About

Edith Yoder, EdM, is the Chief Executive Officer of Bridge of Hope National. 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.

Melissa joined the staff of Bridge of Hope National in September 2024 and brings over 14 years of experience as a nonprofit ministry and executive leader in the local church. She has co-owned a restaurant franchise and a fast-casual Italian restaurant. Melissa holds a bachelor’s degree in business and biblical studies from Lancaster Bible College and has completed executive courses at Harvard and Wharton. She is passionate about transformation and the word “neighboring” as a verb!

Anne joined the staff of Bridge of Hope National in 2012 after working for almost ten years as Special Events Coordinator and then Development Director for Bridge of Hope Lancaster & Chester Counties. She is an active member of Ascension Lutheran Church, has served on various school and community committees, and is married with three children. Anne holds a bachelor’s degree from Millersville University and has previous experience in social services, sales, and customer relations.

Dana Felder joined the Bridge of Hope National staff in January 2017 as Manager of Network Resources and Online Services (having served previously as Web & Database Administrator). She is a member of Sacred Heart Church and she has had a lifelong interest in seeing people stuck in tough situations be able to succeed with the support and encouragement of others.

Jessica joined our staff in October 2022 and serves as our Communications Specialist. She has spent her career working in nonprofit communications and development. She is passionate about storytelling and good communication in faith-based organizations. Jessica is excited about her role at Bridge of Hope because she considers it a privilege to tell the stories of families facing homelessness. She enthusiastically agrees with Bridge of Hope’s vision of “communities where no family is homeless.”

Mary Beth joined the staff of Bridge of Hope National in November 2015. Mary Beth has a financial services background and most recently served as office manager for an investment management firm where she worked for 8 years. She has a B.A. in Communications from East Carolina University, in Greenville, NC. Mary Beth and her husband attend Calvary Chapel Chester Springs and they also actively participate in the ministry of the Christian Motorcyclists Association.

Linda joined the staff of Bridge of Hope National in October 2019. She has a degree in Liberal Studies from West Chester University and spent years coordinating events at a liberal studies college and then at a social service nonprofit agency where she also worked in Advancement and Marketing. In addition, Linda has owned her own business as a Consultant and Director with The Pampered Chef for 26 years. She loves cooking and teaching others and believes that involving children and gathering around the table for mealtimes helps to strengthen family bonds.

Nicole Jones joined the staff of Bridge of Hope National in September 2024 and is the Chief Engagement Officer. She has a genuine heart and passion for the work of Bridge of Hope in ending family homelessness and has devoted her career to fighting inequality, driving inclusion, and fueling social change and impact. Nicole brings over 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, program advancement, marketing, and has both a Master’s in Nonprofit Management from Eastern University and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication/ Marketing from LaSalle University.

Kristi joined Bridge of Hope National in November 2016. Kristi has extensive experience of successfully implementing Bridge of Hope from serving as Neighborhood Resource Specialist for Bridge of Hope @ Hannah’s House (IN) for 4.5 years. Kristi’s M.S.W. degree from Arizona State includes a child-welfare specialization.

Holly Kwiatkowski serves as Administrative Specialist and brings over 15 years of administrative and customer service experience, with a keen attention to detail.  Holly has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh. She lived and worked in the Washington, DC area for 10 years before moving back to Pennsylvania with her husband and sons. The family attends Christ Community Church in West Chester, PA.

Jonathan joined Bridge of Hope National in February 2022. Jonathan, a Guatemalan-American, is an ordained minister who planted and pastored a church in Northern Virginia for twelve years. He brings experience in sales and marketing, training in neurobehavioral conditions, and is a certified church consultant. Jonathan holds a Masters of Divinity Degree from Virginia Beach Theological Seminary and a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science.

Caitlyn is a Neighborhood Resource Specialist with Bridge of Hope Lancaster. She graduated from Shippensburg University in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and minor in Disability Studies. Caitlyn has four years of case management experience working with children in the foster care system and their families.

Lisa is the Assistant Program Director at Bridge of Hope Lancaster. She graduated from Bloomsburg University with a Bachelor’s of Social Work degree. She has over 20 years of professional experience within Bridge of Hope and the child welfare system as a case manager, and personally as a foster/adoptive parent. Lisa says, “Bridge of Hope to me is about loving your neighbor and walking with people as they are the hands and feet of Jesus to families facing homelessness. The relationships that are formed are life changing for everyone. I am excited to see hope begin for so many families in our community through the work of Bridge of Hope.”

Rachelle joined the Bridge of Hope National team in 2021.  She is passionate about being a voice for the voiceless and letting God guide the work that she does.  Rachelle’s career has included work as both a crisis worker and, most recently, assistant director for Montgomery County Mobile Crisis in Plymouth Meeting, PA, where she was instrumental in the development of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion community at Access Services.   She credits that involvement for widening her lens around cultural humility and integrating diverse perspectives into the workplace. Rachelle holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a Master’s degree in Professional Clinical Counseling from La Salle University.

Melanie is a Neighborhood Resource Specialist with Bridge of Hope Chester County. She graduated from the University of Alabama with a Bachelors Degree in Social Work and has over 7 years of experience in case management working with children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  As a service coordinator in an Early Intervention program in Philadelphia Melanie worked with children and their families to ensure they received necessary services to promote growth and development. She has also worked as a case manager for The Chester County Department of Mental Health/Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities where she helped individuals to thrive in their communities by connecting them with local resources and supports.

Lisa Savage is the Director of Finance and Data Administration. She holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Temple University and has 3 decades of experience in both the nonprofit and for-profit worlds. She and her husband live in the Pottstown area and attend Emmanuel Lutheran Church.  They love the outdoors, and when they aren’t tending to their gardens, they spend their free time camping, hiking, kayaking and biking.

Caleb serves as Lancaster Church Engagement and Housing Director. He has spent his career in church ministry, primarily youth and family ministry. Within that role he has worked in communities that required the church to play an active role in meeting social, financial, and cultural needs in the community. He has coordinated collaborative efforts among various churches to meet those needs. He is a networker, connector, and organizer. Caleb has a bachelor’s degree in Youth and Family Ministry from Champion Christian College and has served as Associate Pastor of Family and Student Ministries at Oaklawn Baptist Church in Winston Salem, North Carolina, from 2016-2022. Caleb and his wife Ashley live in the Lititz area.

Jessica Sisemore is the Lancaster Program Director. Most recently Jessica served as the Director of Parent Empowerment Program at the YWCA, working with at-risk families involved with Children and Youth.

Rachel brings 15 years of experience in social work, supervision and housing. She has a Master’s degree in Social Services from Bryn Mawr College and a Bachelor of Arts from Eastern University.  She is a LCSW (licensed clinical social worker).  Most recently, she worked for 12 years at Eagleville Hospital in drug and alcohol recovery, facilitating group and individual therapy, developing treatment plans and providing case management. Rachel previously served as a Neighboring Volunteer with Bridge of Hope and is looking forward to help people pave a path to a better life in her new role with Bridge of Hope.  “Bridge of Hope is a perfect fit with my faith and my professional desire to create a safer world,” Rachel says.

Lila joined the Bridge of Hope National staff in July, 2017. Her professional career has included ministry leadership at multiple churches and a denominational district office, as well as a variety of sales positions. As a pastor’s wife, she has served in the Christian & Missionary Alliance with her husband, John, for over 25 years. She holds a masters degree in Human Services Counseling from Regent University, Virginia and a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Nyack College, New York.

Tyrone (Ty) Williams is the Chester County Church Engagement Director, bringing over 16 years of experience serving as a leader in the church and para church community as well as serving as a suicide prevention speaker and a Crisis Community Liaison and Trainer at colleges, high schools and other organizations in Montgomery County, PA. Ty serves as a youth assistant with Swamp Mennonite Church and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Professional History and a Master of Arts in Christian Counseling and Discipleship from Lancaster Bible College. Ty and his family attend Victory Church.

Wendy Hoke Witmer joined our staff in 2007. She has a master’s degree in Social Work and brings extensive experience in program development and leadership in the child welfare and disability fields. Wendy is also a foster/adoptive parent.

Michelle served as Office Administrator at Bridge of Hope National from 2008 – 2015 and re-joined our team in 2017 as Development Operations Manager. She has a bachelor’s degree from Delaware Valley University in business administration. She and her husband, Mark, have 2 children, and attend Sandy Hill Community Church. Michelle says, “I believe in Bridge of Hope because Deuteronomy 15:11 says “For there will never cease to be poor in the land. Therefore I command you, ‘You shall open wide your hand to your brother, to the needy and to the poor, in your land.’”