Many Hearts, One Mission!
HopeNet owes its 35+ year success to its dedicated and compassionate team. The HopeNet board and staff commit themselves wholeheartedly to meeting the spectrum of needs of the people they serve.
Our Board
Board President
Brian Milder
Brian joined the board in 2012. He grew up in San Fernando Valley and currently resides in Hancock Park. Following a brief legal career, Brian started a successful wireless communications consulting company. After a decade in wireless, he started Kinetic Group, a company specializing in strategic business communications. Brian joined Deloitte in 2017. He believes in HopeNet's potential to positively impact the lives of its clients and improve communities.
Board Vice President
Andrew Nieman
Andy has served on the HopeNet board since 2007. He is a CPA by trade and his background is in finance. He is currently a financial planner and SCORE volunteer for the SBA. He resides in the San Fernando Valley. Andy wants others to know of HopeNet's ability to have a positive impact on the Los Angeles community.
Board Secretary
Floydette Gibson
Floydette joined the HopeNet board in 2008. She is a Special Educator of children with Autism for the Los Angeles Unified School District. She currently lives in Mid-City. Floydette values that HopeNet is an organization of empathy and compassion for families in need. She is impressed by HopeNet's roots and its ability to build a strong and effective network that serves its community.
Board Finance Director
Walter Engler
Walt has been on the HopeNet board for 12 years. Walt is a native of Southern California. He resides in West Los Angeles with his wife, Virginia, and has 3 sons. Walt attended CSU Northridge and earned a BS in Business Administration before beginning a career as a CPA at Ernst & Young and later as the Senior Vice President of Operations at Sony Pictures Entertainment in Culver City. He is currently a Consulting Practice Leader at Kaiser Permanente. He is inspired by HopeNet’s, community-based mission to provide food and shelter to individuals and families in our local neighborhoods.
Board Member
Star Brown
Star joined the board in 2019. She has been employed by the First Church of the Nazarene (a HopeNet pantry site) since 2008 where she has been the Office Manager since
2016; and the Food Pantry coordinator since 2015.
From 1986 to 2007, Star was employed by The Jewelers Board of Trade as a Business Analyst. Star was born and raised in Virginia, where she earned a BA in Literature. She currently resides in the Mid-Wilshire area of Los Angeles. She works to make the HopeNet community a place of inspiration, hope, and peace.
Board Member
Laurie Brown
Laurie has committed 11 years to the HopeNet board. She lives in the Wilshire area. With a Master’s in Educational Psychology, Laurie taught at public and private schools throughout Los Angeles. and is now retired. Laurie envisions that HopeNet secures more funding to provide even more food and services to those in need of support.
Board Member
Nydia Barakat
2 years with HopeNet. Nydia's background is in Fund Development. She nurtures relationships with potential donors and foundations with the goal of sustaining and growing resources. Nydia is from North Hill in Los Angeles County and currently resides in Antelope Valley. She believes in HopeNet because of its commitment to provide access to food for individuals with food insecurities. Consequently, empowering the HopeNet community to find the strength to move forward.
Executive Staff
Send your resume and cover letter to: hopenetla@gmail.com
board member
Apply Today
The HopeNet Board is looking for new members. If you would like to join the board and be a part of HopeNet, please click below.