Staff

Liz Mayfield, MPA
Executive Director

Liz joined Hope Harbor in September 2014 and moved to the role of Executive Director in December 2016. Before joining Hope Harbor, she worked as a Marketing Coordinator for four years, and as a staffing industry Employment Coordinator for two years. She served on the board for Grand Island Community Youth Council for five years and is a previous steering committee member for Connecting Young Nebraskans. She graduated from Doane University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Organizational Communication, and received her Master's degree in Public Administration in Nonprofit Management from the University of Nebraska - Omaha. She is a graduate of Hall County Leadership Tomorrow (Class 31), a graduate of the Nonprofit Excellence Institute program through the Greater Grand Island Community Foundation, a graduate of T.E.A.M. Building Culture Executive Leadership program cohort #4, and has earned her Certificate in Fundraising Management through the University of Nebraska-Omaha’s CFM program. Liz is a steering committee member for Project Homeless Connect and the past chair of the local Continuum of Care. She currently serves on the Foster Care Review Board. She lives in Grand Island with her husband and three children. In her free time, she loves to travel and spend time with friends and family.

Jen Bernth
Finance Manager

Jen joined Hope Harbor in April 2015 as the Administrative Assistant. Before joining Hope Harbor, she worked as a Payroll Coordinator for two years and spent seven years in the hospitality industry. She received her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and her Associate's Degree in Accounting from Central Community College. She is currently pursuing an MBA from Chadron State College. She previously served on the Clean Community System Board of Directors as its treasurer and on the Board of Directors for the Grand Island Area Habitat for Humanity as its secretary. She is a graduate of Hall County Leadership Tomorrow (Class 34). She is also a member of Ninth Judicial District Mental Health Board.

Jennifer Figueroa
Marketing Coordinator

Jennifer joined Hope Harbor in March 2020. She graduated from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln in May 2018 with a bachelor's degree in journalism. She majored in advertising and public relations and double minored in communication studies and Spanish. Jennifer also held summer internships in 2016 and 2017 as an Equal Justice Corps Member for Legal Aid of Nebraska, a non-profit law firm organization. This inspired Jennifer to find a career with a non-profit organization and grow closer to her community. Jennifer is also bilingual in English and Spanish. She takes pride in being Salvadoran American. She is a graduate of Hall County Leadership Tomorrow (Class 37). Jennifer also serves on the Project Connect steering committee, Week Without Violence committee, and is the chair of the Can-Care-A-Van committee. In her free time, Jennifer enjoys movies, podcasts, books, puzzles, video games, and spending time with her friends, family, and her chihuahua, Buddy.

Sara Moore
Facilities Manager

Sara joined Hope Harbor in June 2017 as a Case Manager. Sara transitioned into the role of Shelter Manager in October 2020. She graduated from the University of Nebraska - Kearney with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and a minor in Social Work. She has worked for agencies in the surrounding communities providing behavioral health and employment services to people with disabilities.  She has a passion for helping others and enhancing the quality of life of those in need. She is active in community fellowships and enjoys being the mom of her two daughters. 

Molly Clark
Operations Manager

Molly joined Hope Harbor in January 2021 as the Housing Coordinator. Before joining Hope Harbor, she was the Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries at Trinity United Methodist Church in Grand Island, and most recently worked as a Paraeducator in Girard, KS. Molly grew up in Doniphan and is excited about being a part of the Grand Island community. Molly has been a member of the Parent Advisory Committee at Walnut Middle School along with being a member of the Multicultural Advisory Committee. Molly has a passion for finding positive, sustainable solutions for community equity and growth.

Melanie Liebsack
Program Manager

Melanie joined Hope Harbor in August 2023. Melanie received a BA in Political Science and History from Westmar College and her MPA from the University of Akron-Urban Planning Program. She went on to receive a JD from the University of South Dakota. Before joining Hope Harbor, Melanie worked as a deputy county prosecutor and as a supervisor for juvenile probation. She has also worked as a City Business Manager, VP of Business Affairs at a College, decision writer for the Social Security Administration, and had a solo practice in Iowa for several years specializing in advocating for the disable. Melanie moved to Grand Island when her husband, David, accepted a position with Bryan Health/GIRMC. Since moving to Grand Island, Melanie has been discerning her next chapter. Melanie is committed to engaging in community connections and programming to ensure clients of Hope Harbor have access to the services and programs they need. Melanie and David have three grown children. They are also licensed foster care parents through Boys Town. Past and current community involvement in Nebraska includes; Spirit of Nebraska Girl Scouts, YWCA, American Heart Association/Sweethearts, Casting for Recovery, P.E.O. Chapter HJ, A.O.K., and Rotary.

Becky Jarzynka
Case Manager

Becky joined Hope Harbor in January 2023. Becky is a dual employee, employed at both Bass Pro in the customer service department and Hope Harbor’s Emergency and Transitional Shelters assisting residents with specific daily living needs. Her work history has given her a specific skillset in numerical, organization, managerial, and administrative work. Becky is a true islander, born, raised, and schooled in Grand Island. Becky has volunteered for many years within the community. She has an exceptional understanding of the Latino and Native American culture. Being of native decent herself, she is an enrolled member of the Sicangu Lakota Tribe. She is very family oriented and possesses unique qualities such as her open mindedness, reliability, and strong work ethic which makes her an asset to our organization.

Reyna Ramirez
Case Manager

Bio Coming Soon…

Tracelyn Irwin
Service Coordinator

Bio Coming Soon…

Sarah Romero
Administrative Assistant

Bio coming soon!

Vanessa Ramirez Acosta
Direct Care Staff

Vanessa joined Hope Harbor in August 2022. She also does PRN CNA. Before Hope Harbor, Vanessa was ERP supervisor for Packers Sanitation, Inc. Vanessa was born in Greely, Colorado, but raised in Grand Island most of her life. She is married and a mother of five. Her passions include; family, close friendship, and helping people. Vanessa is here to help make a difference in people’s lives.

Emily Bennetzen
Direct Care Staff

Emily joined Hope Harbor in January 2023. She was born in Aurora, but raised in Grand Island. She graduated from Northwest High School in July of 2020, due to Covid. Emily also works as a special education para for Grand Island Public Schools. While Emily considers herself an introvert, she enjoys face to face conversations and loves to work with people. In her free time, she loves spending time with her family and friends.

Nada Vanderpool
PRN

Nada joined Hope Harbor in July 2023 as an intern through a Criminal Justice Program internship. Upon the completion of the internship, she transitioned into the role of a Direct Care Staff member. Nada graduated from Central Community College in May of 2023 with an Arts of Applied Science Degree in Criminal Justice. She also received her Mental Health Advocate diploma in Human Services. Nada is currently pursuing her bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Behavioral and Mental Health. Nada is engaged to a supportive fiancé and has five children who are her greatest motivators. Nada believes “where there is a will, there is a way.” and that everything is possible when it comes to recovery, healing from trauma, taking care of one’s mental and behavioral health as well as rising above any circumstance as long as there is true will, dedication, and hard work. Nada wants to be the light for others and is grateful for the opportunity to be a part of Hope Harbor.

Kalaba Kapandu
Direct Care Staff

Bio Coming Soon…

Becky Morlang
Direct Care Staff

Bio Coming Soon…

Jessica Esquivel
Direct Care Staff

Jessica joined Hope Harbor in October 2023. Before Hope Harbor, she worked as a medical interpreter for the Grand Island Clinic, a social worker for six years at Head Start, and a Bilingual Para Educator for Grand Island Public Schools. Jessica attended Central Community College in Grand Island, Hastings, and Kearney for Nursing and Early Childhood Education. She has earned her certification in the respective field. Jessica is married with three children. She enjoys helping others and spending her free time with her friends and family.

Nadia Acosta
Direct Care Staff

Bio Coming Soon…

Angel Garcia
Direct Care Staff

Bio Coming Soon…

Marnaath Jengmer
Direct Care Staff

Bio Coming Soon…

Board of Directors

Interested in becoming a board member? Our application is available to download here, and can be emailed to lmayfield@hopeharborgi.org.