Ohana Means Family
Ohana Preservation Foundation would not exist without it's amazing Ohana of Volunteers, Program Partners, Animal Partners, Employees and Board of Directors.
Meet Our Team
Melissa Pankas is the Board of Directors President and CFO of the Ohana Preservation Foundation. Melissa and her husband, Jim, are also the Owners of Ohana Equestrian Preserve. Melissa generously donates her time to the foundation and the use of the Ohana Equestrian Preserve property.
Melissa honors the legacy of John and Tess Jubinsky and thanks them for supporting the mission of the Ohana Preservation Foundation.
Kristin Stewart, Director of Programs and serves as Secretary on the Board of Directors. Kristin is a Virginia native and currently lives in Aldie with her husband and three children. Kristin spent many years in corporate HR and project management. She joined Ohana Equestrian Preserve in 2019 and now focuses on Programs and Operations for the Ohana Preservation Foundation.
Individual Counseling
Louise Chapman, LPC, NCC has a Master of the Art's in Human Development and Counseling from The George Washington University and is a licensed professional counselor in Virginia and Colorado. Louise specializes in supporting children, adolescents, and adults as they navigate emotional challenges and enhance their coping skills.
Jennifer Hannett is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), Registered Play Therapist (RPT), and EMDR Certified/EMDR Consultant-in-Training with a Master's degree in Social Work from New York University. Jennifer is licensed as a clinical social worker in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia and has approximately 25 years of experience working as a social worker and/or therapist with vulnerable children, adolescents, adults, families, and groups in multiple roles and settings, including: adoption, therapeutic foster care, adolescent residential treatment, inpatient psychiatric hospitals, CPS, and outpatient mental health. In addition to her private practice, Jennifer works as a psychotherapist with The Gil Institute for Trauma Recovery and Education and has received specialized training in several play-based assessment and treatment modalities for traumatized children and youth. Jennifer practices an integrative, trauma-informed, and strength-based approach with children, adolescents, adults, families, and groups. Jennifer has a passion for guiding others to find their natural strength and ability to heal from difficult and traumatic experiences in order to live happier and more fulfilling lives.
Joyce Montgomery, LCSW, LICSW, LCSW-C is the Director of Clinical Services for ANMH and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker for Capital Caring. Joyce is an integral part of the Ohana team, where she facilitates many of our grief programs and hospice family programs. She also offers private counseling for some Ohana clients.
Equine-Assisted Activities
Shelly Dixon is our lead PATH Certified Equine Specialist in Mental Health and Learning. She heads up all our Equine-Assisted Activities. Shelly lives in Virginia with her husband and two children. Shelly is an integral part of many of our programs.
Heather Hess, is one of our Path Certified Equine Specialists in Mental Health and Learning and also serves on our board of directors. Her family donated Bella, a large pony that has become Ohana's lead horse for our equine programs. She has been an integral part of expanding our equine programs and building our volunteer support network. Heather, who is a teacher with Loudoun County Public Schools, has over 25 years of experience in the classroom. She has taught both middle and high school. She currently teaches history and psychology at Tuscarora High School. In addition, she is the Key Club Co-Sponsor with access to a large teen volunteer group.
Other Specialists
Tara Hoit is a Certified Children's Grief Counselor, Certified Horticultural Therapist, and Virginia Master Gardener. Tara spent many years in non-profit program development and fundraising. Tara joined the foundation in 2022 and now leads our Therapeutic Horticulture program.
Additional Board of Directors
Laura TeKrony lives in Aldie with her husband and three girls and has been an active member of the Aldie community for two decades. She has served on the Aldie Heritage Association since and was appointed to two Loudoun County Advisory Boards and Commissions: Parks, Recreation and Open Space Board and Heritage Commission. Since 2016, she has worked as a Legislative Aide to Phyllis Randall, Chair At-Large of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors. In November, 2023, she was elected to the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors as the Little River District Supervisor. Laura has been part of our BOD since inception.
Mike Overson joined our board in 2020. Mike Overson is a partner at Moyes Hanssen Overson, PLLC in Leesburg, VA. Real estate, estate planning, and business law are the focal points of Michael J. Overson’s law practice. He currently lives in Leesburg, Virginia with his wife and daughters.
Dominique Duong joined the board in June of 2023. She is the Regional Development Manager for the DC Region of NY Life. Along with her role on the leadership team, she is also part of the New York Life Community Impact Grant Committee and the volunteer coordinator for the Northern Virginia and Greater Washington General Offices. In addition to providing volunteer support for our programs, she has been a big proponent of our grief programming. She currently resides in Washington, DC with her husband and three children. She also serves on the Board of Directors of CaringMatters and LightHouse DC.
Tom Stallone is the founder and managing partner of TapSEC Consulting LLC. TapSEC is a professional sales firm that has decades of experience assisting customers to navigate through the federal and state procurement processes.