the founders
Chief Executive Officer & Visionary Leader
Nora Hodne is the Chief Executive Officer and Visionary Leader of Word of Hope Inc., a community-based nonprofit organization committed to helping immigrant individuals and families understand their options, navigate complex systems, and move forward with confidence. Founded on compassion, integrity, and service, Word of Hope Inc. exists to bridge gaps in access to information and support for underserved communities.
Born and raised in Ecuador, Nora brings both professional training and lived experience to her leadership. As an immigrant, she understands the challenges many families face when adjusting to a new country—language barriers, cultural transitions, and uncertainty around legal processes. These experiences shaped her passion for community advocacy and informed the creation of Word of Hope Inc.
Nora began by informally assisting friends and family with immigration-related questions, which evolved into a broader mission of community education and empowerment. In 2021, she became an immigration paralegal and has since worked in both public and nonprofit settings. She holds a degree in Paralegal Studies from Essex County College.
Under Nora’s leadership, Word of Hope Inc. is committed to expanding access to accurate information, education, and community-based resources for immigrant individuals and families. Through outreach, education, and partnerships, the organization seeks to promote informed decision-making, self-sufficiency, and dignity for those navigating complex systems. Nora’s vision is to ensure that every person served encounters clarity, compassion, and hope as they take steps toward a more secure future.
Chief Operations Officer
Gregory Hodne is the Chief Operations Officer of Word of Hope Inc., where he provides operational leadership, strategic planning, and program development in support of the organization’s mission to serve immigrant individuals and families with clarity, dignity, and compassion.
Gregory holds a degree in Journalism with a minor in Spanish from Penn State University and has spent more than two decades working bilingually alongside immigrant communities in New Jersey. His experience spans adult education, workforce development, and immigration-related programming, grounded in long-standing relationships and cultural fluency developed through consistent community presence.
Over the course of his career, Gregory served in senior leadership roles—including Deputy Director, Interim Center Director, and Senior Director of Operations—within New Jersey’s largest Latino-led nonprofit organization. In these roles, he led organizational infrastructure, grant development, and the implementation of community-based programs.
Gregory assisted in the founding of Word of Hope Inc. in 2024, contributing to its early organizational formation, governance, and 501(c)(3) establishment. After a period of preparation and discernment, he transitioned full-time into the organization to help build sustainable systems that support its mission and long-term integrity. He is particularly committed to equipping churches and local communities to engage immigration and immigrant neighbors with Kingdom-rooted compassion.
