Our Team

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Dr. Tom & Sharon Brian

Dr. Tom Brian and his wife, Sharon are the founders of Send Hope. The organization was founded in 2000 when Dr. Brian had a dental practice in Allen, TX and Sharon was the office manager. Today, the Brians are “retired” but still work full-time with Send Hope. Together they run all the stateside arms of the organization. Sharon schedules and purchases supplies for the Kids Against Hunger packagings, which they both set-up, attend, tear down, and unload at the warehouse.  Sharon also handles all of the donations and bookkeeping. Dr. Tom Brian receives and organizes donations in the warehouse. He hosts groups from churches, civic groups, and schools that help sort and package boxes to be sent down in containers to Puerto Lempira 3-4 times per year. Dr. Brian also visits the House of Hope regularly through the year.

Dr. Tom and Sharon still reside in Allen, TX and are active members of First United Methodist Church of Allen. They have 2 children and 5 grandchildren.

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Dr Marianne Serkland

Dr. Marianne Serkland is a retired cardiologist from Minnesota who started volunteering at the House of Hope in 2007. She had been living in Honduras for many years and was doing missions in Honduras longer yet with International Health Services (IHS). Today, Dr. Marianne is our Medical Director on the Honduras side. She keeps track of and oversees the Katrina Engle Memorial Nourishment Program, maintains our internal database, stocks & organizes a clinic in her office, and so much more. Dr. Marianne works with medical teams that hold clinics and coordinates the logistics, including communication with the village leaders, grocery orders, and transportation arrangements. In addition to her work at the House of Hope, she supports children and youth in her surrounding neighborhood.  She feeds 100+ children and youth 3 meals a day, makes sure that they’re enrolled in school, and provides them with uniforms, clothes, tutoring, and lots of love!

Dr. Marianne has 2 children and 3 grandchildren. When not in Honduras, she visits family in St. Cloud, Minnesota & New Mexico.

House of Hope Team

Llessy Bell Rivas Mistri

English
My name is Llessy Bell Rivas Mistri and I am the Director of Education and Administrative Operations at the House of Hope. I have worked at the House of Hope for nearly 10 years. I worked as a tutor for 8 years and 7 months and as an administer for 1 year and 2 months.

My role encompasses broad leadership responsibilities within the organization, including overseeing educational, administrative, financial, and operational functions. As head of the leadership team, the position provides strategic direction, coordinates team leaders, facilitates leadership meetings, and ensures a culture of professionalism and collaboration. Key duties include supervising financial and administrative processes, managing purchases, maintaining organized records, overseeing payroll, and ensuring transparency and strong internal controls. The role also manages supply distribution, inventory, and essential resources for residents.

In the educational area, responsibilities include directing all academic operations, monitoring school enrollment, tracking students’ academic progress, and representing the organization in meetings with parents and teachers. The position supervises educational evaluations for all residents, provides coaching and performance feedback to staff, and ensures high‑quality instruction for children with learning challenges. Additional duties include maintaining organized administrative and financial documentation, proactively communicating risks or needs to the executive director, and serving as the primary liaison with SENAF, coordinating official visits, inspections, and case information with strict confidentiality.

Spanish
Mi nombre es Llessy Bell Rivas Mistri y soy la Directora de Educación y Operaciones Administrativas en la Casa de Esperanza. He trabajado en la Casa de Esperanza durante casi 10 años. Me desempeñé como tutora durante 8 años y 7 meses, y como administradora durante 1 año y 2 meses.

Mi función abarca amplias responsabilidades de liderazgo dentro de la organización, incluyendo la supervisión de las áreas educativas, administrativas, financieras y operativas. Como jefa del equipo de liderazgo, proporciono dirección estratégica, coordino a los líderes de equipo, facilito reuniones de liderazgo y promuevo una cultura de profesionalismo y colaboración. Entre mis funciones principales se encuentran supervisar los procesos financieros y administrativos, gestionar compras, mantener registros organizados, supervisar la nómina y garantizar la transparencia y el cumplimiento de los controles internos. También gestiono la distribución de suministros, el inventario y los recursos esenciales para los residentes.

En el área educativa, mis responsabilidades incluyen dirigir todas las operaciones académicas, monitorear la matrícula escolar, dar seguimiento al progreso académico de los estudiantes y representar a la organización en reuniones con padres y docentes. Asimismo, superviso las evaluaciones educativas de todos los residentes, brindo acompañamiento y retroalimentación al personal, y aseguro una enseñanza de alta calidad para los niños con dificultades de aprendizaje. Otras funciones incluyen mantener la documentación administrativa y financiera organizada, comunicar de manera proactiva riesgos o necesidades al director ejecutivo y servir como enlace principal con SENAF, coordinando visitas oficiales, inspecciones y la información de casos con estricta confidencialidad.

Noel Vargas

English
My name is Noel Vargas, and I work at The House of Hope as a Legal Secretary and Project Manager. As a relatively recent member of the team, I have had the opportunity to get involved in various areas that support the institution’s daily operations, including coordinating international visits and operational activities. I also collaborate in administrative areas, logistics, imports, payroll, and technology support. In addition, I serve as a liaison between Casa Esperanza and Send Hope to help fulfill our mission of providing hope and opportunities to the children and families we serve.

Spanish

Mi nombre es Noel Vargas y trabajo en Casa Esperanza como Secretario Legal y Gestor de Proyectos. Como parte relativamente reciente del equipo, he tenido la oportunidad de involucrarme en diversas áreas que apoyan el funcionamiento diario de la institución, mediante la coordinación de visitas internacionales y actividades operativas.

También colaboro en áreas administrativas, logística, importaciones, planillas de personal y soporte tecnológico. Además, sirvo como enlace entre Casa Esperanza y Send Hope para apoyar el cumplimiento de nuestra misión de brindar esperanza y oportunidades a los niños, niñas y familias que servimos.

Kinberlyn Navas

English
My name is Kinberlyn Navas and I work at the House of Hope as the Head of Personnel and Operations. In my role I am responsible responsible for staff coordination and the oversight of essential support systems that ensure the health, welfare, and daily functioning of the organization. As a member of the Leadership Team, this position provides operational insight, supports organizational decision-making, and ensures that personnel, medical, food, and material support services are delivered effectively and consistently.

I have a special relationship with the House of Hope given my long history here. I have worked at the House of Hope for 12 years. Now I am 33 years old, married with children, and I am in love with my work. The years that my four siblings and I lived at the House of Hope were the best, and I am very grateful to the founder Dr. Tom Brian — he is my hero.

Spanish

Mi nombre es Kinberlyn Navas y trabajo en la Casa de Esperanza como jefa de Personal y Operaciones. En mi función, soy responsable de la coordinación del personal y de la supervisión de los sistemas de apoyo esenciales que garantizan la salud, el bienestar y el funcionamiento diario de la organización. Como miembro del Equipo de Liderazgo, este puesto aporta perspectiva operativa, respalda la toma de decisiones organizacionales y asegura que los servicios de apoyo —incluyendo personal, atención médica, alimentación y suministros materiales— se brinden de manera eficaz y constante.

Tengo una relación especial con la Casa de Esperanza debido a mi larga historia aquí. He trabajado en la Casa de Esperanza durante 12 años. Ahora tengo 33 años, estoy casada, tengo hijos y estoy enamorada de mi trabajo. Los años en que mis cuatro hermanos y yo vivimos en la Casa de Esperanza fueron los mejores, y estoy muy agradecida con el fundador, el Dr. Tom Brian — él es mi héroe.

Board of Directors

  • Dr. Tom Brian

    PRESIDENT EMERITUS

    After co-founding Send Hope in 2000, Dr Tom Brian continues to work full-time in his 'retirement', managing stateside operations, mentoring the Send Hope Board and regularly visiting Puerto Lempira. He is an engaged citizen of Allen, Texas, a member of Allen Rotary, and a pillar of the FUMC Allen community.

  • Eric Free

    PRESIDENT

    Eric has worked closely with local non-profits since 2015.  He attends First United Methodist Church of Allen with his wife, Laura.  Their two sons have ventured off on their own careers and still reside in the North Texas area.  Eric's passions include sailing, hiking and serving others.  The skills he's picked up from working in the telecom field for decades enable him to serve the Send Hope Board and Operations in many capacities.  During his visit to Puerto Lempira in 2019, he was touched by the joy from the children in the House of Hope, as well as the overwhelming need in that community.  His faith and gratitude drive him to continue to give back to communities.

  • Sharon Brian

    Sharon Brian

    TREASURER

    Along with her husband, Dr Brian, Sharon is a key driving force behind Send Hope's stateside operations. She manages volunteer coordination and Kids Against Hunger events, while also handling the finances and overseeing donations. In her free time, she is an active member of FUMC Allen and a member of Allen Kiwanas. She resides with her husband in Allen, Texas.

  • Meagan Tucker

    Secretary

    Meagan Tucker grew up in Allen, TX, graduated from Texas A&M University (’13) and currently works in local government managing grants that assists low income residents. She first went to Honduras in 2006 for the grand opening of the House of Hope. Since then she has stayed involved both stateside with Kids Against Hunger and several trips to Honduras.

  • Mike Anderson

    Michael has been volunteering with Send Hope for the past 12 years. He currently leads Send Hope’s partnership with the University of Texas at Arlington to enhance methods for tracking children’s progress in the nutrition program. Professionally, Michael works as an engineer in the wireless communication industry.

  • Kendra Bonner

    From her earliest ministry trips to Oaxaca and Mexico, Kendra felt the Lord calling her to serve those who are often overlooked. That calling led her to direct a ministry in Duncanville, Texas, where she walked alongside women coming out of prison — helping them rebuild their lives, rediscover their identity, and encounter the hope of Christ.

    God has continued to expand her influence, opening doors in her career that have strengthened her leadership, communication, and bilingual ministry in Spanish. She now supports ministry work for Send Hope and the House of Hope in Honduras, trusting that every skill, every season, and every assignment has been part of God’s preparation.

    Kendra’s heart is to serve with compassion, empower with dignity, and use every gift the Lord has given her for His glory.

  • Jospeh Bush III

    Joseph took his first trip to the House of Hope in 2006 and has been back 8 times since. He is passionate about the mission of Send Hope and volunteers weekly to help fund their life-changing operations. Joseph lives in Richardson, Texas with his wife Suzanne.

  • Nancy Lessner

    Nancy and Henry Lessner have lived in Fairview since 1990 and have two adult children and five grandchildren who reside in Collin County. A retired public-school employee, Nancy spent a total of 19 years in the public school system as a teacher, admin assistant, and database administrator. She spent 17 years as a Product Manager at PowerSchool helping to develop the software to meet state-reporting requirements for Texas, North and South Carolina. Nancy has served various roles in the community through her children’s schools from elementary through high school, her church, and various civic organizations. She served on the Change the World committee for many years and spent a week in Honduras in 1998. She and Henry have sponsored several children through Send Hope. She currently serves as head of the Legislative Committee for the Allen Retired Teachers Association and leads the Cindy Robinson Reading group at FUMC Allen. She is on the trustees at her church.

  • Nicole Levy

    Nicole Levy has always had a heart for serving God’s people, both at home and abroad. In her early twenties, she lived in Gracias a Dios, Honduras, where she spent time visiting the House of Hope.  Now, she is honored to be part of the work God is doing through Send Hope. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, Nicole serves as the Executive Director of Luther Memorial School while also finding joy in raising her two children.

  • Marian "Dani" Steininger, MD, FACOG, MSCP

    Dr Dani has spent her life serving her local and global community. Finding Send Hope at her home church of FUMC Allen has led to a natural partnership, utilizing her wisdom and background to help raise up the people involved in this altruistic ministry. She is excited to be a part of this team of experts.

  • Mike Tucker

    All about Mike