Executive Management Team
Jami Clarke
Executive Director
Jami graduated from Mount St. Joseph University receiving a bachelor’s degree in social work and is a licensed social worker. During her 30 year career, she has provided trauma therapy for the early childhood population and worked in clinical case management, but spent the majority of her career concentrating on helping children in the foster care and adoptive system. She joins the Hope’s Closet team after serving as the director of a private foster care organization for more than 15 years.
She brings with her a wealth of knowledge in marketing, recruitment, and development, and is eager to share her connections to further facilitate the expansion of services provided by Hope's Closet.
Jami is passionate about the opportunity to lead and connect with the foster families, children in care, volunteers, staff and board members. She is eager to show her respect, commitment, and loyalty to this organization through her actions and has confidence in all of the Hope's Closet team! With God’s blessing, we can achieve so much together!
Jami and her husband of 25 years have three children and they all love to spend their time outdoors. They can be found hiking, at the beach, biking, or sitting by a fire. Whatever it might be, the family loves to be together!
Contact Jami directly at jami@hopesclosetohio.org.
Executive Director
Jami graduated from Mount St. Joseph University receiving a bachelor’s degree in social work and is a licensed social worker. During her 30 year career, she has provided trauma therapy for the early childhood population and worked in clinical case management, but spent the majority of her career concentrating on helping children in the foster care and adoptive system. She joins the Hope’s Closet team after serving as the director of a private foster care organization for more than 15 years.
She brings with her a wealth of knowledge in marketing, recruitment, and development, and is eager to share her connections to further facilitate the expansion of services provided by Hope's Closet.
Jami is passionate about the opportunity to lead and connect with the foster families, children in care, volunteers, staff and board members. She is eager to show her respect, commitment, and loyalty to this organization through her actions and has confidence in all of the Hope's Closet team! With God’s blessing, we can achieve so much together!
Jami and her husband of 25 years have three children and they all love to spend their time outdoors. They can be found hiking, at the beach, biking, or sitting by a fire. Whatever it might be, the family loves to be together!
Contact Jami directly at jami@hopesclosetohio.org.
Reba Steiniger
Office Manager
Reba has dedicated her life to children and family ministry. She has a background in church and nonprofit leadership and is currently active in the worship ministry at her church. She and her husband are licensed foster parents and are privileged to be raising two beautiful girls and one playful doggie. Her passion is to show the love of Jesus to everyone she comes in contact with.
Reba began volunteering at Hope's Closet out of a desire to show the love of Jesus to children in foster care. She now has one foster love living in her home and is a part-time staff member with our organization. If you call Hope's Closet, it is very likely this is the friendly voice on the other end of the phone.
Contact Reba directly at reba@hopesclosetohio.org.
Office Manager
Reba has dedicated her life to children and family ministry. She has a background in church and nonprofit leadership and is currently active in the worship ministry at her church. She and her husband are licensed foster parents and are privileged to be raising two beautiful girls and one playful doggie. Her passion is to show the love of Jesus to everyone she comes in contact with.
Reba began volunteering at Hope's Closet out of a desire to show the love of Jesus to children in foster care. She now has one foster love living in her home and is a part-time staff member with our organization. If you call Hope's Closet, it is very likely this is the friendly voice on the other end of the phone.
Contact Reba directly at reba@hopesclosetohio.org.
Maddie Wentling
Director of Foster Parent Support
Maddie is a graduate from Montana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Science. She is a licensed foster parent through Butler County and serves in leadership at her church. Maddie and her husband, Chad, became foster parents because of their love for children and hearing about the great need in the area. They have fostered three children in the four years they have been licensed and pray they can help many children and families throughout their fostering journey.
After their first placement left in October 2016, Maddie discovered Hope’s Closet. She was looking for a community to help comfort her during that difficult time. She began attending Foster Mom Night Out and was so excited to talk and connect with other foster moms who had experienced the same thing. Since then, Maddie has gotten more involved with Hope’s Closet and has become passionate about foster care advocacy and foster parent support. She regularly speaks at churches and community events about foster care and helps host the monthly Foster Parent Info Meeting at Butler County Children Services.
When she’s not promoting foster care, Maddie enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and two dogs traveling, going to Red’s games, doing yoga, and relaxing in coffee shops.
Contact Maddie directly at maddie@hopesclosetohio.org.
Director of Foster Parent Support
Maddie is a graduate from Montana State University with a Bachelor of Science in Family and Consumer Science. She is a licensed foster parent through Butler County and serves in leadership at her church. Maddie and her husband, Chad, became foster parents because of their love for children and hearing about the great need in the area. They have fostered three children in the four years they have been licensed and pray they can help many children and families throughout their fostering journey.
After their first placement left in October 2016, Maddie discovered Hope’s Closet. She was looking for a community to help comfort her during that difficult time. She began attending Foster Mom Night Out and was so excited to talk and connect with other foster moms who had experienced the same thing. Since then, Maddie has gotten more involved with Hope’s Closet and has become passionate about foster care advocacy and foster parent support. She regularly speaks at churches and community events about foster care and helps host the monthly Foster Parent Info Meeting at Butler County Children Services.
When she’s not promoting foster care, Maddie enjoys spending time with her husband, children, and two dogs traveling, going to Red’s games, doing yoga, and relaxing in coffee shops.
Contact Maddie directly at maddie@hopesclosetohio.org.
Tosha Salyer
Hope's Closet Boutique Manager
Tosha is a graduate of Miami University with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in marketing. She worked in business management for nearly ten years and children's ministry for the past nine years. She truly enjoys seeing children grow in their relationship with Jesus. Tosha feels led to minister to children and welcomes any opportunity to positively impact their lives. She is passionate about the mission Hope's Closet has to change the lives of children and families affected by foster care.
Tosha and her husband, Bill, have been married 20 years. They have 3 children: Austin, Andrew and Avery. In her free time, Tosha loves watching her kids participate in their various activities, vacationing with her family, coaching cheerleaders and photography.
Contact Tosha directly at tosha@hopesclosetohio.org.
Hope's Closet Boutique Manager
Tosha is a graduate of Miami University with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a major in marketing. She worked in business management for nearly ten years and children's ministry for the past nine years. She truly enjoys seeing children grow in their relationship with Jesus. Tosha feels led to minister to children and welcomes any opportunity to positively impact their lives. She is passionate about the mission Hope's Closet has to change the lives of children and families affected by foster care.
Tosha and her husband, Bill, have been married 20 years. They have 3 children: Austin, Andrew and Avery. In her free time, Tosha loves watching her kids participate in their various activities, vacationing with her family, coaching cheerleaders and photography.
Contact Tosha directly at tosha@hopesclosetohio.org.
Delyse Lawless
Community Development and Engagement Manager
Delyse holds a master's degree in communication from Northern Kentucky University. She is a partnership specialist with a demonstrated history of corporate and non-profit management experience. She has more than 10 years of experience in the field of communication and in international humanitarian relief and development work. Delyse brings a wide array of experience in training and development, marketing, partnership development and engagement. She is excited to collaborate closely with donors, volunteers and community members.
In her spare time, Delyse enjoys spending time with her family, friends and dog, singing karaoke, salsa dancing and long distance running.
Contact Delyse directly at Delyse@hopesclosetohio.org.
Community Development and Engagement Manager
Delyse holds a master's degree in communication from Northern Kentucky University. She is a partnership specialist with a demonstrated history of corporate and non-profit management experience. She has more than 10 years of experience in the field of communication and in international humanitarian relief and development work. Delyse brings a wide array of experience in training and development, marketing, partnership development and engagement. She is excited to collaborate closely with donors, volunteers and community members.
In her spare time, Delyse enjoys spending time with her family, friends and dog, singing karaoke, salsa dancing and long distance running.
Contact Delyse directly at Delyse@hopesclosetohio.org.
Kara Martini
Shopping Assistant Lead
Kara began volunteering at Hope's Closet in 2017 and became a licensed foster parent later that year. Kara graduated from Miami University with a Master of Arts degree in Social Work and she is a licensed independent social worker. She has worked with children and families with mental health diagnoses and currently supervises clinicians and foster homes at a foster and adoption agency. At Hope's Closet, Kara has led volunteer groups, organized Delight Whole Family events, and has been a volunteer shopping assistant.
Kara enjoys spending time with her family and friends, educating others on foster care, and she has one dog. She is also very excited to meet her baby boy, due in March!
Shopping Assistant Lead
Kara began volunteering at Hope's Closet in 2017 and became a licensed foster parent later that year. Kara graduated from Miami University with a Master of Arts degree in Social Work and she is a licensed independent social worker. She has worked with children and families with mental health diagnoses and currently supervises clinicians and foster homes at a foster and adoption agency. At Hope's Closet, Kara has led volunteer groups, organized Delight Whole Family events, and has been a volunteer shopping assistant.
Kara enjoys spending time with her family and friends, educating others on foster care, and she has one dog. She is also very excited to meet her baby boy, due in March!
Board of Directors
Erika Kalnai
Chairman
Erika’s enthusiasm for Hope’s Closet began when she attended a fundraiser for the organization hosted by a neighbor, and later evolved to volunteering on various Hope’s Closet projects. Over the years, her life has been touched by foster families and she has a passion for supporting, encouraging, and championing them.
Erika has a bachelor’s degree from Miami University and is currently a senior bank examiner. She and her husband, Brad, live in Liberty Township with their two spunky schnoodles, Linus and Lucy. She enjoys time spent with her family, reading, traveling and cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team.
erika@hopesclosetohio.org
Chairman
Erika’s enthusiasm for Hope’s Closet began when she attended a fundraiser for the organization hosted by a neighbor, and later evolved to volunteering on various Hope’s Closet projects. Over the years, her life has been touched by foster families and she has a passion for supporting, encouraging, and championing them.
Erika has a bachelor’s degree from Miami University and is currently a senior bank examiner. She and her husband, Brad, live in Liberty Township with their two spunky schnoodles, Linus and Lucy. She enjoys time spent with her family, reading, traveling and cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats basketball team.
erika@hopesclosetohio.org
Valerie Schatzke
Secretary
Valerie’s passion for the foster care world began a few years ago when helping to serve the foster care community alongside a friend at church. That opportunity ignited a longing to do something more. After several conversations with other foster parents and friends, Valerie and her husband, Matt, became licensed foster and adoptive parents in February of 2016. Valerie joined the board in May of 2015 to serve as secretary.
Valerie has a bachelor's and a master's degree in business education from The Ohio State University. She spent ten years in brick and mortar high schools teaching business education and has spent that last seven years teaching for an online charter school. She most recently received her certificate in online and blended learning from the University of Cincinnati.
Valerie and Matt currently have two biological children and one daughter adopted from foster care. They moved to Liberty Township ten years ago from central Ohio. They enjoy spending time visiting family, boating and attending Buckeye games in the fall and Reds games in the summer.
valerie@hopesclosetohio.org
Secretary
Valerie’s passion for the foster care world began a few years ago when helping to serve the foster care community alongside a friend at church. That opportunity ignited a longing to do something more. After several conversations with other foster parents and friends, Valerie and her husband, Matt, became licensed foster and adoptive parents in February of 2016. Valerie joined the board in May of 2015 to serve as secretary.
Valerie has a bachelor's and a master's degree in business education from The Ohio State University. She spent ten years in brick and mortar high schools teaching business education and has spent that last seven years teaching for an online charter school. She most recently received her certificate in online and blended learning from the University of Cincinnati.
Valerie and Matt currently have two biological children and one daughter adopted from foster care. They moved to Liberty Township ten years ago from central Ohio. They enjoy spending time visiting family, boating and attending Buckeye games in the fall and Reds games in the summer.
valerie@hopesclosetohio.org
Matt Wieland
Treasurer
Matt joined Hope's Closet's board in 2017. His desire to make a difference in the lives of children placed in difficult circumstances sparked his interest in Hope's Closet. He saw the impact we can make first hand when his family embraced a young man exiting the foster care system. The stable environment enabled that young man to transition into a successful person and become one of Matt's closest friends.
Matt has a bachelor's degree from The University of Akron and a Ph.D. from Indiana University, both in accounting. He is currently a professor at Miami University's Farmer School of Business. He has a fantastic wife, Laura, and three children: Emerson, Corinne, and Ella. He enjoys coaching/watching his kids' sporting activities, engaging at his church, running and playing golf.
mattw@hopesclosetohio.org
Treasurer
Matt joined Hope's Closet's board in 2017. His desire to make a difference in the lives of children placed in difficult circumstances sparked his interest in Hope's Closet. He saw the impact we can make first hand when his family embraced a young man exiting the foster care system. The stable environment enabled that young man to transition into a successful person and become one of Matt's closest friends.
Matt has a bachelor's degree from The University of Akron and a Ph.D. from Indiana University, both in accounting. He is currently a professor at Miami University's Farmer School of Business. He has a fantastic wife, Laura, and three children: Emerson, Corinne, and Ella. He enjoys coaching/watching his kids' sporting activities, engaging at his church, running and playing golf.
mattw@hopesclosetohio.org
Rick Vogsberger
Board Member
In 2012, Rick and his wife, Karen, took their children Austin, Bradyn and Colin to “Foster Parents Night Out”, where they had their first significant exposure to foster care. As a parent, it was Rick’s goal to help his kids see the need of children in our community and hopefully impress on them to think less about themselves and more of others. It was at that event Rick learned his Heavenly Father had for him the same goal. God broke Rick’s heart for His little ones, and he knew he must respond in some way. That night started their journey, as Karen and Rick are currently adopting 3-year-old twins (boy and girl) who have been part of the family for 2-1/2 years.
Rick has a bachelor’s degree in theology from Baptist Bible College. Rick enjoys spending time with his family, serving with his wife at their church, traveling and any excuse for sports - especially if it includes the Dallas Cowboys or the New York Yankees.
rick@hopesclosetohio.org
Board Member
In 2012, Rick and his wife, Karen, took their children Austin, Bradyn and Colin to “Foster Parents Night Out”, where they had their first significant exposure to foster care. As a parent, it was Rick’s goal to help his kids see the need of children in our community and hopefully impress on them to think less about themselves and more of others. It was at that event Rick learned his Heavenly Father had for him the same goal. God broke Rick’s heart for His little ones, and he knew he must respond in some way. That night started their journey, as Karen and Rick are currently adopting 3-year-old twins (boy and girl) who have been part of the family for 2-1/2 years.
Rick has a bachelor’s degree in theology from Baptist Bible College. Rick enjoys spending time with his family, serving with his wife at their church, traveling and any excuse for sports - especially if it includes the Dallas Cowboys or the New York Yankees.
rick@hopesclosetohio.org
Nicole Stephenson
Board Member
Nicole is an attorney with Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio, LLC. She has been practicing law since her admission in November 1998. Nicole has dedicated her legal career to representing children in foster care, relative placements, kinship care, and various other placements. She speaks on these children's behalf in court to help them have a voice. Prior to joining Legal Aid, Nicole was in private practice where she also represented families in adoptions, custody cases and kinship care. Nicole was also appointed as a Guardian ad Litem in private cases. Nicole became aware of Hope’s Closet through the foster care community that has assisted so many children in need. Children are our future and it takes a village to help them succeed. Hope’s Closet is that village with a network full of angels. Nicole enjoys spending time with her family and friends, attending church and playing cards and board games. Nicole graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Ball State University in December 1994 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Dayton in 1998.
nicole@hopesclosetohio.org
Board Member
Nicole is an attorney with Legal Aid Society of Southwest Ohio, LLC. She has been practicing law since her admission in November 1998. Nicole has dedicated her legal career to representing children in foster care, relative placements, kinship care, and various other placements. She speaks on these children's behalf in court to help them have a voice. Prior to joining Legal Aid, Nicole was in private practice where she also represented families in adoptions, custody cases and kinship care. Nicole was also appointed as a Guardian ad Litem in private cases. Nicole became aware of Hope’s Closet through the foster care community that has assisted so many children in need. Children are our future and it takes a village to help them succeed. Hope’s Closet is that village with a network full of angels. Nicole enjoys spending time with her family and friends, attending church and playing cards and board games. Nicole graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Ball State University in December 1994 and a Juris Doctor from the University of Dayton in 1998.
nicole@hopesclosetohio.org
Courtney Moore
Board Member
Courtney comes from a school retention and admissions background spearheading the enrollment needs for K-12 and higher education. Most recently, she serves in higher education leadership as the Director of Admissions for Xavier University’s Accelerated Bachelors of Nursing (ABSN) Program in Cincinnati, Ohio. Additionally, she was named Top 25 Women in Business to Watch by the Dayton BBB in 2018. She joins the board with over 10 years of business and recruiting experience.
She is passionate about helping foster families find the resources and education they need to facilitate happy, healthy and safe children.
Courtney has a Bachelor of Arts from Ashworth College, a Master of Science in Management and Leadership from Western Governors University, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Business Administration from the University of the Southwest.
In her spare time, Courtney and her husband, Nathan, enjoy spending time with family, volunteering and staying active.
courtney@hopesclosetohio.org
Board Member
Courtney comes from a school retention and admissions background spearheading the enrollment needs for K-12 and higher education. Most recently, she serves in higher education leadership as the Director of Admissions for Xavier University’s Accelerated Bachelors of Nursing (ABSN) Program in Cincinnati, Ohio. Additionally, she was named Top 25 Women in Business to Watch by the Dayton BBB in 2018. She joins the board with over 10 years of business and recruiting experience.
She is passionate about helping foster families find the resources and education they need to facilitate happy, healthy and safe children.
Courtney has a Bachelor of Arts from Ashworth College, a Master of Science in Management and Leadership from Western Governors University, and is currently pursuing a Doctorate of Business Administration from the University of the Southwest.
In her spare time, Courtney and her husband, Nathan, enjoy spending time with family, volunteering and staying active.
courtney@hopesclosetohio.org