President & CEO

An executive with more than two decades of experience in social services management in the DC area, Sandra Jackson’s tenure at House of Ruth began in 2013 when she became Director of Operations. Ms. Jackson was promoted to Interim Executive Director in January 2016, and then became Executive Director in November 2016. In September 2020, the House of Ruth board unanimously promoted Ms. Jackson to President and CEO of House of Ruth. Prior employers include the Child and Family Services Agency and Catholic Charities of Washington, DC. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Work from Howard University, and a BA from George Washington University.

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Ms. Jackson was recognized at the Kennedy Center with Georgetown University’s 2020 John Thompson Jr. Legacy of a Dream Award, which highlighted her inspirational leadership and passionate drive to make House of Ruth’s new Kidspace developmental childcare facility a reality.

Chief Operating Officer

Garikai Beverly joined House of Ruth as Director of Finance in April 2017, and was promoted to Chief Operating Officer in March 2021. Prior to that he worked at Clark Construction in their corporate accounting department from 2007-2017. Garikai earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the University of Maryland. Born and raised in Prince George’s County, MD, he and his wife still live there with their four children. When he’s not organizing House of Ruth finances, he enjoys playing and watching basketball.

Clinical Director

Sharon Knight, LICSW, is the Clinical Director at House of Ruth. She started in 2020, and has been contracting with House of Ruth since 2018. She is a highly experienced clinical manager who enhances the clinical behavioral health services to the individuals and families in all of House of Ruth’s housing programs.

Communications and Social Media Specialist

aorourke (AT) houseofruth (DOT) org

Ari began working with House of Ruth in August 2022 as the Communications and Social Media Specialist. With a passion for people and community, coupled with being a self-proclaimed chatterbox. She brings her skills to House of Ruth in hopes of elevating its mission to an even larger audience. Her background is deeply rooted in working alongside nonprofits since her first internship in 2018.

A recent transplant to DC, she’s excited to get to know her new neighborhood better (and not so enthusiastic about the mosquito population).

Ari received her Bachelor’s in Business from Wheaton College, MA, in 2019.

Compliance Specialist

dhoward (AT) houseofruth (DOT) org

Daysia Howard joined the House of Ruth in August of 2022 as the Compliance Specialist. She was born and raised in Maryland and graduated from Stevenson University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Upon graduating she landed her first job writing grants and helping women rehabilitate through hardships where she learned her passion for helping others. Daysia enjoys reading, drawing, and trying new restaurants around the D.C. area.

Development Operations Specialist

egjovik (AT) houseofruth (DOT) org

Emily Gjovik joined House of Ruth as the Development Operations Specialist in May 2022. In 2019, she was selected for a year-long apprenticeship in the development department at Studio Theatre in DC and moved across the country from Washington State to take advantage of the incredible opportunity. She also began working at Call Your Mother Deli in 2019, eventually becoming the General Manager of the Park View location in 2021. She is thrilled to return to the non-profit sector and work for an organization that does such incredible work in DC! Emily has a B.A. in Theatre from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington. In her free time, she enjoys dancing, crocheting, seeing theatre, happy hour, and game nights with friends.

Administrative Assistant

Tiffany Graham joined House of Ruth in October 2018, and her role includes organizing paperwork, supporting the administrative team, and creating and designing the employee newsletter among other things. She grew up in Prince George’s County, Maryland and heard about House of Ruth from a colleague. She worked as administrative assistant at McKissack & McKissack for 11 years, until joining House of Ruth.

Still a proud resident of Prince George’s County, Tiffany enjoys watching movies, seeing her extended family, and raising her two young children with her husband.

Foundation Grants Manager

mmuttom (AT) houseofruth (DOT) org

Michaela is a nonprofit fundraising professional with more than ten years of development experience, a Masters in Social Work from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a background that includes working with women and children in the field of domestic violence. She recently relocated from Charlottesville, Virginia where she was the Grants & Communications Manager for Computers4Kids.  She lives in Alexandria, VA with her husband and young son.

Facilities Manager

Markyle Yeager joined House of Ruth as the Facilities Manager in April 2017, with over 15 plus years in the construction field. He gained experience at an early age, working with his dad, who was a master carpenter. Markyle was born and raised in South East Washington DC and graduated from Spingarn Sr High School. Markyle enjoys drawing, quoting movie lines, and seeing others smile.

Assistant Program Coordinator

Hello and thank you for taking time to learn more about our team at House of Ruth. I am the Assistant Program Coordinator at our Domestic Violence Support Center where we provide free, confidential individual counseling to survivors of relational trauma. As a native Washingtonian, it has been my ultimate goal as a mental health therapist to support our local community in healing from trauma. I began my studies in Psychology at Vassar College and completed my masters training at The Johns Hopkins University School of Education. I have been a practicing licensed professional counselor since 2016 with a focus on trauma and recovery. My work at House of Ruth allows me to support survivors of Domestic Violence at pivotal moments in their recovery and see the transformative power counseling coupled with housing stability can have. What I love most about being a mental health professional is having the opportunity to support people on their journey to healing and thriving.

Assistant Program Coordinator

Three Sisters / New Pathways

Camille Alberson has been an employee since 2021 and joined the staff as the Assistant Program Coordinator at Three Sisters and New Pathways program. With more than 7 years’ non-profit experience in leadership, she has worked residential programs throughout the Memphis Metropolitan Area, currently an active mentor for at-risk youth, and annually organizes and supports local non-profits.

A Tennessee native now resident of Washington, DC, she has a degree in Family and Human Services from Towson University and competed as a student-athlete. In her spare time, she enjoys playing basketball, supporting women’s sports, exploring new restaurants, and spending time with family and friends.

Assistant Program Coordinator

Scattered Sites - Stepping Forward

Ashley Ard has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theology and Sociology from Hanover College, Indiana. Ashley is currently in school to pursue her Masters of Science in Therapy Counseling with an emphasis in trauma, which she will use to assist clients with addressing past traumas. Ashley has been an employee of House of Ruth since 2014 and currently holds the role of the Assistant Program Coordinator for the Scattered Sites- Stepping Forward program. Ashley started as a Life Skills Trainer in the family program- Hope Rising, where she then worked her way to become the Lead Case Manager. While in her Lead Case Manager role, Ashley was introduced to the Managing-Up concept and utilized the skills to engage the Hope Rising staff with professional development. Ashley continues to use her skills to empower her clients and staff. Ashley is very passionate about providing excellent services, advocating for others, and looking forward to creating positive changes for all.

Assistant Program Coordinator

A New Way

Brooke Cole has been a Case Manager at House of Ruth’s Madison Program since March 2021. She was recently promoted to Assistant Program Coordinator at A New Way Program in February 2022. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminal Justice from Virginia Union University and has over fifteen years of experience providing case management. In her spare time, she enjoys fishing, traveling, and spending time with her children.

Program Coordinator

Families First I

Nadine Earlington joined House of Ruth staff in December 1997 as a case manager. She has been Program Coordinator at Families First I (formerly known as HerSpace) since 2012. She has a Master’s in Counseling Psychology from Bowie State University, and a BA in Sociology with a minor in Social Work from the State University of New York. When not at the House of Ruth, Nadine enjoys reading, watching old shows on TV and riding her bike.

Assistant Program Coordinator

Scattered Site Housing Programs

Lamonda Fraley has over 30 years of experience working in several industries such as Financial Services, Child Support Enforcement, Home Health Care Service Provider, and Non Profit Social Services. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Information System. Since joining the House of Ruth in 2021 as an Assistant Program Coordinator she has worked across multiple programs to ensure that our clients’ needs are meet as well as ensuring that the House of Ruth mission of service is accomplished. Lamonda was born and raised in Washington, DC. In her spare time, she likes dancing, outdoor activities, and spending time with loved ones.

Program Manager

Single Site Based Programs

Seteria Hollinshed has been with House of Ruth since June 2005. She has held several positions within the agency including: Case Manager, Case Manager Supervisor, Assistant Program Coordinator and Program Coordinator. In April 2021  she was promoted to Program Manager of the Single Site Based Programs. Seteria has worked in the social services field for over 15 years. She received her Bachelor’s degree (BSW) from North Carolina Central University and her Master’s degree (MSW) from the University of Illinois. In the past her work experience has included community mental health and child welfare. When Seteria is not at House of Ruth she enjoys spending time with her family. One of her family’s favorite activities is spending time outdoors (hiking, bike riding, going to the beach). In addition to spending time with her family she also enjoys traveling and volunteering in her community.

Assistant Program Coordinator

Hope Rising Program

Mary Jackson is a longtime member of the House of Ruth family. She initially came onboard as a part-time employee in 2008 before joining full-time in April 2009. Mary has earned promotions from Case Manager in September 2012 to Lead Case Manager in 2021. In February 2022, she was promoted to Assistant Program Coordinator of the Hope Rising Program.

She holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of the District of Columbia, and is currently working toward a Master’s degree in Clinical Social Work. Mary is a resident of Prince George’s County, MD, and in her spare time she enjoys being with family, roller skating, and live music.

Assistant Program Coordinator

Madison Program

Kisha Jordan earned a degree in Social Work at Central State University in Wilberforce, Ohio. She started working at HOR in 2013, starting as a part-time Life Skills Trainer at the Herspace Program. In 2016, Jordan was selected to be a Family Case Manager at the Herspace Program. In 2021, she transitioned to the Madison Program as the Assistant Program Coordinator. Kisha Jordan is grateful for the opportunities that House of Ruth has provided to her. Her passion is to help those in need and to uplift the women she serves.

Director of Kidspace

Kidspace Child and Family Development Center

Tara began volunteering two afternoons a week at Kidspace in 1994 then graduated to working as a substitute teacher for the summer. She moved away to finish college then returned as a full-time employee in 2000. Tara has a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences from the University of Pittsburgh and a master’s degree in Special Education from George Mason University. Tara is married with two young children. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family, baking and social Latin dancing.

Program Manager

Scattered Site Housing Programs

Bonita began working with House of Ruth in November 1998, as Case Manager at the Unity Program. Over the years working at House of Ruth has made a significant impact on her life as well as the lives of the women and the children she serves. It brings Bonita enormous joy when she receives a call from a former resident saying, “Thank you, this program saved my life.” She has a Master’s degree in Social Work from Howard University. Her BS in Interdisciplinary Studies and Sociology is from Norfolk State University. In her spare time, she likes to spend time with her husband and two children (mainly driving them around to cheer and basketball competitions), travel — her favorite destination is any island, and doing spin and boxing classes at her gym.

Assistant Program Coordinator

Kidspace Child and Family Development Center

Keva Willis-McPherson is a native Washingtonian. She has been devoted to early childhood education her entire adult life. She is currently Assistant Director at House of Ruth’s Kidspace Child and Family Development Center. Keva came to Kidspace as a teacher in 2011 with over 20 years of experience in early childhood education and an associate’s degree in Child Development. Over her 10 year tenure with House of Ruth’s Kidspace she’s earned both a bachelor’s degree in Human Development from the University of the District of Columbia (2013) and master’s degree in Special Education from George Mason University (2021). In her spare time, Keva enjoys cooking for her large family, bowling, hosting game night, hanging out with her husband, son and daughter in-law and working out with Trap Cardio.