OUR TEAM
"I am who I am because of who we are”
-Leymah Gbowee, on the concept of Ubuntu
TAMIKA BARRETT
DIRECTOR, FAMILY DEVELOPMENT
Tamika joined the Open Hand Ministries team in September of 2018. In her role as Family Development Coordinator, Tamika designs and oversees Open Hand Ministries’ family development program, which includes weekly financial wellness workshops. She also provides monthly one-on-one financial coaching and homeownership counseling for Open Hand Ministries’ families. Tamika has over two decades of experience as an educator and in curriculum design. She is a licensed Realtor© and an Accredited Financial Counselor©. She specializes in first-time buyer education, credit building, and debt reduction. Tamika is passionate about educating individuals so that they are empowered to make informed decisions in achieving their financial goals. One of Tamika’s many gifts is her creativity, which ranges from jewelry making to a knack for interior design.
TIM RAUFER
DIRECTOR, CONSTRUCTION SERVICES
Tim Raufer has been OHM’s full time Construction Coordinator since 2016; the first time he crawled through the window of a boarded-up house with OHM founder Michael Stanton was just before Christmas, 2007. Tim is responsible for managing OHM’s construction and remodeling activities, ensuring that we deliver durable and elegant homes. Tim is in love with the lesson at the heart of OHM’s work: what gets built is secondary to the Community for whom and by whom the work is accomplished, and the spirit in which it is undertaken. Volunteers, subcontractors, building inspectors, and guests are always welcome to his stash of trailmix at the jobsite, especially if you can help him remember where he set down his coffee. Tim and his wife Steph bought their home in East Liberty in 2009, and it has since existed in a perpetual state of remodeling. His dog Jenny, and three sons Attison, Dennis and Matthias are his favorite students and his favorite teachers!
FRANK BAUERLE
ADMINISTRATIVE COORDINATOR
Frank joined the staff of Open Hand Ministries in September 2022 after 5 years of serving on the OHM board of directors and another 4 years volunteering with the organization.
From the beginning, Frank has believed very strongly in the mission of the organization and enjoys being a part of the Open Hand Ministries team. He believes very strongly in the adage that "it takes a village" recognizing that without the involvement of the staff, board, the community, and the volunteers, the mission of Open Hand Ministries would not work. He's thankful for all who help make OHM successful.
Frank believes that his experience with nonprofits, compliance, governance, and project management can further the mission and help OHM grow. Frank grew up in the Pittsburgh area but moved away after college for career reasons.
While living in Texas, he was involved with Habitat for Humanity and helped launch a nonprofit organization, NEWDAY, which focuses on keeping at-risk youth in school through providing weekend food and other assistance. On moving back to Pittsburgh in 2014 (to be closer to his parents and to avoid the oppressive heat and weather in the North Texas area), he began looking for opportunities to serve and happened across OHM. It felt like a great match so his journey with OHM began.
OUR BOARD
HEATHER LIST - PRESIDENT
C. ANDREW McGHEE - VICE PRESIDENT
MELODY PHELPS - TREASURER
LYNNE CHADWICK - SECRETARY
REV. CHAD COLLINS
JOANN MONROE
TAMBA NYANDEMOH
RHONDA RECTOR-RANKIN
PHIL ROBERTS
WAYNE YOUNGER
In Memoriam
Wayne Younger faithfully served as executive director of Open Hand Ministries from 2020 until illness cut short his life in 2026. He nurtured the OHM community; participants, staff, volunteers and partner churches - guiding it with a steady vision of abundance and equity for marginalized people in the City of Pittsburgh.
Wayne is fondly remembered as leading Open Hand with a generous heart, a hearty laugh and a singing voice that could soothe souls, command attention, or celebrate everyday milestones. Wayne had a song in his heart and a desire to empower each person with love. Wayne nurtured and grew the OHM community; a community that will continue to strive for financial wellness, economic justice, and affordable homeownership in his hometown.
OHM is eternally grateful for Wayne’s life and legacy.
