Our Staff
Erin Nelson, ACTP
Executive Director
Erin is the founding Executive Director of Jessica’s House, which launched through EMC in 2011. Under her leadership, Jessica’s House has helped thousands of children, teens and young adults by providing a safe place to grieve for children and their families.
Erin is a trauma practitioner through the National Institute of Trauma and Loss in Children. She entered the grief world when her late husband, Tyler, died when her children were five and three. Soon after Tyler’s death, she became a survivor of her mom’s suicide and began raising her 15-year-old sister. She learned the importance of grief support for families while raising her own children and sister who were grieving. In 2019, Erin’s son, Carter, died in an accident.
Erin and her husband, Bryan, live in the Turlock area and enjoy spending time with their children and grandchildren. Since Carter’s death, Erin has been writing about child loss. She is co-writing a book with fellow staff member Colleen Montague for parents raising grieving children, to be released in Spring 2025 through Baker Books.
Program
Brad Quillen, M.A. CTP-C
Program Director
Brad joined the team in 2011 when Jessica’s House launched. Prior to joining Jessica’s House full-time, Brad served as a pastor in Turlock for over 13 years. During that time, he spent 10 years as a volunteer firefighter with Turlock Rural Fire Department and is still involved in the fire service as a Chaplain today.
Brad holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Youth Ministry from Simpson University and a Master of Arts degree in Leadership from Crown College. Now as the Program Director, he is establishing the key educational and training pieces that equip Jessica’s House volunteers with the knowledge and skills to come alongside the families during one of the most difficult times in their lives.
Brad is married to Lori, a Kindergarten Teacher in Turlock. They have three active boys. Brad loves college football, Go Ducks!
Marlen Duran
Volunteer and Therapeutic Spaces Coordinator
Marlen is our Volunteer and Therapeutic Spaces Coordinator. Marlen joined Jessica’s House in 2018 as a graduate intern for two years before joining the staff. She oversees the therapeutic spaces, including the art room, music room, dramatic playroom, hospital playroom, volcano and sensory room. She also helps coordinate therapeutic sensory-based expressive art. Additionally, Marlen leads our dedicated 150+ Jessica’s House volunteers.
Marlen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and her master’s degree in Social Work from CSU Stanislaus. She has always had a passion for working with kids and previously worked as a Behavioral Technician for children with autism.
She enjoys spending time with friends and family and loves reading, watching movies, traveling, and most importantly, drinking coffee.
*Se habla espanol.
Edlyne Eliazad
Program Assistant
As program assistant for Jessica’s House and with a background in education, Edlyne is passionate about creating a safe environment where learning, growth, and healing are fostered through vulnerability, honesty, and relationship building. Before coming on staff in November of 2022, she began her journey with Jessica’s House in July of 2016 when she became a volunteer and grief support facilitator. Since then, she has focused extensively on families affected by suicide and homicide and works regularly with middles, teens and young adults, as well as children in our school group program. “What I love about Jessica’s House is the work culture. The kindness I experienced as a volunteer translated into my experience as an employee. I love passing that kindness along to the children and teens I work with each day.”
Edlyne studied health science and psychology and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University, Stanislaus. Over the course of her career, she has taught health classes at both the junior high and high school levels and also taught English to Italian-speaking students during her time abroad in Viterbo, Italy. Edlyne is also fluent in Assyrian.
In her free time, Edlyne loves playing the guitar, listening to Taylor Swift, and spending time with friends and family.
Erica Reis
Family Services Manager
As the family services manager, Erica makes the well-being of the parents and children her priority. Her work has helped her realize the importance of strong grief support and she says, “The best part of my job is knowing that I can make a difference for someone”.
Erica holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Human Services and has worked with children and families’ grief and loss issues for many years.
Erica is an avid reader and loves to travel, but the thing she enjoys most is spending time with friends and family.
Ellie Gonzales
Family Services Coordinator
As a Family Services Coordinator, Ellie truly enjoys working with families and helping them get connected to resources and support at Jessica's House. Being able to support Spanish Speaking families is something that brings a smile to her face and tremendous joy to her life.
Ellie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development, with a concentration in Child and Family Services, from CSU Stanislaus.
Ellie loves to read, hike, and travel on long road trips. Her favorite places to visit are Joshua Tree and Yosemite.
*Se habla espanol.
Yvonne Borges
Grief Support Coordinator
As the Grief Support Coordinator, Yvonne brings smiles to the faces of families who are going through some of the roughest times of their lives. Yvonne enjoys building relationships with the children, parents and the amazing volunteers at Jessica’s House. “They have a positive impact on my life, and what I hope for each day is that we do the same for them”.
Yvonne is a Turlock native and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Child Development from CSU Stanislaus. Experiencing the loss of her father at age 17, she understands the importance of cherishing the moments.
She loves the beach, camping, going to the park and playing games with her three children, Mia, Blake and Mylah.
Marketing, Communications & Development
Natalie Henderson
Director of Marketing, Communications & Development
Natalie joined the Jessica’s House family in 2022 and leads marketing, development and communications for the organization. Passionate about telling the Jessica’s House story and furthering its mission, Natalie is focused on cultivating lasting and meaningful relationships with members of the community and generous supporters. Natalie is committed to maximizing the current impact and future growth and sustainability of Jessica’s House through continued fundraising efforts and community outreach.
Natalie brings with her more than 20 years of corporate experience working for both public and private companies in the fields of public relations, corporate communications, and community relations. Natalie holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication, with a concentration in Public Relations from University of the Pacific. Additionally, Natalie lived in London while studying International Business at the London School of Economics.
Natalie loves to travel and read and enjoys spending time in the mountains with her husband and two daughters at their family cabin.
Nancy Daley
Grief Support Facilitator
Nancy’s life passion is children. She is a professional facilitator, and the former tutor of Jessica Everett, the namesake of Jessica's House. “Jessica taught me the value of life through her journey of cancer.”
Nancy holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education and Child Development from Fresno State. She is certified in Critical Incident Stress Management training and the Chaplaincy program, through the Association of Christian Schools International. Nancy is also a trauma practitioner through The National Institute for Trauma and Loss in Children. While working for Emanuel Cancer Center, she founded the Monkey Business support group for family members living with a loved one’s diagnosis of cancer.
In her free time “Grandma Nan” enjoys spending time with her children and seven grandchildren.
Amanda Patino
Data and Social Media Manager
Amanda joined Jessica’s House in September 2023 as our Data and Social Media Manager. She oversees the critical data systems that allow Jessica’s House to effectively intake, report and communicate the day-to-day work we do. Her goal is to share the mission of Jessica’s House with a broader audience. Amanda is always looking for creative ways to share activities, quotes and tips in the hopes that someone may find them helpful.
Amanda holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing from CSU Stanislaus.
Amanda loves to explore the outdoors. She enjoys going hiking with her husband and their two dogs.
*Se habla espanol.
Outreach and education
Colleen Montague, LMFT
Director of Outreach and Education
Colleen’s role is to continue bringing awareness of Jessica’s House to our community. She feels passionate about our mission and recognizes the importance of continuing to raise grief awareness in our community. Colleen first joined the Jessica’s House family as a volunteer in 2019 and immediately felt at home. “The best part of my day is being in group with the families. I appreciate their willingness to let me walk alongside them during this part of their grief journey. The resilience level in children, especially when offered helpful tools, is remarkable. They are my heroes.”
Colleen is also a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Her passion for grief work began early in her career as she supported clients through their unique grief journeys. To hear their stories and witness their transformation along the way was truly inspiring.
Colleen enjoys camping with her family and feels being out in nature is restorative for her soul. She also likes the rain, loves to read and lives for lattes.
Melissa Ahlem
School Group Coordinator
As a former teacher and Jessica’s House volunteer, Melissa understands the importance of listening to children. She enjoys watching children grow and learn through art, talk and play.
Melissa holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Liberal Studies with a minor in Child Development from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She began volunteering at Jessica’s House after experiencing the loss of their baby through miscarriage. This experience created her passion to launch Jessica’s House “Heartstrings” group for families affected by infant or baby loss.
Melissa enjoys camping at the beach and playing in the sand with her husband, Grant, their three kids and Labrador Milli-Vanilli.
*Se habla espanol.
EMC Health, Inc.
Linda Stuhmer, CEO
EMC Health, Inc.
Linda M. Stuhmer is President and Chief Executive Officer of EMC Health, Inc., the nonprofit organization that founded Jessica’s House. Her wealth of knowledge helps guide Jessica’s House’s fiscal and legal responsibilities. Concurrently Linda serves as Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Covenant Ministries of Benevolence.
Linda is a graduate of University of Puget Sound and received her law degree from University of San Diego. She is licensed to practice law in California and Illinois.
Linda is committed to her community and volunteers her time with Turlock Christian School where she serves as Chairman of the Board.
She and her husband Steve have one son, Brian, three cats and two dogs.
Cortney Hartsfield
Director of Operations and Administration
Cortney Hartsfield is the Director of Operations and Administration for EMC Health, Inc. and has been with the company since 2006. She has been part of the fundraising team for Jessica’s House since its inception in 2012.
She works behind the scenes in providing overall administrative direction, management, and coordination for EMC Health, Inc. as well as administrative support to the President and CEO. She is blessed to work with such a wonderful team at Jessica’s House and is honored to be part of this amazing ministry for the community.
Cortney and her husband, Richie are ordained ministers and pastor a church in Modesto. They have three children and a golden retriever, named Muncy.