Our Board
Wendell Shank, Chair
Instructor of Spanish, Eastern Mennonite University, Language and Literature Department
Wendell was born in the Shenandoah Valley and grew up in Dayton. While in college at Eastern Mennonite University, he began working with New Bridges as an interpreter in both Social Services and the Virginia Employment Commission. Ove the next several years Wendell trained interpreters in the Shenandoah Valley and worked as a Liaison in the Harrisonburg City School system, working alongside New Bridges. Currently Wendell teaches Spanish and Linguistics at Eastern Mennonite University and is working on a doctorate in the geographical variation of Spanish through the University of Salamanca. When he isn't studying linguistic change he can be found making woodturnings or watching his sons play soccer.
TBD, Vice Chair
TBD
Brook Vazquez, Treasurer
Lead Business Services Advisor, Park View Credit Union
Brook was born and raised in Queens, New York. She graduated from Eastern Mennonite University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. After graduating she decided to make the Valley her home because of its tight knit community and laid-back pace of life. Brook is a Lead Business Services Advisor at Park View Federal Credit Union and has been at the credit union for nearly a decade. Where she works with local businesses and organizations meet their financial needs. Brook is passionate about getting involved in local efforts that build a sense of belonging for everyone. And create spaces where everyone feels seen, valued and supported.
Yeimarie Lopez, Secretary
Assistant Professor of Social Work, EMU
Yeimarie Lopez was born in Puerto Rico and raised in Harrisonburg, VA.
Her commitment to serving the community inspired her to pursue a Bachelor of Social Work from Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU)
and a Master of Social Work from the University of Michigan.
For the majority of her social work career, she worked alongside immigrant and refugee families throughout Virginia. She earned her Doctorate in Education from VCU in 2021 and is now an Assistant Professor in the social work program at Eastern Mennonite University.
Kevin Iwanicki
Underwriting Manager, SES Risk Solutions
Kevin grew up in Elkton, VA, as a Spotswood High School and Virginia Tech alum. He's been in property and casualty insurance for 20+ years. Kevin lives with his wife and three kids on the east side of Harrisonburg and they attend Harrisonburg Mennonite church. He is a member of the Rockingham Rotary Club and likes to spend time with friends on Rotary service projects. Kevin’s hobbies are running, mountain biking, hiking, and watching football. He has lived a full and blessed life and is fortunate to serve with the good people at New Bridges Immigrant Resource Center.
Fadi Majzoub
CEO, Business Consulting
Fadi is a faculty member at the College of Business, James Madison University. He is a goal-oriented and entrepreneurial-minded senior executive with a robust track record in delivering strong financial, market,
and operational results.
Fadi's professional journey has successfully combined engineering design, project management, and business consultancy under one umbrella,
creating a network of professional enterprises that drive horizontal integration and economies of scale. With his comprehensive experience and strategic vision, Fadi continues to drive growth and innovation, making
significant contributions to the organizations and communities he serves.
Chris Kay
Business Insurance Risk Advisor, LDB
Chris Kay is a Virginia native from Fredericksburg, though he has called the Shenandoah Valley home for the past 15 years. He is a bilingual Business Insurance Risk Advisor with LD&B Insurance in Harrisonburg, bringing a rich background in B2B sales, account management, customer service, and entrepreneurship.
Known for blending strategic thinking with a forward‑looking mindset, Chris excels at crafting innovative solutions and building strong, lasting relationships. A natural servant leader, he provides clarity and personalized guidance — in both English and Spanish — with confidence, compassion, and cultural awareness.
Outside of work and community service, Chris enjoys raising his three children in the Spotswood school district, playing sports, and pursuing a wide range of hobbies involving music, business, and intellectual challenges.
Sandra Benevente Mancilla
Advocacy Manager, Ayuda
Sandra was born in Peru and immigrated to Virginia with her family at the age of seven. Her own immigration journey fuels her commitment to working alongside immigrant communities to advance systemic change that benefits individuals and families. As Advocacy Manager at Ayuda, she leads efforts to promote policies that expand access, equity, and opportunity. Before joining Ayuda, Sandra worked in nonprofit fundraising roles at Chicago Public Media/NPR and Mundo Verde Public Charter School in Washington, DC. She holds a Master of Public Affairs from the University of Missouri and a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Virginia Tech. Sandra and her husband live on a farm in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, which she is proud to call home. She enjoys spending time outdoors hiking, biking, and rock climbing.
Monica Newcomer Miller
Immigration Attorney, Ayuda
Monica Newcomer Miller is a seasoned immigration attorney and longtime advocate
for immigrant children and families, bringing more than two decades of experience in
legal services, community support, and crosscultural engagement. She currently serves
as the Managing Attorney of Children’s Legal Services at Ayuda, where advances
highimpact representation for unaccompanied children and vulnerable youth. She has
worked in the immigration legal services field for over 20 years and spanned roles as an
interpreter, social worker, paralegal, accredited representative, and ultimately
attorney—giving her a uniquely holistic understanding of the challenges immigrant
families face.
Monica earned her J.D. from the University of New Mexico School of Law, and her
undergraduate degree in Social Work from Eastern Mennonite University. She stays
active at home with her husband, Jeff, and their three sons (ages 10-16) and enjoys
cooking, hiking, and seeking out hot springs wherever her travels take her.
Katy Heinzel
Engaged Community Member
Katy grew up in Princeton NJ with an immigrant father and a family that was committed to caring for neighbors across the community. She spent 4 years in rural Georgia volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, engaging with neighbors to build stronger communities. After raising her family in Lancaster County PA, running an organic vegetable farm then working as a hospital and hospice chaplain, Katy spent 7 years pastoring a Mennonite congregation in State College PA. She recently moved to the Harrisonburg area to be closer to family and looks forward to support the work of NBIRC. Katy loves all things outdoors, especially working on the farm she shares with her son, daughter-in-law and their children, whether it’s weeding vegetable plots or birding in the woods.