Meet Our Team
Our staff is comprised of people from diverse backgrounds and experiences drawn together by a common mission—to help people live abundant lives.
Our home supervisors and resident aides are the backbone of Harbor House Ministries. With more than eighty-five direct care supporters, we are fortunate to work with amazing people.
Out administrative staff is dedicated to our mission of providing opportunities to live abundantly.
Peggy Driesenga
Executive Director
Peggy Driesenga
Executive Director
Peggy has a background in marketing, public relations and broadcast journalism. She has been with Harbor House Ministries since 2005 as the Community Relations Director where she worked in development, accreditation and compliance. In March of 2020, Peggy became the Executive Director at Harbor House Ministries.
Renee Veltema
Finance Manger
Renee Veltema
Finance Manger
Renee has a background in accounting and has been with Harbor House since it was just an idea. She has served on the board, as the Administrative Assistant, and became the Executive Director in 2013 and served in that role until February, 2020. In 2020, Renee decided that finance is the work she most enjoys. She became the Finance Manager in February of 2020.
Julie Mesman
Human Resources Manager
Julie Mesman
Human Resources Manager
Julie has worked in the human resources field since 2011. She joined the Harbor House Ministries team in 2020 and serves as the Human Resource Manager, Hiring Manager, and Compliance Officer. She also oversees the scheduling department.
Lynden Riddering
RN, Clinical Program Director
Lynden Riddering
RN, Clinical Program Director
Lynden has worked at Harbor House Ministries since 2017 as a Resident Aide and Lead Aide. Her RN experience includes working on the Neuroscience unit at Saint Mary’s Hospital and working at Community Mental Health. Her passion in her work has always been to care for those who cannot advocate for themselves, and this passion brought her back to HHM full-time in 2023 to become the Clinical Program Director.
Kerri Adamczak
Day Program Director
Kerri Adamczak
Day Program Director
Kerri has a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Allied Health Sciences with a minor in Psychology and an emphasis in Speech Language Pathology. All of this prepared her well for work here at Harbor House. She started here as a Resident Aide at Pier Place in 2007 and eventually moved to Day Programming at the Cove in 2011. As the Day Program Director, she is adept at combining therapies, activities, and fun.
Lisa Bowyer
Mandt Instructor and Trainer
Lisa Bowyer
Mandt Instructor and Trainer
Lisa started at Harbor House Ministries in 2009 as a resident aide, moved into the position of Day Program Assistant in 2015, became a Mandt Instructor in 2021, and has since taken on leading various trainings to staff and volunteers.
Rachael Hoekstra
Development Coordinator
Rachael Hoekstra
Development Coordinator
Rachael Hoekstra joined the Harbor House family in 2021. She brings 15 years of fundraising experience in support of fund development and communications. She has experience in small business start -up and strategic planning at the organizational and board level. She says, “the laughter and love I witness at Harbor House each day here has been a testimony of grace.
Board of Directors
The Harbor House Ministries Board of Directors is an all-volunteer board comprised of men and women from diverse backgrounds. Each board member is committed to excellence in service and advocacy.
Bob Poll
President
Bob Poll
President
Bob is a retired accounting office executive and has served on the board since 2013. Bob’s son lived at Harbor House Ministries for seven years. Bob brings his expertise in human resources to the Harbor House team.
Chuck Schipper
Treasurer
Chuck Schipper
Treasurer
Chuck has led the board of directors at Harbor House Ministries since its inception. Chuck’s daughter was among the first people to call HHM home. Chuck has 30 years of business and management experience in residential services.
Leslie Brown
Secretary
Leslie Brown
Secretary
Leslie is the owner of a local Automotive Supplier. Her son has lived at Harbor House Ministries since 2008. She brings a skill set for strategic planning and board development to Harbor House.
Chelsea Brown
Board Member
Chelsea Brown
Board Member
Chelsea enjoys watching her older brother thrive and live his best life as a resident of Harbor House. She currently holds the position of Director of Strategic Initiatives in a local manufacturing company, and as one of the newest members of the Harbor House Board, she looks forward to serving and advocating for the ministry in new ways.
Kelli Kruithof
Board Member
Kelli Kruithof
Board Member
Kelli is an administrative assistant for a local middle school. She previously taught special education for 10 years. She brings a passion for fundraising and marketing to the Harbor House team.
Gary Oom
Board Member
Gary Oom
Board Member
Gary is retired from management in manufacturing. He has been a member of the HHM Board of Directors since 2009. Among other things, his human resources and marketing skills have been appreciated at HHM. His son has lived at Harbor House since 2006.
Tom O’Rourke
Board Member
Tom O’Rourke
Board Member
Tom has been helping people with their financial affairs for 35 years and has been a resident of Georgetown Township for 30 years. He has been married to his bride, Leann, since 1987, and they have two children. They were drawn to Harbor House because their son has severe physical and neurological challenges due to the genetic disorder known as Angelman Syndrome.
Ken Puzycki
Board Member
Ken Puzycki
Board Member
Ken is an attorney who specializes in Estate Planning. He has served with the board for six years.