Kathy Swaller
Board Chair
Board Member since 2023
Kathy began volunteering at Isaiah 58 immediately following her retirement from the AT&T Legal Department in 2021. She spends most of her time in the sorting and storing donations, but has assisted on the truck and also helped guests choose food in the choice pantry. Her favorite event at the pantry is the thanksgiving food distribution—from supporting congregations bringing fresh produce, to guests excited about all the options and the volunteers enjoying an opportunity to help out—it is a joyful day every year.
Kathy is also active at Hope UCC assisting with building maintenance issues and special events.
She feels privileged to be a part of the Isaiah 58 community, enjoys working with her fellow volunteers and engaging with guests.
Deb Yerkes
Vice Chair
Board Member since 2025
Darrell Hughes
Treasurer
Board Member since 2025
Darrell Hughes has served on Isaiah 58 Ministries’ board of and on for over 25 years. After two years of rest, he has returned as our treasurer during a time of transition. Darrell’s father was one of the founders of the Five Church Association (which was eventually renamed Isaiah 58 Ministries).
Darrell is a retired engineer/finance supervisor for Ameren Corporation. Darrell sees Isaiah 58 Ministries as a mission extension of the many participating congregations that lend support. He most enjoys maintaining contact with the many volunteers that make Isaiah 58 Ministries an integral part of the community it serves.
Juliann DePalma Hesed
Secretary
Board Member since 2021
I am a life-long religious educator with two degrees in theology: teaching 3 year-olds to adults, perhaps most remembered for my emphasis on social justice and our God’s never-ending love of the most vulnerable among us. Married 48 years to Peter Fisher Hesed, we share a diverse family of 8 adult children and 12 grandchildren with 2 more on the way. I hold strongly to the belief that all humans are created in God’s own image, deserving of the same respect and reverence I offer God and therefore am called to offer all with whom I encounter. Retirement has afforded me the honor to volunteer with Isaiah 58 Ministries both as a Board member and as one of many volunteers who greet and serve our guests daily.
Dennis Belieu
Board Member since 2025
Margaret (Peg) Cooper
Board Member since 2020
Peg started volunteering at Isaiah 58 Ministries in 2014 following her retirement from being a faculty member at Saint Louis University School of Medicine for over 30 years. She taught human anatomy to many different students including high school students, undergraduates, graduate students, medical students and physicians. Since coming to Isaiah, on the suggestion of a dear friend, she has enjoyed working as a weekly volunteer. She likes working with the volunteers and the guests and appreciates the opportunity to give back to all. She wonders at what she continues to learn from everyone! She is active at Emmanuel Episcopal Church in a variety of different ways including serving as the chair of the Caring Ministries Committee and a member of the church’s Faith in Action Committee.
Joseph Folk
Board Member since 2026
Joe’s life has been shaped by service, family, and deep neighborhood roots. After graduating from St. Joseph’s College in Rensselaer, he began a 35‑year career with the IRS in 1984, dedicating himself to public service. He married his wife, Karen, in 1988, and together they raised two children—Amanda (born 1989) and Bryan (born 1990). Joe has lived in the Shaw neighborhood since 1986 and is proud to be the first of three generations in his family to attend St. Margaret of Scotland school, a connection that anchors his commitment to the community. In 2024, he continued giving back by volunteering with Isaiah 58 Ministries, offering steady, thoughtful support to neighbors and local organizations.
Chris Hartshorn
Board Member since 2026
Peggy Madras
Board Member since 2025
Peggy started at Isaiah 58 Ministries in 2023.
After 46 years in the medical field she retired as a Nurse Practitioner and looked for opportunities to give back to the community.
Along with reading, gardening, cross-stitching and playing with her grandsons, she volunteers at the Emmanuel Episcopal Food Pantry in Webster Groves as well as Isaiah 58 Ministries. It all keeps her plenty busy.
She truly enjoys working with the staff, other volunteers and especially the guests.
She considers Isaiah 58 Ministries her happy place.
Christina Sterman
Board Member since 2024
Christina Sterman is a Housing Stability Specialist with Gateway Housing First, where she supports individuals transitioning from homelessness into permanent housing. She is an active leader within the St. Louis City Continuum of Care (CoC), currently serving on the board as Chair of the Consumer Council, centering the voices of those with lived experience. She previously served as Co-Chair of the CoC Advocacy Committee.
Christina has played a key leadership role in coordinating the community’s winter response, including advancing Code Blue efforts to protect unhoused residents during extreme cold.
As a board member of Isaiah 58 Ministries, she helps coordinate the shower ministry, providing consistent, dignity-centered access to hygiene services for unhoused and low-income neighbors.
A Certified Community Health Worker with lived experience, Christina brings a collaborative, person-centered approach and is committed to building a more compassionate and equitable St. Louis.
Roberta (Robbie) Van Nest
Board Member since 2026
was born and raised in St. Louis, and lives in Crestwood with her husband Scott, two cats and a poodle. Her first career was as a research biologist in the areas of cell biology and developmental genetics.
She earned her doctorate and was then employed at Washington University as a research associate until 2002, when she and Scott co-founded the Sports Medicine & Training Center, an outpatient physical therapy and fitness center.
Robbie continues as the business manager for SMTC but has semi-retired from day to day operations so that she can pursue other interests. She is the executive director of Space Station Dance and is active at Hope United Church of Christ where she serves on the council and participates in a number of its ministries including Outreach and Justice and handbell choir.
Robbie and Scott have two adult daughters and in their free time enjoy family time, nature, antiquing and travel. Robbie is also a fiber fanatic and loves to knit, crochet, weave, and spin.
