Meredith nussbaumerPresidentMeredith Nussbaumer was born and raised in Avondale, PA. She graduated from Bishop Shanahan High School and DeSales University where she earned her Bachelors of the Arts degree in TV/Film. Currently Meredith works as the Commercial Lines Manager at Breuninger Insurance. In her role there, Meredith specializes in marketing and writing business insurance. She has worked in the insurance industry for 19 years. Meredith resides in Coatesville with her husband David, son Edward and daughter Heidi. In her free time, Meredith enjoys volunteering and supporting her community in Coatesville, she loves to cook, sew, make art, play with her kids and go out to enjoy theater, movies, and wineries with friends and family.
|
Shauna YeldellTreasurerShauna Yeldell has over twenty five years of banking and finance experience managing commercial relationships with very diverse industries. Her experience includes start-up entities, growth companies, non-profit organizations, government-guaranteed and community development projects. She is currently the Chief Lending Officer with the Washington Area Community Investment Fund. Shauna has served on numerous non-profit boards of directors and has been an active member of every community that she has lived. Throughout her career, Shauna has maintained an affinity for developing sustainable communities through economic development of under-served populations. She has a Doctorate of Business Administration degree at Temple University’s Fox School of Business. Shauna holds an MSA degree with a concentration in Finance from Lincoln University and a BS degree in Industrial Engineering from Mississippi State University.
|
Sara getchell
SecretarySara Getchell works as a mortgage advisor for Whitecap Mortgage in Kennett Square. She grew up in Coatesville, and after moving to L.A. and Arizona, came back home, and currently resides there again with her husband and two kids. Sara has a BA in Musical Theatre from West Chester University, teaching certification in English, as well as a background in event planning and management. She is excited to work with AHHAH as it involves bringing so many of her passions for children and helping them learn and grow verbally and creatively.
|
Jonette Marcus
Jonette Marcus is the Chief Empathy Officer of The Equity Firm where she specializes in leadership and educational development rooted in the core values of empathy, equity, and excellence. Jonette brings more than 20 years of leadership experience in the education and nonprofit sectors.
Jonette holds a Bachelors of Arts degree in Psychology from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University, a Masters of Education degree in Elementary Education from West Chester University, and a Masters of Education degree in Educational Leadership from Cabrini University. Jonette grew up in Coatesville and currently resides in Chester County. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends. “Service is my rent for living here on Earth.” (Representative Alma Adams) |
Joe pomorski
Joe Pomorski is a Relationship Manager for Presence Bank. In his role as an RM Joe focuses on small business and commercial banking. He attended Bishop Shanahan High School, Millersville University, and earned his BS in Political Science from West Chester University. He is a past member of the East Fallowfield Board of Supervisors (Chair 2014-2015) and is a board member with the Exton Region Chamber of Commerce, A Haven, Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance, and the Pope John Paul II Board of Limited Jurisdiction. Joe also volunteers on several councils for the Exton Region Chamber of Commerce and the Western Chester County Chamber of Commerce and enjoys volunteering for the IM ABLE Foundation in Wyomissing. Joe and his wife Amanda are the proud parents of Kayla (Trace) Pardoe and Henry and reside in Coatesville.
|
Cheryl popeCheryl V. Pope's remarkable journey is a testament to resilience and dedication. Raised in the heart of North Philadelphia, Cheryl faced the challenges of her environment head-on. After a year of college, she made a bold decision to join the United States Navy, seeking an escape from the crime- ridden streets and a chance at a brighter future. During her time in the Navy, Cheryl specialized in communications and served her country during the tense years of the Cold War. Upon returning home as a single parent, she encountered the devastating impact of the crack epidemic, which only fueled her determination to make a positive change. With unwavering commitment, Cheryl returned to college, earning a master's degree in human services. Her career then took a transformative turn as she worked as a substance abuse counselor for seven years, touching the lives of countless individuals struggling with addiction.
Cheryl's thirst for knowledge and her passion for helping others led her to achieve a doctorate degree in addictions psychology. She ascended to the role of Vice President of a human services department within a non-profit organization, playing a pivotal role in its transformation into one of the leading human services providers in Eastern North Philadelphia. In 2021, Cheryl embarked on a new chapter, moving to Coatesville, Pennsylvania. Here, she continues her mission in the field of substance abuse as the director of an outpatient clinic, bringing her wealth of experience to benefit the local community and serving on the board of directors at AHHAH. But Cheryl's commitment to positive change doesn't stop there. In 2021, she founded a non-profit organization, inspired by her late mother, dedicated to improving families, communities, and relationships through the power of literary interventions. Cheryl V. Pope's story is a testament to the potential for growth and impact that lies within each of us. Her journey from North Philadelphia to a leader in human services and addiction psychology serves as an inspiration to all who aspire to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others. |
Susan HankinSusan Hankin is a retired Law Professor whose areas of specialty included Legal Writing, Animal Law. And Public Health Law. She taught at the University of Maryland School of Law and Georgetown University Law Center and spent a visiting semester at Lewis and Clark Law School in Portland. OR. Before entering teaching, Susan worked as a law clerk for the Honorable Collins J. Seitz of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and as a staff attorney for the Whitman Walker Clinic AIDS Program in Washington, DC. Susan is a former member of the Advisory Board of Makom Kadosh: The Jewish Fellowship of Chester County; she currently serves as a member of the Kennett Square Human Relations Commission and volunteers at Lamancha Animal Rescue. She is married to Rob Sigafoos, a former farrier and current metal artist. Susan describes herself as an outdoors enthusiast who has truly internalized the “it’s too nice to be indoors” refrain that she heard throughout her childhood. Among other activities, she enjoys hiking around their rural property outside of Kennett Square with her husband Rob and their three dogs.
|
Community Advisory board
Richard Dowgun: Before retiring Richard was the Chief Information Officer--responsible for all aspects of information technology and telecommunications--for St Francis Medical Center in Trenton, New Jersey. Before that he was the Director of Information and Telecommunication Systems for Temple University Hospital Episcopal Division. Richard holds both a Ph.D. in English Literature from University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Business Administration from The Wharton School, with a Health Care Systems Major. Richard connected with AHHAH through RSVP's VEC (Retired Senior Volunteer Program - Volunteer Executive Consultants) program.
Peter Nelson grew up in Kennett Square, PA. After meeting Jan through Good Morning Yoga classes, he became involved in AHHAH's Expressive Arts classes at the Chester County Youth Center. He has also worked with Trellis for Tomorrow as an Agriculture Specialist, maintaining several gardens throughout the region that help fight food insecurity. At the start of the pandemic, he served as a live-in aid at Mision Mexico, a children's refuge in Southern Mexico. He has also volunteered as a tutor for the Garage and La Communidad Hispana. In the fall of 2021, he moved to Brazil to pursue his medical degree. He hopes to develop the trauma-sensitive techniques he learned with AHHAH and intertwine them in a career in the medical field.
Robert Perna Jr. grew up in West Chester, PA and graduated from Henderson High School. Currently Rob is the Chaplain of the board at the Loyal Order of the Moose 908, and works as a guitarist and vocalist for both The New Kings of Rhythm and also for Onyx and Honey. Rob helps plan music festivals and often provides live music for block parties throughout the city of West Chester. Rob taught music for over 25 years. His hobbies include many forms of visual arts, cooking and archery. His most important job is being a Dad to his son Robert who is 15 years old. Rob currently lives in West Chester and actively supports his community by utilizing his music talents and the many relationships he has developed over the years.
Blair Thornburgh is an author of books for kids and teens, including the picture books SKULLS! and SECOND BANANA and the young adult novels WHO'S THAT GIRL and ORDINARY GIRLS. She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Chicago and achieved her MFA in writing for children and young adults at Hamline University. She now lives just outside her hometown of Philadelphia in beautiful Downingtown, PA. When she is not writing books, she works as a graduate instructor of publishing, a freelance editor, and a ghostwriter-collaborator for accomplished entrepreneurs and thought leaders. If she's not glued to her computer, you can find her at her sewing machine, hiking in the ChesLen Preserve, or rooting for the Eagles.
Paul Salvo worked in the financial services industry for twenty-seven years before retiring in 2010. As a Vice President at J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc., Paul held managerial positions in technology and operations. Work and educational credentials include:
Peter Nelson grew up in Kennett Square, PA. After meeting Jan through Good Morning Yoga classes, he became involved in AHHAH's Expressive Arts classes at the Chester County Youth Center. He has also worked with Trellis for Tomorrow as an Agriculture Specialist, maintaining several gardens throughout the region that help fight food insecurity. At the start of the pandemic, he served as a live-in aid at Mision Mexico, a children's refuge in Southern Mexico. He has also volunteered as a tutor for the Garage and La Communidad Hispana. In the fall of 2021, he moved to Brazil to pursue his medical degree. He hopes to develop the trauma-sensitive techniques he learned with AHHAH and intertwine them in a career in the medical field.
Robert Perna Jr. grew up in West Chester, PA and graduated from Henderson High School. Currently Rob is the Chaplain of the board at the Loyal Order of the Moose 908, and works as a guitarist and vocalist for both The New Kings of Rhythm and also for Onyx and Honey. Rob helps plan music festivals and often provides live music for block parties throughout the city of West Chester. Rob taught music for over 25 years. His hobbies include many forms of visual arts, cooking and archery. His most important job is being a Dad to his son Robert who is 15 years old. Rob currently lives in West Chester and actively supports his community by utilizing his music talents and the many relationships he has developed over the years.
Blair Thornburgh is an author of books for kids and teens, including the picture books SKULLS! and SECOND BANANA and the young adult novels WHO'S THAT GIRL and ORDINARY GIRLS. She earned her undergraduate degree at the University of Chicago and achieved her MFA in writing for children and young adults at Hamline University. She now lives just outside her hometown of Philadelphia in beautiful Downingtown, PA. When she is not writing books, she works as a graduate instructor of publishing, a freelance editor, and a ghostwriter-collaborator for accomplished entrepreneurs and thought leaders. If she's not glued to her computer, you can find her at her sewing machine, hiking in the ChesLen Preserve, or rooting for the Eagles.
Paul Salvo worked in the financial services industry for twenty-seven years before retiring in 2010. As a Vice President at J.P. Morgan Securities, Inc., Paul held managerial positions in technology and operations. Work and educational credentials include:
- Financial and Operations Principal, Series 27 certification from the National Association of Securities Dealers
- Trained in various process re-engineering and data modelling methodologies, including Six Sigma (Black Belt)
- Computer programming certificate from New York University (3rd and 4th generation languages)
- Graduate Studies in Philosophy at the Graduate Center, CUNY
- BA in English Literature from Hunter College, CUNY