Like many nonprofits, Crisis Assistance Ministry is fortunate to have the leadership of passionate and committed community members who serve on our Board of Directors. These volunteers bring a diversity of knowledge, skills, and experience to their oversight of the independent, nonprofit organization in Charlotte, NC.
Five New Members Elected for 2023
Deborah Brewer is a retired social worker whose experience and drive are in the care and safety of children and families. Active in her local church and the Charlotte community, she loves theatre and the performing arts and has performed professionally in a vocal group for many years. People are her passion, and she desires that “life will always reflect God’s love and grace.” She describes herself as a life-long learner and is expanding her expertise in mental health and crisis intervention care. Having once sought the emergency financial aid services of Crisis Assistance Ministry, Deborah now uses her powerful story county-wide as an agency Customer Advocate.
Yog Hari is Senior Vice President, Business Technology Executive, at Bank of America with 21 years of experience successfully leading large programs, application development efforts, and new product innovation. He is responsible for firmwide product management, engineering & product support for operational intelligence. With a data background and deep knowledge of UNCC through his retired father’s work there, he looks forward to helping the agency connect program data and research initiatives to show positive outcomes in economic mobility.
Ed Holland is a retired Human Resources Executive with Bank of America. Knowing he wasn’t finished when his corporate career ended, Ed launched a “second act” as Church Administration Executive at Friendship Missionary Baptist. He is passionate about servanthood and the communities served here at Crisis Assistance Ministry. With extensive experience in non-profit service, strategic planning, public speaking, leadership, fundraising, and community outreach, Ed’s community involvement includes Deacon Emeritus at Friendship Missionary Baptist, Western Carolina University Foundation Board of Directors, Esteem Resources Interim Chair of BOD, and Hidden Valley Optimist Club.
Deidre John was recently named Director of Community Outreach and Engagement with the local non-profit Camino. Known as “Captain John” to thousands of low-income residents of Mecklenburg County, she served as a law enforcement officer with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for 15 years. For the last five years, she has served as a community coordinator, diligently focusing on building relationships and partnerships to cultivate long-term problem-solving. In that role, she was a vital partner in relocating over 150 families to new housing in the Lake Arbor apartment displacement. She is committed to mobilizing efforts to meet communities where they are in every aspect of their life by fostering trusting relationships that support a person-centered approach.
John Magnuson has served as Associate Pastor of Discipleship at Myers Park Presbyterian Church since 2019. Before his call to Charlotte, John served as pastor in Pittsburgh, PA, for seven years and received his Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry through Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Through his work and personal life, John is passionate about seeing what God is up to in the world, joining in, and inviting others to participate in that work. A strong advocate for Crisis Assistance Ministry and the people served here, he consistently leads his church membership to engage in meeting the urgent needs of Charlotteans.
2022 Board Officers Elected
These leaders join 17 other community members who provide oversight to Crisis Assistance Ministry’s professional team. In 2023, the all-volunteer Board is led by four elected officers:
About Crisis Assistance Ministry
Crisis Assistance Ministry is an independent, nonprofit agency offering emergency assistance to low-income families in Mecklenburg County. Specifically, Crisis Assistance Ministry helps families facing financial crisis by providing for basic needs, including emergency rent and utility assistance, clothing, furniture, beds, appliances, and household goods; fostering economic mobility through partnerships, one-on-one coaching, and support that empowers families to rebuild financial stability; and inspiring the community to advocate for people facing poverty. Visit crisisassistance.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to learn more about preventing homelessness and preserving dignity.