The Vision House Board of Directors is excited to introduce our new Executive Director, Derek Sciba. Derek comes to us from World Vision, where he was responsible for promoting new initiatives across the United States, including partnerships with schools. Previously, Derek served as Vice President of Engagement at CRISTA Ministries. 

Derek is very familiar with our work, having served on the Board of Directors for six years, including as board president from 2020-2022 during the challenges of COVID. “I understand our work is not transactional,” he said. “It is empowering, personal and it addresses the core problems that lead to housing instability.”

Derek takes the helm from Melissa Gehrig, who is retiring. She served at the organization for more than 20 years - the last 10 in leadership as Executive Director. Her background in HR helped shape a culture of engaged employees on mission together. In retirement, Melissa plans on spending time with her husband, children and beloved grandbabies.

“I’m so blessed by what we’ve been able to accomplish together, and I thank each one of you for supporting our ministry, our mission, and me professionally,” Melissa said. “I’m also excited to be able to hand the reins over to an amazing new Executive Director”

“It is my honor to be the new Executive Director of this great organization,” Derek said. “We are all troubled by homelessness in the Seattle area, and we all want to help. But we also want real solutions. That’s why I love Vision House. Because we offer real, lasting solutions and, even better, it’s done in the name of Christ.”

Derek grew up in Auburn and lives in Newcastle with his wife and their two daughters. Before nonprofit leadership, Derek worked as a reporter and news anchor, most recently in Spokane, Washington and Portland, Oregon.

The mission of Vision House is to follow Jesus in working with the poor and homeless to promote positive transformation of their lives. We offer transitional housing that helps break the cycle of homelessness for families with children. We believe every person deserves a healthy home, not as a privilege but a basic human right. As a Christian agency, we strive to provide opportunities for life change to overcome trauma, generational poverty, and situational homelessness.

To support the mission of Vision House, please consider making a gift that will provide safe housing, food, professional care, and more for a family. And please help us welcome new Executive Director, Derek Sciba!