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Board of Directors

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Joanna Dennstaedt

Executive Director & Chair

Visit Joanna's page to find out more 

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David M. "Kelly" Phipps

Chairperson of the Board

EDUCATION: J.D. Law from University of Akron School of Law M.A. Ethics from Ashland University/Seminary B.A. Business Management from Malone University In, 1999 Messiah College, hired Kelly to be the Director of Development and Government relations.  He led and organized several campaigns for Messiah and other business entities raising more than $200M.  He has appeared in many townhall and community hearings and gained the experience in getting projects approved. He organized government relation programs resulting in millions of dollars in federal funds to supplement costs.  He has extensive experience with executive contacts, strategic partnerships, mergers and acquisitions, as well as building a development team and implementing strategic plans.  President of Rider Musser Development, LLC building the Oakwood Hills Project near Messiah College.  He is on the board for the Alzheimer’s Associations of Greater PA and Part of the Philanthropy Advisory committee for the Brethren Housing Association.

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Deb Pierson

Secretary of the Board

A certified Project Management Institute Professional. Deb has built  a solid reputation for technical support and project management services, first at IBM and now at Pierson, she founded in 1993. As President and CEO, she oversees business development and operations and establishes relationships with key business partners.  Deb thrives on watching her team members consistently solve customer challenges. As a women owned enterprise, she is passionate about lending guidance and assisting women in business.  Deb donates her time to worthy causes such as being on the board of the alzheimer’s association of greater PA and Executive Women International. She has 2 daughters and her husband Jeff. Despite her impressive business success, Deb feels her most significant accomplishments are rooted in her deepest passions, which are supporting working women, serving as President of the Christian Business Women’s Fellowship of Central Pennsylvania, mentoring for the Harrisburg Regional Chamber, and sponsoring Dress for Success.   Personally Deb is a mentor to Joanna and passionate about our mission and helping the foundation of our organization succeed. She brings a wealth of knowledge about business but also to the board as having served on many boards throughout her years as CEO of Pierson.

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Michelle Day

Board Member

Michelle grew up in Southern York County and graduated from St. Francis University with a Bachelors in Physician Assistant Sciences. She has over 25 years of diverse healthcare experience. Michelle is currently working at Penn State Health Hematology and is involved with various committees to promote advancement and education of advanced practice providers, students and residents. She is the team leader for the Thrombosis Clinic of Central Pennsylvania. Michelle also worked at the Lebanon VAMC in Primary Care and UPMC in the Emergency Department prior to landing her job in Hematology. She is married to her husband, Steve, and has four daughters who keep her busy when she is not working. Michelle brings two unique aspects to our board make up as both a healthcare provider and cancer survivor. Michelle was diagnosed with breast cancer in August 2020, smack dab in the middle of the Covid pandemic ( when she was also trying to work and manage three children schooling from home). After receiving a care package from Radiant Hope during her cancer treatment, she was sold on the mission and outreach of Radiant Hope and became an instant donor. Michelle is honored to be a board member of this amazing organization. Michelle has served her community in past years as a worship leader, Sunday school teacher, and women’s Bible study leader. Michelle’s favorite place to vacation is on the beach in Siesta Key Florida.

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Sara White

Board Member

Sara joins our Board of Directors with a passion to serve others and a heart to help those in need. She is originally from Upstate New York, went to Messiah College, and Arcadia University in Philadelphia. She has experience as a family medicine physician assistant for over 20 years, most recently working for Penn State Health in Mechanicsburg. Currently a stay at home mom, Sara now has the time and freedom to pursue ministry opportunities. She is a wife and mom of 3 kids, which keep her busy. Her husband Brian is an EOS implementer (business coach) and Sara supports him in his endeavors as a visionary. She is actively involved in her church, teaching elementary aged children on Sundays and on the leadership team for the yearly Honduras mission trips. She has recently participated in a home build in Mexico with Homes of Hope which was a life changing experience. Sara is hoping to use her medical knowledge on other mission trips in the future. She also manages their family’s cabin in the Poconos, which is a part of Radiant Hope’s respite program. In her free time, Sara enjoys having lunch with friends and traveling with her family.

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Paul Hayes

Vice Chairperson of the Board

Owner Paul Hayes Homes and Realtor @ eXp Realty

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Kyle Stuckey

Treasurer of the Board

 CPA, PFS, CFP®

FOUNDER | WEALTH ADVISOR at Verity Wealth Advisors

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Nance McCown

Board Member

Professor of Communication at Messiah University

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Keith Plasterer

Board Member

Owner Carlisle Sports Emporium, Carlisle PA

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Courtney Weaver

Board Member

Accounting Beyond Borders

Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science at Shippensburg University He is married to Jamie and they have three children Sadie, Elijah, Isaac, and welcomed their first granddaughter. Keith is entrepreneur at heart. He has created, owned, and operated many types of businesses. He has been a manager for a large, national trucking company, handled the land development on several projects, including projects over 200 acres, mobile home parks, and warehouses. Keith owned and operated over 200 apartments and commercial real estate holdings. He built one of the first and largest Material Recovery Facilities in Southcentral Pennsylvania. He also built a waste hauling company from a single truck operation to over 75 trucks operating daily, purchasing over seven companies along the way. He served as chairman of the Building Design Committee for West Shore Evangelical Free Church for both site land development and facility design and development. This project is situated on 92 acres of land canvassing two municipalities. He helped with casting vision, budgeting, communicating the project. The focus of what drove him in this building project, was to maximize the toolbox to grow God’s Kingdom. Currently he serves on the Facilities Team. Keith has recently renovated their 1891 Barn, called “The Barn at Creek’s Bend” into an events venue servicing South Central PA. Additionally, he is working to further maximize other entertainment attractions on that site. He strives to challenge and bring the best out of all people he works with. He capped his scouting experience by attaining the rank of Eagle Scout.

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