Leadership

The National Maternity Housing Coalition is lead by a governing Council elected from its membership. The Council operates in a partnership agreement with the leadership of Heartbeat International to actively serve, promote and facilitate affiliate activities and programs.

Valerie Harkins

Director of National Maternity Housing Coalition + Housing Specialist

Valerie has worked in the Maternity Housing and Pregnancy Help ministry since 2006 and joined the Heartbeat Team as Director of the National Maternity Housing Coalition in 2021. A licensed social worker, Valerie specializes in Anti-Violence Public Education and Attachment Theory. She has experience with operating pregnancy centers and maternity homes as well as designing supportive programs for single mothers across the city for the duration of raising their children. Valerie has a passion for empowering children through education and women through opportunity. Her heart's desire is to see women know and love Jesus as King.

Vicki Krnac

Executive Director, Hannah’s Home

Why I Serve: I serve in maternity housing because the Lord has led me to this work. I am passionate about life and about helping equip single mothers to thrive.  
Area of Specialty: Daycare and Progam development.
Location: Vicki Krnac, Hannah's Home, Ohio

Becky Perez

Co-Founder/Executive Director, 29:Eleven Maternity Home

Why I Serve: From a young age, I realized God had gifted me with a passion for issues related to pregnancy and children. Serving in maternity housing, I am able to engage daily in a ministry which revolves around these passions. There is no greater joy than to come alongside other women to celebrate motherhood in difficult circumstances
Area of Specialty: Start-ups
Location: San Diego, California

Suzanne Burns

Founder and Executive Director, Foundation House Ministries

Why I Serve: Following my own crisis pregnancy, I came to the housing world through volunteering at a local PRC and seeing the need for a deeper level of services. Now open 9 years, we’ve housed over 120 and served over 600 through nonresidential services. We have a job-training program, multiple locations, and three graduates are now on permanent staff. 
 
Area of Specialty: Trauma informed care, addiction, and mental health.
Location: Foundation House Ministries, Tennesse

Gina Tomes

Former Program Director, Bethlehem Home Maternity Homes

Why I Serve: I chose to serve in the maternity housing community to be a part of a concrete, faith-based solution for woman who want to choose life and need guidance and support. Witnessing true rehabilitation and change over the past 20 years, through maternity home interventions, I believe first hand, we are a part of a true pro-life answer and mission.

Areas of Specialty: Addiction and Recovery

Location: Omaha, Nebraska

Faith Cintron

Maternity Homes Manager, Aid for Women

Why I Serve: I’ve been working in maternity housing for 12 years and with Aid for Women for almost 7. I live in IL with my husband and 2 dogs and love the gift of doing life with the women that God sends us!

Area of Specialty: Urban housing

Location: Chicago, Illinois

Leona Bicknese

President/CEO, Road to Hope

Why I Serve: Having served in leadership of life-affirming ministries since 1998, Leona is passionate about helping others serve for the glory of God and according to biblical principles.

Areas of Specialty: Spiritual Development

Location: Road to Hope Maternity Home, Oregon

Meghan DeLuca

President & Executive Director Thrive SWFL

Why I Serve: As an adopted child, whose mother courageously chose LIFE, serving in a life-affirming role is a calling on my life that simply couldn’t be squelched. We are blessed to provide pregnant women and single mothers, inside a safe haven, the gift of experiencing authentic heart transformation that leads to life transformation. As a living testimony to the power of the pregnancy help movement and radical faith, I seek to empower and equip moms to chose LIFE and to live it well.

Area of Specialty: Rebranding, Relevancy Retention/Refocus, Onsite Child Care

Location: Thrive SWFL, Cape Coral, FL

Sue Baumgarten

Former Executive Director, LifeHouse

Area of Specialty: Working with Boards and Executive Directors on Presence Based Leadership, Soul Care, and Development

Location: LifeHouse of Houston