The People Behind Our Mission
Leadership. Compassion. Commitment.
At the Jeanette Joan Saffold Foundation, we believe lasting change begins with people who are willing to serve.
Our Board of Directors and Advisors bring together professional experience, community leadership, and a shared commitment to helping individuals experiencing homelessness regain stability, dignity, and independence.
Through initiatives such as Brown Manor, we are working to transform compassion into meaningful action and create opportunities for lasting change.
One Light Does Make a Difference.
Meet Our Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors provides leadership, governance, and strategic oversight to advance the mission of the Jeanette Joan Saffold Foundation. Together, they help guide our commitment to housing stability, recovery, and meaningful opportunities for individuals experiencing homelessness.
Anthony Brown, MSN, FNP, PHN, RN, LPT, CATC III
Board Chair
Founder & Director, Brown Manor
Anthony Brown is the Chair of the Board of Directors of the Jeanette Joan Saffold Foundation and Founder and Director of Brown Manor.
A healthcare professional, author, recovery advocate, and community leader, Anthony brings both professional expertise and lived experience to the foundation's mission.
Having personally experienced homelessness, Anthony understands the challenges faced by individuals seeking stability and a new beginning. His journey from homelessness to a career in healthcare and community service has shaped his commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for others.
Through Brown Manor, Anthony is working to provide a structured, supportive environment where individuals can rebuild their lives, strengthen their independence, and move toward lasting housing stability.
Brandon Miner
Board Co-Chair
Brandon Miner serves as Co-Chair of the Board of Directors of the Jeanette Joan Saffold Foundation. With more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry, Brandon brings practical knowledge, dedication, and a strong work ethic to the foundation's leadership.
A Mansfield resident for approximately 10 years, Brandon is a devoted husband to his wife, Anita, and a proud father of five children. Guided by his Christian faith and a genuine desire to help others, he values family, community, and service.
Outside of his professional responsibilities, Brandon enjoys camping, horseback riding, spending time outdoors, and caring for animals.
Brandon's hands-on experience and compassionate approach reflect the foundation's belief that meaningful change begins with people willing to make a difference.
Bianka Hernández
Board Treasurer
Biography and photograph coming soon.
Tim Kershner
Board Secretary
Tim Kershner serves as Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Jeanette Joan Saffold Foundation, supporting the organization's governance, recordkeeping, and communications.
With more than 30 years of community service and nonprofit leadership experience, Tim brings extensive knowledge of volunteer organizations and community engagement. His leadership experience includes service with Lions Clubs International at the international, state, district, and local levels.
Throughout his years of service, Tim has demonstrated a commitment to strengthening communities through collaboration, volunteerism, and meaningful service initiatives.
His dedication to helping others reflects the foundation's mission of creating opportunities, restoring dignity, and making a lasting difference in the lives of individuals and families.
Venita Shoulders
Board Director
Venita Shoulders is a lifelong resident of Mansfield, Ohio, and a dedicated community advocate, organizer, and coalition-builder. A retired Labor Relations Consultant with the Ohio Education Association and former elementary school teacher with Mansfield City Schools, Venita has devoted her career to strengthening the institutions that serve families, workers, and communities.
With decades of experience in organizational leadership, event planning, and public engagement, Venita brings valuable insight and a collaborative approach to the Jeanette Joan Saffold Foundation. Her extensive involvement with local nonprofits, civic organizations, and regional coalitions reflects her commitment to community service and meaningful change.
Venita believes in inclusive decision-making, transparent governance, and building partnerships that bring people together. As a member of the Board of Directors, she contributes thoughtful leadership and a strong understanding of the needs and strengths of the Mansfield community.
Her dedication to advocacy and collaboration supports the foundation's mission of restoring dignity, creating opportunities, and helping individuals build more stable futures.
MikelAnne North
Board Director
MikelAnne North brings a strong background in peer support, recovery services, entrepreneurship, and community advocacy to the Jeanette Joan Saffold Foundation. She is the owner/operator of Peer Support for Professionals, an initiative dedicated to “helping those who help others,” as well as Authentically Amish Country.
Previously, MikelAnne served as Lead Recovery Coach for OneEighty, where she worked directly with individuals navigating recovery and life challenges. Her experience in peer support and recovery services gives her a valuable perspective on the importance of compassion, encouragement, accountability, and meaningful community connections.
As a member of the JJS Foundation Board of Directors, MikelAnne is committed to supporting the Foundation’s work to create opportunities for individuals experiencing homelessness to achieve greater stability, independence, and hope for the future.
Dr. Joseph J. Bocka, MD
Board Director
Dr. Joseph J. Bocka was born and raised in New Jersey and graduated from New Jersey Medical School. He completed his residency in Emergency Medicine in Royal Oak, Michigan. His medical career has taken him to Argentina, the Washington, D.C., area, and Cambridge, Ohio, before he and his family settled in Mansfield in 1999.
Since arriving in Mansfield, Dr. Bocka has served the community in numerous medical capacities, including as an emergency department physician and director, county jail physician, and physician for local racetracks and high school football teams. He later became a founding medical provider at a federally supported health clinic serving downtown Mansfield.
In recent years, Dr. Bocka has focused increasingly on substance use disorder treatment, earning board certification in Addiction Medicine. His work has included outpatient care, inpatient hospital consultations, and serving as Medical Director of the Catalyst Withdrawal Unit. He also serves on the Richland County Opiate Board and with the Richland County Foundation.
Beyond his medical practice, Dr. Bocka has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to community service through organizations such as People Helping People, which provides daily meals, and Community Life Ministries.
Beginning in 2025, Dr. Bocka transitioned into semi-retirement, allowing additional time to enjoy hiking, geocaching, and puzzles while continuing his involvement in medicine and community service.
As a member of the Jeanette Joan Saffold Foundation's Board of Directors, Dr. Bocka brings decades of medical experience, expertise in addiction treatment, and a deep understanding of the needs of vulnerable populations. His commitment to compassionate care and community service supports the foundation's mission of helping individuals achieve recovery, stability, and renewed independence.
Dr. Nicole T. Labor, DO, FASAM
Board Director
Dr. Nicole Labor is a physician, author, and nationally recognized educator specializing in addiction medicine. Board-certified in Family Medicine and Addiction Medicine, she has dedicated much of her professional career to helping individuals and families understand and overcome substance use disorders.
Dr. Labor earned her medical degree from Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Family Medicine residency at SUNY Buffalo. She later completed an Addiction Medicine fellowship through Geisinger Marworth.
Throughout her career, she has held leadership positions in addiction treatment and behavioral health, providing clinical care while educating healthcare professionals, community organizations, and families about the science of addiction and the importance of compassionate, evidence-based treatment.
She is the author of The Addictoholic Deconstructed and The Addictoholic Reconstructing, works that explore the neuroscience of addiction, recovery, and the challenges faced by individuals living with substance use disorders.
As a member of the Jeanette Joan Saffold Foundation's Board of Directors, Dr. Labor brings valuable medical expertise, educational leadership, and a commitment to reducing the stigma surrounding addiction. Her experience supports the foundation's mission of helping individuals experiencing homelessness and other life challenges achieve recovery, stability, and renewed opportunity.
Joe Matuscak
Board Director
Joe Matuscak is an experienced marketing, communications, and nonprofit development professional with a background in community engagement, organizational leadership, and charitable initiatives.
Throughout his career, Joe has worked in advertising, marketing, and development, including his involvement with Riveon Mental Health and Recovery, formerly The LCADA Way. His professional experience includes supporting organizations that address behavioral health, substance use disorders, and community wellness.
Joe has also been involved in community service through organizations including the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), Rotary, and the American Red Cross. His experience in nonprofit development, fundraising, and community partnerships brings valuable insight to the foundation.
As a member of the Jeanette Joan Saffold Foundation's Board of Directors, Joe contributes his knowledge of community engagement, organizational development, and strategic outreach to support the foundation's mission of helping individuals experiencing homelessness achieve stability, dignity, and renewed opportunity.
Pastor Garland Harvey Jr.
Board Director
Pastor Garland Harvey Jr. is a faith and community leader with a background in ministry, public service, and community outreach in North Central Ohio.
His involvement in community service includes participation in disaster response efforts through the East Ohio Conference of the United Methodist Church, where he has been identified as a district disaster response coordinator. His work reflects an interest in helping individuals and families navigate difficult circumstances and access support during times of need.
Through his involvement in ministry and community activities, Pastor Harvey brings a perspective grounded in compassion, service, and the importance of strengthening local communities.
As a member of the Jeanette Joan Saffold Foundation's Board of Directors, Pastor Harvey contributes his experience in community engagement and faith-based service to support the foundation's mission of addressing homelessness, restoring dignity, and creating opportunities for individuals and families to rebuild their lives.