The Nehemiah Project

Dr. Mary Foley serves as the Executive Director of the Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center, and has since 2012. With more than 15 years of experience in working with victims of interpersonal crimes such as child sexual abuse and adult sexual assault, Dr. Foley uses her passion for justice, advocacy and victims’ rights to help create stronger and safer communities. Mary holds a Master’s degree from Murray State University in Clinical Psychology, and a doctorate degree from Western Kentucky University in Applied Psychology (PsyD) and is a licensed psychotherapist. Mary is certified as a domestic violence advocate through the Kentucky Coalition Against Domestic Violence, is a lead instructor in the Coalition’s Certification Program responsible for training advocates state-wide. Mary has trained at the National Center on Substance Abuse, Trauma and Mental Health in providing trauma-informed care. Mary resides in western Kentucky with her husband of 23 years, Brian, and two sons, John Phillip and Thomas.

Victor Vieth has trained thousands of child-protection professionals from all 50 states, two U.S. Territories, and 17 countries on numerous topics pertaining to child abuse investigations, prosecutions and prevention. Victor gained national recognition for his work in addressing child abuse in small communities as a prosecutor in rural Minnesota, and has been named to the President’s Honor Roll of the American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children. In 2012, Victor was awarded the Pro Humanitate Award from the North American Resource Center for Child Welfare. Victor is the Chief Program Officer for Research and Education of Zero Abuse Project, a 501©(3) nonprofit based in St Paul, MN, committed to education, training, and survivor support in order to eradicate child sex abuse and remedy its resulting harms. He is the 2018 President of the Academy on Violence & Abuse, and founder of the former National Child Protection Training Center (now part of Zero Abuse Project). Victor has been instrumental in implementing 22 state and international forensic interview training programs and dozens of undergraduate and graduate programs on child maltreatment. Mr. Vieth graduated magna cum laude from WSU and earned his Juris Doctor from Hamline University School of Law (HUSL). In 2017, Victor earned an MA in theology from Wartburg Seminary. Mr. Vieth has published countless articles related to the investigation, prosecution and prevention of child abuse and neglect. He is author of Unto the Third Generation, a bold initiative that outlines the necessary steps we must all take to eliminate child abuse in America in three generations, and On This Rock: A Call to Center the Christian Response to Child Abuse on the Life and Works of Jesus (Wiff & Stock 2018).

Deborah is a survivor of a 15-year abusive marriage. She is now in a happy, 25-year marriage and the grandmother of nine. She is the inspired author of the Miraculous Interventions book series with two books approved for the Vatican Library by Pope Benedict XVI. She has now written 19 books and edited another 10. Deborah speaks on miracles and how to go from a "survivor to thriver" mentality.

Balinda is a survivor of intimate partner violence, and has been a Residential Specialist at the Merryman House Domestic Crisis Center for seven years. She is a highly dependable, and highly trained advocate responsible for answering the MHDCC crisis hotline, safety planning, de-escalation and offering trauma-informed care to the survivors she encounters. Prior to working for MHDCC, Balinda worked for the court system and was a consistent volunteer at other human service non-profits.

Pete is the Executive Director of GRACE, which works with faith communities to prevent and investigate child maltreatment. He has 30+ years experience in trauma-related roles, including social worker, foster parent, therapist, consultant, and executive director. Pete works with families, teens, and children who have experienced trauma, including maltreatment and other forms of violence. He has consulted with organizations including Zero Abuse Project, and has served on multiple workgroups, including Ramsey County Youth in Transition Work Group, Ramsey County Ending Racial Disparities Work Group, Cultural Providers Network, and Washington County Foster Care Recruitment Work Group. Pete completed his MSW at the University of Minnesota, where he also received a Certificate in Trauma-Effective Leadership. He speaks nationally on trauma and trauma-informed practice, including at the National Crime Victim’s Bar Association, Academy on Violence and Abuse, Institute on Violence, Abuse, and Trauma, and for Harvard’s Faith and Flourishing conference. He has published and contributed to several articles and book chapters, including Responding to Child Abuse During a Pandemic, Wounded Souls: The Need for Child Protection Professionals and Faith Leaders to Recognize and Respond to the Spiritual Impact of Abuse, and Coordinating Pastoral Care of Survivors with Mental Health Providers. Pete has been a member of Zero Abuse Project’s Speakers Bureau since 2019.

Mike Donald has been serving as the senior pastor at Pathway for over 25 years. Mike also serves on the MHDCC Spiritual Enrichment Program's Advisory Board. He is married to Drusilla (Dru), and they have two kids and six grandkids. He enjoys sushi, coffee, dogs, reading, travel, and spending time with his grandkids.