KACS
Ana is a Partner and Trial Attorney at the personal injury law firm of HGSK, P.C. In Chester County, she has served as a longstanding volunteer of LCH Health and Community Services and is part of their Mission Advancement Committee. She also volunteers in the counties of Philadelphia and Berks. In 2023, she was selected by Governor Shapiro to represent Chester County for a two-year term as part of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs. Within that Commission, she co-chairs the Leadership Development Committee. Additionally, she was selected as the 2024 Chester County Bar Association Community Service Award Recipient. She is a graduate of Georgetown University and earned her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. She is a long term resident of Chester County, where she loves to spend time with her family.
As President of the KACS Board of Directors, I am committed to serving every person who needs our services regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, and/or sexual orientation.
Ellen has lived in the Unionville/Kennett Square area for 35 years where she raised her three children with her husband, Dean. She has served the community and church as a Girl Scout Leader, a Deacon, multiple school booster club, PTO, and club swim team positions . Ellen also currently serves as treasurer for her neighborhood HOA. She has volunteered with KACS since 2020 as a shopper, Luther House deliveries, Empty Bowls, and babysitting for the “Getting Ahead” program. She truly loves the mission, staff, and participants of the organization.
Ellen is retired from a 33 year career in oncology nursing where her roles included staff nurse, Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Breast Care Coordinator. She graduated from Albright College and received her master’s in nursing from University of Delaware. She currently “nannies” for her two grandchildren and enjoys everything about being outdoors.
In my 33-year career as a Registered Nurse, I have treated all patients and families with respect and equality regardless of their diversity. As a KACS volunteer and Board Member I will continue to serve our diverse staff, volunteers, participants, vendors, and associates with fairness, respect, and kindness.
Nick is a native of the Kennett Square area. He currently is the Chief Financial Officer for SEPTA and previously was the Chief Financial Officer for the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission for 12 years. He has held numerous finance related positions for private sector organizations throughout the region in accounting, finance and treasury. He is a graduate of New York University and Wilmington University. Nick and his wife, Sandie, have three children and have generously donated to institutions of higher learning on behalf of their children.
As a volunteer Board Member and Treasurer for KACS, I am committed to a diverse, inclusive, and equitable environment where all KACS clients feel respected and valued regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation or identity, disability, education, or any other bias.
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 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.
Curtis is a business leader with 28 years operational and technical experience in delivering critical business services, leading all aspects of operations and customer service while building top performing, highly engaged teams in fast-growing organizations. He also has extensive project work with third party vendors and regulatory bodies – centered on transformational objectives.
Curtis lives in Kennett Square with his husband Jay and their dog Louie. They enjoy being outside, traveling, gardening, and spending time with friends and family.
My commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as it relates to my board position at KACS is as follows. I am committed to ensuring a fair and inclusive environment for the team members of KACS, the community members which KACS serves, our partners and vendors, and the community at large. I will not tolerate discrimination, biases, harassment, or bullying of any kind. Regardless of race, socioeconomic status, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, nationality, gender, or marital status, we are an organization that celebrates the richness of our community.
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, chaired the KACS Empty Bowls Event for three years and joined the board in 2018. Recently stepping down as President of the Board, she now co-chairs the Capital Campaign Committee.
As a KACS volunteer and Board Member, I am dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion not only within the governance of KACS but also in the services KACS provides. Recognizing the unique needs
and backgrounds of those we serve, I commit to promoting programs that address the diverse challenges faced by our community, fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered.
Tom is a Kennett Square native and works at The Tri-M Group as their Senior Cash Manager. Prior to joining Tri-M, Tom worked in the accounting/finance areas for Genesis HealthCare in Kennett and SCAN Health Plan in Long Beach, CA. He has a B.A. in Economics from The Johns Hopkins University. Tom is an avid runner and has completed numerous marathons and triathlons often as part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team in Training program.
As a KACS Board Member, I am committed to serving all KACS participants, employees, and volunteers regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, religion, and/or sexual orientation and to help foster an environment where everyone feels valued.
Christine is the Director of Annual Giving at Delaware County Community College. In her role, she helps break down barriers to education for students in Chester and Delaware Counties. Prior to joining the Board, Christine was a KACS volunteer and a member of the Empty Bowls Committee. Christine was raised in the Kennett Square area. She is a proud graduate of the University of Notre Dame and currently lives in Kennett Square with her partner, Mike, and her dog, George. She enjoys spending time with friends and family, hiking, cooking, running, and art.
As a KACS volunteer and member of the Board of Directors, I am committed to leading and serving the people of Southern Chester County no matter who they are. Neighbors of all races, genders, ethnicities, religions, and sexual orientations are welcome at KACS.
A native of Delaware, Crystal has strong family, church, and community ties in the Brandywine Valley. This Executive Chef/Nanny turned restorationist, preservationist, and educator, is a Board member of The Kennett Square Underground Railroad Board and caretaker of Bucktoe Cemetery and many other forgotten cemeteries. She is a lifelong member of New Garden Memorial UAME Church which Bucktoe Cemetery is still a part of today. Bucktoe Cemetery is a part of the Kennett Square Underground Railroad educational curriculum and bus tours for Historic Kennett Square and historical sites. She has been preserving Bucktoe Cemetery since the mid-1980s and discovered the Final Resting place of Ten Black Members of the United States Colored Troops serving in The Civil War. AWESOME!!!! As well as countless other graves of extraordinary local people. She is also Vice Chair for Pennsylvania Hallowed Grounds, an organization that helps abandoned or neglected cemeteries and offers support and information to caretakers far and wide across the United States. She is excited to be a member of the KACS Board of Directors to continue to strengthen our community!
Lisa has a lifelong connection to Kennett Square and continues to reside in the area with her husband and 2 young children. She is a graduate of Rosemont College and currently works as an Events Coordinator at the University of Delaware. Lisa has served as the auction chair for the past 3 years at her children’s school and serves on various committees. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and traveling.
I believe diversity and inclusivity are very crucial parts of the culture at KACS. As a KACS Board Member, I am committed to accepting all, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, and/or religion. I am
dedicated to being a part of a community where all feel accepted and respected.
Lauren grew up in Kennett Square and recently moved back to the area. She is currently a Principal Analytics Specialist at Vanguard and has held numerous quantitative research positions across the technology, health, and investment management sectors. She holds a bachelor's degree from Columbia University and a master's and PhD from University of Michigan. She currently lives in the borough where she enjoys hiking, gardening, and watching / playing a variety of sports. As a KACS volunteer and member of the Board of Directors, I am dedicated to championing initiatives that address the diverse and changing needs of our community. I am excited for the opportunity to serve our Chester County community with KACS, an organization I've long admired for its steadfast commitment to promoting integrated programs that provide sustainable solutions for our neighbors.
Paige has called Kennett Square home for nearly 20 years. She actively supported her two sons through their years at Unionville schools. Her commitment to community extends to Boy Scout Troop 22, where she has played a pivotal role for a decade, helping her sons earn their Eagle ranks as a troop committee member involved in fundraising, service projects, and merit badge counseling. She also served as secretary for the Unionville Cemetery Association and spent six years on her neighborhood HOA Board, as secretary and president. Paige has also volunteered for the United Way of Southern Chester County’s Chocolate Festival. A graduate of the University of Florida, Paige's professional journey as a mechanical engineer took her from International Paper Company’s offices in Mobile, Alabama, to Cincinnati, Ohio, and West Chicago, Illinois. Paige believes passionately in empowering everyone to reach their full potential.
Eric and his wife Heather have in and around Kennett Square for almost 22 years and in the borough since 2019. They get occasional visits from their adult children who are proud graduates of Kennett High School. Eric is managing director at JPMorgan Chase, where he has worked since 2002, currently leading the development of deposit products and experiences for the firm. He holds a B.S. from Georgia Tech and MBA from Georgia State University. I have had the privilege of working with and leading diverse teams across the US and other countries and am proud to work for a company with a commitment to DEI. As a KACS Board Member I am committed to serving our neighbors in Southern Chester County regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation, and/or religion.
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.
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.
