Board of Directors

The Rev. Norman L. Roberts, Board Chair

Norm is Senior Pastor of New Hope Evangelical Church.  He is an accomplished Human Service Administrator and Church Administrator with more than 35 year of experience.  His favorite past times include golf and rooting for the Buffalo Bills.

Michele Holmes, Secretary & Bookkeeper

Michele has a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering which she used developing several products during her years at Xerox.  After raising her two children, she has devoted her retirement years to volunteer work.  She volunteered at Family Recovery Network Inc., which helps families to understand chemical addiction, how to help their addicted family member, as well as how to help themselves.  She was able to get 501c3 status for this group.  She volunteered as a tutor at East High.  She started a 501c3 organization called ROC Spirt Ventures Inc. at St. Mark’s and St. John’s Episcopal Church (SMSJ) to help disadvantaged young adults take the next step toward independence through education and employment.  She currently works on the gardening endeavor at SMSJ, is a Vestry member there, and serves on the Board of Directors of Neighborworks Rochester.  She and her husband reside in Fairport.

Rev. Canon Dr. C. Denise Yarbrough, Board Member

Denise is an Episcopal priest, currently serving as Director of Religious and Spiritual Life at the University of Rochester, where she oversees the ministries of the twelve faith communities that reside in the Interfaith Chapel and also teaches in the Department of Religion and Classics.  She has worked extensively in the area of interfaith dialogue and education at the local, national and global level.  Prior to entering the priesthood, she was an attorney in New York city for twelve years.  She loves to sing with the Rochester Oratorio Society.  She does a lot of pastoral work with her Certified Therapy Dog, Sasha, an exuberant Golden retriever who loves people and offers excellent pastoral care to everyone she meets.  

Valerie Way, LCSW-R, Board Vice Chair

Valerie has over 30 years of experience working in various roles within the mental health and addiction field. Currently, she works for The National Council on Alcohol and Drug Dependence- Rochester Area as the Project Coordinator for Team Awareness and Workplace Wellness. Today, as throughout her career, Valerie continues to have faith in the power of the soul and a strong commitment to helping others find their personal path to recovery.

Peter Sear, Treasurer

Peter has a BA and MBA from the University of Toronto. After five years at the Rochester office of Price Waterhouse and passing the CPA exams, he left to work in the real estate subsidiary of First Federal S & L. He spent 13 years there, climbing the ranks in real estate lending, finance and management to become Executive Vice President and a member of the Board, running their $5 billion asset portfolio.  After they were acquired by Canada Trust, Peter had an opportunity to "pull the plug" and leave. He ran for Brighton Town Council, and acquired a small classic auto restoration business, which he still has today.  Peter has been active in the Brighton Rotary Club, chaired the local Easter Seals Society, was treasurer of Sister Cities and Birthright, and for the last 15 years has been on the Heritage Christian Services foundation board (chaired) and the Agency board (chaired for four years). He is also on the Blessed Sacrament Parish Finance Council.

Suzanne F. Shady, BCC, Hospice and Academic Chaplain, Board Member & PAC Chair

Sue is a board-certified lay Catholic chaplain with the National Association of Catholic Chaplains. She has worked on health care teams in hospitals, long term care facilities and hospice programs for more than 24 years. Now retired, she continues to teach others about spirituality and the joy, peace and personal growth it can provide, through several volunteer endeavors.