Meet the Team
Meet Emily
Journey of Hope Founder and Executive Director
Emily George founded Journey of Hope out of her own experience as a young, single mother in a maternity home, an education in non-profit management, a passion for helping women in crisis, and a deeply rooted faith.
Phone: 618-917-1103
Email: emily.george@johhome.org
Meet Our Staff
Tegan Hogan
Program Manager
Tegan Hogan, LMSW, is honored to step into the role of Program Manager at Journey of Hope. She is thrilled to join this incredible organization and is genuinely excited about the opportunity to contribute to its meaningful mission.
With a background in social work and a passion for community-driven support, Tegan looks forward to collaborating with the team to build upon the strong foundation that Journey of Hope has established. She deeply admires the impact the organization has had and is committed to helping expand its reach, strengthen its programs, and serve more families with compassion and purpose.
She extends her gratitude to everyone involved for the important work they do to guide and support the organization.
Phone: 618-467-6989
Email: programming@johhome.org
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Kristi Thouvenot
Bookkeeper
Kristi Thouvenot's background is in several areas of accounting and finance. Including accounts payable, payroll, inter-company accounting, accounting reconciliation, and budgeting. She has three young girls, 11, 9, & 3 years old. To Kristi, working for Journey of Hope and the ladies who started this mission is inspiring. Pregnancy and motherhood are challenging, difficult and yet beautifully amazing. Kristi's hope is that with Journey for Hope by each woman's side, crisis can be eased, allowing them to experience the beauty of pregnancy and motherhood. Kristi is excited to hold the position of bookkeeper for Journey of Hope and support their mission.
You?
Pregnancy Partner / Case Manager
Deirdre is a compassionate and dedicated Licensed Social Worker (LSW/LMSW) who is currently working toward becoming a licensed therapist, with a focus on supporting pregnant women, mothers, and families navigating crisis and life transitions. She brings a strong foundation in social work practice, shaped by her experience in school social work, special education, and family-centered support. Deirdre is committed to creating a safe, supportive, and nonjudgmental environment when working with clients/individuals. She understands the unique challenges that women face during pregnancy and motherhood, especially in times of uncertainty, and strives to meet each client with empathy, respect, and practical guidance. Her approach is rooted in compassion, consistency, and a deep belief that every woman deserves to feel supported, valued, and capable of thriving.
Phone: 618-434-2098
Email: casework@johhome.org
Meet Our Governing Board
Victoria Stanley
Secretary
Victoria brings over 25 years of combined experience in nonprofit service and human resources leadership to the Journey of Hope board. She spent the early part of her career with organizations focused on maternal and infant health, including Nurses for Newborns, March of Dimes, and Fontabella Maternity Home. For the past 16 years, she has worked in human resources and currently serves as Director of Human Resources at Tarlton Corporation. With a Master’s degree in HR and a passion for empowering women, Victoria offers valuable insight into talent, culture, and strategic leadership.
Catherine McDonald
Member
Catherine brings over 15 years of experience in marketing and communications, public relations and social media experience to the Journey of Hope board. Having worked in areas from business to business, healthcare, finance to non-profit organizations, she offers valuable thought leadership on branding and communications. She also has an advocate for empowering women and supporting those facing adversity so they can rediscover their strength and live their purpose.
Ashley Claxton
Member
Ashley Claxton brings her Human Resources expertise and passion for wellness to the Journey of Hope board, where she is committed to guiding others to be the best version of themselves. A small business owner of five years, Ashley values the strong connections she has built with local businesses and community groups. She is a proud mother and dedicated advocate for women in construction, and through her involvement with the Junior Service Club, she is embracing new opportunities to give back. Ashley is excited to bring her experience, energy, and heart for people to the mission of Journey of Hope.
Sabrina Wendt
Member
Stacy Robinson
Chair
Stacy Robinson serves as Chairperson of Journey of Hope, bringing a deep passion and long-standing commitment to supporting pregnant women in crisis. Involved with the home since its founding, Stacy has served in various volunteer roles and now leads the board with dedication and vision. Her professional background includes 15 years of non-profit work as a children’s minister and preschool director. With a heart for helping women transform their lives, Stacy is devoted to fostering a safe, supportive environment where mothers can find hope, healing, and a fresh start.
Larry Strube
Treasurer
Larry Strube is a dedicated community leader with a strong background in nonprofit service and financial stewardship. Now retired, he brings a wealth of experience to the Journey of Hope board. He currently serves on the Greater St. Louis Area Scouting Executive Board and holds the position of treasurer for both the Airlift/Tanker Association and the O’Fallon Community Food Pantry. A past president of the Rotary Club of O’Fallon, Larry is committed to uplifting and supporting local families through compassionate leadership and community engagement.
Ashley Claxton
Member
Ashley Claxton brings her Human Resources expertise and passion for wellness to the Journey of Hope board, where she is committed to guiding others to be the best version of themselves. A small business owner of five years, Ashley values the strong connections she has built with local businesses and community groups. She is a proud mother and dedicated advocate for women in construction, and through her involvement with the Junior Service Club, she is embracing new opportunities to give back. Ashley is excited to bring her experience, energy, and heart for people to the mission of Journey of Hope.
A Space for You?
Member
Journey of Hope is seeking dedicated and compassionate leaders to join our Board of Directors. This is a meaningful volunteer opportunity to help guide an organization committed to supporting pregnant women and new mothers facing crisis situations.
Sabrina Wendt is a social worker with experience supporting mothers and families within the healthcare setting. She is passionate about empowering women, strengthening family systems, and connecting individuals with the resources they need to thrive with a focus on guiding mothers through crisis, transition, and growth. Sabrina brings a unique perspective rooted in social work, healthcare, advocacy, and a genuine commitment to helping families build strong foundations for the future. As a board member of Journey of Hope, she is excited to combine her professional expertise with her passion for community service to support families and further the organization’s mission. Sabrina is dedicated to using her experience, compassion, and heart for service to strengthen outcomes for families and communities.