Board of Directors
Officers
Shelia Schuette, President | Missouri
Dr. Tracy Daniel-Hardy, Vice-President | Mississippi
Joyce Bathke, Immediate Past President | Missouri
Mike Streiff, Treasurer | Mississippi
Jonathan Morgan, Secretary | Rhode Island
Members-at-Large
Rev. Kim Wood | Alabama
Rev. Molly Carlson | Illinois
Andrew C. Mosier Jr. | Indiana
LeAnn Shafer | Indiana
Rev. Emily Johnson Kellar | Massachusetts
Joann Fields | Mississippi
John Oropesa | Mississippi
Cindy Martin | Mississippi
Ashley Richardson, Esq. | Mississippi
Jennifer Young | Mississippi
Chip Lechner | Mississippi
Dan Mothersbaugh | Ohio
Sue Earl | Texas
Rev. James Pennington (Ex-Officio) | Mississippi
Meet the Team
Management Team
Rev. James Pennington
Executive Director
Rev. Pennington, a Mississippi native, most recently served as Senior Pastor at UCC churches in Phoenix, AZ, and Minneapolis, MN.
His ministry highlights include expanding services for people experiencing homelessness, advocating for migrants at the border, and leading recovery, transgender support, and racial reconciliation groups. Recognized for exemplary leadership by the Minnesota Conference, he notably merged Spirit of the Lakes, a predominantly LGBTQ+ congregation, with Minnehaha UCC, creating Living Table — a thriving, diverse church community.
Shawn Sullivan
Chief Financial Officer
Shawn is a graduate of The University of Mississippi with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management.
Before joining our Back Bay Mission staff, Shawn was the Chief Financial Officer and Office Manager at Premier Craneworks in Biloxi, Mississippi.
Shawn was raised in Ocean Springs, where she currently resides. She has one child. Kade is a graduate of The University of Mississippi with his Bachelor’s Degree in IMC. Shawn enjoys spending time with her family and friends, watching the Saints play football, riding her golf cart, boating, and traveling.
Dhiana Skrmetti
Director of Development
Dhiana is a graduate of William Carey University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration with an emphasis on marketing. A Biloxi native, she has always had a passion for storytelling and the South Mississippi community.
Her career began at Keesler Air Force Base, where she shared the stories of local military members as a journalist for the 403d Wing Air Force Reserve. This experience sparked her love for amplifying untold stories and promoting the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Now, Dhiana has found her home at Back Bay Mission, where her passion for serving others continues to thrive.
Dhiana stays busy with her kids, Reid and Sawyer, with their extra curricular activities!
Jonathan Briggs
Food Insecurity Program Manager
Jonathan grew up in Austin Texas. His family frequently took coastal fishing trips to Rockport, TX, and Biloxi, MS, where they built lifelong friendships — including with David and Karlyn Stephens of Back Bay Mission.
Jonathan’s connection to BBM began in 1987 when he spent a summer volunteering in the housing rehabilitation program under Bruno Schrader, an experience that deeply shaped his passion for service.
Kirsten Hebron
Micah Day Center
Manager
Kirsten graduated from University of Southern Mississippi Gulf Park with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and Master’s Degree in Social Work. She worked for Gulf Coast Mental Health Center for 4 years until she moved to California in 2005.
In California, she worked for a non-profit agency as Director of Social Services. She also worked at a mental health agency as Clinician.
Kirsten moved back to the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 2017 with her husband and two dogs to be with their families.
Michael Rowan
Housing Services Program Manager
Michael oversees BBM’s housing programs. His work centers around helping individuals and families find stability through safe, affordable housing — something he cares deeply about.
Michael earned his bachelor’s degree in psychology from LSU and later completed his Master of Social Work through LSU’s online program. He first came to BBM as a social work intern while in graduate school. Previously, Michael spent years working in addiction recovery, where he developed a strong passion for walking alongside people during some of the most challenging seasons of their lives.
Samantha "Sam" Bell
Housing Recovery Program Manager
Samantha, a Biloxi High and Virginia College Biloxi graduate with an Associate’s in Human Resource Management, previously worked as a legal assistant at Davis and Crump Law Firm.
A devoted mother to three daughters—Shanice, Angel, and Nikel—she also cares for her mother and her disabled daughter with Cerebral Palsy.
Sam finds joy in family time, bike riding, spiritual reading, and great food. A member of First Missionary Baptist Church of Biloxi, she is passionate about serving her community and makes a difference through Back Bay Mission’s programs.
Administrative Team
Rachael Lee
Executive Administrative Assistant
Rachael is a graduate of D’Iberville High School and Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College with an associate’s degree in business administration. While originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Rachael has lived on the Mississippi Gulf Coast since she was a young child.
Rachael’s love for advocacy, nonprofit work, and community outreach led her to Back Bay Mission.
A wife and mother of two; Rachael’s family is her pride and joy. Her son, Trevor, is currently studying engineering at Mississippi State University. Her daughter, Zoey, is a junior at Biloxi High School.
In her free time, Rachael enjoys volunteering at the local animal shelter, spending time with her family and friends, reading, and caring for her five pets and her neighborhood’s stray cats.
Pamela Spagner
Administrative Assistant
Bio coming soon!
Nancy Roch
Bookkeeper
Bio coming soon!
Taylor New
Marketing & Development Coordinator
A Mississippi native, Taylor holds her bachelor’s degree in Integrated Marketing and Communications from Ole Miss. After graduating, she moved to the Gulf Coast, and has been a “Coastie” ever since!
Before joining Back Bay Mission, Taylor worked for a local advertising agency, using her skills to uplift organizations and small businesses. She plays a key part in planning fundraising events, crafting marketing campaigns, and ensuring the Mission’s message reaches the community and its supporters while sparking meaningful conversations and advocating for justice in our community.
Outside of work, Taylor enjoys collecting vinyl records, and spoiling her four cats! (including Daisy, her rescue kitty from a Back Bay Mission job site!)
Jared Schneider
Maintenance Associate
Jared is our Maintenance Associate, where he takes pride in caring for the facilities and supporting the organization’s mission of serving our community.
Having grown up just 300 feet from Back Bay Mission, Jared feels a strong personal connection to the work we do and the people we serve. After graduating from Biloxi High School, he earned his bachelor’s degree in Biology from the University of Southern Mississippi, which strengthened his dedication to both problem-solving and service.
Jared now lives in Gulfport, with his wife and three-year-old son, Maverick. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time on the water fishing and sailing, as well as lending a hand to help others whenever possible. Both his professional role and personal passions reflect a lifelong commitment to community, hard work, and service.
Housing Recovery Program Team
Todd Pigg
Housing Recovery Construction Supervisor
Bio coming soon!
Lilyann Aufdencamp
Housing Recovery Associate
Bio coming soon!
Housing Case Management Team
Shellessa Boykin
Home ARP Case Manager
Shellessa serves as the Home-ARP (American Rescue Plan) Case Manager, where she is dedicated to supporting clients through housing assistance and case management services.
Shellessa is a graduate of Alabama State University, where she earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology.
She holds a Masters of Social Work from Tulane University. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and expanding her knowledge through books.
Lindsey McClelland
HOPWA / Home-ARP Case Manager
Bio coming soon!
Vicki Pruitt
HUD/ Home At Last Case Manager
Vicki’s role as case manager is housing unsheltered individuals and families, and providing case management after housing. Her work is characterized by compassion and a commitment to ensuring that every person has the opportunity for secure, safe housing.
Vicki is a mother of three, and a grandmother of four! Her family is a cornerstone of her life, and they inspire her to continue making a positive difference in the world.
Vicki is a 10-year cancer survivor who has turned her experience into advocacy, becoming a passionate breast cancer advocate. When she’s not working, Vicki enjoys time exploring new places. Some of her favorite vacation spots include Disney World, the Smokey Mountains, and cruising to tropical locations!
Micah Day Center Team
Terra Moreau
Health & Wellness Navigator
Originally from Canton, Ohio, Terra moved to the Gulf Coast after Hurricane Katrina to be closer to family. With years in retail pharmacy, she found her true calling in direct community service.
Now a Certified Community Health Worker with the MS Department of Health, she connects people with vital resources, advocating for those who need a voice. Drawing from her own experiences, Terra offers compassionate, understanding support, ensuring everyone has access to the care they deserve.
Raysha "RayRay" Harvey
Day Center Coordinator
Bio coming soon!
Joyce Dunnell
Day Center Clothing Closet Coordinator
Bio coming soon!
Office Favorites
Bailey
Bailey claims Rev. James as her dad. A gentle giant, Bailey can be seen whipping her plethora of toys around, going from office to office for hugs, and getting the zoomies up and down the administrative building’s hallway. She is a sucker for treats.
Stevie
Stevie claims Shawn as her mom. In their matching outfits, Stevie can be seen either in her mom’s lap, in her arms, or following her around from task to task. She periodically walks the hallway to make sure everyone is getting their work done. Stevie also loves her treats.
