Our Team
Dr. John K. Waddell
Prior to joining Via Hope, Dr. Waddell (he/him) enjoyed a successful career in higher education as the President of several public and private colleges and universities. He has lived experience in mental health advocacy and recovery through the advancement of mental health services for students, faculty and staff. Dr. Waddell has a long track record of delivering significant financial and fundraising results including millions in grants, gifts and in-kind contributions. As Dr. Waddell served in organizational leadership positions, he worked diligently to establish institutional relationships with key federal, state, city and county elected officials.
Some of his previous civic, leadership and professional engagements include serving as a Delegate at the United Nations Durban III World Conference on Human Rights and as a Board Member for the White House Initiative for Historically Black Colleges and Universities under President George W. Bush.
Dr. Waddell is a graduate of the Harvard University Institute for Educational Management (IEM) in Cambridge, MA and holds a Doctorate degree in Higher Education Administration from Florida State University in Tallahassee, FL. He also holds a Master’s (Student Personnel) and Bachelor’s (Secondary Education) degrees from the University of South Carolina. After college, Waddell completed an Internship in the Office of U.S. Senator Ernest F. Hollings (SC) in Washington, DC.
Reggie Smith
Reggie Smith serves as the Senior Program Manager at Via Hope, where he oversees the design, implementation, and evaluation of peer support training programs across Texas. With a strong commitment to empowering individuals through education and support, Reggie plays a critical role in developing initiatives that expand access to high-quality peer specialist training and certification.
Reggie holds a Master of Science in Social Work (MSSW) from the Steve Hicks School of Social Work and an MBA in International Business from Huston-Tillotson University. His diverse educational background informs his approach to workforce development, program coordination, and community engagement.
As a dedicated advocate for peer support, Reggie is deeply invested in strengthening the peer specialist workforce and ensuring that programs align with the highest standards of excellence. His leadership has been instrumental in expanding training opportunities and building partnerships that enhance the reach and impact of Via Hope’s mission.
In his free time, Reggie enjoys music, walking, and spending time with family, always seeking ways to stay connected to his community and personal passions.
Bobbi Duncan-Ishcomer
Bobbi Duncan-Ishcomer (they/them) is a queer, two-spirit, Autistic MHPS and has been with Via Hope since 2016. Prior to their time at Via Hope, they served as the Vice President of OCD Texas and still enjoy occasionally facilitating Austin’s local OCD support group. Bobbi has a degree in Linguistics and Russian Language from The University of Texas at Austin and did their thesis work on Language and Identity in Disability and LGBTQ communities. When not working, Bobbi loves hammock camping with their wife and dogs, turning lumber into furniture, memorizing esoteric geography facts for their trivia team, and playing a half-elf druid/sorcerer in Dungeons & Dragons. Bobbi is currently the Program Manager of Systems and Data at Via Hope. They make the internet work.
Maisha Barrett
Maisha Barrett (she/her) spent most of her life in the New Orleans area. She began her college degree at Loyola New Orleans and finished at St. Edward’s University in Austin. She has spent ten years in the nonprofit sector in fields that address trauma. These include mental health, domestic violence, and sexual violence. She is passionate about education and considers herself a lifelong learner. Her educational background includes music therapy, psychology, women’s studies, and art. She is passionate about social justice, healing, and making the world a better place through all forms of art and expression. She enjoys a good story, keeping her hands busy with art, and long conversations on her porch. She is currently the Program Manager of Training at Via Hope.
Behryn Daniel Hatcher
Behryn is a passionate peer specialist supervisor, harm reductionist, as well as a queer rights and drug user activist. With a focus on tangible policy changes conducive to recovery, Behryn’s grassroots efforts and commitment to peer support services exemplify their dedication to effecting meaningful change. They place great emphasis on the transformative power of lived/living experiences, striving to empower individuals to navigate mental health and substance use complexities, foster community connections, and access necessary support systems to achieve their self-defined full potential. Their advocacy is rooted in compassionate approaches to mental health and substance use, underpinned by their core values of unconditional love, limitless compassion, courageous kindness, selfless service, and absolute integrity.
Ta'Kisha Moore
Ta’Kisha Nicole Moore (she/her), a New York native, graduated from Georgia State University with a Bachelors in Sociology. She has been engrossed in peer work for the last 6 years as she has overcome her own mental health battles. Mental Health recovery is near and dear to her heart. She holds the Recovery Support Peer Specialist, Mental Health Peer Specialist, and Peer Specialist Supervisor Texas certifications. Some of her hobbies include embellishing and clothing design, decorating, rug tufting, sewing, baking, candy making, and furniture makeovers. She’s been married for 20 years and has five children.
Bobbie Ramos
Frances Bibby
Frances Bibby is the 2025 Via Hope Fellow. Having worked with the Austin Justice Coalition, The University of Texas at Austin, and the Austin Independent School District to improve cultural awareness and community engagement in local high schools, Frances is no stranger to advocacy and outreach. Frances studies English and Education at Wellesley College. In their free time, they enjoy watching movies, going to art museums, collaging and making zines, and playing with their cat, Ruth.
Miranda DuPont
Miranda (she/her) joined Via Hope as the Recovery Institute Program Coordinator in 2021. She provides communications support, coordinates activities, and assists with evaluation efforts. She’s deeply committed to peer support, trauma healing, and harm reduction policies and practices. She has a Masters degree in social work from the University of Texas at Austin and, in her free time, she practices krav maga and kickboxing and spoils her rescue dog.
Sara DeLeon
Sara started her career with The Museum of Modern Art in New York City in 1978 and retired in 2020. She worked in the Accounting Department as the manager for 20 years, then started the first Internal Audit Department and worked for another 20 years. Sara had an open-door policy with all staff and enjoyed learning about their areas of the museum—it gave her the opportunity to see wonderful exhibitions and she loved hearing what visitors would say about them! Now retired, but still working, Sara loves spending time with her children and grandchildren.