Staff, Interns, & Board

OUR TEAM

Founder & Executive Director

James founded Neighborly in 2009 after choosing to live homeless in order to understand poverty and love those experiencing it. He has served as a pastor of multiple churches over the course of the last twenty+ years. For Neighborly, he handles everything from vision casting, to marketing, filmmaking, fundraising, web development, and envelope licking. When he’s not writing his bio in third-person, you’ll find James enjoying the great outdoors on his kayak, motorcycle, or pogo-stick. Little known fact, he can out hula-hoop the best. Weird flex, but true.

Community Development Coordinator

Jeff has worked with Neighborly off and on for 10 years and serves as our Community Development Coordinator. He designs initiatives that reflect Jesus' compassion, aiming to create lasting impact in the lives of the vulnerable. His mission is to ensure that through our programs, people receive tangible support and experience God's love and answered prayers. Outside Neighborly, Jeff is a Shepherd at his church and a cab driver, where he often engages in deep, faith-filled conversations. Fun Fact: If he’s not smiling, he will dose off.

Director of Operations

Kristin joined Neighborly in 2020 after feeling led to leave the private sector and join in ministry. She has a decade of experience serving refugees and immigrants, and also manages our day-to-day operations, admin, bookkeeping and fundraising. You’ll find her either working remotely at Ology coffee shop or sipping tea with our Arab clients. When she’s not a total hero, she loves to listen to mystery podcasts, dance to reggaeton, eat snacks from Trader Joes, and loiter around local breweries. Kristin is a proud mom to two boys and wife to our founder.

Member of Board of Directors

Kimberly first encountered Neighborly in 2011 when her daughter asked for some of our apparel. Years later, she reconnected with Neighborly because of the common vision to extend hospitality and the love of Christ with refugees. She has volunteered in various capacities including serving at Breakfast Brigade and helping serve refugees with Jubilee Marketplace. She is a speech-language pathologist and always has her bag ready to travel. Fun fact: sometimes she hides in her room to snack on Cheez-its, Coke Zero and dark chocolate.

Member of Board of Directors

Jake first encountered Neighborly in 2022 and it was love at first sight, as the mission to deinstitutionalize charity (aka make poverty personal) resonated deeply. He’s been contributing his time, talent and treasure to the organization ever since, nerding out on Excel as Neighborly’s Treasurer. When he’s not tucked away in the attic for his day job in FP&A, you’ll find him puttering outside in his ever-expanding garden (sadly no chickens yet). Fun fact: Jake moved colleges eight times before finally learning Accounting at George Mason University.

Intern

Brianna started serving with Neighborly in Fall 2023 when she began to understand that following Jesus means imitating him. Serving at Breakfast Brigade broke down the walls of seeing the poor as “other,” transforming her perspective of service to have eternal meaning. Now, she interns with Neighborly, growing her passion for refugee advocacy, with the gospel as a basis for human rights. Besides interning, Brianna works with the Outdoor Recreation Program at FSU and leads a bible study! She loves climbing, surfing, heelying - anything with wheels!

Advisory Board Member

As a member of the Pastoral Council, Bryan’s primary role is to provide spiritual support to James, the Board, and the broader Neighborly staff team.He lends his voice to the team’s discernment process, offering guidance on decisions and perspectives when invited.
As a local church pastor, Bryan understands firsthand the need for an organization like Neighborly—one that not only teaches but models how the Church can build authentic relationships with those on the margins.
When he’s not supporting Neighborly or leading his congregation, you’ll likely find Bryan spending time with his family or perfecting his homemade pizza game.