Meet Our Team
Stephanie Shafer
Executive Director
Stephanie brings more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit leadership, educational administration, enrollment management, philanthropy, and family engagement, with a passion for investing in and strengthening families and the community.
She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Services Administration from James Madison University and an MBA from Liberty University. Throughout her career, Stephanie has also been actively involved in civic engagement through volunteer leadership in both her community and her church.
Stephanie is excited to be part of Mercy House as the organization’s mission and values embody everything she believes about serving others with compassion, dignity, and hope. Knowing that she has the opportunity to work alongside the incredible Mercy House team and Board Members to provide safe housing, stability, and supportive services to families and children is truly rewarding and a perfect extension of my passion and skill set.
Stephanie and her husband, Jeff, have called Harrisonburg home for more than 21 years, where they have raised their daughters, Lydia and Naomi and have one adorable shih-tzu, Willow.
Michael DelBiondo
Retail Manager
Michael graduated from James Madison University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Management. He has extensive professional management experience including work within the public sector and healthcare industry. He currently serves as both the Interim Director as well as the Retail Manager for Mercy House Thrift Store, Mercy House Building Supply, and the Mercy House Timberville location. Michael views the Mercy House retail locations as an extension of the agency’s service mission, providing clothing, housewares, and personal goods to many customers in need.
Ermila Sanchez
Housing Counselor
Ermila graduated from Colorado Technical University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. Prior to joining Mercy House in 2021, she served as a Program Specialist supporting adults with developmental disabilities.
Since joining Mercy House, Ermila has served in multiple roles supporting individuals and families experiencing housing instability. As Centralized Intake Worker Ermila conducted service eligibility screenings, made regional referrals for homeless services, and conducted strengths-based counseling to assist clients in a housing crisis. Drawing on her previous experience as Centralized Intake Coordinator, Ermila also has extensive knowledge of service eligibility screenings, regional homeless service referrals, and strengths-based housing counseling. In her current role as Housing Counselor she works with individuals/families who are experiencing homelessness to develop personalized housing plans, navigate community resources, and transition into stable, permanent housing. As a bilingual English and Spanish speaker, she continues to serve as the agency’s primary interpreter, helping ensure equitable access to services for Spanish-speaking clients.
Ermila is a Certified Housing Counselor and a member of the Virginia Association of Housing Counselors (VAHC).
Brittany
Housing Counselor
Brittany joined Mercy House in June 2026 and serves as a Housing Counselor. She brings a vast background in advocacy and administration as a long-time community advocate in Central Virginia, directing a community resource center and serving on the Central Virginia CoC Board. She also served as a youth and young adult mentor, community engagement and outreach leader, and in ministry administration in Lynchburg, VA. She attended Liberty University studying Developmental Psychology. Brittany assists individuals currently experiencing homelessness to assist them as they transition to stable, permanent housing.
Lindie
Shelter Manager
Lindie is one of the hardworking, caring people who keeps our shelter running day to day. As our Shelter Manager, she works directly with the residents from the initial intake stage to helping them find the resources they need including housing, work, food, healthcare and other community resources. Lindie also works to create programming for the children, coordinate educational needs with school social workers, and help ensure life milestones are special – such as birthdays, holidays, back to school, etc.
Steve Yoder
Facilities Manager
Steve has worked with our agency since 2011 and has been instrumental in developing our agency to where we are today. Needed updates to our facilities have been possible with Steve’s vast knowledge, hard work and ability.
Steve worked as a Journeyman Plumber for eleven years and brings with him a wealth of maintenance knowledge. Steve has lived a life of service and continues to serve in his role at Mercy House. Steve spent two and a half years in Voluntary Service through Rosedale Mennonite Missions in Nicaragua and Central America. In 2006 Steve led his family through Heart of God Ministries Bootcamp and they served as missionaries, spending significant time in Haiti until they had to return to the states due to contracting malaria.
Reverend Nan Kirkmeyer
Chaplain
Nan received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Christian Counseling from Pillsbury College Seminary in 2012 and a Master of Arts in Ministry in 2015. Rev. Nan provides ministerial services to Mercy House clients, supports the Shelter Manager in caring for the spiritual and emotional well-being of the shelter residents, and routinely works with area churches to further the Mercy House mission.
Board of Directors
Officers
Malcolm Lane – President
John Jackson – Vice President
Christopher Simonetti – Treasurer
Megan Morris – Secretary
Members at Large
Craig Anders
Lisa Carpenter
Esther Good
Melinda McDonald
Sallye Trobaugh