Meet Our Team

Shannon Porter

Mercy House Executive Director

sporter@themercyhouse.org

Shannon received a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science from the University of Wyoming in 1993. He also holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of LaVerne (California) and a post-graduate certification in Strategic Leadership from James Madison University.

Assuming the role of Executive Director in 2014, Shannon came to our agency with over 20 years of experience in educational and non-profit leadership serving as the Executive Director of the Valley AIDS Network in Harrisonburg, VIrginia, and most recently as the Vice President of Re-Housing and Stabilization Services at HAPHousing Inc. (now Wayfinders, Inc.) in Springfield Massachusetts. Shannon has served on the boards of directors of several nonprofit agencies including multiple Habitat for Humanity affiliates. In 2013, Shannon was selected to participate in the American Roundtable to Abolish Homelessness Next Practices Symposium at Harvard University and has done significant policy advocacy in the area of eliminating barriers to employment for the homeless. In 2020, Shannon was recognized with the Excellence in Public Service Award presented by the College of Arts and Letters and MPA Program at James Madison University.

Shannon is a member of the Executive Committee of the Western Virginia Continuum of Care.

Seli Perry

Director of Operations

seli@themercyhouse.org

Seli received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Work from Eastern Mennonite University in 2001. She began working at Mercy House in 2006 as coordinator of the Hispanic Service and SAFE-at-Home programs. Later, Seli became the agency’s Adult Services Coordinator and Grants Manager. In 2017, she was promoted into her present role as the Director of Operations. Seli oversees the delivery of all agency-client services and remains the primary liaison to the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Seli speaks fluent Spanish and has a strong academic background in Spanish literature, grammar, and vocabulary. At Mercy House, she continues to serve as the agency’s primary Spanish interpreter and facilitates service delivery for many Hispanic clients.

Seli is a member of the Virginia Association of Housing Counselors (VAHC) and is a Certified Housing Counselor. Additionally, Seli holds a certificate in Nonprofit Management from the Nonprofit Institute at James Madison University.

Michael DelBiondo

Retail Manager

michael@themercyhouse.org

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. Since joining the agency in 2012, Michael has cultivated a strong interest in collectibles and antiques. This interest serves him well as he helps our customers at the Mercy House Thrift Stores. He is the Retail Manager for Mercy House Thrift Store, Mercy House Building Supply, and the Mercy House Thrift Boutique. 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.

Jacob Russell

Sr. Housing Counselor

jacob@themercyhouse.org

​Jacob graduated from James Madison University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs. Since joining the agency in 2013, Jacob has served as the Shelter Manager and Child Services Coordinator. In 2019, Jacob took on new responsibilities, coordinating the screening and placement services for the Homeless Prevention and Rehousing Programs and working with families and individuals to access sustainable permanent housing.

Jacob is a member of the Virginia Association of Housing Counselors (VAHC) and is a Certified Housing Counselor.

Sabrina Herron

Shelter Manager

sabrina@themercyhouse.org

Sabrina graduated from James Madison University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a minor in Sociology. Prior to working at Mercy House, Sabrina found her passion working with vulnerable populations as a shelter manager at both Open Doors and First Step in Harrisonburg, Virginia. Sabrina joined the agency in June 2020 as an After Care Case Manager, and then was promoted to Shelter Manager later that year. Sabrina is a member of the Virginia Association of Housing Counselors (VAHC) and is a Certified Housing Counselor

Noah Yoder

After Care Case Manager

​noah@themercyhouse.org

Noah graduated from Hesston College in 2018 with an Associate Degree in General Studies. Noah joined our agency in July of 2020 and was a key contributor to the Rental and Mortgage Relief Program that assisted households affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Noah brings a varied background rooted in hard work and a commitment to the creation of lasting and beneficial relationships. As an After Care Case Manager, Noah assists our clients to maintain their housing through strength-based supportive case management that focuses on improved budgeting, lease compliance, and life skills. Noah plans to pursue additional studies in Business Communications. Noah is a member of the Virginia Association of Housing Counselors (VAHC) and is a Certified Housing Counselor.

Reverend Nan Kirkmeyer

Chaplain

nancy@themercyhouse.org

​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.

Ermila Sanchez

Centralized Intake Coordinator

ermila@themercyhouse.org

Ermila graduated from Colorado Technical University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Prior to joining Mercy House in 2021, Ermila served as a Program Specialist working with adults with developmental disabilities. Ermila is a bilingual speaker of English and Spanish. In her role as Centralized Intake Coordinator, Ermila conducts service eligibility screenings, makes regional referrals for homeless services, and conducts strengths-based counseling to assist clients in a housing crisis. Ermila is a member of the Virginia Association of Housing Counselors (VAHC) and is a Certified Housing Counselor

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.

Members at Large

Chris Simonetti
Matt Heatwole
Tonya Dunlap
Melody Emswiler
Joey Dove
Jon Ernest
John Jackson