OUR 2025 Keynote Speakers
Jess Grier, MS, MBA, LPC (she/her)
WellSpan Health
Jess Grier, MS, MBA, LPC (she/her)
WellSpan Health
Jessica Grier brings over 25 years of experience in community-based behavioral health, with a strong foundation in both clinical care and leadership. She holds a Master’s in Clinical Counseling, an MBA in Healthcare Administration, and is a Licensed Professional Counselor.
Jessica currently oversees eight behavioral health programs across four counties, guiding a broad team of professionals. Her leadership centers on developing strong, effective leaders who drive lasting change in their communities.
She is also a dedicated community advocate, serving on the board of the Lebanon Community Health Council, co-chairing the Annual Cultural Diversity Conference, and contributing to several local coalitions, including the Better Together Behavioral Health Committee and the United Way Community Impact Committee.
Facilitator: Morning Keynote, Who is my neighbor?
Who is my neighbor? A deeper dive.
The keynote will kick off the conference and frame our central question: Who is My Neighbor? It will provide a high-level overview of Lebanon County’s current population and demographics, and include insights from grassroots community leaders. Together, we’ll explore practical ways to connect with and support our neighbors.
Moderator: Jess Grier
Content expert: Nicole Gray
Panelists: Laurie Funk, Maggie Progin, Guadalupe Barba, Richard Mahida, Amber Abreu
River Crossing Playback Theatre
Embodied Empathy in Community Stories
River Crossing Playback Theatre
Embodied Empathy in Community Stories
River Crossing Playback Theatre is an ensemble in the lower Susquehanna Valley building community through the dramatic portrayal of real-life stories since 2008. Playback Theatre is a practice and performance structure developed in New York in the 1970s, now practiced by more than 50 groups in the United States and hundreds more worldwide. In Playback Theatre, audiences tell, watch and learn from their own stories, honoring each story in a ritual practice and participating in a new common story that honors both their differences and common ground. The River Crossing ensemble draws from members in Dauphin, Cumberland, Lancaster, York and Baltimore counties. See more at www.rivercrossingplayback.org.
Session: Afternoon Keynote, Getting to Know You
Getting to Know You: Encountering Neighbors from Near and Far
An improvisational theatre experience with River Crossing Playback Theatre with facilitated audience engagement through Advoz to transform personal and structural conflicts into constructive actions and resilient relationships.
Presenters: River Crossing Playback Theater and Advoz
THE 2025 Event Speakers
Michael Diller, PsyD.
Wellbeing Program Coordinator, WellSpan Health
Michael Diller, PsyD.
Wellbeing Program Coordinator, WellSpan Health
Dr. Michael Diller is a Licensed Psychologist and has more than 30 years of clinical experience. He earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh, a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology from Loyola College in Maryland and a Doctor of Psychology Degree in Clinical Psychology from the University of Hartford. He spent nineteen years in clinical practice, fifteen of those years at WellSpan Behavioral Health (WBH), now known as WellSpan Philhaven. He was the Director of WellSpan EAP from 2016 to 2024 and is now the Wellbeing Program Administrator, part of a dyad leadership team, responsible for the system-wide Wellbeing strategy. He remains passionate about finding better ways to support our fellow coworkers, raising awareness of mental health issues in the workplace, and offering ways we can provide a culture of caring to support overall Wellbeing. Dr. Diller has presented on these topics at the local, state, and national levels and was a past recipient of Central Penn Business Journal’s Health Care Heroes award in the Mental Health Caregiver Hero category.
Session: Fatigue to Fortitude: Strategies for Sustaining Advocacy and Compassion
Salena J. Coachman
VP of Talent Sustainability and Talent Acquisition, Armstrong World Industries
Salena J. Coachman
VP of Talent Sustainability and Talent Acquisition, Armstrong World Industries
Salena is the VP Talent Sustainability & Talent Acquisition, at Armstrong World Industries.
Salena is responsible for development and execution of talent acquisition, learning and development
and programs that support the company’s talent sustainability (People Pillar).
Before joining AWI, Salena worked for ExpressJet Airlines for 22 years where her last role was as
Director of Employee Relations, Engagement and Culture.
While at ExpressJet, she served as board president of WINGS, When in Need Get Support, the
companies non-profit foundation and now serves as board president of the AWI Foundation. Since
moving to Lancaster County in April 2021, Salena has become an active part of the Lancaster County
community and serves as a board member of the Lancaster County Community Foundation, Lancaster
United Way, Lancaster Cleft Palate Clinic, Brightside Opportunity Center, Lancaster County Workforce
Development, facilitator for Career Ready Lancaster, and committee advisory member LancasterMakes
(STEM promotion organization), Habitat for Humanity and both the Lancaster Chamber Excellence
Exchange and Women in Business.
Salena studied English and Vocal and Performing Arts at the University of Texas at Arlington and later
transferred to the University of Houston. She enjoys life to the fullest enjoying her family, traveling,
cooking, and as a fitness enthusiast.
Session: Fatigue to Fortitude: Strategies for Sustaining Advocacy and Compassion
Loice Byler
Community Education Advisor, IU 13
Loice Byler
Community Education Advisor, IU 13
Mrs. Byler is a student advisor and cultural navigator with the IU13. Mrs. Byler is passionate about welcoming new Americans (former refugees) who have resettled in her city. She advocates for culturally relevant education, trauma healing, accessible housing, employment, and community building. She has participated in advocacy for an office for new Americans at the state capital, and with senators, state representatives, and local leaders' offices.
Session: Snapshot into the Classroom
Corinne Goodwin
Founder/Executive Director, PA Trans Equity Project
Corinne Goodwin
Founder/Executive Director, PA Trans Equity Project
Corinne Goodwin (She/They) is the founder and Executive Director of Eastern PA Trans Equity Project a non-profit organization which has a mission of empowering transgender individuals throughout a 42-County area of Eastern and Central Pennsylvania. An award-winning community leader and in-demand speaker, Corinne actively works on issues impacting the lives of LGBTQ Pennsylvanians. This includes serving as a founding board member of Keystone Equality and working in coalition with organizations that include the Human Rights Campaign, Pennsylvania Commission for Fairness & Justice, the ACLU, the Pennsylvania Youth Congress, the United Way, various LGBTQ Chambers of Commerce, and more.
Session: The State of LGBTQ+ Rights
Shila Ulrich, MSW
CEO, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
Shila Ulrich, MSW
CEO, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
Shila Williams Ulrich is a 2005 graduate of LVC and previously served as the executive director for The Caring Cupboard, a choice food pantry aiding the Palmyra, Annville, and Cleona areas. Shila also led the effort to assume JOY food pantry in Jonestown.
Shila is passionate about building strong communities through collaboration and has worked in many capacities to realize this vision. She has served on the board of Palmyra Interfaith Manor and Lebanon County Housing Authority. Along with several other community members, Shila founded Palmyra’s Great Give which has raised more than $150,000 for more than 50 community organizations in just 4 years.
Session: Food Insecurity and Improving the Neighbor Experience in the Charitable Food System
Zack Zook, MPA
Vice President of Impact and Policy, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
Zack Zook, MPA
Vice President of Impact and Policy, Central Pennsylvania Food Bank
Zach Zook is the Vice President of Impact and Policy at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, where he leads the Policy Research, Impact, and Government Relations teams. Zach and his team are focused on developing and applying neighbor-centered research, data, and analysis to policies, programs, and strategy at the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and across its 1,100 partners in 27 counties. His team is also focused on anti-poverty policy advocacy work at the local, state, and federal level. Prior to the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank, Zach worked in Beirut, Lebanon with Mennonite Central Committee where he managed more than 50 humanitarian relief projects in Lebanon and Syria, including major food security projects as part of the Syria Crisis Response. Zach was formerly a Graduate Fellow in the New Jersey Governor’s Policy Office, and has a Master’s in Public Affairs in Domestic Policy from Princeton University.
Session: Food Insecurity and Improving the Neighbor Experience in the Charitable Food System
Hattie B McCarter, MS, CEIP, ECDHE
Mend Solutions, LLC
Hattie B McCarter, MS, CEIP, ECDHE
Mend Solutions, LLC
Hattie B. McCarter (also known as Hattie B.) is a passionate advocate for equity and inclusion, with over 18 years dedicated to dismantling systemic barriers and fostering belonging. Hailing from Enterprise, Alabama, she brings the warmth and resilience of her roots into every space she enters. After earning her master’s in Rehabilitation Counseling from Alabama State University, Hattie embarked on a mission to transform workplaces, starting at the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, where she championed DEI and recruitment efforts for over a decade as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor and VR Specialist in Diversity and Recruitment. In 2023, driven by a deep commitment to justice and humanity, Hattie founded MEND Solutions, LLC, a consulting firm devoted to weaving equity into the fabric of organizational culture. Her work is guided by the belief that true leadership begins with compassionate listening and courageous action. Recognized as a Trendsetter and Trailblazer by Penn Live and honored with the DEI Trailblazer Award by The National Coalition of 100 Black Women, Inc., Hattie’s journey is a testament to the power of purpose. She lives by Shirley Chisholm's words: “If you don’t have a seat at the table, bring a folding chair,” and she’s committed to ensuring that everyone has a place at the table.
Session: Unmuted: The Allyship We Need, The Change We Deserve
Andrea Murray, MPH
Union Community Care
Andrea Murray, MPH
Union Community Care
Kate Barlup, LSW
Manager of Behavioral Health Recovery Programs, WellSpan Health
Kate Barlup, LSW
Manager of Behavioral Health Recovery Programs, WellSpan Health
Kate Barlup, LSW (she/her), is the Manager of Behavioral Health Recovery Programs at WellSpan Philhaven, where she oversees a range of recovery-focused services for individuals living with serious mental illness. With a background as a social worker and therapist, she is passionate about helping people build meaningful, self-directed lives in the community. She holds an undergraduate degree in social work from Millersville University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Social Work from Temple University. Her education and lived commitment to recovery values have shaped her work leading programs like peer support, assertive community treatment, and independent living/housing services—all designed to support personal empowerment, housing stability, and long-term recovery. At WellSpan, she works closely with staff and community partners to deliver person-centered supports that help individuals maintain housing, build life skills, and stay engaged in their recovery journeys. She also brings expertise in clinical operations and process improvement, using tools like Lean for Healthcare to improve service delivery, strengthen systems and outcomes.
Session: Collaborative Housing Solutions: A Path to Empowerment & Sustainability
Marc Palmer, BA, CPSS, CPS, CRS, CFRS
Behavioral Health Community Housing Specialist, WellSpan Health
Marc Palmer, BA, CPSS, CPS, CRS, CFRS
Behavioral Health Community Housing Specialist, WellSpan Health
Marc Palmer, BA, CPSS, CPS, CRS, CRFS (he/him) is a Behavioral Health Housing Specialist at WellSpan Philhaven in Lebanon County, PA with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from Southern New Hampshire University. In addition to his academic background, he is certified as a Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS), Certified Recovery Family Specialist (CRFS), Certified Peer Specialist (CPS), and Certified Peer Specialist Supervisor (CPSS). With lived experience and a deep passion for serving the community, he brings a unique and empathetic perspective to his work.
Marc is known for meeting individuals where they are, offering support to those in both behavioral health and addiction recovery. He assists clients with housing stability, while also providing guidance and resources in areas such as psychiatric rehabilitation and life skills development. Through his compassionate approach, he empowers individuals to overcome challenges, achieve their goals, and find lasting success in their recovery journey. Dedicated to his work, he is committed to helping individuals navigate the complexities of life after treatment and thrive in their communities.
Session: Collaborative Housing Solutions: A Path to Empowerment & Sustainability
Jennifer Blackwell, BSW
Behavioral Health Community Housing Specialist, WellSpan Health
Jennifer Blackwell, BSW
Behavioral Health Community Housing Specialist, WellSpan Health
Jennifer Blackwell, BSW (she/her) is a Behavioral Health Community Housing Case Manager at WellSpan Philhaven in Lebanon County, PA with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from Messiah College. She is deeply passionate about serving individuals with serious and persistent mental illness, offering them compassionate, non-judgmental care every day. In her role, she provides comprehensive case management, assisting clients with all areas of independent living, including housing stability, financial management, healthcare access, and life skills development.
Known for her dedication, Jennifer goes above and beyond to ensure that each client receives personalized support, helping them navigate challenges and achieve their goals. A strong advocate for the individuals she serves, she works tirelessly to remove barriers to success and create a path toward self-sufficiency. Her unwavering commitment to community work drives her to make a lasting, positive impact on both the individuals she supports and the community at large.
Session: Collaborative Housing Solutions: A Path to Empowerment & Sustainability
Nicole Gray, MPH
Executive Director, Community Health Council
Nicole Gray, MPH
Executive Director, Community Health Council
Nicole Maurer Gray is the Executive Director of the Community Health Council of Lebanon County. Nicole believes that access to quality healthcare and free or low-cost resources that support whole-person health are critical to a thriving, healthy community.
Nicole currently sits on the Community Action Partnership Advisory Board and Clarence Shock Memorial Park Trails Committee. She began her career as a mountain bike tour guide in the desert southwest and later ran a small wellness business offering customized wellness solutions to individuals and businesses in Central Pennsylvania. Her passion for outdoor recreation, health equity, and lifelong wellness make her role at the Community Health Council a dream job.
Nicole holds a Masters in Public Health (MPH) from Penn State University.
Session: Morning Keynote, Who is my neighbor? A deeper dive.
Guadalupe Barba Camacho
Founder, Juntos de Lebanon
Guadalupe Barba Camacho
Founder, Juntos de Lebanon
Guadalupe is the Founder and Director of Juntos de Lebanon, an organization that provides educational and cultural services and support to immigrants in the Lebanon community. Juntos de Lebanon equips immigrants with referrals for health, social and educational services that help families and individual prepare for a new life in a new country.
Guadalupe is actively involved with Dreamers Movement, is a fierce advocate for Immigration Reform, and she collaborates closely with the Mexican Consulate on various community activities and events.
She serves a board member of the American Mexican Association and has served The Institute for Mexicans Abroad as a member of their Advisory Council. In her country, she is currently collaborating with the Department of Special Education on a project for academic integration of individual with special needs. Guadalupe holds a Bachelor's in Special Education, a Master's in Neurologic Rehabilitation and a Master's in Mental Health and Cultural Process with Immigrants. She is Specialist in International Immigration and the Mexico-United States Border.
Guadalupe enjoys dancing and working with children. She is a migrant women, a wife, and a mother. She was finalist for Remarkable Women in 2022, and has received the Lebanon Chamber of Commerce Community Builder Award two times. Guadalupe works to build bridges between services and the voices of those advocating for the rights of Immigrants.
Panelist: Who is my neighbor?
Laurie Funk, MS BME, MA
Founder/President, Chestnut Street Community Center
Laurie Funk, MS BME, MA
Founder/President, Chestnut Street Community Center
Laurie grew up in a small Massachusetts town. She ventured to Syracuse University where she met her husband Dave, and then to Rensselaer Polytech for biomedical engineering degrees. Medical research took her to Joslin Diabetes Center, Geisinger Medical Center, Penn State Hershey, and New England Medical Center. She telecommuted to NEMC in Boston long before remote work was a thing. When the kids approached middle school, she took a turn into youth ministry. She served at Saint Andrews Presbyterian Church and earned another master’s degree before landing at Lebanon Valley Youth for Christ. Coaching Girls on the Run and operating a coffee shop at Lebanon Farmers Market that focused on providing young people with a worthwhile job experience ignited her passion for developing community.
In 2021 Laurie and Dave founded Chestnut Street Community Center. The initial motivation was to partner with Lebanon County Christian Ministries to establish a 24/7 location for LCCM’s Fresh Start Emergency Shelter. With Laurie as President and full-time volunteer, CSCC now boasts Fresh Start, IU-13 Community Education, three churches, a community garden, and community refrigerator. Her favorite self-care activities are biking and reading.
Panelist: Morning Keynote, Who is my neighbor? A deeper dive.
Amber Abreu, M.Ed-EdL
Director of Student Services and English Language Development, Lebanon School District
Amber Abreu, M.Ed-EdL
Director of Student Services and English Language Development, Lebanon School District
Amber Abreu serves as the Director of Student Services and English Language Development in the Lebanon School District. She has 18 years of experience in urban education with a focus in student service, instruction and educational leadership. She began her career in the School District of Lancaster as an ELD teacher, a Coordinator of ELD and World Language for the high school and finally, districtwide. She holds a PA teaching certificate in Secondary English, K-12 ESL and K-12 Principal, a Masters in Educational Leadership and is a doctoral candidate in an Educational Leadership program.
Panelist: Morning Keynote, Who is my neighbor? A deeper dive.
Richard Mahida, M.Sc
Corps Officer/ Administrator, Salvation Army
Richard Mahida, M.Sc
Corps Officer/ Administrator, Salvation Army
Richard Mahida currently serves at The Salvation Army in Lebanon, Pennsylvania. He holds a Master of Science in International Development from University College Dublin, Ireland.
Previously, he served as the Territorial Projects Officer for The Salvation Army's Eastern Europe Territory and as an Impact Officer with the Global Shapers Chisinau Hub under the World Economic Forum. With a strong background in project design, community development, and public speaking, Richard brings a thoughtful and globally informed perspective to development work. He is a former Erasmus Mundus EMINTE Scholar and Linnaeus-Palme Scholar, reflecting his international academic and professional experience. Richard is deeply committed to serving both God and the community, and he is passionate about advancing inclusive, transformative change through collaboration and cultural understanding.
Panelist: Morning Keynote, Who is my neighbor? A deeper dive.