National Board

Rev. James Lapp, D. Min. (Board Chair)
Pastor

Rev. James Lapp began his service as chair of Bridge of Hope National’s board of directors in 2011. Jim earned his Doctorate of Ministry from Drew University School of Theology and most recently served as an intentional interim pastor in Henderson, Nebraska. An ordained minister, he previously served congregations in Pennsylvania, Indiana and Oregon. He has also held a variety of elected and staff denominational positions, including General Secretary of the Mennonite Church from 1987 – 1995 and Conference Pastor for the Franconia Conference from 1996 – 2006. Jim’s denominational executive leadership for 8 years and his conference executive role for ten years are some of the key experiences that position him well for his leadership role with Bridge of Hope National. Jim’s wife, Miriam F. Book, is also a pastor. They have three children and seven grandchildren. “I want to invest in meaningful ministries that meet tangible needs,” says Jim. “Bridge of Hope National effectively meets real needs and I am happy to be a part of such an effort.”

Bill Hartman, J.D. (Board Vice-Chair)
Executive Vice President, Everence

Bill currently serves as Vice President for Organization Services, coordinating Everence’ services for profit and not-for-profit organizations nationally. In addition, he is part of the management team of Everence Trust Company, a division of Everence. Earlier in his career, Bill worked for 16 years for the Farm Credit System in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Bill is a graduate of Widener University School of Law, and is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. He also is a registered investment advisor. Bill and his wife, Dot, are members of Hope Community Church, where he serves on the Elder team. Bill and Dot have two daughters. “I believe that Christ’s imperative for us as 21st century believers is to love and serve the people that society marginalizes,” says Bill. “My passion for the work of Bridge of Hope stems from this belief.”

Anne Redlus (Board Secretary)
Board member of General Federation of Women’s Club national board

Anne is the Immediate Past State President of the New Jersey State Federation of Women’s Clubs of GFWC. Anne has been involved at the local, state, national and international levels since 1975. Anne lives in Westampton, NJ with her husband Howard. They are parents of 3 adult children and 1 grandchild. She attends First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Holly where she has served in a variety of positions. Anne whole heartedly believes in the Bridge of Hope concept of ending and preventing homelessness in your community…one church and one family at a time. This closely follows the motto of the NJSFWC, “Making a Difference, One Project at a Time,” which has guided her volunteer work for many years.

Jennifer Schwalm, C.P.A. (Treasurer)
Chief Mission Development Officer, Masonic Villages 

Jennifer Schwalm is the Chief Mission Development Officer at Masonic Villages.  She earned her Accounting degree from Shippensburg University and, in 2009, was named one of Pennsylvania’s “Best 50 Women in Business.” Jennifer previously served on the endowment committee for Lutheran Camping Corporation of Central Pennsylvania. She currently volunteers with United Way Capital Region and is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. “I’m excited to serve on the board of Bridge of Hope National,” says Jennifer. “I have always been committed to the importance of mentoring relationships for women and girls. The program model of Bridge of Hope is built around mentoring friendships for women and children facing homelessness.”

Peter Barwick, J.D.
Attorney, Alston & Bird

Peter Barwick is an attorney in the Global Finance & Debt Products Group of Alston & Bird in Charlotte, North Carolina. His practice focuses on structured finance. Peter earned his J.D. from Duke University where he was a Williams Scholar. His M.A.R. in Ethics is from Yale Divinity School where he was a Carpenter Scholar. Peter currently attends Uptown Church, a Presbyterian Church in America congregation. “I’ve always been a fan of the vision of Bridge of Hope,” he says. “What appeals to me most about Bridge of Hope is the ministry of friendship component and the engagement of local churches in a ministry that transforms lives.”

Christine Bugher, M.S.
President, CEO at Learning Systems

Chris holds a master’s degree in Education from Johns Hopkins University. During her professional career, she has been a teacher, reading specialist, educational consultant, business owner, training manager, and non-profit executive director. Chris is married to David Bugher, the executive director of a rescue mission in Jacksonville Florida. Chris is passionate about the holistic recovery process needed to turn hopelessness into hopefulness. Chris and David have two grown sons.

Jodi Gibble
Director of Marketing for The Highlands

Jodi is the Director of Marketing for The Highlands at Wyomissing, a Continuing Care Retirement Community in Wyomissing (PA).  Previously, she was the Vice President of Marketing and Community Relations for Luthercare, a Lutheran service organization in Lititz (PA).  Jodi has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from Bloomsburg University (PA).  As a social worker, Jodi is excited about the opportunity to serve on the board of Bridge of Hope National, as she whole-heartedly supports the mission of the organization.  Jodi and her husband, Brett, are the parents of twin boys.

Jeanette Harder, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Grace Abbott School of Social Work, University of Nebraska at Omaha

Jeanette has a PhD in social work. She is an active member of First Mennonite Church in Lincoln, Nebraska. Jeanette is married to Stan and they have a son who came to them by open adoption. Her interest and support for Bridge of Hope National began when her uncle, Edgar Stoesz (founding board chair for Bridge of Hope National) introduced her to Bridge of Hope. Her passion for Bridge of Hope comes out of her more than ten years of work preventing child abuse and neglect. She is the author of many articles and books, including Let the Children Come: Preparing Faith Communities to End Child Abuse and Neglect.

Herta K. Harman
Artist and Retired Mental Health Clinical Counselor

Herta was born in Brazil and lived there until 2005 when she moved to the USA. She has a degree in Clinical Psychology from University of Tuiuti and a specialization in Community Mental Health from Catholic University of Curitiba Brazil. Herta provided clinical counseling and managed a faith-based mental health clinic in Curitiba for 14 years. Herta sees Bridge of Hope as a unique bridge that helps us to become aware of health and social realities and that mobilizes churches and people to reach out to the world – offering inclusion, support, healing, and hope. Herta and her husband Carl live in Harrisonburg (VA) and attend Harrisonburg First Nazarene Church. She has two sons, a daughter, and a stepson. She is the proud grandmother of 3 grandsons and 2 granddaughters.

Brandon J. Haynes
President, Allegheny Financial Group, Ltd.

Brandon has a bachelor’s degree in Financial Management from Grove City College and is a Certified Financial Planner. He has been with Allegheny Financial Group since 1996 and offers professional, comprehensive financial planning services to individuals and small businesses. In 2011, Brandon was promoted to President of Allegheny Financial Group and Vice-President of Allegheny Investments. Brandon and his wife Shawna live in Wexford, PA and are members of Allegheny Center Alliance Church in Pittsburgh. They are the parents of twin daughters.

Sandra Hegelein, M.S.
Regional Sales Director, Sodexo Senior Living

Sandra is a Regional Sales Director with the Senior Living Division of Sodexo, a world leader in Quality of Daily Life Solutions. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Nutrition at the University of Delaware and a master’s degree at New York University. Sandra has previously been a board member of the Frederick Maryland chapters of the American Red Cross and the American Heart Association. Sandra’s introduction to Bridge of Hope came via our Burlington County (NJ) affiliate. Sandra explains, “I was impressed with the vision, mission, ministry model and core values of the organization and am honored to serve as a board member.”

Dr. Kimberlee Johnson, D.Min.
Director of Urban Studies – Eastern University

Dr. Kimberlee Johnson directs Urban Studies and Youth Leadership, as well as the Center for Urban Youth Development, at the Campolo College at Eastern University. She also serves at the Tasker Street Missionary Baptist Church in Philadelphia as a minister and as dean of the TSMBC Bible Institute. “Bridge of Hope National’s mission resonates with my personal call to serve the disenfranchised, marginalized and forgotten,” she says. “Ministries like Bridge of Hope allow single women to consider life and to know there’s hope.”

Devon Martin
Principle and VP of Sales – Signature Custom Cabinetry

Devon Martin is a principle of Signature Custom Cabinetry, Inc. of Ephrata, Pennsylvania, a firm he co-founded with his brother in 1989. He served as chair for the 2006 Signature Golf Classic benefiting Bridge of Hope National. Devon attends Manheim Brethren in Christ Church. He and his wife, Amy, have two boys. “I serve on Bridge of Hope National’s board because I want every child to have an opportunity to succeed,” says Devon. “Bridge of Hope’s model – meeting the needs of a mother and her children while helping them become self-sufficient – is a model I’m willing to invest in with both my time and resources.”

Douglas Martin
Vice President of Operations, Auntie Anne’s

Doug is the Vice President of Operations for Auntie Anne’s in Lancaster, PA. Prior to his current role he was a co-owner and operator of Edgewood Printing, a commercial printing company in Lancaster, PA. Doug has a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resource Management from Messiah College. Doug and his wife Crystal were introduced to Bridge of Hope many years ago by his father, Paul Martin (founding board member). He is looking forward to making a difference in the lives of others by helping Bridge of Hope National continue to impact the lives of families in need. Doug and Crystal attend LCBC (Lives Changed By Christ) Church – Lancaster Campus and are the parents of two grown sons.

Bruce Mulberry
Regional Coordinator of Family Foundations, Intl

Pastor Bruce is a Regional Coordinator of Family Foundations, International for the northeast United States. Bruce and his wife Terri are the founders of At Liberty, a ministry dedicated to bringing the culture of blessing to individuals and churches. Bruce has also served as a church administrator, managing director of a Deaf Mission in Jamaica, and for 17 years was the Associate Pastor with Praise Fellowship in Downingtown (PA). Bruce and Terri desire to build leaders and empower the church body to embrace generational blessing. Bruce has been a mentor twice with Bridge of Hope Lancaster & Chester Counties (PA) with Praise Fellowship. He is particularly excited to see churches he knows engage with Bridge of Hope in ministry.

Shadell Quinones, L.S.W., M.S.S.
Adoption Supervisor, Chester County Department of Children, Youth and Families

Shadell is the Adoption Supervisor for the Department of Children, Youth and Families in the County of Chester (PA). Shadell is a licensed social worker who lives in Chester County and is the mother of a young adult daughter. She has a master’s degree in Social Work from Bryn Mawr College and is hoping to begin law school soon. Shadell attends Praise Fellowship Church. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, exercising, writing, spending quiet time alone and praise dancing. Her passion for Bridge of Hope’s work comes out of her own experiences as an alumnus of Bridge of Hope Lancaster & Chester Counties (PA) and a desire to give back to the ministry of Bridge of Hope and to touch the lives of women and children who are challenged by some of the same circumstances she once faced.

Craig Schloneger, M.Div.
Partner and Senior Consultant, North Group

Craig is Partner and Senior Consultant with North Group after serving as the CEO of Ten Thousand Villages, the world’s largest fair trade retailer. Craig has also worked as a CPA, educator in Swaziland, President of Dutch Corp, and pastor of Neffsville Mennonite Church (PA). Craig has a bachelor’s degree from Goshen College and a Master’s of Divinity from Eastern Mennonite Seminary. Craig and his wife, Ann, live in Lancaster (PA) with their three children.

Lee Snyder, Ph.D.
President Emeritus, Bluffton University

Lee served as the President of Bluffton University (OH). She was also the Vice President and Academic Dean of Eastern Mennonite University (VA). Lee received her Ph.D. in English literature from the University of Oregon. She is the author of At Powerline and Diamond Hill: Unexpected Intersections of Life and Work. Since retiring, Lee continues to write and is involved with assignments for educational organizations, boards of trustees and Mennonite Church USA. She and her husband, Delbert, divide their time between Virginia and the west coast, and are members of Community Mennonite Church (VA) and associate members of Salem Mennonite Church (OR).

Joan Gotwals Yoder
Co-Owner Brook Ledge Horse Transportation

Joan Gotwals Yoder is part of the ownership team of a family operated transportation company. She and her husband, Terry, have two children and attend James St. Mennonite Church. “I served on the board of Bridge of Hope Lancaster & Chester Counties at the time when the national concept was ‘being birthed’,” says Joan. “So it is extremely exciting to be participating at the national level. This program has a proven success record and now it can make a lifetime of difference for even more homeless women and children.”

Bridge of Hope National Advisory Board Members

Michele Beamer

Graduate of Bridge of Hope Lancaster & Chester Counties (PA) and passionate advocate for homeless single mothers

Kent Martin

Award-winning business leader, CEO of Signature Custom Cabinetry

Rev. Phil Olson

Pastor of Church on the Mall, adjunct professor, associate with ESA, and author of Churches That Make Difference: Reaching Your Community with Good News & Good Works

Ron Sider, Ph.D.

Author, seminary professor, proponent of holistic biblical faith, and the founder and president of Evangelicals for Social Action

Christine Sine, M.D.

Adjunct professor, author and co-founder of Mustard Seed Associates

Edgar Stoesz

Author, former chair of Habitat for Humanity International and first board chair of Bridge of Hope National

Heidi Unruh

Faith-based community development researcher and author of Hope for Children in Poverty