THE TEAM:
Staff:
Amber Hornsby
Executive Director/Co-Founder
Amber has a degree in Social Work and has been serving for 15+ years in the US and internationally in human resources and service projects. Her prior work experiences have developed her current skill sets to work with people across demographics relationally and administratively. Amber’s role within ESTHER Homes is not only administrative, but she works directly + lives with the families to map out and research different resource options that best meet their direct needs.
Connect: amber@estherhomesmn.com
Rachel Hanus
Volunteer/Co-Founder + Board Member
Rachel has her Bachelor’s degree in nursing and her Master’s in Nurse-Midwifery. She has been directly working with women, serving on medical missions teams and involved in community focused service projects both stateside and internationally for 9+ years. Rachel brings her passion for women and women’s health to the home. She sees herself as the mom’s biggest cheerleader and loves walking with women through their transition into motherhood, standing next to them in the vulnerable season, encouraging them in who they are and all the while reminding them of the beauty and strength inside of them.
Connect: rachel@estherhomesmn.com
Emma Vermilya
Director of Communications
Emma has her degree in both Graphic Design and Journalism and has worked with nonprofit organizations for several years in communications, social media and design. Her interests are wide and varied—she has run a farmers market, taught pottery classes, been a personal trainer and fitness coach, and most recently works in the mental health field. She is working towards a Masters’ in Sport and Performance Psychology and is passionate about education on overall health, both mental and physical, especially for women and mothers.
Connect: emmav@estherhomesmn.com
Board of Directors:
Elise Holmes: President
Elise is passionate about women and children's health and wellbeing in her personal and professional life. She currently works at the University of Minnesota in public health and infectious diseases. She has a background working at the state and global level ensuring that all new families have a healthy start. She and her husband (plus dog and cat) are transplants from Illinois, but are very happy to call Minnesota home.
Kassy Heinrich-Wydra: Vice President
Kassy is life-long learner with a M.Div and JD. She strives to bring a pastoral presence to her practice of law in the estate planning/administration, real estate, and small business worlds at Markve & Zweifel, PLLC. Most days you can find her chasing her rescue dogs Huck and Luna, connecting with Salvadoran friends and partners in the Seeds of Hope program and trying to convince her husband to buy another (read: bigger) deep freezer.
Jill Hanus: Treasurer
Jill lives with her husband, Vern, in Cedar Falls, IA. She is a retired from her job with John Deere where she was a global engineering manager. Her knowledge in business and networking bring direction and structure as the Treasurer of ESTHER Homes.
Rachel Hanus: Secretary
As co-founder, Rachel is passionate about the programming, education and services offered within ESTHER Homes. Rachel is a midwife at the Minnesota Birth Center and is a volunteer within the organization.
Eric Prosser: Chaplain
Eric Prosser was raised in Stillwater Minnesota and graduated from Stillwater High School. He attended Century College received a 2 year Automotive Technician certificate and was immediately hired by Audi of Maplewood and began working as an apprentice auto tech. After a year moved into the Parts Department working in this Department ever since (40 years). Eric is the proud father of three children, two sons and a daughter. He spends his free time reading, biking, camping and volunteering with the children’s ministry at Woodland Hills Church. Eric is also a co-leader of a Bible Study group. Eric brings the Father’s heart into his position as Chaplain as he leads us in devotions and monthly prayer meetings for ESTHER Homes.
Emily Nicol: Member
Emily is a nurse practioner who went through school with Rachel at the University of Iowa. While at Iowa, she volunteered with a crisis pregnancy center and has developed insight into the complexity of being a single pregnant woman dealing with difficult decisions. She has a huge servant’s heart and as a board member, she will contribute a perspective of passionate care in a humble, mindful and genuine way. Her husband, Justin, is a physical therapist and will also carry compassion with vision for the men in hopes to connect and network for the home.
Gina Wills:
Prayer Counsel
Gina is a wife, mother of two grown daughters and has been an elementary teacher for thirty years. Her path toward loving the women and children of ESTHER Homes began with saying yes to God’s invitation to help women and children out of poverty, through an organization called, Trades of Hope, empowering women globally. This opened her heart to see the individual He placed directly in front of her. She shares the belief that we are called to walk along side of each mother on her journey; encouraging her to be the best version of herself by providing opportunities for growth.