UCM Executive Staff
Nichelle A. Mitchem
Executive Director
Nichelle has been at UCM since December, 2014. She has more than 20 years prior experience in the nonprofit sphere, having worked for organizations supporting at-risk populations all along the eastern seaboard. She has also published research and spoken on topics of family welfare.
Nichelle has a Juris Doctorate degree from University of Wisconsin at Madison and earned her Bachelors of Arts from Marquette University.
More about Nichelle
Executive Director
Nichelle has been at UCM since December, 2014. She has more than 20 years prior experience in the nonprofit sphere, having worked for organizations supporting at-risk populations all along the eastern seaboard. She has also published research and spoken on topics of family welfare.
Nichelle has a Juris Doctorate degree from University of Wisconsin at Madison and earned her Bachelors of Arts from Marquette University.
More about Nichelle
Elizabeth McNally
Deputy Director
Elizabeth is a sixteen year veteran of United Community Ministries and has served as its Deputy Executive Director since 2006. As Deputy Executive Director, she develops, directs, administers, and coordinates UCM's diverse programming to continually support the mission and vision of UCM and address the emerging needs of the Mt. Vernon area and its residents.
Elizabeth earned her Master's Degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. A resident of the City of Alexandria, she enjoys photography, travel, and spending time with her family.
Deputy Director
Elizabeth is a sixteen year veteran of United Community Ministries and has served as its Deputy Executive Director since 2006. As Deputy Executive Director, she develops, directs, administers, and coordinates UCM's diverse programming to continually support the mission and vision of UCM and address the emerging needs of the Mt. Vernon area and its residents.
Elizabeth earned her Master's Degree in Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University. A resident of the City of Alexandria, she enjoys photography, travel, and spending time with her family.
Herb Lea
Director of Business Operations
Herb's responsibilities include overseeing UCM facilities, oversight of the Back Porch Thrift Store, oversight of IT planning and implementation, oversight of human resources, and risk management. He was the Director of Community Programs at UCM for five years, has been a business owner for 31 years, and served as the chief accountant at Potomac Hospital for three years. He has bachelors degrees in Accounting and Finance from Virginia Tech. He resides in the heart of Mt. Vernon near Inova Mt. Vernon Hospital. He moved to the Mt. Vernon area in 1953 and attended local schools. His class was the first class to graduate from Ft. Hunt High School.
Herb has been married for 45 years and has two daughters, one son, and four grandsons. He is also a member of Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church, which was the founding organization of United Community Ministries.
Director of Business Operations
Herb's responsibilities include overseeing UCM facilities, oversight of the Back Porch Thrift Store, oversight of IT planning and implementation, oversight of human resources, and risk management. He was the Director of Community Programs at UCM for five years, has been a business owner for 31 years, and served as the chief accountant at Potomac Hospital for three years. He has bachelors degrees in Accounting and Finance from Virginia Tech. He resides in the heart of Mt. Vernon near Inova Mt. Vernon Hospital. He moved to the Mt. Vernon area in 1953 and attended local schools. His class was the first class to graduate from Ft. Hunt High School.
Herb has been married for 45 years and has two daughters, one son, and four grandsons. He is also a member of Mt. Vernon Presbyterian Church, which was the founding organization of United Community Ministries.
Barbara Gentry
Director of Finance
As Director of Finance, Barbara is responsible for the day-to-day accounting of UCM’s financial affairs. She has been working in non profit accounting, for companies such as The Military Officers Assocation of America, Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association, Northern Virgnia Co-Op and others, since 1987, both as an employee and a contractor. She has been at UCM since 1991. Ms. Gentry studied at Strayer University in Woodbridge. She is a long-time volunteer with the Girl Scots of America, the PTA, and has been a foster parent to children for many years.
Christine Lucas
Director of Development and Communications
Christine joined UCM in 2012 as Director of Development and Communications. Prior to this, Christine was a major gifts officer for The Salvation Army. She also served six years as the Executive Director of the Arlington Food Assistance Center. Christine has a bacherlor's and master's degrees in Communications from Cleveland State University. She and her husband Dan live in Arlington.
Richard Dobber
Director of Social Services
Richard Dobber is the Director of Social Services and oversees the Basic Needs, Housing, and Healthy Families programs. He has been with UCM since 2000, and has been the Director of Social Services since 2007. Richard was born in Poland but spent most of his adult life living in South America and Mexico. He holds a Master degree in Human Development with the focus on cross-cultural psychology. Richard is an avid reader, loves to learn new languages and in several he is quite proficient. He lives just “on frontier” between the Lee and Mt. Vernon Districts.
Cristina Schoendorf
Director of Workforce and Literarcy
Cristina Schoendorf has worked her entire career in the nonprofit sector, with most of her focus being on community development and outreach to the immigrant and refugee communities in Northern Virginia. Prior to joining UCM, she was the Executive Director of Progreso Literacy and Citizenship Center from 2005 to 2013. She attended Virginia Commonwealth University and George Mason University and studied abroad at the University of Madrid in Spain. She has a bachelor's degree in Multicultural Counselng. She lives in the Waynewood neighborhood of Mount Vernon with her husband and two children.
Director of Finance
As Director of Finance, Barbara is responsible for the day-to-day accounting of UCM’s financial affairs. She has been working in non profit accounting, for companies such as The Military Officers Assocation of America, Recreational Vehicle Dealers Association, Northern Virgnia Co-Op and others, since 1987, both as an employee and a contractor. She has been at UCM since 1991. Ms. Gentry studied at Strayer University in Woodbridge. She is a long-time volunteer with the Girl Scots of America, the PTA, and has been a foster parent to children for many years.
Christine Lucas
Director of Development and Communications
Christine joined UCM in 2012 as Director of Development and Communications. Prior to this, Christine was a major gifts officer for The Salvation Army. She also served six years as the Executive Director of the Arlington Food Assistance Center. Christine has a bacherlor's and master's degrees in Communications from Cleveland State University. She and her husband Dan live in Arlington.
Richard Dobber
Director of Social Services
Richard Dobber is the Director of Social Services and oversees the Basic Needs, Housing, and Healthy Families programs. He has been with UCM since 2000, and has been the Director of Social Services since 2007. Richard was born in Poland but spent most of his adult life living in South America and Mexico. He holds a Master degree in Human Development with the focus on cross-cultural psychology. Richard is an avid reader, loves to learn new languages and in several he is quite proficient. He lives just “on frontier” between the Lee and Mt. Vernon Districts.
Cristina Schoendorf
Director of Workforce and Literarcy
Cristina Schoendorf has worked her entire career in the nonprofit sector, with most of her focus being on community development and outreach to the immigrant and refugee communities in Northern Virginia. Prior to joining UCM, she was the Executive Director of Progreso Literacy and Citizenship Center from 2005 to 2013. She attended Virginia Commonwealth University and George Mason University and studied abroad at the University of Madrid in Spain. She has a bachelor's degree in Multicultural Counselng. She lives in the Waynewood neighborhood of Mount Vernon with her husband and two children.
Torria Baker
Director of Bryant Early Learning Center
Torria has overseen the overall direction and management of the BEL Center since 2012. She provides direct supervision and promotes developmentally appropriate practice. She also promotes an active parent involvement with open invites to the BEL Parent Council, parent meetings, special events and parent volunteering. Prior to joining UCM, she taught preschool for over 14 years.
After receiving a Child Development Associate in Preschool and Infant/Toddler Credential, Toria pursued a college education in Early Childhood Development. She holds an Applied Science Degree, graduating summa cum laude.
Toria is an active member of National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).
Director of Bryant Early Learning Center
Torria has overseen the overall direction and management of the BEL Center since 2012. She provides direct supervision and promotes developmentally appropriate practice. She also promotes an active parent involvement with open invites to the BEL Parent Council, parent meetings, special events and parent volunteering. Prior to joining UCM, she taught preschool for over 14 years.
After receiving a Child Development Associate in Preschool and Infant/Toddler Credential, Toria pursued a college education in Early Childhood Development. She holds an Applied Science Degree, graduating summa cum laude.
Toria is an active member of National Association of the Education of Young Children (NAEYC).