Meet The Team

ABBA List: Founder & Board Member Emeritus, ABBA List
 

Trudy began her professional career as an art therapist, which she parlayed into a 20+ year career working at EVMS in education leadership roles. She has served in several art therapy leadership roles locally, statewide and nationally, for which she has received awards and accolades. Over the years, Trudy has been published in a number of peer-reviewed journals.

With a heart for serving others, Trudy’s work in Norfolk led her to launch a lunch and prayer outreach initiative for the homeless. After learning of some of the barriers and issues facing the homeless population, Trudy organized and managed the Abba List, a free website resource that provided listings of help, support and resources throughout Hampton Roads (2010-25). Two years later, she established the 501(c)3 non-profit Abba List (2012). 

Trudy is founder of the Chesapeake Area Shelter Team (CAST - 2013), Chesapeake's only emergency winter shelter program for the homeless.  Trudy was recognized by the Women's Division of Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce Chesapeake as co-winner of its “Woman of the Year” award. She was also honored by Mayor Alan P. Krasnoff, the Chesapeake City Council and VOLUNTEER Hampton Roads for her work with Abba List and CAST.

In retirement, she enjoys painting, traveling, and spending time with her four children and three grandchildren. She serves as an elder in her local church.  

"...let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show truth by our actions." (1 John 3:18, NLT)

Terri is a long-time small business owner in Chesapeake with decades of hands-on experience and a deep understanding of community service. Now semi-retired, she continues to value meaningful work while prioritizing the flexibility to pursue personal interests. Terri enjoys traveling, reading and spending quality time with her family. She lives with her husband, her cat Brooklynn and is the proud mother of two adult daughters. 

Joy is working with a group of people who understand giving is the ultimate gratefulness! "...he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help." (Psalms 22:24, NIV)

"There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore, I command you to be open handed toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land." (Deuteronomy 15:11, NIV)

TowneBank, Personal Banker

Karen has been part of the banking industry since 1975 and currently serves at TowneBank’s Great Bridge office in Chesapeake, Virginia, where she works as a Member Service Specialist and Bank Officer. In this role, she assists clients and members with a wide range of financial needs, bringing decades of experience, care, and integrity to her work.

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She is one of the original board members of ABBALIST and has faithfully served since the organization’s inception, helping shape its vision and mission from the very beginning. Her long-standing commitment reflects her deep passion for community service and leadership.

Family is a central joy in her life. She is blessed with a son, a daughter, three stepdaughters, two stepsons, sixteen grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren.

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In addition to her work with ABBALIST, she serves the community through the Luncheon Pilot Club of Chesapeake, Chesapeake Crime Line, and her church’s CCD program, where she teaches third graders, as well as the church’s Lector Program. Giving back and investing in others are deeply fulfilling parts of her life.

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She also has a love for travel, especially cruising. She often jokes that she comes by her last name honestly because she is frequently “gone.” Her license plate even reads, “Travel Lady.”

Her favorite Bible verse is Matthew 5:16:

“Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.”

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"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40, NIV)

Registered Nurse & Farmer

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40, NIV)

Senior Mortage Banker, Atlantic Bay

Mortgage Group

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"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, NIV)

Linda J. Byrd served as an educator in the Chesapeake Public School system for more than 40 years, holding roles as a biology and chemistry teacher, middle school and high school principal, and Director of Secondary Instruction.

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In retirement, Linda has devoted herself to increased church and community involvement. She serves as Director of Local Missions at Mt. Pleasant United Methodist Church and is actively engaged with community organizations, including the Pilot Club of Chesapeake. She has also served AbbaList in various leadership roles, including past President, and currently serves as Grant Administrator.

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In her spare time, Linda enjoys spending time with her husband of more than 50 years, Lyman, their two daughters, and their two grandsons. As a breast cancer survivor, Linda is deeply grateful for each day, recognizing life as a gift from God and believing strongly in a calling to serve Him and others.

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." (Proverbs 3:5-6)

Alan Vaughan served Chesapeake Public Schools for 37 years, beginning his career as a math teacher at Great Bridge High School and later spending a decade as Assistant Superintendent for HR and School Services. He now teaches full-time at Regent University, where he is deeply aligned with the mission of developing Christian leaders who change the world. For 35 years, Alan was blessed to teach the middle-school Sunday School class at Great Bridge United Methodist Church. He is equally blessed in his family life, sharing his journey with his wife, Brenda, and their two children, Crystal and Christian.

"I can do all things through Him who strengthens me." (Phillippians 4:13, NASB)

Attorney, Shannon & Associates, PCParliamentarian

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." (James 2:14-17, NIV)

Church Administrator, Sonlight Church

Advisory Board for CAST

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Bob Vogler is a retired U.S. Navy Nurse Corps officer currently serving as the Church Administrator for Sonlight Church in Chesapeake. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Taylor University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Thomas Jefferson University.

Everything in the heavens and earth is yours, O Lord, and this is Your kingdom. We adore you as being in control of everything. Riches and honor come from You alone, and You are the Ruler of all mankind; Your hand controls power and might, and it is Your discretion that men are made great and given strength." (Chronicles 29:11-12, NIV)

Dr. Hunley-Stukes retired from Chesapeake Public Schools in 2021 after 39 years of service as an educator and district leader, serving in roles that included teacher, principal, and senior administrator. She holds degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University, Norfolk State University, and Virginia Tech, has taught as an adjunct professor, and now works as an educational consultant through Hunley-Stukes Educational Consultant, LLC.

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A recipient of the National Milken Educators Award, Dr. Hunley-Stukes is a respected leader in both education and the community. She has served in numerous civic and advisory roles and currently chairs the Chesapeake Redevelopment and Housing Authority Board of Commissioners.

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Hebrews 13:5 “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Realtor, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services/RW Towne Realty

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Debbie is a long-time Chesapeake resident and a member of the CAST Board who cares deeply about ensuring safe, stable shelter for individuals and families in our community. Through her life and work, as a Realtor,  Debbie has seen how important housing is to a person’s sense of security and dignity, which fuels her commitment to CAST’s mission. She is grateful to serve alongside churches, volunteers, and partners who lead with compassion and heart. Outside of her service work, Debbie finds her greatest joy in her grandchildren — watching them grow and being an active part of their lives.

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"For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline." (2 Timothy 1:7, ERV)

John Dunn retired from ADS, Inc. as the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer. He

is a licensed CPA who began his career as a tax accountant with Price Waterhouse. He

currently spends his time volunteering with

non-profits and traveling with his wife Susan.

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Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. – Matthew 11:28

Kaylee B. Bynum is the Founder and President of Peaceful Waters Counseling and Wellness Center and a highly credentialed clinician dedicated to trauma-informed, compassionate care. She is deeply committed to serving her community, empowering individuals and families toward lasting wholeness, and loves spending her free time adventuring with her boys.

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The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Psalm 23 (ESV)

Mary grew up in Virginia Beach and graduated from Princess Anne High School before attending St. Mary’s College at Notre Dame. She earned a master’s degree in Sociology from the University of Akron.

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Her professional career included service with the Juvenile Court in Chesapeake, Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters, and the City of Chesapeake’s Department of Human Services, from which she retired in December 2024.

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She attends Prince of Peace Catholic Church, where she volunteers in various parish ministries. She is also actively involved in the community, volunteering at the Chesapeake Resource Center and serving on several nonprofit boards.

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She has one son who is married and lives in San Diego with their daughter, her granddaughter. She also has a bonus family in Indianapolis, including three bonus grandchildren and one bonus great-grandchild.

For I was hungry, and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty, and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger, and you invited Me in;

Matthew 25:35 AMP

Sue Dixon Bio

Tom Mercer Bio