Meet the Board

President of Today’s Living Hope, Inc. He is currently Assistant Vice President and a Fiduciary Officer at Wilmington Trust. Ralph is responsible for managing the ongoing fiduciary needs of significant personal trust clients throughout the Western New York region. He joined M & T Bank in 2007, which acquired Wilmington Trust in 2011. Earlier in his career, he was a vice president and trust officer at Wells Fargo Bank and practiced law for 25 years in the state of Ohio. Ralph holds a Juris Doctorate from Ohio Northern University and a bachelor’s degree from Wright State University. Ralph loves to build treasurers up in Heaven. Ralph has served in ministry in various capacities and an Elder for 20 years. Currently he is leading a men’s Bible Study and supporting Linda’s call in ministry. Ralph and Linda have one son (Brian) and his wife (Susan) living in Columbus, Ohio and two grand-daughters, Ashton and Christianna.

Esther Guylas comes to Today’s Living Hope with many years of business experience. She started her career in 1969 for Nationwide Tax in Detroit, Michigan and worked for them for many years receiving countless accolades and promotions. Later she was hired as a manager for H&R Block. She was then promoted to District Manger running the Western New York (Buffalo) where over 60,000 tax returns were processed resulting in a 300% increase. This led to her being asked to be President at Jackson Hewitt Tax Service where she served for many years. She was responsible for recruiting and establishing Jackson Hewitt franchisees. It grew from 12 offices to in excess of 250. Finally Esther decided to expand her business skills by opening up her own tax firm, called EG Tax Service in Buffalo, New York. She has been president and founder since 1991, where she operates 32 offices preparing over 1 million tax returns a year. She has authored a tax preparation manual titled: “Tax Matters”, which is updated annually for its use in her income tax preparation school.

Dr. Kathryn Bowman is the First Lady of Antioch Holiness Church in Buffalo, New York where her husband, Bishop Dr. James Bowman, Sr. is the Senior Pastor. Lady Kathy travels extensively through Kathy Bowman Ministries, conducting Empowerment Clinics featuring workshops focused on the spiritual maturation of Christian women whose goal is to encourage and empower women to move from mediocrity to maximization in fulfilling God’s purpose for their lives. In 2008, she was formally ordained as Pastor of Family Enrichment Ministries at Antioch Holiness Church. She takes pleasure in using her talent as a gifted singer and songwriter and as a Minister of Music. “The Worship Experience”, a new CD to be released soon, features Grammy award winner, producer and songwriter, Aaron Lindsey. In 2012, Lady Kathy chaired the Buffalo Western New York National Day of Prayer. As a gifted teacher and a background in dramatics and theater, Pastor Kathy delivers the good message with much grace and wisdom, filled with practical applications, frankness and humor. Dr. Kathy Bowman was educated at State University of New York at Buffalo. In 2010 she received her Doctorate in Ministry from National School of Theology. Pastor Kathy and her husband reside in East Amherst, New York and are the proud parents of four grown children, two of which are active in the ministry, and five grandchildren.

Krystena Nightingale is passionate about shifting culture and creating a positive new atmosphere that calls forth freedom, healing and empowerment to this generation. Krystena is invested in biblical teaching and leadership development, and works with individuals to help them find their purpose and encourages them to walk boldly into their God given destiny. She has a specific desire to see the end of the longstanding oppression and slavery of women in both Western New York and around the globe. Krystena has an Associate’s degree in Social Science, a Bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education and a Master’s degree in Social Work. Krystena also received her Master of Divinity degree at Northeastern Seminary in May of 2015. She lives in Buffalo, New York with her husband, Ryan, and their little boy, Zackary.

Amanda Jackson-Jacobs is an experienced Global Productivity Program Manager with demonstrated ability to influence management and organize cross-functional teams to deliver large scale, complex programs against aggressive commitments. Her Christian beliefs and high ethical standards transcend cross cultural boundaries and strive to meet the needs of underserved community by setting standards of excellence which honor her personal convictions. Her professional and personal perspectives have been greatly illuminated by involvement with several not-for-profit agencies that empower and promote equity for women, girls and boys through advocacy, education and advancement in technology.

Advisors Scott Stockton, President of YOU, Only Better.org and Facilitator of Truth@Work | Lora Warkentin RN, DNS (Former director of Cornerstone Manor/City Mission) | Jackie Stroh, President Clarion Call LLC - Organizational Development and Human Resource Consulting