Law. Afnan and her husband, Chris, live in Downingtown with their two children Elijah and Amal and attend Moving Communities to Christ Church in Elverson. Afnan is the founder of Beauty 4 Ashes Dance School and Ministry and loves pouring into others and has a passion for the nations. She loves cooking, dance, art, music, and reading, especially reading a book by the ocean.   

Laura Luther has more than 30 years’ experience in marketing and communications. She has also worked and volunteered for nonprofits for the past 20 years, and brings that experience to our board. Laura and her husband attend Grove UMC in West Chester, and in her personal life enjoys gardening, travel, photography and urban art. Laura says, “the prospect of lessening the struggle of families facing financial uncertainty and potential homelessness is a cause I feel compelled to assist and hopefully creatively energize.”

Adrienne Nash Melendez is the National Director of Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) for the Dept. of Veteran Affairs. She is very knowledgeable about homeless services in the county and region. She is an excellent facilitator and has planned and led numerous national-level meetings for Dept. of Veterans Affairs homeless services grantees. She is also a strong collaborator and empathic listener.  Adrienne attends Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Coatesville.

Mary Ann Nagel, MSS, MLSP, LSW is a medical social worker for Main Line Health Care who works with patients and families to address any barriers to care. Mary Ann has been a social worker for 31 years in a variety of hospital and community settings addressing social concerns including poverty, lack of affordable housing and mental health issues. Mary Ann grew up in Mexico City, Mexico, speaks Spanish fluently.

Misha Overby is a Compliance Control Analyst at The Vanguard Group, Inc. where she has worked for over 20 years.  She is a program alumna who lives in the Coatesville area. She holds a dual Bachelor’s degree in Human Performance & Organizational Dynamics from Immaculata University.  She attends First Baptist Church of Glenarden.  Misha says, “I believe in Bridge of Hope because I experienced their mission of engaging Christian faith demonstrated through Christ’s love in ending family homelessness.”

Shadell Quinones, M.S.S., L.S.W, M.L.S.P. is the Placement Administrator at Chester County Department of Children, Youth and Families.  Shadell has a master’s degree in Social Work and Law and Social Policy from Bryn Mawr Graduate School of School Work and Social Research.

Jacqui serves as an assistant principal and athletic director at Tredyffrin/Easttown Middle School and has been in the T/E School District in Chester County as a teacher and administrator since 2000. She lives in West Chester with her husband, Chas, dog and two cats. Jacqui is an active member of the United Methodist Church of West Chester, where she serves as the president of their United Women of Faith unit. While serving as a Neighboring Volunteer with Bridge of Hope, she experienced the power of the volunteer training, the sense of community created between the staff, family, and church volunteers, and the positive outcomes for all participants. She wants to serve to continue the mission to end family homelessness in Chester County.     

Sarah Rutt leads Chick-fil-A Lionville alongside her husband, Ryan. Her work focuses on providing a meaningful employment experience for Team Members while offering exceptional care to guests. Prior to her work at Chick-fil-A, Sarah spent 10 years serving in a variety of operations and finance roles at HOPE International. She cares deeply about seeing the Church be a place of grace, hope and healing in the midst of the brokenness of this world. Sarah’s experience in and passion for providing gracious employment as well as her background in non-profit financial management will be an asset to the board.  

Louise Snyder is a retired family caseworker who brings 10 years of experience in working with Bridge of Hope. She was part of a neighboring community with her home church, Forks of the Brandywine EPC and has served on various committees there. Louise currently serves on the Board of Chester County Women’s Services and is a long time resident of Chester County.

Pat Yoder, MSN, RN is the Maternal-Child Health Supervisor at the Chester County Health Department where she manages nurse home visiting programs to pregnant moms and families with young children.  Professionally and personally she is committed to nurturing healthy families, especially promoting parent-child engagement.  She also enjoys program and organizational development.