Our Staff

Janelle Goetcheus (1940-2024)
Former Medical Director, Co-Founder
Dr. Janelle Goetcheus was a visionary physician and co-founder of Christ House, Columbia Road Health Services, and Unity Health Care. Throughout her career, she received numerous regional and national honors recognizing her unwavering dedication to meeting the health needs of people experiencing poverty and homelessness in Washington, DC. Dr. Goetcheus served faithfully at Christ House until her passing in 2024. Her enduring legacy of healing, dignity, and justice continues to shape and inspire our mission today.

Allen Goetcheus
Pastor and Director of Spiritual Life Program, Co-Founder
Rev. Goetcheus is an ordained elder in the Indiana Annual Conference of The United Methodist Church and serves as pastor and director of our Spiritual Life Program, including supervising chaplains. He also provides counseling to patients and Kairos members. Previously, he served as president of Christ House from 1985-2016.

Lisa Purdy
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Lisa Purdy joined Christ House as CEO in June 2025, bringing with her a strong commitment to advancing the organization’s mission. She offers deep expertise in health equity, trauma-informed care, and workforce development. Prior to Christ House, Dr. Purdy served as an executive at Maryhurst in Kentucky and was recognized by Louisville Business First as one of the region’s Forty Under Forty for her impact and leadership. She earned both her PhD and her Master’s Degree in Social Work from the University of Louisville.

Mary Jordan
Chief Nursing Officer
Mary has full responsibility for clinical operations of the Medical Unit to ensure provision of quality patient care. Mary has served on the medical staff at Christ House since November 1986, shortly after our inception. She is a graduate of Catholic University in Washington, DC, and is a Certified Registered Nurse Practitioner (CRNP).

Angela Davis
Chief Finance Officer
Angela is responsible for guiding Christ House’s strategic direction from a financial perspective. Angela supervises the staff that make up Finance, Accounting, Development, Communications, and Employee Benefits Administration. She also oversees the design and implementation of financial management systems. Angela has been working for and with local housing advocacy groups for over 25 years and received her Master of Business Administration from Louisiana State University. To email Angela, click here.

Shaina Alves
Chief Operating Officer
Shaina supports the Clinical Director with the overall management and day-to-day operations of the medical respite unit. Shaina was a YLV in 2015-2016. She rejoined the team at Christ House after receiving her MPH from the University of San Francisco.

Mari Lowe
Nurse Practitioner
Mari serves as a nurse practitioner at Christ House and provides evidence-based primary care with a special interest in addictions medicine. She graduated from Duke University’s MSN-Family Nurse Practitioner program and University of Wisconsin’s BSN-RN program. She is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner through the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.  

Karyn Cassella
Development Director
Karyn oversees fundraising, grants management and donor engagement at Christ House. She brings more than thirty years of experience working with DC-based nonprofits and in higher education to combat poverty and injustice. Karyn earned her MA in International Training and Development from American University. To email Karyn, click here.

Zofia Joynt
Communications Coordinator
Zofia is responsible for content creation and editing for Christ House’s social media channels and website. Her work spans writing, editing, visual storytelling and developing digital and print materials that communicate the impact and mission of Christ House. Zofia also organizes community events, creates the quarterly newsletter, writes appeals and assists in the management of the donor database. She is a graduate of The Catholic University of America, with a M.A. in Human Rights. To email Zofia, click here.

Cristin Anthony
Kairos Program Director
Cristin supports Kairos Members to live with purpose and joy, coordinating care needs as well as providing advocacy, social service assistance, and connection. Cristin previously served at Christ House as a YLV from 2015-2017 and then worked as the Executive Assistant at Christ House through 2018. She rejoined the team after earning her Masters of Divinity and MA in Pastoral Counseling from Loyola University-Chicago. Cristin brings with her a commitment to trauma-informed care and a passion for mental health, having worked as a mental health therapist in Chicago and in Southeast DC for the past three years. To email Cristin, click here.

Olivia Pach
Kairos House Program Coordinator
Olivia supports the administration duties of the Kairos House program including the management of housing authority vouchers, working with DCHA inspectors, and maintaining resident records. She interacts daily with the Kairos House members to build community, plan and execute resident activities and strengthen relationships, updates the community bulletin board, and works with the volunteer office at Christ House to coordinate needs. Olivia brings with her over 5 years of experience in non-profit management in DC and is a graduate of George Washington University and John Carroll University. To email Olivia, click here.

John Bush
Addictions Counselor
John oversees the Addictions and Recovery Program for Christ House and the Kairos Program. Over the past 30 years, he has been a part of the recovery community assisting individuals struggling with co-occurring disorders, providing recovery support, substance abuse counseling, and coping skill development. To email John, click here.

Gloria Tinney
Kairos Medical Care Coordinator
Gloria works closely with and advocates for the members of our Kairos permanent supportive housing program by providing medical case and medication management. She helps the residents navigate the health system to ensure they receive the best care possible by coordinating appointments, processing return referrals and collaborating with primary care as well as outside providers. Gloria moved to Washington in 1984 and joined Columbia Road Health Services soon after, worked part-time at Christ House during its first year before joining Kairos full-time in 2006.

Charles Anderson-Gray
Chaplain
Charles provides pastoral care and counseling for patients at Christ House and members of the Kairos Community.  This includes planning and participating in different worship services, leading various classes, providing spiritual life materials, and providing a friendly ear when it is needed.  He is a graduate of Hamilton College, Georgetown University, and Wesley Theological Seminary.

John Craig
Clinical Support Manager
John oversees all new patient intake coordination and the scheduling of patient transportation. He joined Christ House in 2007. Previously he supervised the homeless outreach clinics and the medical mobile van for Unity Health Care (Health Care for the Homeless) and worked as a medical assistant in various homeless clinics throughout the city since 1989. He served in the Peace Corps as a Tuberculosis Control Worker in South Korea and is a graduate of the College of William and Mary.

Bill Hepler
Case Manager
Bill works to ensure that patients obtain insurance, government entitlements, mental health support, substance abuse recovery treatment, housing placement assistance, and other supportive services designed to bring an end to their homelessness. Bill is a graduate of Virginia Tech and previously worked as an outreach worker, wherein he offered case management support to people living on the streets of DC.

Rick Thomas
Case Manager
Rick helps patients obtain insurance, government entitlements, mental health support, substance abuse recovery treatment, housing placement assistance, and other supportive services designed to bring an end to their homelessness. Rick is a graduate of Nyack College, Syracuse University, and Columbia University.

Heidi Mills
Volunteer Manager
Heidi oversees all volunteer engagement opportunities, including recruiting, orienting, and coordinating volunteer groups and individuals across departments. Heidi previously served as a year-long volunteer at a small medical respite facility for homeless individuals in D.C. and brings four years of experience working with homeless populations to the role. Heidi holds a B.A. from the University of Maine and a Masters of Divinity from Wesley Theological Seminary. To email Heidi, click here.

Kendra-Nicole Stephens
Culinary Operations and Innovation
A Howard University graduate, Kendra-Nicole Stephens has over 20 years of experience in the culinary arts, starting with her first company, Claudette’s Cookies, in 1999. Stephens honed her skills in New York and throughout France, where she attended the internationally acclaimed L’École Ritz Escoffier. Upon returning to DC, she became the senior executive pastry chef and kitchen manager at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, Restaurant Associates. She also worked on a joint venture between José Andrés and Ridgewells catering, in addition to developing menus for Wolfgang Puck Catering and CxRA. To email Kendra, click here.