We are Boys Hope Girls Hope

We believe every young person should have hope for the future and believe they can make a difference in the world.

Sometimes, the challenges young people and their families are facing—economic, systemic, or circumstantial barriers—get in the way, and it can seem like their possibilities are limited. Still, they put one foot in front of the other, go to school, work hard, and do their best. They want more.

That’s where Boys Hope Girls Hope comes in.

Our dedicated team spends many hours per week, year after year, with our young people, who are selected for their motivation and determination and called Boys Hope Girls Hope scholars. Together, we navigate each step in their journey of education, experiences, activities, skill-building, personal growth, leadership, and service. Once in the Boys Hope Girls Hope family, they have lifelong relationships, a network of support into career launch, and a supportive community throughout their adulthood as alumni.

OUR MISSION

To nurture and guide motivated young people in need to become well-educated, career-ready men and women for others.

OUR DNA

These are the fundamental and distinctive characteristics of our organization.

Academic Focus

We believe in the transformative power of education to develop lifelong learners.

Service and Community Engagement

We believe in the Jesuit-inspired, values-centered hallmark of building “persons for others.”

Family-like Settings to Create a Sense of Belonging

We believe youth derive their energy and sustenance from exposure to nurturing environments.

Long-Term and Comprehensive Commitment

We believe an enduring relationship with youth holds the most promise for attaining positive outcomes.

Faith-Based Values

We believe that a loving God cares about the life of every individual and we manifest this belief.

Voluntary Participant Commitment

We believe in the motivational power of self-selection into the Boys Hope Girls Hope program.

WHERE WE WORK

OUR NETWORK

Our partners and contributors help us make round-the-clock investments in young people’s lives, educations, and futures.

OUR PLAN

Boys Hope Girls Hope is a learning and growing organization.  We don’t rest on hope alone, but we roll up our sleeves as a Network and have courageous discussions about how we can improve and scale to serve more young people in need.  We welcome you to be a part of our growth!

OUR PLAN

Boys Hope Girls Hope is a learning and growing organization.  We don’t rest on hope alone, but we roll up our sleeves as a Network and have courageous discussions about how we can improve and scale to serve more young people in need.  We welcome you to be a part of our growth!
Scholars and Team

TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY

You want to invest in a nonprofit you can trust. Be confident knowing that we have been independently evaluated and that your donation gets used in an effective and responsible way. View our financials and see how your donation makes a difference.

AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
990s
Seals - 2024

Our icon has deep meaning for our scholars, collegians, alumni, and team members. It represents our diverse community coming together with our incredible scholars at the heart of everything we do.

OUR HISTORY

For 45 years, Boys Hope Girls Hope has helped young people leverage their strengths by providing access to education and opportunities they wouldn’t otherwise have. With their motivation and determination, and Boys Hope Girls Hope’s high expectations and nurturing environments, our alumni have been given the tools they need to build their own success stories.

OUR TEAM

Boys Hope Girls Hope is made up of incredible people. Our Network Headquarters team and Network Board of Directors collaborate with affiliate teams and boards to ensure mission fidelity, financial stewardship, and transparency. We are committed to continuous learning, effective programming, diversity, inclusion, and improvement through impact evaluation and innovation.

Kristin Ostby de Barillas

PRESIDENT & CEO
As President & CEO of Boys Hope Girls Hope, Kristin leads the Network Headquarters team and works with local affiliate leadership to ensure that every young person in the program receives similar access to educational experiences, opportunities, and a Network of support. Kristin lives in the Bay Area with her husband and two sons.

Michelle Sakach

CFO
Michelle oversees everything related to finance and accounting, operations, and information technology and works with affiliates to ensure fidelity in these areas. Michelle has two grown daughters and two puppies, and she enjoys spending her free time with them and travelling.

Melanie Burden

VP OF PEOPLE & CULTURE
Mel oversees all Human Capital Management administration functions and serves as a key strategist, advisor, and implementer of organization-wide efforts to create a positive employee experience, recruit and retain talent, and foster a culture of equity, inclusion, learning, and development. Mel lives in Kentucky with her husband and son.

Bill Fronczak

VP OF ADVANCEMENT
Bill oversees the Network Headquarters development team and fundraising efforts, including corporate and foundation partners, major donors, digital giving, and business development. He also works to spearhead collaborative network-wide fundraising & events. Bill lives in St. Louis with his wife and three dogs.

Brian Hipp

VP OF MISSION EFFECTIVENESS
Brian oversees mission fidelity, performance management, Network programming, and educational partnerships. He works with affiliates to ensure program model compliance and scholar success. Brian lives in St. Louis, is married to Susan, and is a proud dad and stepdad.

Jennifer Starkey

SENIOR DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS
Jennifer oversees the Network Headquarters Marketing and Communications team and projects, including the branding, website, public relations, and social media efforts. She serves as a key strategist for the organization’s marketing and communications planning. She lives in St. Louis with her two sons.

James Williams

DIRECTOR OF POST-SECONDARY SUCCESS
& STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS
James leads college, career, and alumni programming for the Network, supporting affiliate capacity in these areas, and managing partnerships with universities, intern placements, and peer organizations. James lives in Houston, Texas.

Erin Beezley

DIRECTOR OF EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING & YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
Erin manages key programming initiatives such as My Road, EnvisionU, and World Wide Technology Scholars. She also manages volunteer and service learning initiatives, like AmeriCorps and the Guate-Maya Service Immersion. Erin lives in St. Louis.

Laura Stevens

DIRECTOR OF MONITORING, EVALUATION, & TRAINING
Laura directs the Performance Management Tool and Process, the Scholar Salesforce Database (PPM), and outcomes data and impact evaluation efforts. She leads Network training and The Vatterott Training Institute Learning Management System (LMS). Laura is married and lives in St. Louis.

Vivian Mendoza

LATIN AMERICA PROGRAM ADVISOR
Vivian is a curriculum design specialist and assists in the development for programming in Latin American and the US. She lives in Guatemala with her husband.

Pete Schweiss

MANAGER OF TECHNOLOGY SERVICES
Pete manages all Network technology platforms, including Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and our technology infrastructure, as well as being the developer for our websites. He advises affiliate leaders on technology related decisions and troubleshoots on technology installations. Pete lives in St. Louis and is married with two beautiful children and one on the way!

Noël Schiber

GRANTS & STEWARDSHIP MANAGER
Noel supports fund development outcomes through grant and proposal writing, donor stewardship, and reporting for Network Headquarters, and facilitates affiliate best practice sharing in these areas. She also writes regularly for our blog. Noel lives in St. Louis with her husband and family.

Lynn Trieschmann

DEVELOPMENT & DATABASE COORDINATOR
Lynn manages the Salesforce development database for Network Headquarters, as well as providing training and support in this area to affiliates. Lynn and her husband live in sunny Florida.

Aly Marin

WEBSITE COORDINATOR
Aly designs, updates, creates content for, and manages the Network website. She also works with the tech team and affiliates to keep website technology and content refreshed and up to date, and trains affiliate website administrators. Aly lives in Kansas City with her son, Maclin.

Martin Totland

COMMUNICATIONS & MEDIA COORDINATOR
Martin manages the Network social media channels, email marketing, video creation, blog, and internal communications. He also assists affiliates with social media tools, resources, and training. Martin lives in St. Louis with his wife and new puppy.

Caleb Chapman

TECHNOLOGY SERVICES SUPPORT
SPECIALIST
Caleb assists all Network technology platforms, including Microsoft 365, Salesforce, and assists affiliates with troubleshooting tech issues. Caleb lives in St. Louis with his girlfriend and daughter.

River Wild

SENIOR ACCOUNTANT
River is primarily responsible for supporting the Chief Financial Officer in the delivery of accounting, budgeting, financial planning, analysis, and reporting activities and procedures to the BHGH Network Headquarters and US Affiliates of Boys Hope Girls Hope. She also provides bookkeeping services for Pittsburgh, approves payroll for all of the affiliates, and generally helps where needed. River lives in St. Louis with her family.

Jenn Garris

PAYROLL SPECIALIST
Jenn is responsible for payroll for the Network, and maintaining the data integrity of our payroll system. She also assists affiliates with general accounting. Jenn lives in St. Louis.

Gigi Burgos

PROGRAM DATA COORDINATOR
Gigi maintains our scholar records, assists affiliates in the optimal usage of our scholar database, and supports outcome and impact data reporting. Gigi lives in Florida with her husband and five children.

Debbie Shelton

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT SPECIALIST
Debbie provides administrative and general office support to the Network Headquarters leadership team and serves as a backup to the new team member onboarding process. Debbie lives in St. Louis with her husband and is a proud mother and grandmother.

Luther Cameron

ACCOUNTANT
Luther supports the CFO in the bookkeeping, reporting, reconciling, and scheduling accounting functions for Network Headquarters. He also assists affiliates with accounting support as needed. He lives in St. Louis with his lovely wife and daughter.

Julie Fabian

BENEFITS ADMINISTRATOR
Julie supports the administration of benefits for the Boys Hope Girls Hope network-wide team. She lives in St. Louis.

Stephanie Cabrera

RECRUITMENT SPECIALIST
Stephanie assists affiliates and Network Headquarters with recruiting and onboarding amazing candidates for open positions. Stephanie lives in St. Louis.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Rob Lloyd

BOARD CHAIR
Rob Lloyd, Owner of the Ultimate Frisbee Association, is a long-time supporter of Board Girls Hope and became the Network Chair in March 2024.

Dr. Edward Anderson
Retired Cardiologist

Steve Carani
Partner
Edward Jones

Dave Conway
Executive Advisor
Intellex Talent

Ben Davis
CEO
Phizzle

Mike de Graffenried
Retired Business Executive

Palmina Fava
Partner, Co-Head of White Collar Defense & Government Investigations
Vinson & Elkins

Lisa Flavin, Vice Chair
Senior Vice President, Chief Transformation and Compliance Officer
Emerson

Anissa Gilbert
Digital Project Manager
PNC

Pamela Giss
Managing Principal
Launch Development Finance Advisors

Christopher Growe
CFO
Advantage Solutions

Duffy Hanna
President
Howard Hanna Financial Services

Bobby Herrera
Co-founder and President
Populus Group

Dr. Angela Jones
Pediatrician

Gregg Kirchhoefer,Counsel (Ex-Officio)
Partner
Kirkland & Ellis

Joe Koenig, Emeritus
President
World Wide Technology

Dr. Clarence Lee, Jr.
President & CEO
Exhort Health

Paul Minorini
Retired Nonprofit Executive

Rev. Ronny O’Dwyer, SJ
President
DeSmet Jesuit High School

Kristin Ostby de Barillas 
President and CEO 
Boys Hope Girls Hope 

Jason Pernell 
Worldwide VP Go-to-Market Sales Operations 
Cisco 

Tom Santel
Retired Business Executive

Anja Schmelter
Marketing Consultant

Rob Sprague
President
KC Property & Casualty

Greg Scruggs, Alumni
Retired, National Football League

Rev. Paul G. Sheridan, S.J.
Founder
Boys Hope Girls Hope

Thomas Stanley
Business Executive

Jeff Taylor
Senior VP
Pega

Karl Thomsen
Chief Executive Officer
Optimized Aspects

Mark Wilhelm
Executive Chairman
Safety National Casualty Corporation

Mark Williams
Principal
KW Law, LLP

John Wunderlich, Treasurer
Business Consultant

CONTACT US

Please fill out the contact form below and a member of our team will respond as soon as possible.

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Or contact our office:

Boys Hope Girls Hope
5257 Shaw Avenue
St. Louis, MO 63110
314.298.1250
hope@bhgh.org

HERE IS HOW YOU CAN PROVIDE HOPE

Boys Hope Girls Hope Logo

Working to nurture and guide motivated
young people in need to become well-educated,
career-ready men and women for others

Seals - 2024

boyshopegirlshope.org