2026 CAAP Conference

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Speakers

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Mission: POSSIBLE

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2026 CAAP Conference • Speakers • Mission: POSSIBLE •

2026 CAAP Conference Speakers

  • Danielle Amasia is the Vice President of Product Marketing at Hancock Software, where she leads the implementation of innovative technology solutions for low-income and utility energy efficiency programs across multiple states. With over 15 years of experience in the energy efficiency sector, Danielle has guided multiple state programs in transitioning to digital platforms that streamline operations and improve outcomes.

    Her expertise spans from conducting home energy audits and installing energy-saving measures to designing and deploying program management tools that enhance efficiency at scale. Danielle began her career at a community action agency, where she developed a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in the field. She is also a certified BPI Continuing Education instructor and regularly trains professionals on Hancock’s mobile energy audit tools.

    Danielle’s work reflects a commitment to empowering communities through technology and sustainable practices, making her a trusted leader in the energy efficiency space.

  • Serina Asekomhe is the Chief Program Officer at Tri County Community Action, where she provides strategic leadership for programs that support individuals, families, and communities. A trained marriage and family therapist, she is passionate about strengthening organizations through leadership, data, and meaningful culture change. Serina helped lead the agency's journey to becoming a trauma responsive organization and enjoys sharing practical lessons that help organizations create environments where both staff and those they serve can thrive.

  • Rebecca Bieber is Assistant Director for Noncredit Continuing Education for Temple University’s Harrisburg Campus. Rebecca is a  licensed social worker in Pennsylvania with an MSW from the Catholic University of America and a B.A. in Sociology from King's College. With over 20 years in case management, she brings expertise in client assessment, care planning, and intervention, grounded in a systems-thinking approach that addresses interconnected challenges rather than isolated issues. This lens informs her work in program development, where she has designed and refined initiatives to improve service delivery and close gaps in care. In leadership roles as both a Supervisor and Program Director, Rebecca has guided case management teams, provided clinical and administrative oversight, mentored staff, and managed operations including budgeting, compliance, and performance improvement. Her blend of frontline casework, strategic program design, and supervisory leadership allows her to build effective teams and systems that deliver meaningful outcomes.

  • Pat Coleman is a Pilot Manager for the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission, where he facilitates cross-sectoral work among regional partners active in the housing and energy arenas. He previously worked for a building science consulting and program management non-profit organization, New Ecology, Inc.; the Massachusetts state energy office; and affordable housing and advocacy organizations in Massachusetts and New York.

  • Kelsey DeMerlis is the Director for the Center for Community Services at the PA Department of Community & Economic Development.  Within her role, Kelsey leads the Center’s community investments through the Neighborhood Assistance Program (NAP) and Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) program.  Kelsey is committed to creating equitable community investments focused on ending cycles of poverty across the commonwealth.  Prior to DCED, Kelsey led Community Engagement for the City of Philadelphia’s West Philadelphia Promise Zone, implementing a collective impact approach for a place-based initiative aimed to reduce poverty and bring greater opportunity to communities.  She has a background in youth workforce development with an emphasis on community partnership and business development.   

     

    Kelsey is a proud graduate of Penn State University.  Kelsey has been recognized as a Keeper through Leadership Philadelphia.  She also served as the Chapter Director for New Leaders Council Philadelphia.   Kelsey is a current board member at the Clean Air Council, Keep PA Beautiful and Philadelphia’s Sunday Breakfast Club, a space where Philadelphia’s rising and established leaders meet.  

  • Sydney Fancher is a nonprofit and public sector strategist specializing in information & referral, community navigation, and operational capacity building. She has worked nationally with 211s, government agencies, and community-based organizations to strengthen service delivery, improve care coordination, and modernize client engagement through practical, human-centered solutions. With expertise in call center operations, nonprofit management, partnership development, and outsourcing strategy, she helps organizations navigate high-volume environments, complex community needs, and evolving expectations around accessibility and service quality. Known for a practical, problem-first approach, Sydney focuses on reducing administrative burden, improving data integrity, and helping organizations implement sustainable systems that support both staff and the communities they serve. A committed advocate for social equity, Sydney holds a BA concentration of Social Justice in Organizational Leadership from the University of Oklahoma. She is an Inform USA 2025 Networker of the Year Nominee Finalist and serves on Goodwill Central Oklahoma’s Generation Good board. Recognized for her optimism and proactive leadership, she is passionate about driving meaningful change and strengthening communities through collaboration, innovation, and capacity building.


  • I serve as the Executive Director of the Indiana County Community Action Program (ICCAP) in Indiana, Pennsylvania, where I am dedicated to advancing opportunities and strengthening my community. As a lifelong resident of Indiana County, I graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2006 with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and began my career as an auditor with the Naval Audit Agency in Washington, D.C.

    After starting my family, I returned to Indiana County in 2009 and continued my career in the private sector while remaining actively involved in volunteer work and my children’s activities. My passion for service ultimately led me to join ICCAP in 2017 as Chief Financial Officer. In 2024, I transitioned into my current role as Executive Director.

    I bring a people-centered leadership style shaped by both my professional journey and my life at home. I live in a busy household with my husband, our four children, and my mother-in-law. In order to maintain a positive environment with a household full of strong and passionate personalities, I pull from my ability to

    take a step back and walk a mile in the other person’s shoes. I emphasize empathy, trust, and empowerment in my work. Through collaboration with staff, board members, and community partners, I am committed to leading ICCAP into an exciting new chapter that builds on our community’s strengths and supports lasting success.

  • As the president and founder of Strategic Consulting Partners (SCP), an award-winning management consulting firm, Monica Gould thrives on leading organizational change, navigating disruption, and building highly productive, multigenerational teams. Celebrating 31 years of advising corporations, public and private entities, and government agencies, Gould and her team have developed a reputation for extraordinary results and trust among some of the world’s highest-profile brands. A City & State PA 2025 Above & Beyond honoree, Monica’s expert facilitation skills have been at the forefront of leadership training and organizational development for USDA Dairy, NRC, FDA, PA Bureau of Forestry, PA DCNR, PA Department of Veterans and Military Affairs, Virginia State Police, Pennsylvania State Police, UPMC, Bloomberg, Carlisle Construction Materials, Comcast, United Way, Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Focused on developing long-term, sustainable strategies to create healthy workplace cultures, SCP launched a proprietary SCP Growth Index™ and the SCP Wellness Studio™ in 2025. They are a Certified WBENC Women’s Business Enterprise and EMSBC, a PA SDB and WBE, and a 2021 and 2020 Department of Labor HIRE Veterans Gold Medallion winner. Monica is a Central Penn Business Journal 2025 ICON Award winner, 2024 Conference for Women Lifetime Achievement Award winner, CPBJ 2024 Women of Influence Circle of Excellence honoree, 2024-2021 CPBJ Top 100 Power Player, a Pennsylvania Business Central 2025 and 2024 Top CEOs & Leaders, 2025-2024 Top 100 People, 2023 Empowering Women Award winner, and a 2022 City & State PA Fifty Over 50 honoree. As the proud daughter of immigrants, Monica has equipped more than 100,000 leaders to meet the future with clarity, confidence, and optimism. 

  • Dr. Cindy Howard is a leader in wellness and the author of the award-winning Positively  Altered: Finding Happiness at the Bottom of a Chemo Bag. As a Board Certified  Chiropractic Internist and Nutritionist, she owns Innovative Health & Wellness Center and  serves in a variety of leadership positions, including the boards of Inguardia Health and  Fullscript, and as a respected voice and long-standing ACA Illinois delegate for nearly 20  years. Distinguished for her exceptional contribution to her field, Dr. Cindy was honored as  Illinois ACA Chiropractor of the Year (2020) and received the prestigious Flynn-Lynch  award (2015) for her outstanding dedication to health care advancement. As the founder of the Positively Altered Project, Dr. Cindy unites professionals to reimagine  workplace and personal wellness. Through her book, podcast, and speaking engagements,  she delivers science-backed strategies for sustainable well-being that integrate mental,  physical, and emotional health. Known for her warmth and authenticity, Dr. Cindy inspires audiences with her quirky sense  of humor, practical wisdom on resilience, and knack for finding joy amid adversity. You can  learn more about her wit and wisdom at drcindyspeaks.com.


  • Jennifer Donahue serves as a Program Manager in Continuing Education and Program Development at Temple University, where she develops and manages professional development programs focused on grant writing, nonprofit management, human services, and workforce development. Her work centers on building organizational capacity through practical, skills-based training that supports nonprofit, public sector, healthcare, and community-based professionals and leaders. 

  • Rachel Herman is the Food Security Manager for Union-Snyder Community Action Agency (CAA), the CAA serving the same communities that raised her. During her 6 years at CAA, Rachel has helped build community-wide food solutions to better address food insecurity, including launching the region's first Hunger Coalition in 2021 and establishing a local Food Hub, which expanded the agency's overall capacity for food programming. In addition to these initiatives, Rachel oversees the operations of four state-funded food pantries.  Before working at CAA, Rachel served as an AmeriCorps member at the Lewisburg Community Garden. She studied Biology and Peace & Justice Studies at Gettysburg College. 


  • Nic Horting is the Director of the Center for Residential Reinvestment Programs within DCED’s Office of Community Affairs and Development, where he oversees the Department’s state-wide administration of the Weatherization Assistance Program, LIHEAP Crisis Heating Program, and the Whole-Home Repairs Program.  With more than 13 years of federal and state program management experience with DCED, Nic has served as the Director of Loan Underwriting for DCED’s Office of Business Finance, and Administrator of the Pennsylvania Industrial Development Authority prior to moving into his current role as Center Director.  


  • Rachel is an executive coach, leadership consultant, and founder of Blue Bird People. With more than 15 years of experience in strategic HR, she has spent her career helping leaders make thoughtful, practical decisions about their people, culture, and organizational growth. Before launching Blue Bird People, Rachel held senior HR leadership roles with organizations including The Adecco Group, Centene, and Penn State Health, partnering with executives through organizational growth, transformation, and complex people challenges. After a successful corporate career, Rachel chose to build Blue Bird People to combine her passion for coaching with strategic HR consulting in service of organizations making a meaningful impact. Her mission is to provide nonprofits and purpose-driven organizations with the same high-quality leadership development and strategic people expertise often reserved for much larger organizations. Today, Rachel partners with nonprofits and mission-driven organizations to strengthen leadership, improve communication, and build workplaces that are sustainable, for the people in them and for the organization itself.


  • Ed “Kingfish” Lada, Jr. has been the President & CEO at Goodwill Keystone for 5 years and is now also an adjunct professor at Penn State Harrisburg, where he teaches an Experiential Learning Lab focused on the real-world application of artificial intelligence. Ed has spent nearly eight years studying the evolving forms and practical applications of AI, with advanced coursework at Harvard Kennedy School and MIT dedicated specifically to the technology's implications for organizations and society. Ed helps mission-driven organizations move from AI curiosity to real, responsible capability.

  • Melanie Lockwood Herman, Esq. has served as Executive Director of the Nonprofit Risk Management Center since 1996 and has held senior management positions in the nonprofit sector since 1987. Melanie is the principal author of more than 20 books on various risk management topics; her new book Possibilities: A Risk Management Guide for Nonprofit Teams was published in September 2025. She is a fifteen-time member of The NonProfit Times “Power and Influence Top 50.” In one NPT announcement Melanie was described as “One of the most prolific writers and lecturers on the topic of nonprofit risk,” and “the architect of the risk plans of some of the nation’s largest’ nonprofits.” Melanie earned a BA in Urban Affairs from American University (Washington, DC), and a JD from George Mason University School of Law (Arlington, VA). She is a member of the District of Columbia Bar Association and currently serves on two national nonprofit boards (American Foundation for the Blind, and the National Human Services Assembly). 

  • Erin A. Lukoss is the Chief Executive Officer of Bucks County Opportunity Council (BCOC), where she has served for 26 years. She began her career at BCOC as a Self-Sufficiency Coach and was named CEO in 2015. Under her leadership, BCOC has expanded its programs, partnerships, and community impact while continuing its focus on helping individuals and families achieve economic stability and self-sufficiency.

    Erin has more than 30 years of experience in human services and nonprofit leadership and currently serves as Secretary of the Community Action Association of Pennsylvania, Vice Chair of the Bucks County Workforce Development Board, and Vice Chair of the Bucks County Continuum of Care. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Lock Haven University and a Master of Science in Nonprofit Management from Northeastern University.

  • Hattie B. McCarter is a Certified Executive in Health Diversity, Mid-Manager Leadership Coach, transformational leadership strategist, and Founder of MEND Solutions, LLC, where she helps organizations develop courageous leaders and human-centered cultures.

    She is also the Owner and Editor-in-Chief of The Lead Up Magazine, a bold leadership platform built on the principles Break. Build. Become.—challenging leaders to break what no longer serves them, build what leadership requires, and become who the work is calling them to be.

    Recognized as a statewide storyteller and PennLive Trendsetter, Hattie brings more than 20 years of experience to her work developing leaders, challenging systems, and transforming how we think about leadership.

    The Lead Up Magazine: www.theleadupmag.com

  • Beck Moore has over 20 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector. As CEO of the Community Action Association of Pennsylvania (CAAP), Beck advocates for and empowers 43 Community Action Agencies serving every county in the Commonwealth. Passionate about addressing poverty and the Social Determinants of Health, Beck is deeply committed to exploring the intersection of identity, geography, and health in Pennsylvania.

  • Known as a master of the “now what?” moment, Brenda K. Reynolds is an international keynote speaker, consultant, and coach for corporations, associations, and the public sector. She draws upon her experience in two corporate leadership positions, her entrepreneurial journey, and a life that went sideways in 2008 to help leaders at all levels navigate change with greater clarity, confidence, and resilience.

    Through her dynamic and interactive approach, Brenda helps leaders become more intentional about their “use of self” to drive meaningful impact. She doesn’t just deliver insights—she makes the complex simple and helps clients and audiences master what she calls their “now what?” moments.

    Over the past three decades, Brenda has taken the TEDx stage with her transformational message on navigating “Transition FOG.” She has also consulted and spoken for powerhouse organizations such as Goldman Sachs, Sherwin-Williams, and The Body Shop, as well as mission-driven organizations including Junior League International, Special Olympics, and Cincinnati Children’s Medical Center.

    With a master’s degree in organization development, Brenda blends research with real-world consulting experience. She helps professionals—from emerging leaders to top executives—cut through complexity by sharing meaningful insights and actionable strategies. Her work equips audiences with the knowledge and inspiration to create healthy, engaged cultures, develop impactful leaders, and achieve growth through change.

    Brenda has spoken internationally, from the International Society for Organization Development and Change Conference in Beijing to the Designed for Impact Women’s Conference in Bermuda—because leadership and uncertainty have no borders.

    Beyond the stage, Brenda is a two-time Amazon bestselling author of TBD—To Be Determined: Leading with Clarity & Confidence in Uncertain Times and the award-winning 5 FROGS Transformation Journal: Reflections on the Road to Resilience. She places a high value on helping audiences turn learning into action.

    Her proprietary 5 FROGS Framework and Journal and “Now What?” Transformation Clarity Card Deck are creative, practical tools for navigating change with confidence and intention. She also used her expertise and passion to establish COMING TOGETHER, a virtual women’s leadership experience dedicated to the ongoing development and empowerment of women rising in leadership and life.

    Brenda resides in the Greater Philadelphia area, but a small part of her soul lives in South Africa. She believes that behind every “now what?” is a “why not?!” ready to be unleashed!

  • Sarah E. Farbo is the Associate Director of Community Engaged Learning in the  Center for Community Engaged Leadership, Learning & Research at Bucknell University. She supports faculty who teach community-engaged learning courses that connect to community-identified priorities. Sarah oversees the center’s Food Programs, and supports the Community Engagement Leadership minor. Sarah worked in the non-profit field for many years before transitioning to the higher education sector. She credits the many amazing communities she worked with from Boston to Lancaster for helping shape her understanding of how the collective community is a powerful force in creating positive change. Fostering collaboration between Bucknell and the wider community, contemplating how to create spaces that value the dignity and respect of all, and reading a lot are some of the forces that drive Sarah in her life. She enjoys iced-coffee year round, being an Aunt to 6 niblings , and adventures with her spouse, Tom. 

  • Dr. Sam Faulkner is a licensed psychologist and founder of Dr. Sam's Solutions, LLC, which provides speaking, training, and consulting across the country. His training and consulting work centers on staff wellbeing, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress, as well as crisis response and behavioral health systems consulting. The focus on staff wellbeing is informed by his experience building and leading clinical teams in high-acuity settings, including emergency departments, a children's hospital, and the crisis and outpatient clinics he has built and directed. He is Clinical Director of the NEST Clinic at the Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit, an outpatient psychiatric clinic he designed, licensed, and launched to provide integrated school mental health services to youth. He previously directed crisis and consultation services at Geisinger while also serving as an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine. He has published on mental health treatment for youth and on supporting students with disabilities and co-occurring depression. His clinical background is in suicidality, crisis response, and youth behavioral health, and he presents at regional and national conferences.

  • Tom Heckman is the Program Manager for the Community Action Agency of Delaware County, which provides State Weatherization Assistance services in seven counties in Pennsylvania. Tom has been involved with State Weatherization Assistance for over thirty five years holding a variety of positions; he currently oversees over twenty active WAP contractors and the day to day program operations for CAADC Inc. Tom’s program mission is to improve housing quality, reduce energy burdens, and support health & safety for Pennsylvania’s low-income community.


  • Grace Hewitt has eight years of experience in community organizing and grassroots advocacy. As the Senior Associate of Dissemination and Engagement, Grace supports the Energy Partnerships Project and additional NCAP initiatives by fostering network engagement, supporting communications, and conducting research. She began her career in Weatherization and energy programs at the Interstate Renewable Energy Council, assisting in the development of workforce development resources and the Green Workforce Connect platform.

  • Jackie Hersh holds a Master of Social Work degree and has dedicated her career to serving individuals and families through behavioral health and housing services. Her experience includes working as a case manager and supervisor in behavioral health before transitioning to housing services, where she has spent the past seven years supporting federal and state homelessness programs. Jackie currently serves as a Housing Program Manager and is an accredited PREP trainer, bringing extensive knowledge and leadership to her work in helping individuals achieve housing stability and self-sufficiency.


  • Alicia Lysinger has worked in human services since 2016, building experience in child welfare, housing assistance, and case management. Her career has included roles in Child Protective Services, the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program, and Tableland Services, where she currently serves as a Housing Counselor and Case Manager.  Alicia is also an accredited PREP trainer and is passionate about helping individuals and families access resources, achieve housing stability, and work toward long-term success.

  • Aderika McClain is a nonprofit leader with more than 15 years of experience in human services and community action programs. She serves as Senior Associate for Weatherization Workforce Development at the National Community Action Partnership, where she supports national efforts to strengthen and expand the weatherization workforce through innovative strategies and capacity-building initiatives. Aderika designs engaging, data-informed learning experiences for teams and organizations. Her career includes extensive work in youth development, workforce programming, strategic planning, and continuous improvement, during which she has led numerous multi-stakeholder projects and partnerships. She holds a bachelor's and master's degree from Eastern Michigan University and is a certified Diversity Practitioner. Her work centers on advancing transformative change across people, systems, and communities.

  • Julie Jakopic is a leadership evangelist who helps leaders build resilient organizations while changing the world for good. She began in community action as a researcher at the National Association for State Community Services Programs, rising to Executive Director, and has spent decades since as a senior advisor to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Community Services. As founder of iLead Strategies, she has trained more than 2,000 leaders across 25+ states and developed the Planning for Results® framework now used nationally across the community action network. In her own community, she has championed Alexandria's most vulnerable neighbors for 25 years, currently leading Sheltered Homes of Alexandria. A TEDx speaker who has shared the stage with President Obama, Julie has been featured on ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, and in Vanity Fair.

  • Mel Luckenbaugh is the Director of Strategic Initiatives at the Community Action Association of Pennsylvania (CAAP), where she leads strategic projects, oversees workplace culture initiatives, and drives continuous improvement across the network. She provides training, technical assistance, and thought leadership to member agencies, ensuring accessible practices and operational excellence while managing key contracts and statewide initiatives. She is a certified Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree in Positive Psychology.

  • Nicole Matrey is a Senior Health Services Specialist at Geisinger, where she leads the organization’s Food Is Health strategy. Her work focuses on designing, implementing, and scaling innovative programs that address health-related social needs through cross-sector partnerships, sustainable funding models, community-based solutions, and grant-supported initiatives. Nicole oversees the strategic growth of Geisinger’s Food Is Health portfolio, including the development of partnerships that improve access to healthy food and supportive services across rural and underserved communities. Prior to Geisinger, Nicole spent nearly a decade in child welfare and protective services, working closely with families navigating complex social service systems. This experience shaped her commitment to addressing the social and environmental factors that influence health and continues to inform her approach to community engagement, program design, and partnership development. Since joining Geisinger in 2019, Nicole has held roles spanning philanthropy, community health, and strategic program development. She leverages her experience in partnership building, grant development, community investment, and innovation to advance initiatives that strengthen communities, improve access to resources, and support better health outcomes.

  • Debra Mitchell has sat in the meeting where the reorg gets announced and nobody says a word. She knows what comes next. The hallway conversations. The people who quietly check out months before anyone notices. Debra helps nonprofit, HR, and operations leaders lead themselves and their organizations through change from the inside out. The kind of change that asks people to do more with less. Again. And still believe in the reason they showed up. Her work starts with the people doing the work. Because a mission doesn't move unless the people carrying it can. Practiced. Not performed.

  • Diamond Poyer, M.Ed., CMC, CSMC serves as Program Manager, Conferences and Events with Temple University Harrisburg, University College, Continuing Education and Program Development (CEPD) and as an Adjunct Instructor in Temple University's Klein College of Media and Communication. She designs and leads workforce development and continuing education initiatives that strengthen leadership, build organizational capacity, and support the professional growth of health and human services professionals.  Her work integrates strengths-based practice, trauma-informed approaches, and adult learning to design engaging learning experiences that help organizations cultivate healthy workplace cultures where strengths-based leadership is practiced beyond titles.

  • Kathy Rulli is a graduate of Penn State University and after working various jobs from waitressing and teaching Kindergarteners to job coaching she started at the Commonwealth of PA as a social worker in 1999.   She is currently employed at the PA Department of Economic Development and has been working in the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) and LIHEAP Crisis for over 15 years.  Both programs focus on helping low-income households in need of assistance which a central theme in Kathy’s various jobs.  She started with WAP in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) days and has seen the program through a focus on production, quality and energy savings to the realization that Pennsylvania’s housing stock needs to be restored/improved before it can be made energy efficient.  Energy savings, quality and production are still a focus but ensuring the household member’s health and safety is of equal importance. 

  • Dr. Amber M. Sessoms, NCSP, guides people to the moment they hear their own truth. She is a cultural strategist, adult educator, and nationally certified school psychologist, and the founder of Natural Inclination LLC. Amber is the creator of the 3D Power Tools Framework, supporting individuals and organizations in leading from wholeness and building cultures where dignity, not burnout, is the bottom line. An award-winning practitioner and keynote speaker, she centers youth voice as essential to cultural change, healing, and prevention, and co-hosts the intergenerational podcast Living in 3D Power with her 11-year-old daughter, Emma.

    Amber also co-leads Pennsylvania’s Black Youth Suicide Prevention Workgroup, amplifying Black youth voice, safety, and collective care. She is the first person of color to receive Pennsylvania School Psychologist of the Year and to serve as President of the Association of School Psychologists of Pennsylvania, and she currently serves as Chair of the Programs Committee for the Council of Trustees at Millersville University, her alma mater. She lives in Central Pennsylvania with her husband, Devon, their three daughters, Jojo, Maya, and Emma, and their two Australian Labradoodles, Kibou and Hiro.

  • Robin Rohrbaugh is a lifelong resident of York County. She received a bachelor’s degree in social work from Shippensburg University and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Maryland at Baltimore. Robin worked for York County Human Services Department for 12 years and then served as the executive director of the Healthy York County Coalition for 8 years.

    In 2013, Robin was honored to be appointed President and CEO of Community Progress Council, York County’s community action agency.

    In addition to serving on the Community Action Association of PA’s board, Robin is currently serving her second term on the board of directors for the York County Economic Alliance.  She previously served on the Board of Directors for the White Rose Leadership Institute, Planned Parenthood of Central PA, and the Jewish Community Center in York. She is a York Federal Fellow and a graduate of Leadership York’s Leadership Training Program and Non-Profit Leadership Academy. In 2020 she was named a “Woman of Influence” by the Central Penn Business Journal.

    In 2009 Robin was matched with Siy’Asia and Beyonce, little sisters through the Big Brothers/Big Sisters program. Both graduated from Milton Hershey School. Beyonce is now 22 and works and lives in York. Siy 'Asia is a 19-year-old freshman at IUP pursuing a nursing degree.

  • Autumn is a Regional Housing Coordinator and PREP expert at Inglis Self-Determination Housing of Pennsylvania, working at the systems level to ensure accessible, affordable, and integrated housing for people with disabilities across the Commonwealth. With over a decade in social services since 2015, she specializes in housing, re-entry, self-sufficiency, domestic violence, substance use disorder, and child protective services. Her lived experience gives her a unique perspective on the challenges and solutions for vulnerable populations. Autumn is passionate about advocacy, equity, and empowerment, and is committed to equipping individuals with disabilities with the resources, knowledge, and support they need to achieve housing stability and independence.

  • Katie Vorce is the Chief Operations Officer for Habitat for Humanity of Montgomery and Delaware Counties, where she provides strategic leadership for affordable housing and community development initiatives. With 13 years of experience in the nonprofit housing sector, she specializes in program growth, cross-sector partnerships, and scaling innovative housing solutions. 

  • Paul Schwarzer is a Client Success Manager at Design Data Technology Partners, where he works closely with organizational leaders to better understand their goals, challenges, and technology needs. With a background centered on building relationships and supporting clients, Paul is passionate about helping nonprofit organizations use technology more intentionally. He enjoys making technology approachable and ensuring organizations have the guidance, resources, and partnership needed to strengthen their operations and further their missions.

  • Shawn Sweigart is a partner at Design Data Technology Partners, where he has spent more than 20 years helping organizations use technology strategically and effectively. Having served on multiple nonprofit boards, Shawn understands the unique challenges nonprofit leaders face and has a deep passion for helping mission-driven organizations use technology to strengthen operations, protect their data, and expand their impact.

  • Mandy Welty Zalich graduated from St. Vincent College with her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and she gained her master’s degree in Counselor Education at Duquesne University. After working in direct practice for a number of years, in February, 2009, Mandy had the opportunity to become the Executive Director for CASA of Westmoreland, Inc.  In this role, she wore many hats including program supervision, human resources, managing daily operations and finances, training volunteers, assisting with grant writing, organizing fundraising and public relations activities, and many other daily activities. The transition to becoming the Chief Executive Officer for Westmoreland Community Action in April 2019 was a great step in personal and professional growth opportunity. Working within such a great community organization has allowed Mandy the ability to see impacts made on the lives of individuals across all stages of life throughout the entire county. With this role, she is able to make a bigger impact in the lives of her neighbors in Westmoreland County. Mandy sits on serval other boards in her area and in her free time, Mandy enjoys spending time with her friends and family, husband Nick, son Noah and dogs Daisy and Sicily.

  • Dayna Shaw Sear is the founder and CEO of Smart Grant Solutions, the Pittsburgh-based technology company behind the nonprofit financial software, MissionGranted, the first platform solution to simplify and automate grant management and compliance. She is also the CEO of Sear Growth Solutions, a strategic management consulting firm that empowers nonprofits to translate mission into measurable impact through operational excellence, financial strategy, and compliance readiness. With several decades of experience guiding organizations funded by complex multi-grant portfolios, Dayna is a leader in nonprofit financial management, compliance, and systems transformation. Her expertise bridges mission and finance, helping organizations strengthen their infrastructure, enhance transparency, and reduce compliance risk while building internal capacity. Dayna’s dual roles as both a systems innovator and strategic advisor give her a unique perspective on the intersection of technology, compliance, and capacity building in the nonprofit sector. Her approach combines innovation with practicality, helping leaders not only design strategic solutions but also implement them effectively. She is an advocate for smarter, mission-driven operations that redefine how financial management drives organizational success. Dayna is a National and Pennsylvania Association of Nonprofit Organizations Standards for Excellence Licensed Consultant and a Prosci Certified Change Management Practitioner. She is a graduate of the Nonprofit Management Institute at Stanford University and has a certificate in Mergers & Acquisition from Columbia University in addition to holding an MBA and a MA in Nonprofit Administration.  

  • Melissa serves as the Deputy Director of the Center for Community Services at the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development, where she helps administer more than $100 million in federal and state resources that strengthen communities and expand opportunities across the Commonwealth. A graduate of Lock Haven University, and an alumni fellow of the Appalachian Leadership Institute, Melissa is recognized for her collaborative leadership and commitment to equity, innovation, and local revitalization. In addition to her state leadership role, she is also a partner in a small-scale real estate development company, and a founding member of a volunteer community engagement organization in her hometown.

  • Dr. Opeyemi Babajide is a population health strategist, community engagement leader, and foresight-driven advisor who helps organizations identify opportunities, partnerships, and funding pathways that others often overlook. With more than 15 years of experience working across public systems, philanthropy, academia, and community-based organizations, she has led initiatives spanning health, education, workforce development, and community investment in the United States and globally. Her work sits at the intersection of strategy, innovation, and community impact, helping organizations translate bold ideas into fundable and sustainable initiatives. From securing unconventional funding opportunities to building cross-sector partnerships and designing community-centered programs, she is known for connecting mission, timing, and execution in ways that create lasting value. Dr. Babajide currently serves as an Adjunct Professor at Drexel University, advises public and community organizations on responsible AI adoption and innovation, and works with leaders seeking to position their organizations for what is next, not just what is available today.

  • Victoria is a Coordinated Entry Specialist for Center for Community Action in Blair county.  In addition, Victoria coordinates HUD's Point-In-Time Count for Blair.  They have worked at Community Action for over 2 years, but have been working in advocacy or advocacy-aligned roles for close to a decade.  As someone with lived experience in both mental health recovery and housing instability, Victoria is passionate about the intersection of these experiences and how it relates to and can help inform the work of Community Action agencies and their partners.

  • Marie Conley is the founder of Conley Consulting, LLC, a certified Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE) by WBENC that excels in workforce engagement and team building by prioritizing honest communication, active listening, empathy, and kindness. As a certified CliftonStrengths® Coach and SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP), Marie brings thoughtful strategic communication and leadership expertise to help organizations foster collaboration and achieve long-term success.

    At Conley Consulting, Marie’s entrepreneurial approach blends storytelling and leadership development with workforce engagement strategies, project management, and event orchestration to bridge the gap between passionate individuals and thriving workplaces. She believes engagement does not begin on a team member’s first day—it starts with thoughtful recruitment and onboarding, extends through comprehensive learning and development opportunities, and includes engaging internship programs.

    With a focus on honest interactions, empathy, and cultivating positive connections across generations in the workplace, Marie helps organizations build stronger, more united teams while increasing productivity, retention, and brand awareness. This holistic approach creates a ripple effect of loyalty and success throughout the organization.

    Like an “HR anthropologist,” Marie draws upon her experience working with individuals ranging from C-suite executives to janitorial staff, elected officials to frontline workers, college interns, and university presidents. This experience allows her to navigate complex workplace cultures and build bridges across generations. Her perspective offers a fresh understanding of human behavior while fostering empathy and meaningful organizational connections. From employee engagement programs to leadership development, Marie’s philosophy remains constant: empower individuals, foster communication, and make the little things count.

    Marie’s journey is deeply personal. After receiving a rare disease diagnosis in her 30s, she gained a profound understanding of resilience, empathy, and the importance of meaningful connections. Today, these values are central to her consulting approach as she teaches leaders how to engage their teams with empathy, purpose, and clear communication. Her personal journey demonstrates the power of resilience and the importance of meaningful connections in professional life.

    Her advocacy and leadership in the rare disease community have not gone unnoticed. She founded The Conley Cushing’s Disease Fund, serves as co-chair of the Pennsylvania Rare Disease Advisory Council, and is a member of the Pennsylvania Judicial Review Board. Her efforts have earned her recognition as one of City & State Pennsylvania’s Top 50 Women Above & Beyond, a 2024 Pituitary Hero from the international organization The Pituitary Foundation, and a 2023 Women of Excellence Award recipient from YWCA Greater Harrisburg.

    Marie lives in Elizabethtown with her husband, Chris Lammando, and their son, Carter, who is currently enrolled in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps at The Ohio State University. Through Conley Consulting, Marie continues to build a legacy of meaningful workplace engagement, helping organizations thrive by connecting with their most valuable asset: their people.

  • Amanda Burns is the Chief Strategy Officer for the Community Action Partnership of Lancaster County. She leads strategy development across the organization and identifies new opportunities and innovations to further the agency’s vision. Her experience and leadership is focused on building an equitable community, listening to the voices of families, and centering workplace culture.   Previously, Amanda was responsible for leading the organization’s vision for equitable access to early learning as the Vice President of Education. Her impact increased services to the community by 10% through 2 early learning center expansions.  Additionally, she was one of the founders of First 10 of Lancaster County and founded Lancaster County’s first pre-k STEM classroom at Millersville University as a strategy to support parenting students through a whole-family (two-generation) approach. Amanda is married with three children.  She has a Masters in Education Leadership from California University of Pennsylvania, a Masters in Curriculum and Instruction from American College of Education and a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education from Millersville University.  She also serves as a Board of Directors for the United Way of Lancaster County.

  • Georgia joined the Community Action Association of Pennsylvania in August 2023 after more than 20 years with a local community action agency. Her background spans program operations, grants management, agency operations, financial services, and data analysis, allowing her to connect frontline realities with systems-level strategy. As Chief Strategy Officer, Georgia focuses on strengthening Pennsylvania’s community action network through grant-funded initiatives and agency support, including capacity-building, board training, and policy development. She is passionate about helping individuals and organizations align their goals, strengths, and growth opportunities to build meaningful momentum. Her leadership style emphasizes curiosity, collaboration, and continuous growth, grounded in trust, clear expectations, and support. Three things that bring Georgia joy are lazy summer afternoons reading in her hammock, ice cream trips with her husband and dog, and riding roller coasters.  

  • Megan Bair serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Central Susquehanna Opportunities, Inc., bringing over 25 years of expertise in Workforce Development and Community Action within Central Pennsylvania. She is distinguished by her proficiency in operational efficiency, innovation, and program development. Megan is an active participant in various local and state committees advocating for low-income families, with a concentrated effort on creating collaborative programs to address the underlying causes of poverty. Her specialization in services that encompass the full spectrum of social determinants of health, along with her ability to foster cross-sector partnerships, further amplifies her capacity to drive significant change and fortify communities.