Staff Directory
Rebecka Feola
President, Executive Director, Board Member
The NJF Center for Caregivers, Inc. was established as a non-profit organization by Rebecka Feola in honor of her late husband, Neil Feola, Jr. Neil suffered from a degenerative brain disease for 18 years and Rebecka was his sole informal caregiver, companion and confidant for 11 years. Neil passed away on April 16, 2005 in a private care facility.
As Executive Director, Rebecka plans, directs and oversees all aspects of NJF Center’s policies, programs and operations. She is responsible to the board of directors for the management of short and long-term funding and growth of the company. Rebecka also presides over the board of directors.
Rebecka is experienced in the process of seeking resources, finding information on diseases and their care, legalities of being an informal caregiver and guardian, and the process of care facility placement and death. She has experience from the time of diagnosis to the time of death and burial. She is experienced in working with the insurance and medical systems, social services and the legal system.
Prior to her role as caregiver, Rebecka worked for Eden Housing, Inc. in Hayward, California. Eden Housing is also a nonprofit corporation that develops affordable and safe housing for low income families throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and northern California. Rebecka’s duties included heading the scholarship program, conducting the initial rent-up of new complexes, acting as liaison between Eden’s directors and government officials, and conducting events such as ground breaking ceremonies and grand openings. She was also co-editor of the Eden Housing newsletter.
Rebecka is currently enrolled in the Arizona State University Nonprofit Management Institute’s Professional Development Certificate Program. This comprehensive certificate program targets key skills and knowledge needed to successfully manage a nonprofit organization.
You can reach Rebecka at: Phone: (480) 473-4969 Email: becky@njfcenter.org
Bob M. Mancini
Director of Operations
Bob Mancini serves as the Director of Operations for the NJF Center for Caregivers. He oversees the telecommunications systems and website for the NJF Center. Bob supervises the administrative and Client Services departments, oversees all company meetings, events and training sessions. His responsibilities also include public relations, business development, policies and procedures, and human resource management.
Before collaborating with Rebecka Feola in the creation of the NJF Center for Caregivers, Bob worked in hospitality and education where he served in various management positions, including: Liaison to the Press and Outside Organizations, Auxiliary Director, and School Director.
You can reach Bob at: Phone: (480) 473-4969 Email: bobm@njfcenter.org
Susanne Schaeffer
Lead Social Worker
Susanne Schaeffer is NJF Center for Caregivers, Inc.’s Lead Social Worker. She is responsible for interviewing, coordinating and planning services/support for our clients and their families. She offers crisis intervention and assists families in understanding how to avoid crisis situations. Susanne’s responsibilities include providing research and referrals to clients and maintaining contact with clients.
Susanne brings twenty years of experience in social work to the NJF Center. In 1992, she earned a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of Arizona. Prior to working at NJF Center for Caregivers, Inc., Susanne worked for Child Protective Services in Arizona for seven years and Adult Protective Services for three years. Susanne also owned and operated Above and Beyond Senior Placement Service, serving the entire Phoenix metropolitan area for eleven years. She has collaborated with several attorneys who specialize in elder law, acting as their social services and placement coordinator. Her past experience includes working with all age groups, the disabled and the mentally challenged. Susanne often volunteers in many of the care homes and nursing facilities that she associates with.
You can reach Susanne at: Phone: (480) 473-4969 Email: susanne@njfcenter.org
Board and Staff
The board of directors of the NJF Center for Caregivers is comprised of three members, all of whom are former or current informal caregivers. Rebecka Feola is the founder and Executive Director of NJF Center and a former informal caregiver. Nanci F. Scheevel is a Housing Manager with the Housing Authority of Alameda County in Hayward, California and a current informal caregiver. Judy Peters is the Bereavement Coordinator for Hospice of Arizona and a former informal caregiver. All three board members bring years of invaluable experience with informal caregiving, business management and the nonprofit sector.
The board of directors has final responsibility for all policies and activities of NJF Center for Caregivers, Inc. The board operates on a volunteer basis and is not compensated for board activities.