Board of Directors
Jodie caplan, chair
Jodie is retired from Carilion Clinic where she started the Internal Audit and Compliance departments. She’s volunteered on several Roanoke nonprofit boards and is appreciative of the work they do to make Roanoke a better place for everyone.
Jodie is a Penn State grad and mother of two adult children who live too far away. Her only at-home child has four legs, and they enjoy walks around downtown and the greenway.
Jodie currently does limited accounting projects and is fortunate to have found a wonderful opportunity volunteering at Highland Park Elementary School. She enjoys gardening and (unsuccessfully) figuring out ways to outsmart the deer, raccoons and groundhogs.
Jodie is proud of the work done by House of Bread staff members and how they so successfully help women make positive changes in their lives. She is honored to be a board member.
Maggie tate, vice chair
Maggie Tate is a sociologist, educator and artist. She currently lives in Roanoke, doing applied sociology through community groups and nonprofits.
She earned her PhD from the University of Texas at Austin in 2016 and went on to teach at St. Edwards University and conduct research through the UT Ethnography Lab and the Population Research Center at the University of Texas at Austin. Her work has been featured in Invisible in Austin: Life and Labor in Austin, Texas, as well as various other publications.
She currently teaches sociology at Southside Virginia Community College, in addition to homeschooling her two kids. When she’s not steeped in education, you can find her on a trail in search of an incredible view.
Jim Ellison, treasurer/secretary
Jim Ellison is a retired Roanoke Times editor. He lives in town with his forgiving wife, Marsha, and a set of golf clubs.
He got his first job as a newspaper reporter for the now extinct Mount Vernon (N.Y.) Daily Argus -- back when journalism was thrilling. His best war story is Son of Sam. Today, he is an avid bicycle rider while not sorting the vagaries of Quickbooks.
Aside from keeping House of Bread's books, he advises a long-time friend's 3 Balloons, a retail store and workshop that provides meaningful employment to adults with intellectual disabilities. The Roanoke store also includes a children's bookstore, which is also managed by people with intellectual disabilities.
He and Marsha have several grandchildren, all reasons for our country to be optimistic.
Michelle Bennett
Michelle worked most of her life in food service and non-profit organizations. She feels privileged to work with the women served by House of Bread.
Antonio Hash
Sheriff Antonio Hash is an eighteen-year veteran of the Roanoke City Sheriff’s Office who is in his second term as Sheriff. Since taking office in 2022, he has focused on strengthening community relationships, increasing transparency, and expanding innovative programs that support both public safety and community well-being.
Sheriff Hash is known for his commitment to collaboration. Under his leadership, the agency has enhanced community engagement efforts and created programs like (R)IGNITE, which provides education and reentry support for individuals returning to the community.
A former School Resource Officer, he remains dedicated to mentorship, safety, and building trust across all generations. He also prioritizes mental health initiatives for both residents and staff, reinforcing a culture of care and service.
Cynthia haley
My name is Cynthia Haley, and I was once a participant of the House of Bread. Now, I am honored to serve as a board member for the organization that supported me during my early recovery from substance abuse. I currently work as a Registered Peer Recovery Specialist Supervisor (RPRSS) at the Hope Initiative, where I assist individuals in connecting with treatment resources. Additionally, I ride with Salem and Roanoke City Fire and EMS to provide peer support during substance abuse calls.
Brad Stephens
Bradley (Brad) A. Stephens is a Ph.D. candidate in Planning, Governance, & Globalization at Virginia Tech. His research focuses on how trust develops and manifests in local governance and what influence this trust has on community development.
He serves as adjunct faculty with the Honors College, while also facilitating the Community Change Collaborative, serving as executive editor of the Community Change Journal, and producing and hosting the Social Science for Public Good podcast. Currently, he leads an interdisciplinary project called Engagement Ready Roanoke aimed at increasing the capacity for cross-sector collaboration in Roanoke.
In addition to hanging out with his wife, Sarah, and two small children, Evelyn and Albert, Brad enjoys reading, running, and crocheting.
Letia Harris
Letia Harris is the ROSS Service Coordinator with Roanoke Redvelopment Housing Authority. She previously served as the Family Services Coordinator with TAP Head Start. She has a deep passion for serving her community and being a spokesperson for those who are underserved.
Letia became involved with House of Bread when the daughter of one of her residents participated in the program. She learned more about the organization and eventually helped develop a partnership between House of Bread and RRHA that led to multiple classes being conducted at RRHA properties.