Our Board of Directors
Dorothy Pulcher (Board Chair)
Manager, New Residential Contruction, PECO Energy Company
Dorothy is an active supporter of Bridge of Hope and served for six years on the board of Bridge of Hope Lancaster and Chester Counties. Regarding Bridge of Hope's work with homeless and at-risk women, she says, "With accountability comes self-respect; success builds upon success."
Rev. James Lapp, D.Min (Board Vice-Chair)
Interim Pastor
Jim Lapp was ordained over 40 years ago and has served in a variety of elected and staff assignments with Mennonite Church USA, most recently as a conference pastor for Franconia Mennonite Conference. Jim's wife, Mim Book, is also a pastor; they have three children and seven grandchildren. "As I transition toward part-time work and retirement, I want to invest in meaningful ministries that meet tangible needs," says Jim. "Bridge of Hope National effectively meets real needs and I am happy to be a part of such an effort. I am also impressed with the high quality of work done by the staff and board."
Jennifer Schwalm, C.P.A. (Treasurer)
Partner, ParenteBeard, LCC
Jennifer Schwalm is a partner in the Senior Living Services Consulting Group in the Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania office of ParenteBeard, LCC, an accounting and consulting firm. She earned her Accounting degree from Shippensburg University and, in 2009, was named one of Pennsylvania’s “Best 50 Women in Business”. Jennifer previously served on the endowment committee for Lutheran Camping Corporation of Central Pennsylvania. She currently volunteers with United Way Capital Region and is a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. “I’m excited to serve on the board of Bridge of Hope National,” says Jennifer. “I have always been committed to the importance of mentoring relationships for women and girls. The program model of Bridge of Hope is built around mentoring friendships for women and girls facing homelessness.”
Justin Weber, J.D. (Secretary)
Attorney, Pepper Hamilton LLP
Justin is an attorney with Pepper Hamilton LLP. He and his wife, Christina, have two children and reside in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. "I was first attracted to Bridge of Hope because of the successful approach used to break the cycle of homelessness and strengthen communities," says Justin. "Enthusiasm and passion for Bridge of Hope's mission is clearly evident in everyone involved with Bridge of Hope; and it is contagious!"
Peter Barwick, J.D.
Attorney, Alston & Bird
Peter Barwick is an attorney in the Global Finance & Debt Products Group of Alston & Bird in Charlotte, North Carolina. His practice focuses on structured finance. Peter earned his J.D. from Duke University where he was a Williams Scholar. His M.A.R. in Ethics is from Yale Divinity School where he was a Carpenter Scholar. Peter currently attends Uptown Church, a Presbyterian Church in America congregation. “I’ve always been a fan of the vision of Bridge of Hope,” he says. “What appeals to me most about Bridge of Hope is the ministry of friendship component and the engagement of local churches in a ministry that transforms lives.”
Linda Coleman
Retired Assistant Deputy Director for Deputy Commissioner of Disability, Social Security Administration
After 38 years serving in various leadership positions with the Social Security Administration, Linda retired in 2008 and moved back to West Virginia. Now she says she is glad for the opportunity to devote more time and effort to making a difference for individuals in a more personal way. "Bridge of Hope helps individual women create new lives for themselves and their children - lives filled with hope and promise," says Linda, who attends McWhorter United Methodist Church. "I am pleased to be on the board of such an organization."
Lewis Good
Financial Advisor, Master's Advisors, Inc.
Lewis and his wife, Lynn, live in Mohnton, Pennsylvania and have three college-aged children. They attend Christian Fellowship Church. Lewis began his career at Blue Ball Bank and then bought the family business, The Original Good's Potato Chips, which he operated for 21 years. Currently he is a financial advisor for Master's Advisors, Inc. Lewis says, "I joined the board of Bridge of Hope National because I believe it offers a complete solution for homeless women and their children. Jesus Christ is using His church and Bridge of Hope to change lives."
Bill Hartman, J.D.
Vice President, Everence (formerly MMA)
Bill currently serves as Vice President for Organization Services, coordinating Everence' services for profit and not-for-profit organizations nationally. In addition, he is part of the management team of Everence Trust Company, a division of Everence. Earlier in his career, Bill worked for 16 years for the Farm Credit System in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Bill is a graduate of Widener University School of Law, and is a member of the Pennsylvania Bar Association. He also is a registered investment advisor. Bill and his wife, Dot, are members of Hope Community Church, where he serves on the Elder team. Bill and Dot have two daughters. “I believe that Christ’s imperative for us as 21st century believers is to love and serve the people that society marginalizes,” says Bill. “My passion for the work of Bridge of Hope stems from this belief.”
Sheryl Holzbauer
Executive Vice President of Focused Service Hotels, Hampton Inn and Suites Valley Forge and Willow Valley Associates
Sheryl belongs to Holy Trinity Lutheran Church where she now chairs the Family Ministry Committee. She works as director of Community Relations for Willow Valley Associates, a resort in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Sheryl graduated from Messiah College with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration. Previous volunteer posts have included Big Brothers/Big Sisters, Junior Achievement and the YMCA. She is married to Blaise Holzbauer and has three children
Dr. Kimberlee Johnson, D.Min.
Director of Urban Studies - Eastern University
Dr. Kimberlee Johnson directs Urban Studies and Youth Leadership, as well as the Center for Urban Youth Development, at the Campolo College at Eastern University. She also serves at the Tasker Street Missionary Baptist Church in Philadelphia as a minister and as dean of the TSMBC Bible Institute. "Bridge of Hope National's mission resonates with my personal call to serve the disenfranchised, marginalized and forgotten," she says. "Ministries like Bridge of Hope allow single women to consider life and to know there's hope."
Ruth Lesher, Ph.D.
Psychologist and Partner, Behavioral Healthcare Consultants
Ruth is a member of the Grantham Brethren in Christ and East Chestnut Street Mennonite congregations. She is a psychologist and partner with Behavioral Healthcare Consultants with offices in Lancaster and Lemoyne, Pennsylvania. Ruth graduated from Fuller Theological Seminary with a M.Div in Theology and a Ph.D. in Psychology. She and her husband, Emerson, have two children.
Devon Martin
Principle and VP of Sales - Signature Custom Cabinetry
Devon Martin is a principle of Signature Custom Cabinetry, Inc. of Ephrata, Pennsylvania, a firm he co-founded with his brother in 1989. He served as chair for the 2006 Signature Golf Classic benefiting Bridge of Hope National. Devon attends Manheim Brethren in Christ Church. He and his wife, Amy, have two boys. "I serve on Bridge of Hope National's board because I want every child to have an opportunity to succeed," says Devon. "Bridge of Hope's model - meeting the needs of a mother and her children while helping them become self-sufficient - is a model I'm willing to invest in with both my time and resources."
Larry Massanari
Retired Regional Commissioner, Social Security Administration
Larry is a retired federal executive with Social Security Administration (SSA). He was regional commissioner for the Philadelphia region from 1987 to 2003, directing operations for the mid-Atlantic states. Former President George W. Bush appointed Massanari acting commissioner of the agency from March to November 2001. Massanari received numerous awards for outstanding achievement while at the Social Security Administration. He was a three-time Presidential Executive rank award winner and was also the recipient of four Commissioner’s citations, the highest honor conferred upon SSA employees. Larry also chairs the Board of Mathematica Policy Research and serves on two other nonprofit boards. Larry is committed to the work of Bridge of Hope because of our “enormous potential to assist homeless mothers and their children across the country." He and his family live in Exton, PA and attend Frazer Mennonite Church.
Rev. Phil Olson, M.Div.
Pastor, Church on the Mall at Plymouth Meeting Mall
Phil Olson served as vice president of Evangelicals for Social Action and national director of Network 9:35; he continues with ESA as affiliate staff. Ordained in the Presbyterian Church USA, Phil currently pastors the oldest congregation worshipping in a mall: Church on the Mall in Plymouth Meeting, Penna. He also is an adjunct professor at Palmer Theological Seminary in Philadelphia. "Bridge of Hope National enables me to help congregations help families break the cycles of poverty and homelessness, not just serve people in need," says Phil. "The numbers may be fewer, but the impact is greater in terms of positive outcomes."
Cindy Petersheim
Regional Director of Development, Messiah College
Cindy spent the past 13 years as Director of Development at Lancaster Mennonite High School. Cindy also previously served as the Deputy Controller for the City of Elkhart, Indiana. Her personal goal is "to love the Lord her God with all her heart, soul, mind and strength, and to learn to love her neighbor as herself."
Shadell Quinones, L.S.W., M.S.S.
Adoption Supervisor, Chester County Department of Children, Youth and Families
Shadell is a licensed social worker who lives in Chester County and is the mother of a young adult daughter. She has a masters degree in Social Work from Bryn Mawr College and is hoping to begin law school soon. Shadell attends Praise Fellowship Church. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, exercising, writing, spending quiet time alone and praise dancing. Her passion for Bridge of Hope's work comes out of her own experiences as an alumnus of Bridge of Hope Lancaster and Chester Counties (Pa.) and a desire to give back to the ministry of Bridge of Hope and to touch the lives of women and children who are challenged by some of the same circumstances she once faced.
Meridith Ridington, M.A.
Professor, West Chester University
Meridith Ridington teaches at West Chester University in the Nutrition and Dietetics Department. She earned an M.A. in Education from Gratz College and is currently pursuing additional graduate studies in International Development at Eastern University. Meridith and her husband, Tom, attend Frazer Mennonite Church. There she helps with the church’s Ploughshares Community Garden, an initiative that engages the congregation with the community – focusing on healthy eating and living. “I was drawn to the work of Bridge of Hope National,” says Meridith. “I want to participate in the work of increasing Bridge of Hope affiliates, ensuring their success and increasing awareness of the plight of homelessness for women and children.”
Diane Schmeck
Human Resources Professional
Diane Schmeck is a certified Human Resources professional. She attends Grace Evangelical Congregational Church. Previously Diane helped to launch Bridge of Hope BuxMont - the first Bridge of Hope affiliate. "I have been energized by serving Bridge of Hope in my local community and now on the national level," she says. "This model has proven to be successful, is easily replicated and - most importantly - it helps to transform lives."
Joan Gotwals Yoder
Co-Owner Brook Ledge Horse Transportation
Joan Gotwals Yoder is part of the ownership team of a family operated transportation company. She and her husband, Terry, have two children and attend James St. Mennonite Church. "I served on the board of Bridge of Hope Lancaster and Chester Counties at the time when the national concept was ‘being birthed', says Joan. "So it is extremely exciting to be participating at the national level. This program has a proven success record and now it can make a lifetime of difference for even more homeless women and children."
