Meet Our Team

Mariam brings over a decade of experience in higher education and the nonprofit sector, with a deep-rooted passion for community service and advocacy. She began her career at a college access nonprofit called the Fulfillment Fund focusing on first generation programming before transitioning to the University of Southern California (USC) where she developed impactful student programming and built sustainable student and community pipelines. After earning her MBA from USC, she primarily focused on nonprofit consulting. Throughout her career, Mariam remains committed to advancing community-centered initiatives by designing programs that respond directly to the needs of the communities served. Whether building new initiatives from the ground up or strengthening existing systems, she is guided by a belief that sustainable change starts with putting people first.

 Mariam was born and raised in Los Angeles where she still calls home along with her partner and corgi. She holds an MBA from USC with a certificate on Strategy and Management Consulting, and a BA double majoring in Political Science and Global & International Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara. 

Suzie Bechtol serves as the Director of Development and Revenue Strategy for Miracle Messages. In this role, Suzie will refine and implement a multi-year revenue strategy that diversifies existing funding streams. She will identify, assess and respond to funding opportunities including but not limited to foundations, corporations, individual giving, and public funding sources to support Miracle Messages’ mission and operations. Prior to joining Miracle Messages, she worked at 211 San Diego, a San Diego-based nonprofit and the Embassy of Canada in Washington, DC. 

Suzie believes deeply in the work of Miracle Messages and the knowledge that everyone is someone’s somebody. Inspired by the concept of “There but for the grace of God go I” Suzie is often humbled by the slim margins most of us live and is incredibly grateful for the centering of humanity in our work.   

Suzie graduated Magna Cum Laude from California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM) with a Bachelor’s Degree in History and received her Master’s Degree in the History of US Foreign Relations from The American University in Washington, DC. Suzie currently lives in Oceanside, CA with her husband, 3 cats, and 6 chickens.

Chief Executive Officer

Mary has spent over two decades in the nonprofit sector working on issues of equity, homelessness and health. Prior to becoming CEO of Miracle Messages, she was the Executive Director of California at Health Leads working closely with community partners, local public health departments and health care systems. Prior to Health Leads, Mary was the Director of Program from Building Opportunities for Self Sufficiency, a leading homeless service provider in Alameda County, CA. Mary started her work in supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities and mental illness. Currently, Mary sits on the Board of Directors for Courageous Women and is the Treasure of the Board of Directors for the Ability Challenge.

Growing up, Mary lived in Buffalo, NY and spent her summers in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Home is now Richmond, CA to her, her two children, rottweiler puppy and partner. She holds a Master of Health Care Delivery Sciences from Dartmouth College, MPH from University of North Carolina and a BA from State University at Buffalo.

mary@miraclemessages.org

Director of Reunion Services

Gabby first came to Miracle Messages in early 2016 after seeing a sibling reunion highlighted on a local news show. She contacted Kevin and immediately started offering Miracle Messages to her unhoused friends in the community. Gabby has been an active member of the homeless service provider community in South Florida through her work with the Choose Love Foundation for 10+ years and has helped grow our partnerships with other service providers such as HOPE South Florida, Sisters of Charity, Jubilee Center of Hollywood, Showering Love, and where it all began, Choose Love Foundation.

gabby@miraclemessages.org

Santa Cruz County Community Outreach and Engagement Specialist

Marlena De Castro is a passionate community builder, creative organizer, and social justice advocate who leads Miracle Messages’ outreach and engagement efforts in Santa Cruz County. With years of experience working to improve the lives of our unhoused neighbors, Marlena is committed to building authentic relationships, breaking down stigma, and fostering hope that homelessness is solvable. Before joining Miracle Messages, Marlena served on the Community Engagement team at Housing Matters, where she facilitated educational programming, led community coalitions, and mobilized volunteers in the movement for housing justice. She was a key architect of Neighbors for Neighbors, a community-driven education and action group in partnership with the Santa Cruz Public Libraries, and has been instrumental in shaping Santa Cruz County’s housing justice movement through large-scale events like the March to End Homelessness.

Marlena’s work is grounded in the belief that housing is a human right, and that meaningful connection is essential to human thriving. She specializes in trauma-informed, harm reduction practices and takes great pride in partnering with people with lived experience of homelessness to amplify their stories and wisdom. From curating public art exhibitions to designing volunteer networks, Marlena brings a creative, relational, and collaborative approach to her work. Known for her empathy, leadership, and deep roots in the Santa Cruz community, Marlena is always working to build bridges—between housed and unhoused neighbors, across agencies, and within the hearts of those who may feel helpless on this issue. When she’s not out in the community, she finds joy in writing poetry, crafting jewelry for her small business,  and chasing sunsets along the coast.

Chief Operations Officer

Colette brings a lifelong commitment to community service and volunteering to the Miracle Messages team. She earned a Master’s degree in Psychology with a focus on behavioral genetics and has volunteered in some capacity since her first year of college. As a past Rotary club president, Area Governor, and current Rotarian, she applies the “Service above Self” Rotary motto in all she does. After hearing Kevin give a presentation in 2018, she became an immediate fan of how well Miracle Messages fit her values and ensures that no one has to feel helpless on the issue of homelessness.

colette@miraclemessages.org

Chief Impact Officer

Sheena draws from 20+ years in public health through program development and research. Across her time in nonprofit management, Sheena has worked in cross-sector settings where stakeholders ranging from large institutions to community-based organizations and lived experience advisory groups - all working together to improve services and systems. 

Prior to her current role, Sheena worked closely with community partners, public health departments, schools, and social service organizations to develop and scale initiatives addressing essential needs and integrating health, education, and social supports. Her experience includes overseeing local, statewide, and national program operations. She has also built on her expertise in policy, narrative change, research and evaluation through roles with nonprofits in Los Angeles, Philadelphia, and abroad.

Sheena grew up in Los Angeles and now resides in San Diego. She holds an MPH from Drexel University, a Ph.D. in Anthropology from the University of California, Irvine, and a BA in Neuroscience and Anthropology from the University of Pennsylvania.

sheena@miraclemessages.org

Megan first joined the Miracle Messages community in early 2025 when she spearheaded the launch of a community chapter in Richmond, CA. Although she has served the unhoused community in various ways since her high school days, her experience with Miracle Messages shifted her perspective on service. It was a turning point that moved her beyond the logistics of relief toward a model of relational healing, redefining what it means to truly show up for an unhoused neighbor.

Joining Miracle Messages as a Project Manager is the culmination of a journey that began in 2022. While volunteering at a shelter, Megan felt a calling to better apply her professional skills to the homelessness space. In a purposeful career shift, she moved from the laboratory to the social sector, where she now applies her years of experience as a Senior Scientist and Associate Director in sustainable biotechnology to social impact. As a Project Manager, Megan translates her scientific training into thoughtful project coordination, helping to turn complex ideas into organized and actionable steps.

Originally from Oakland, CA, Megan holds an MS and PhD in Chemistry from UC Irvine. She now resides in Minneapolis with her partner.

megan@miraclemessages.org

Denise brings a background in software engineering, operations, and client support, with experience working across both technical and mission-driven environments. She has always been drawn to work centered around people, connection, and creating meaningful impact. Her experience in both engineering and operations has given her a passion for building thoughtful systems that help teams collaborate more effectively while improving the experiences of the communities they serve. Through her work with nonprofits and corporate consulting, Denise has especially enjoyed supporting relationship-driven initiatives that make people feel seen, supported, and connected. She is excited to bring both her technical and operational perspective to Miracle Messages and contribute to a mission rooted in dignity, compassion, and human connection.

Director of Community Engagement

Rosalie began volunteering with Miracle Messages in January 2022 and now serves as Director of Community Engagement.

With a strong background in Human Services and Chemical Dependency Counseling, she is a passionate advocate for mental health and domestic violence awareness. Drawing from her lived experiences, Rosalie fosters empathy, connection, and compassion in her work, helping to build meaningful relationships and strengthen community impact. 

rosalie@miraclemessages.org

Director of Miracle Money

Growing up in a small town in California, Nelly always knew a strong sense of community and the positive effects from it. This coupled with her passion to work with disenfranchised communities brought her to Miracle Messages. Nelly brings her years of case management expertise from working with people experiencing chronic homelessness in Sonoma County where she first learned of the Miracles Messages' mission while utilizing it for her clients. Immediately, she knew it was something she wanted to be a part of. Doing outreach on the streets of San Francisco, Nelly is not only sharing the programs of Miracle Messages and Miracle Friends, but also smiles and conversations with our unhoused neighbors.

nelly@miraclemessages.org

Communications Manager

Sarah is a Northern California native who spent years living all over the Pacific and Inland Northwest. She has a Bachelor's in Visual Communication Design from Eastern Washington University and is working on completing her Master's degree in Communication and Leadership from Gonzaga University (Go Zags!). She's worked with (and for) various nonprofits, including the Girl Scouts and Big Brothers Big Sisters, and as the Marketing Manager and Interim Director of the Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center at Gonzaga University. She also spent time as the Director of Communications for the Hamlin School in San Francisco. She currently lives in Oakland, CA with her dog June and spends her free time doing as many free things in the Bay as she can fit into a weekend. 

saraht@miraclemessages.org