HOPE HARBOR
A SHELTER FROM THE STORM
Liz Mayfield
Executive Director
Liz joined Hope Harbor in 2014 and took on the role of Executive Director in 2016. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication from Doane University and a Master of Public Administration with a focus on Nonprofit Management from the University of Nebraska-Omaha. Liz is currently part of cohort 6 of the LeadDIVERSITY program through Inclusive Communities and is a graduate of Leadership Tomorrow, the Nonprofit Excellence Institute, and the T.E.A.M. Building Culture Executive Leadership program. She also holds a Certificate in Fundraising Management from UNO. Liz serves on the board of directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters and mentors as a Big. Her past involvement includes serving as the Project Connect chair for seven years and serving five years on the Grand Island Community Youth Council board. In 2025, Liz was named the Inspire Woman of the Year during the Grand Island Independent and KSNB's Inspire Awards Luncheon. The award recognizes women who have demonstrated outstanding achievements, leadership, and role modeling in the community.
Jen Bernth
Finance Manager
Jen joined Hope Harbor in April 2015 as the Administrative Assistant and became Finance Manager in September 2022. Before this, she worked as a Payroll Coordinator for two years and spent seven years in the hospitality industry. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska at Kearney and a Master of Business Administration from Chadron State College. Jen previously served as treasurer for the Clean Community System Board and as secretary for the Grand Island Area Habitat for Humanity Board. She is a graduate of Hall County Leadership Tomorrow (Class 34) and the T.E.A.M. Building Culture Executive Leadership program. Jen is also a member of the Ninth Judicial District Mental Health Board.
Jennifer Figueroa
Marketing Coordinator
Jennifer joined Hope Harbor in March 2020. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where she majored in advertising and public relations and double minored in communication studies and Spanish. Her experience as an Equal Justice Corps Member for Legal Aid of Nebraska in 2016 and 2017 inspired her to pursue a career in the nonprofit sector. Jennifer is bilingual in English and Spanish and is proud of her Salvadoran American heritage. She is a graduate of Hall County Leadership Tomorrow (Class 37) and the T.E.A.M. Building Culture Executive Leadership program. Jennifer is actively involved in the community, serving on the Project Connect steering committee, the Week Without Violence committee, and chairing the Can-Care-A-Van committee.
Sara Moore
Facilities Manager
Sara joined Hope Harbor in June 2017 as a Case Manager, transitioned to Shelter Manager in October 2020, and became Facilities Manager in September 2022. She graduated from the University of Nebraska-Kearney with a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice and a minor in social work. Sara has worked for agencies providing behavioral health and employment services to people with disabilities. She currently serves on the board for Habitat for Humanity and is a graduate of the T.E.A.M. Building Culture Executive Leadership program. Sara is active in community fellowships and enjoys being a mom to her two daughters.
Molly Clark
Operations Manager
Molly joined Hope Harbor in January 2021 as the Housing Coordinator and became Operations Manager in September 2022. She previously served as the Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries at Trinity United Methodist Church in Grand Island and worked as a Paraeducator in Girard, Kansas. Molly grew up in Doniphan and is an active member of the Grand Island community. She has served on the Parent Advisory Committee at Walnut Middle School, the Multicultural Advisory Committee, and currently chairs the Project Connect Steering Committee.
Shelby Landell
Program Manager
Shelby joined Hope Harbor in July 2024. Prior to that, she worked with survivors of domestic and sexual violence at Willow Rising. She is originally from Kearney and graduated from Kearney Catholic High School. She completed the Chamber of Commerce EDGE program in 2023 and the Aurora Leadership Academy in 2024. Shelby serves on the leadership team of the Grand Island Area Coalition on Human Trafficking. She moved to Grand Island in 2014 and lives with her three children. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with loved ones, binge-watching shows or movies, and listening to audiobooks.
Becky Jarzynka
Case Manager
Becky joined Hope Harbor in January 2023 and also works in customer service at Bass Pro. At Hope Harbor, she supports residents in the Emergency and Transitional Shelters with daily living needs. Born and raised in Grand Island, Becky has a background in numerical, organizational, managerial, and administrative work. She has volunteered extensively in the community and has a strong understanding of Latino and Native American cultures. As an enrolled member of the Sicangu Lakota Tribe, she brings open-mindedness, reliability, and a strong work ethic to her role.
Skyler Nolan
Case Manager
Skyler joined Hope Harbor in May 2024 as an intern, later joined the Direct Care Staff team, and became a Case Manager in January 2025. She also works at Studio N Dance Center. Skyler holds an associate degree in Human Services from Central Community College. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family.
Sarah Romero
Service Coordinator
Sarah joined Hope Harbor in December 2023 as Administrative Assistant and transitioned to Service Coordinator in September 2024. Prior to joining Hope Harbor, she worked at multiple healthcare organizations. She is bilingual in English and Spanish and graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 2013. In her free time, Sarah enjoys photography, concerts, traveling, and being outdoors.
Bre Crow
Housing Navigator
Bre joined Hope Harbor in March 2025. Prior to that, she spent three years as the Housing Programs Coordinator at Central Nebraska Community Action Partnership, where she oversaw two Continuum of Care grants and supervised case managers. Earlier in her career, she worked as an intermediate residential counselor at The WELL in Norfolk, Nebraska, after earning her PLADC license in 2017. She has also worked as a technician at a short-term treatment center and completed qualifications to practice as a licensed alcohol and drug counselor for two years. Bre graduated from Grand Island Senior High in 2011 and has taken coursework in Human Services. She has volunteered with Be the Light Foundation from 2021 to 2023, mentored through Big Brothers Big Sisters, and guided women through twelve-step recovery programs. She also serves on the Project Connect Steering Committee for, the H.E.L.P. Initiative Leadership Team, and is a member of the Missions Team at Third City Christian Church. In 2022, she participated in a mission trip to Nairobi, Kenya with Missions of Hope International and received the Legal Justice Award from Legal Aid in 2023. In her free time, Bre enjoys listening to music, spending time with her pets, and connecting with the world around her.
Grace Bartling
Administrative Assistant
Grace joined Hope Harbor in September 2024. Her previous experience includes working as a Case Manager and Children’s Advocate at Friendship Home in Lincoln, a Residential Mental Health Technician at Integrated Behavioral Health Services, a RISE Specialist with AmeriCorps through Nebraska State Probation, and completing an internship in Victim Assistance. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Grace is currently the head coach for a 12U girls’ softball team. In her free time, she enjoys walking her dog, listening to audiobooks, and spending time with friends and family.
Jessica Esquivel
Direct Care Staff
Jessica joined Hope Harbor in October 2023. Her previous experience includes working as a medical interpreter for Grand Island Clinic, a Social Worker for Head Start, and a Bilingual Paraeducator for Grand Island Public Schools. She attended Central Community College for Nursing and Early Childhood Education, earning her certification. Jessica is married with three children and enjoys helping others and spending time with friends and family in her free time.
Board of Directors
Keith Mingus, President Five Points Bank
Travis Mittan, Vice President Associated Staffing, Inc.
Dana Fries, Secretary CMS, Inc.
Brian Mustion, Treasurer Community Advocate
Marvin Andersen
Community Advocate
Lupita Ayala-Montañez
Multicultural Coalition
Cassie Casares
Hamilton Telecommunications
Laura Dexter
Community Advocate
Sandra Kraft
CNH Industrial
Natalie Lukens
Community Advocate
Kelsey Musich
Summit Real Estate
Bart Qualsett
Pinnacle Bank
Bana Stec
CHI Health