Meet the Mercy Pedalers
Sister Libby Fernandez, RSM
“My passion is to serve those who are experiencing homelessness with a sense of dignity, respect and God’s presence between us”
A Sister of Mercy since 1990, Sister Libby founded Mercy Pedalers in 2017 after over 20 years of working directly with people experiencing homelessness in Sacramento. She previously served as Executive Director of Sacramento Loaves & Fishes from 2006–2017 and holds a Master’s in Social Work from California State University, Sacramento. Through Mercy Pedalers, she is committed to welcoming every person with dignity and respect, believing that simply being present, sharing a cup of coffee, and calling someone by name can make a meaningful difference.
Lynn Whitney
Lynn Whitney is a retired Public Health Nurse and Geriatric Nurse Practitioner with over 40 years of experience in healthcare. She volunteers with Lend-a-Heart Pet Therapy and maintains a private holistic healing practice offering massage, Bowen therapy, and other modalities focused on relieving stress and pain and restoring mobility. As a Mercy Pedaler, Lynn’s mission is to radiate love and goodwill to every soul she encounters.
Mark E. Merin
A California-licensed attorney since 1969, Mark earned a J.D. from the University of Chicago Law School in 1968 and an LL.M. from New York University School of Law in 1970. He is committed to advocating for people experiencing homelessness and other vulnerable communities, working to provide hope, support, and a path toward a more equitable society where homelessness can be eradicated.
Michael Saeltzer
Michael brings a diverse background in education, social services, healthcare administration, and real estate to his work with Mercy Pedalers. He began his career teaching elementary school before moving into social services, and later served as an administrator at UC Davis Medical School’s Department of Family and Community Medicine. As a local Realtor and Mercy Pedaler, he is passionate about serving Sacramento communities and approaching every interaction with presence, acceptance, and compassion.
Richard Hernandez
Richard serves as Director of Outreach at St. Francis of Assisi Parish and previously served as Director of Human Resources at the Hyatt Regency Sacramento. A UC Santa Barbara graduate, Vietnam veteran, and former President of the Rainbow Chamber of Commerce, he brings a strong commitment to community service and leadership. As a Mercy Pedaler, his mission is to serve those in need with dignity, respect, presence, and love.
Richard R. Nelson (Rick)
Richard brings more than 30 years of experience in financial services, including serving as Senior Vice President and Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley before retiring. He earned a B.S. in Business from Brigham Young University and completed advanced training at Wharton Business School. He has also served as a board member and two-term president of the Sierra College Foundation in Rocklin, reflecting his longstanding commitment to community leadership and service.
Sandra L. Nelson (Sandi)
Sandra is an author and longtime human rights advocate with a B.A. in Liberal Arts from Brigham Young University. She has volunteered with organizations including NAMI Sacramento, Loaves and Fishes, Mary’s House, and Mustard Seed School, bringing a deep commitment to supporting individuals and families facing hardship. She is dedicated to serving those in need and making a meaningful difference in the Sacramento community.
Tamara Edge
Tamara is a U.S. Navy veteran with a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and a strong commitment to serving the Sacramento community. She has volunteered with Loaves & Fishes, Prison Family After Care, Saint Vincent de Paul, and Young Catholic Adults at Blessed Sacramento. As a Mercy Pedaler, Tamara believes every person has a story worth hearing and is dedicated to restoring dignity and showing mercy, love, and compassion to those most in need.
Austin Edge
Austin is a retired U.S. Navy Corpsman and veteran of the Fleet Marine Force (FMF) with a strong commitment to serving the Sacramento community. He has volunteered with Loaves & Fishes, Prison Family Aftercare, Saint Vincent de Paul, and Young Catholic Adults at Blessed Sacramento. As a Mercy Pedaler, Austin believes in meeting people experiencing homelessness with compassion and dignity, taking the time to listen, learn their names, and offer simple acts of mercy to those most marginalized.
Donna Hoenig-Couch, LCSW
Donna brings experience with Live Oak Center for Psychotherapy and Education and spent more than 20 years with the Center for California Studies at California State University, Sacramento. She values creating opportunities for face-to-face connection and shared humanity within the Sacramento community.
Gale Filter
Gale is a retired environmental prosecutor and educator with extensive public service experience, including serving as Chief of Enforcement for the California Environmental Protection Agency’s Department of Toxic Substances Control and Deputy Executive Director of the California District Attorneys Association. He holds a Master’s in Public Policy from Governors State University and a Juris Doctor from the University of San Diego, and currently volunteers as a photographer with Loaves and Fishes. As a Mercy Pedaler, he hopes to use photography to amplify the voices and stories of people experiencing homelessness, capturing moments of humanity, dignity, and hope along the way.
Malcolm Hotchkiss
Malcolm holds a B.B.A. from California Coastal College and has extensive leadership experience in the banking and financial services industry. He served as CEO of First ULB Corp. and its subsidiary, United Business Bank, from 1994–2016 and currently serves as President of ULB Corp. He is also committed to serving the Sacramento community through volunteer work with Loaves & Fishes and Friendship Park.