Meredith nussbaumer

President

Meredith 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 Yeldell

Treasurer

Shauna 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

Secretary

Sara 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.

Dr. travis sky ingersoll

Dr. Travis Sky Ingersoll is a Social Work Professor at West Chester University, an Academic Textbook Author, and the founder of Helping Hands Books, a social venture dedicated to supporting youth development. Throughout his teenage years, Travis was fortunate to be an active participant in The Town Shop Youth Center, an after-school youth-development program located in Camillus, New York; created and operated by David and Cheryl Vermilya. That experience profoundly and positively impacted his life in many ways. It was there that Travis came to understand the vitally important roles that youth-serving programs provide to children and adolescents in their communities. Serving on the Board for AHHAH is in alignment with his personal mission to support and give back to the field of youth development in loving honor of those who gave so much to him. 

Meaghan murphy

Meaghen Murphy wears many hats, both professionally and with AHHAH. An avid traveler, Meaghen developed a strong love for cooking and storytelling as a way to foster connection, understanding and creativity in every lived experience. She currently holds a BA from Columbia University and an MS from University of Edinburgh, and she is currently pursuing her J.D. , a dream reified by her work with marginalized and criminalized youth.   She currently serves as an instructor and curriculum developer for Brains, Grains and Tissues, as well as assistant grant writer. 

Robert perna jr.

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. 

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, Fiorenza’s Food for Friends, Coatesville 2nd Century Alliance, and the Pope John Paul II Board of Limited Jurisdiction.  Joe also serves on the Finance Committee for Kennett Area Community Service and 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. 

oni lasana

Oni Lasana, a 38-year resident of Coatesville, co-founder of the Coatesville Cultural Society, Coatesville Kwanzaa Committee, Chair of Freedom Valley Girl Scout Diversity Project, West Chester Community Performers Creative Director, and former board member of CYWA. www.OniLasana.com

Sherry mccormack

"One of my most valued possessions is a coin I received from Hallmark Cards in 1982 after my first year of work. It reads, “Service is the foundation of any worthy enterprise.” I kept that coin in my pocket and thought often about what this “service” could mean for me. As a result, I set upon a life-long path to discover the joys of service to others. I learned the value of being a trained volunteer from the Junior League of Philadelphia. I grew in patience, kindness, creativity and joy while raising my three children and volunteering as a teacher at my church, home room and soccer mom. My ability to love expanded as I cared for other children in my home. That service took on new meaning as my children all attended school and I worked as a sales representative for several different firms in the real estate industry.  I learned service also means discipline, stewardship and keeping a good schedule. Then there were decades of involvement with Chester County Scouts BSA, founding the first chapter of 100+ Women Who Care, fellowship with Latino Luncheon, supporting the Grounds Committee of the West Chester YMCA and leading a local Malvern networking group to support businesses and nonprofits. In addition, today I find myself in a unique position of being a voting board member of the Pennsylvania Association of REALTORS fighting for equity and inclusion all while serving the real estate needs of my clients. Most of all, it is my distinct pleasure to learn, grow and serve with so many compassionate hearts at Arts Holding Hands and Hearts to help stop the cycle of cradle to prison. "

Dana looker

Cheryl pope

Dana has worked as a nonprofit fundraiser for over a decade. But, as it did for many of us, the COVID pandemic made her think about her future goals and legacy. Being an avid reader and book nerd since childhood, Dana decided it was time to pursue her dream of opening an independent bookstore in her community. Shortly after opening Looker Books in Coatesville, PA, she sought out a nonprofit organization to help her bring the Dolly Parton Imagination Library to Coatesville. AHHAH was the perfect fit. Dana now serves as the Administrative Director for the Chester County Imagination Library processing registrations, creating reports for AHHAH and partner organizations, and communicating with families about the program. Dana lives in Coatesville with her husband, Jim, and their three furry children.

Cheryl 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 thepotential 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.

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. 
 
Blair Thornbugh 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  

Paul has served on the board of directors for the United Way of Southern Chester County and has been on the advisory board for Arts Holding Hands and Hearts, a non-profit organization in Chester County, PA. Paul is a resident of Kennett Square. Paul is a former United States Marine and Vietnam veteran who practices Tai Chi and writes literary fiction.