KACS
Ellen has lived in the Unionville area for over 30 years, where she raised her three children with her husband, Dean. She has served the community and church as a Girl Scout leader, deacon, volunteer with school booster clubs, PTO, swim teams and her neighborhood HOA. She has volunteered with KACS since 2020 as a shopper, Luther House delivery volunteer, Empty Bowls helper, and a babysitter for the “Getting Ahead” community education program.
Ellen is retired from a 33-year career in oncology nursing, where she served as a staff nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Breast Care Coordinator. She earned her master’s degree in nursing from University of Delaware.
She enjoys serving her community through her work at KACS and focuses on treating neighbors with fairness, respect, and kindness. Today, she also spends time “nannying” for her two grandchildren and enjoys being outdoors.
Curtis Fenstermacher joined the KACS Board out of a deep belief that every person deserves stability, dignity, and hope. After spending more than three decades in banking and operations, he wanted to use his experience to make a real difference close to home.
Curtis has seen firsthand how a caring community can change lives, and he’s passionate about helping KACS build systems and partnerships that give families a path forward when times are tough. He’s especially drawn to the organization’s hands-on, compassionate approach—meeting people where they are and walking with them toward a better future.
When he’s not working with KACS, Curtis enjoys traveling, being outside in nature, and spending time with his family.
Nick is a native of the Avondale and Kennett Square areas. He recently retired from SEPTA where he served as Chief Financial Officer. Prior to that, he spent 20 years at the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, including 12 years as a CFO. He has held numerous finance, treasury, and accounting leadership roles in both private and public sectors. Nick is a graduate of New York University and Wilmington University.
Nick is committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where all KACS neighbors feel respected and valued. During his time as Treasurer for KACS, he has seen a significant increase in community need and the expansion of KACS to meet those needs.
He believes strongly in giving back and in helping individuals through times of crisis while supporting their long-term stability. Nick and his wife, Sandie, have three children and are proud first-time grandparents.
Carrie has been a resident of Kennett Square since 1979 when, fresh out of Smith College, Charles Patton hired her to teach at UCFSD Middle School. After a ten year career as a middle school teacher, she spent 10 years as the Executive Director of Tick Tock Early Learning Center. She has just retired from 20 years as the CEO of United Way of Southern Chester County and is eager to bring her decades of nonprofit leadership skills and knowledge of this area's needs to benefit KACS.
“The idea that some lives matter less is the root of all that is wrong with the world.” Dr. Paul Farmer. I believe that ALL humans are equal and should be treated as such. I appreciate and support that KACS respectfully meets everyone without regard to personal differences or backgrounds and offers a helping hand to anyone in need.
Andrea, a lifelong resident of Kennett Square and proud single mother to a neurodivergent 9-year-old son, is deeply committed to fostering diversity and inclusivity within her community.
She holds an associate degree in liberal arts from the Community College of Philadelphia. She is also a graduate of the Bridges Out of Poverty: Getting Ahead Program and Financial Empowerment Workshop.
Andrea brings a unique ‘ground zero’ perspective to her work, drawing from personal experiences to connect with individuals across all walks of life. She is dedicated to ensuring that all KACS participants feel seen, heard, valued, and supported.
Andrea is deeply committed to serving others, striving to be a compassionate advocate for those in need. Guided by a purpose greater than herself, she is dedicated to preserving the legacy of KACS, ensuring it remains a beacon of hope and support for individuals and families for generations to come.
Lynn and her husband, Will, have been residents of Kennett Square for over 20 years. Lynn began volunteering as a shopper at the Food Cupboard in 2014 and joined the board in 2018. Since then, she has served as board president and chaired the Empty Bowls fundraiser multiple times. She is now co-chairing the Capital Campaign, bringing her passion for the mission and her strength as a fundraiser to this next chapter of KACS’s work.
Lynn is drawn to KACS’s focus on fairness and believes that everyone deserves a chance to be the best they can be. She is proud to be part of an organization that provides the tools and services to help people move towards stability, always with dignity and care.
She also values the friendships she has built with participants, staff, and volunteers, and the continual learning that comes from those relationships.
Tom is a Kennett Square native and serves as Senior Cash Manager at the Tri-M Group. Prior to joining Tri-M, he worked in accounting and finance roles with Genesis HealthCare in Kennett Square and SCAN Health Plan in Long Beach, California. He holds a B.A. in Economics from The Johns Hopkins University.
Tom is an avid runner who has completed numerous marathons and triathlons, often as part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program.
As a KACS board member, Tom is committed to fostering an environment where all participants, staff, and volunteers feel valued.
Christine Bacon is the Associate Director of Leadership Gifts at Haverford College, where she advances philanthropic support that expands access, opportunity, and student success. Her career in development reflects a strong commitment to community impact and service.
A longtime resident of the Kennett Square area, Christine first became involved with KACS as a volunteer and member of the Empty Bowls Committee. Those experiences deepened her connection to the organization’s mission and the neighbors it serves.
Christine serves on the Board because she believes in dignity, compassion, and belonging for all. She is inspired by KACS’s role in fostering stability, fairness, and hope, and by its commitment to meeting people where they are with care and respect.
She is a graduate of the University of Notre Dame and lives in Kennett Square with her husband, Mike, and their dog, George. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, hiking, cooking, running, and visiting art museums.
Crystal is a native of Delaware with deep family, church, and community ties throughout the Brandywine Valley. Her career path has been anything but tradition, beginning as an executive chef and nanny and house manager, and evolving into a restorationist, preservationist, and educator.
She is President of the Kennett Square Underground Railroad and serves as a site coordinator of Bucktee Cemetery and several other historically significant burial grounds. A lifelong member of New Garden Memorial UAME Church, Crystal has identified the final resting place of ten black soldiers who served in the United States Colored Troops during the Civil War.
Crystal also serves as the Vice Chair of Pennsylvania Hallowed Grounds, an organization that supports the restoration and care of abandoned and neglected cemeteries across the United States. As a KACS board member, she is proud to help strengthen and support the Southern Chester County community.
Paige has called Kennett Square home for nearly 20 years. She began her professional career as a mechanical engineer at International Paper Company. Her early professional experience emphasized careful analysis, problem-solving, and responsibility within complex organizations.
Her connection to the community has been shaped by long-term involvement in local schools and civic organizations. She supported her two sons through the Unionville schools and volunteered extensively in the school libraries throughout their school years. She has also been deeply involved with Boy Scout Troop 22 for more than a decade, helping her sons earn their Eagle ranks while serving as an engaged troop committee member. In addition, Paige has served as secretary of the Unionville Cemetery Association and spent time on her neighborhood HOA Board.
Paige serves on the KACS board because she believes strongly in the dignity of others and in the importance of compassionate, stable systems that support individuals and families during times of need. She is motivated by the conviction that communities are strongest when people are met with respect, fairness, and opportunity.
Eric and his wife, Heather, have lived in and around Kennett Square for nearly 22 years. They enjoy visits from their adult children, who are proud graduates of Kennett High School.
Eric is a managing director at JPMorgan Chase, where he has worked since 2002. He currently leads the development of deposit products and customer experiences for the firm. He holds a B.S. from Georgia Tech and MBA from Georgia State University.
Throughout his career, Eric has worked with and led diverse teams across the United States and internationally. As a KACS board member, he is committed to serving neighbors across Southern Chester County with dignity, respect, and fairness for all.
Shannon is a Kennett Local having lived in the area for over 20 years. She attended Unionville schools where she met her now husband, and received her bachelors degree from the Honors College of West Chester University. Shannon’s career has primarily been focused in regulatory affairs and operations, including roles at Johnson and Johnson, Chatham Financial and a local real estate team. She transitioned to the role of Administrative Assistant at Kennett Area Community Service for a year before the birth of her baby boy.
Shannon’s now home with her son full time, but maintains her commitment to KACS and their mission as a board member. Having been an employee, she has a unique perspective of and appreciation for the programs at KACS and the individuals they assist. She is focused on helping KACS, the neighbors it serves, and its employees. Shannon is passionate about working towards ending poverty in our community and helping all people thrive.
Don is a lifelong Kennett Square resident and graduate of Kennett High School. He and his wife, Heather, raised their three children in the area; Don has been a coach, volunteer and board member with various youth sports leagues. He currently serves as the Treasurer for the Church of the Advent in Kennett Square.
Don brings more than three decades of progressive senior leadership experience at Airgas, where he held key roles in corporate development, operations, finance, and division management. He retired as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development, leading the company’s acquisition program. Don is a former CPA and holds a B.S. in Accounting from Pennsylvania State University.
Throughout his career, Don prioritized fairness, respect, and appreciation for every employee, recognizing each person as a valuable contributor and essential part of the community. As a KACS board member, he is committed to continuing that approach and fostering an environment where participants, staff, and volunteers feel respected, valued, and empowered to succeed.
