Introducing Newest Board Appointees
Jul 1, 2025
New Faces, Shared Vision: Introducing Our Newest Board Appointees
At ESNKY, our board of directors plays a vital role in ensuring strategic direction and oversight, keeping us aligned with our Life Saving, Life Changing mission. They guide long-term planning, assess our financial health and uphold accountability and ethical leadership. As the fiscal year comes to a close, we would like to take this opportunity to recognize the invaluable contributions of our outgoing board members and express our deepest gratitude for their leadership, vision and dedication over the years:
Wes Botto
Sarah Houseman
Andrew Schierberg
Emily Toebbe
As we begin the new fiscal year in July, we are excited to welcome five new board members:
Patrick Flynn Ashley
Patrick Flynn Ashley is the Assistant Vice President for Institutional Advancement and an adjunct Communication Professor at Thomas More University, fostering connections between the university and the Northern Kentucky community through philanthropy and service. Originally from Maysville, KY, he has lived in Northern Kentucky since 2009, earning his BA and MA in Communication Studies at Northern Kentucky University, where he later worked in admissions, alumni engagement and as an adjunct professor before joining Thomas More in 2021. Passionate about higher education and nonprofits, Flynn is committed to promoting community engagement and equitable practices. He lives in Covington with his wife, son, and dog Goose.
Leah Sheanshang
Leah Sheanshang is a dedicated leader in corporate social responsibility, community program management and volunteer engagement. At Fidelity Investments, she drives initiatives that promote financial literacy, volunteerism and access to basic needs like food and shelter. A Leadership Northern Kentucky Class of 2024 graduate, she is committed to systemic change through servant leadership and serves as an Alumni Ambassador for Every Child Succeeds, advocating for early childhood support programs. A Campbell County resident, wife and mother of two, Leah proudly supports the Shelter’s mission to provide life-saving services and pathways to self-sufficiency for vulnerable neighbors.
Stephen Sims
Stephen Sims is an attorney at Dunham Law where he focuses on commercial real estate, lending, business law and estate planning. His work includes everything from business formations and contract drafting to real estate transactions and trust planning. A graduate of Northern Kentucky University’s Salmon P. Chase College of Law, Stephen also holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Kentucky. He became involved with ESNKY out of a strong belief that safe shelter is a basic human right and is passionate about supporting compassionate, practical solutions for those facing homelessness.
Rachel Strunk
As the Vice President and Regional Sales Director at Republic Bank, Rachel drives growth and team development across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. With over 15 years in financial services, she is known for her strategic leadership, mentorship and commitment to community engagement. ABA-certified in commercial and business lending and a Leadership Northern Kentucky alumna, Rachel also serves on ESNKY’s Finance Committee, passionately supporting vulnerable populations through local impact.
Mary Tignor
Mary Tignor, Communications Coordinator at the St. Elizabeth Foundation, is a seasoned communications and marketing professional with a background in journalism. She spent 14 years in TV news, earning an Emmy for Best Newscast at WLWT-TV in Cincinnati, OH, along with three Associated Press awards, before transitioning to nonprofit communications. She is a proud alumna of Northern Kentucky University and Eastern Kentucky University.