Board

Edith Yoder, EdM, is the Chief Executive Officer of Bridge of Hope National, which oversees the local work of Bridge of Hope in Chester County. Edith also serves as chair of the community board for 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.”

Valerie Cubel is a Human Resources Generalist with extensive experience that brings valuable knowledge and expertise to staff and program participants as they work toward increased income and long-term financial independence in Chester County. Valerie resides in southern Chester County and is raising two grandchildren, one who is active in soccer and the other in music.  They enjoy camping, bicycling, thrifting, and vacations with the entire family. Valerie and family are active members of Beulah Baptist Church in Oxford. 

Valerie has a strong personal connection to Bridge of Hope’s mission as an alumna of the program. Through this experience, Valerie gained a deep appreciation for the importance of community support and collaboration during times of hardship — support that played a critical role in stabilizing life after the loss of housing. Now serving as a Neighboring Volunteer for the second time since completing the program, Valerie remains committed to encouraging and supporting others as they work toward stability, independence, and renewed hope. 

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.

Rev. Charles Eric Robertson, Jr. is the Senior Pastor at Forward Impact Life Ministries (FILM). Eric is a firm believer that family is the first ministry, he loves to spend time with his family. Eric and Katina, (his wife of 22 years), are the proud parents of triplets, Kayla, Ava, and Charles, III (Tre) who keep them very busy. In addition to their triplets, Eric and Katina enjoy spending quality time with their beloved god-children.   

In December 2016, following 20 years serving as Minister of Music, Youth Leader, and Head of Public Relations and  Men’s Ministries, Eric and Katina were released by their pastor, James J. Christmas, Sr. to begin, Java, Worship, & The Word, (JWTW), Bible Study in a Coatesville coffeehouse which expanded to Forward Impact Life Ministries, (FILM), in January 2018. With Eric as the Senior Pastor and Katina, Executive Pastor, they have partnered with the community to make a unique impact.   Eric and Katina were awarded in 2024 by the Coatesville NAACP for their work with MEWECITY® in Coatesville. 

A powerful preacher and teacher, Eric uses imagery to illuminate the truth and power of God’s Word. While pursuing his degree in Communications and Applied Technology, Eric was inducted into Phi Theta Kappa National honor society and also holds a Bachelors of Divinity.  Eric’s favorite scripture of Eric’s is Psalm 1:1-3.   

Jacqui serves as a District administrator with the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District and has been with the District 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.

Sarah and Ryan attend Gateway Church and live in Glenmoore with their four children. Sarah enjoys cooking, playing legos with her kids, and spending time outdoors in her spare time. As a former foster parent and daughter of a single mom, Sarah understands the critical importance of relationships in helping families to thrive. This is what draws her to Bridge of Hope and their unique model.  

Erica Sanchez is delighted to serve as a board member for Bridge of Hope Chester County. She works in Client Services at Cornerstone Reproductive Health, where she advocates for and supports individuals and families with compassion and purpose. 

Erica is passionate about ensuring mothers facing housing instability are surrounded by strong, supportive community so they can build stability and move toward the life they envision for their families. She believes housing and community go hand in hand and has experienced the impact of connection through her church, Worship Center. 

As a mother of two, Erica brings both lived experience and professional insight to her role. She values meaningful connection, time with her two children, and good coffee. Serving on the board is a long-held goal, and she is proud to be part of a mission creating real, lasting change for families. 

Brenda Thieme, Reverend and M.Ed in Early Childhood, is the Assistant Director at Trinity Academy of West Chester.  She has spent over 30 years either being a children’s pastor or in various ministries with children. She has been a substitute, 1st grade, and 5th/6th grade teacher. She lives in Thorndale with her husband Chip and has 2 adult children.  

She believes in the mission of Bridge of Hope because as a teenager, her parents began to be foster parents, bringing an awareness to the home of those with different experiences in life than her own.  Early on in married life, she suddenly became a single parent. Her experiences with her church body during that time and how they showed her children and herself, Jesus, has made her want to do that for others! Bridge of Hope’s vision of creating that neighboring group and coming along side a family and her experiences as a neighboring volunteer with Bridge of Hope have fueled a desire to help Bridge of Hope grow in any way possible. 

Baleria Williams serves as Telephone Triage Nurse at Main Line OB GYN and has over 40 years of experience in serving the health needs of the Chester County community.  She is active in ministry at New Life in Christ Church in Coatesville, where her husband serves as pastor.    

Baleria served on the founding board of Bridge of Hope many years ago and is pleased to re-engage on the board in this season. Baleria is passionate about caring for her neighbors in the Coatesville community and across the county and loves her role as mother and grandmother.  Baleria cares deeply about the work of Bridge of Hope and says, “I am servant of Jesus Christ; I am blessed to be a part of his divine plan.”  

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.