Staff
Bonnie Bessor
Executive Director
Bonnie Bessor joined Rebuilding Together Baltimore as Executive Director in 2004. Immediately prior, she worked at Associated Catholic Charities as a development officer for homeless service programs in Baltimore. She has also worked in housing and poverty advocacy organizations as a legislative advocate, community organizer, AmeriCorps program director, and volunteer manager. She began her career by serving people with chronic mental illness. She holds a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Maryland. She is also a graduate of the Weinberg Fellows Program, an intensive leadership training program for nonprofit executives.
During her tenure at Rebuilding Together Baltimore, Bonnie has been instrumental in growing the staff, budget and services of the organization. She has been honored as one of Baltimore’s Top Neighborhood Moms and also recognized as Executive Director of the Year by her peers in the Rebuilding Together affiliate network. Bonnie lives in the Charles Village neighborhood of Baltimore City with her husband Les and their rescued animals Ziggy the dog and Blaze the cat.
Gail Dener
Volunteer Office Assistant
Gail joined Rebuilding Together Baltimore in March 2012, a few months after retirement from the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. She assists with office operations. Looking for a rewarding volunteer job where she could continue to be of service, Rebuilding Together Baltimore was a perfect fit. Prior to joining RTB, she held a position as a Clinical Pharmacist at the VA hospitals in Perry Point and Fort Howard, MD, as well as Memphis, TN, Richmond, VA and Buffalo NY, where she earned her Pharmacy degree in 1972. Currently, Gail lives in the Baltimore County community of Parkville with her husband, Perry and rescued Shih Tzu dog Murphy. Gail enjoys traveling so she stays out of her husband’s hair, scrapbooking, traveling to New York with friends, and gardening.
Derek Moore
Development Manager
Derek joined Rebuilding Together Baltimore in June 2021. He manages fundraising and communications for the organization. Before and after graduation from Georgia Southern University in 2015, Derek served as a Corps Member for AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC) Pacific Region in Sacramento, CA and as a Volunteers in Service to America (VISTA) member with Service Works Online in Atlanta, GA. After AmeriCorps service, Derek moved to New York City (Brooklyn) where he worked for the Bedford Stuyvesant Restoration Corporation as Communications and Development Associate, then as Communications Manager for the 2020 Census Project. Derek is a Baltimore City resident and lives in Madison Park with his partner. He enjoys cooking, traveling, DIY projects, gardening, and volunteering in his community.
Programs
Christian Hall
Program Director Neighborhood Programs
Christian joined Rebuilding Together Baltimore in September 2019 as the Repair and Renovation Manager. He now oversees RTB's neighborhood based programs in Northeast and Southwest Baltimore. Christian graduated from McDaniel College in 2012 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. Not long after, he moved to Baltimore to serve as an AmeriCorps member with Habitat for Humanity. After two years, he took a full-time position with Strong City Baltimore as a community organizer working along the York Road Corridor. Christian is a proud Baltimore City resident and lives in the Ednor Gardens-Lakeside neighborhood with his wife and two dogs, Romeo and Gus.
Akeem Woods
Program Manager
Northeast Baltimore
_edited.jpg)
Mimi Parmaei
Program Manager
HUBS
Akeem joined Rebuilding Together Baltimore in February 2023. He now manages RTB's Northeast Baltimore neighborhood program. He was born and raised in Baltimore City, where he attended Baltimore Polytechnic Institute and The Morgan State University. At MSU, Akeem received a degree in Construction Management. Soon after graduation, he began work with Whiting Turner construction. After three years, he decided he wanted to work for himself as a clothing designer managing his own brand. Akeem is a life long Baltimore City resident and currently lives in Ednor Gardens-Lakeside with his wife and children. When he is not working he enjoys designing, streaming games on Twitch, playing football, and spending time with his family.
Mimi joined RTB in November 2022. She now manages RTB's HUBS program. She was born in Birmingham, Alabama and grew up in Asheville, North Carolina where she attended AB-Technical College for Business. She relocated to the DMV area in 2015, where she began working for a construction company and realized her passion for the remodeling industry. After three years, she decided to start working for herself as a freelance interior designer specializing in space management & project manager. Mimi relocated to Baltimore City in 2022 and lives in the Remington neighborhood with her partner and children. When she is not working, she enjoys working on art with her partner, spending time with her two children, & baking.
.jpg)
Spencer Larkin
Program Manager
Southwest Baltimore
Spencer began working at Rebuilding Together Baltimore in December 2023. He manages the Southwest Baltimore neighborhood program. Spencer is from Washington DC and has lived in Baltimore since 2017. He attended Oberlin College and earned a degree in Spanish Language Studies. Each summer throughout college and afterwards, Spencer worked for a residential construction company in DC, first as general labor and later as an assistant carpenter. Spencer left construction in 2016 to join Americorps and eventually to work for years in Baltimore-based non-profits, primarily working with children and families as an employee of Catholic Charities. When not at work, Spencer enjoys being in nature, travelling, soccer, and spending time with his family and friends, in particular his newborn niece.
.jpg)
Grace Parente
Program Manager
BCAUSE
Grace joined Rebuilding Together Baltimore in December 2023. She manages RTB’s Baltimore County Age-Friendly Upgrades for Seniors (BECAUSE) program. Grace was born and raised in Northeast Baltimore before moving to California to attend the University of California, Berkeley, where she received a degree in American Studies. Post graduation, Grace worked as a behavioral therapist supporting children with autism and their families. After living in the Bay Area for 7 years, she returned to Baltimore to be closer to her family. Grace received her Masters’ degree in Social Work from Morgan State University in May of 2023. She currently lives in Loch Raven Village with her wife and their dog, Frankie. When she is not working, Grace enjoys creating art, spending time in nature, and advocating for social justice and mental wellness.