Executive Director 

Mike O'Neill has served as Executive Director of Hope for New York since 2001. Prior to joining us, he was the Executive Director of Kids With A Promise, one of our affiliate ministries. Mike, a native New Yorker, and his wife Donna, a native of London, England, have spent much of their adult lives ministering to inner-city children, inner-city churches and pastors, the homeless, drug and alcohol addicted people, transvestites, prostitutes, people living with HIV and AIDS and single mothers throughout New York City’s five boroughs. Mike received a BA from The College of Mount Saint Vincent in Business Administration and French and completed the Executive Level Program at Columbia Business School’s Institute for Not-for-Profit Management.

Associate Director 

U. Elise Chong joined the Hope for New York staff as Manager of Affiliate Development in 2003 and became Associate Director in 2007. She has been working to broaden and leverage resources within HFNY’s affiliate network. Prior to joining HFNY, Elise worked at other non-profit organizations such as Covenant House and World Vision in the respective areas of coordinating volunteers and disaster relief efforts. Elise is a native of Massachusetts and moved to New York City in 1988. Elise received a BA from Cornell University, M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary, and completed the Executive Level Program at Columbia Business School’s Institute for Not-for-Profit Management.

 Volunteer Coordinator 

Kristian Rose joined the Hope for New York staff as Volunteer Coordinator in 2007. Prior to joining Hope for New York, Kristian worked as an account manager for a litigation support company. Having lived throughout the United States, he is now happy to call New York City home. He and his wife both serve on the Diaconate at Apostles Church. Kristian enjoys his wife’s baked goods, sports, great stories and seeing the gospel transform lives. Kristian received his BA from Texas A&M University.

Volunteer Coordinator 

Juliet Yera joined the Hope for New York staff as Volunteer Coordinator in 2007. Originally from Chicago, Juliet has been engaged in urban ministry in a variety of ways including directing after school programs for urban children, running a community music school, working with women, children, and the homeless population and has a great passion for urban outreach. She and her husband Rocky recently relocated to New York from Miami where she worked with a ministry hosting short term mission teams from all over the United States. She has a BA in Family Life Ministry from Lincoln Christian College & Seminary. 

Administrative Coordinator 

Michelle Frey joined the Hope for New York staff as Administrative Coordinator in 2007. Born in Brazil, she and her husband were previously involved in youth ministry and a community development project in Sao Paulo. They moved to New York in 2005 and have been enjoying this new experience since then. Michelle holds a bachelor in Public Relations and worked for several years for the financial and automotive industries.

Executive Assistant 

 joined our staff in 2002 as Executive Assistant and serves the staff in donor management and event coordination. She and her husband, Bryan, served on the Redeemer Presbyterian Church Diaconate for three years and currently serve on the launch team of Ascension Church, a Redeemer church plant located in Forest Hills, Queens. Lisa holds a BA in Journalism from Baylor University.

Accountant 

joined our staff part-time in 2003 as accountant for Hope for New York. Jerry has worked for many years with various ministries ministering to African immigrants, inner-city children, the homeless and has been actively involved in supporting a church plant in Trinidad.