Board of Directors
Mary Kate Lo Conte
Chair
Mary Kate Lo Conte is a Partner at Merz Branding and has earned the respect of clients and colleagues for her strategic thinking and commitment to building and sustaining client brands with long-term, collaborative relationships for over 25 years. Additionally, Mary Kate sits on the Junior League of Philadelphia as their Sustainer Chair Elect.
Chandler Hoopes
Vice Chair
Chandler Hoopes is the CEO of Commonwealth Capital, a company that provides real estate-secured financing for businesses and real estate investors. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Baker Industries, a Philadelphia-based organization that offers employment and workforce training to vulnerable adults in the region. Chandler previously served on the Advisory Council of Peter’s Place and was co-chair of the 2023 annual benefit and auction, Constellations: A Night of Shining Stars. A neighbor and friend of Peter growing up, Chandler began volunteering as a Group Facilitator for the youngest grief groups at Peter’s Place as a teenager.
Bradford Paul
Treasurer
Bradford Paul is the owner of M&B Automotive Group, overseeing Ardmore Toyota, Central City Toyota, and Paul Bros Auto Body. Beyond his automotive ventures, Brad chairs the Land Committee for Coskata-Coatue on Nantucket, contributing to environmental conservation. Additionally, Brad serves on the Development Committee for The Benchmark School in Media, PA.
Michael S. Jackson
Secretary
Michael Jackson is Chief Legal Officer at Strother Enterprises, Inc., a cross-industry food service provider and partner. Prior to joining Strother Enterprises, Inc, Michael was a partner at Dinsmore & Shohl, LLC, served as outside general counsel for Powell Steel Corporation, and in private practice provided legal support for closely held companies, individuals in the entertainment industry, non-profits, and small businesses.
Chris Ciatto
Chris Ciatto is the Chief Growth Officer of Data Clean and has served as the Chief Executive Officer of several high growth healthcare companies during the last 25 years. Chris and his children attended grief support groups at Peter’s Place in the early 2000s after the death of his first wife and is excited to learn how the organization has grown and evolved since and to leverage his experiences to help achieve the organization positively impact the lives of more children and families.
Dawn Harrell-Crowder
Dawn Crowder is a practicing corporate attorney and the Chief Legal Officer and Chief Human Resources Officer of Olimax Manufacturing LLC. Dawn has an extensive corporate background working with a wide range of entities including fortune 500 companies, non-profit corporations, and start-up ventures. She was recently asked to serve on the Fiduciary Trust Advisory Board and also sits on the Boards of the Joseph Campbell Foundation and Merion Cricket Club.
Catherine (Katie) Fries, LCSW
Katie Fries is a social worker and registered play therapist through the Association for Play Therapy. Currently she is a Therapist, Owner, and Clinical Director for All of You Therapy where she conducts clinical assessments for children, teens, and adults to determine the most appropriate course of treatment and leads clinical consultation meetings with a team of clinicians to provide clinical mentorship. In addition, she conducts individualized therapy sessions, incorporating relational, cognitive, strengths-based, and trauma-focused treatment modalities.
J.D. Hall
J.D. Hall is the Managing Director at StepStone Group LP on their Venture Capital & Growth Equity team. Prior to StepStone, he was a vice president with Greenspring Associates, which merged with StepStone in 2021. Before that, he served as Director of Global Consultant Relations at Aberdeen Standard Investments. J.D. was a childhood friend of Peter and remains close to the Morsbach family. He served on the Advisory Council of Peter’s Place and was co-chair of the 2023 annual benefit and auction, Constellations: A Night of Shining Stars.
George James, LMFT, MBA
George is an Executive Coach, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist, Media & Corporate Consultant and an international speaker. George Talks LLC helps people overcome the individual and relational struggles and challenges that prevent them from maximizing their potential through innovative programs, events and resources. With 20+ years in the field, George is a familiar face on shows like The TODAY Show, CNBC, and CNN. As the host of the LEAPCAST podcast, George sits down with leaders, athletes, and entertainers about their personal and professional challenges. And as the co-host of Strike Out the Stigma with the Philadelphia Phillies, he's bringing mental health to the forefront of the sports world. He also sits on the Advisory Board of Fiduciary Trust International.
Celeste Johnson, MSS, LCSW, Ph.D.
Celeste is an Associate Professor at the Widener University Center for Social Work Education. She received both her master’s and doctoral degrees from Bryn Mawr College Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research. Her research and publications explore traumatic stress, grief, loss, and resilience across the life span with a particular emphasis on the impact of community violence on underrepresented urban populations.
Lara Krawchuk, MSW, LCSW, MPH
Lara is a clinical social worker and the owner and clinical director at Healing Concepts, LLC, offering counseling, consulting and continuing education related to caregiving, chronic and life threatening illness, grief, living losses, professional compassion fatigue, stress management, transition to college, and trauma. Lara received her MSW from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy & Practice and her MPH from the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health. She is a nationally recognized expert on grief, loss, coping with physical illness and professional compassion fatigue.
Michelle Krietsch
Leashia Lewis
Leashia Lewis is the Assistant Athletic Director for DEI/Director of UNITAS for Villanova University. She has more than 15 years of experience as a certified school counselor, track coach, (mostly at Conestoga High School since 2004) and has held numerous leadership positions teaching and leading conversations around race relations and gender dialogue. She is also an adjunct professor in the Department of Education & Counseling, and is a Board Member of the Varsity Club Hall of Fame at Villanova and a former student-athlete on the women’s track & field team.
Eileen Myers
Eileen Myers is a residential real estate agent for Berkshire Hathaway Home Services, Fox & Roach Realtors, and is also the wedding planner at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne. Eileen has served as a Volunteer Group Facilitator for Peter’s Place and has been a generous supporter of the organization and its annual Benefit & Auction. Peter’s Place is very near and dear to her heart.
Anthony Stevenson
Anthony has dedicated his career to education, serving as a teacher, principal, director of secondary education, and currently as Human Resources Director for the Tredyffrin/Easttown School District. He also serves as an adjunct professor at Temple University and Villanova University. Anthony earned his bachelor's degree from South Carolina State University, Master of Divinity from Lutheran Theological Seminary, master's degrees from Indiana University of Pennsylvania and the University of Pennsylvania, and a Doctor of Education from the University of Pennsylvania.
Kathleen Squires, M.D.
Kathleen is a retired, board-certified infectious disease physician with more than 40 years of experience. An internationally recognized HIV specialist, she has led HIV clinical care and research at the Keck School of Medicine of the University of Southern California and Thomas Jefferson University Hospital. She earned her undergraduate degree from Princeton University and her medical degree from Medical College of Pennsylvania (now known as Drexel University College of Medicine).
Anne Wilmerding
Anne has served on the boards of several non-profit organizations throughout the Greater Philadelphia region. She was president of the board of HMS School for Children with Cerebral Palsy, and was chair of the board of the Community Partnership School in Philadelphia, an independent elementary school in North Central Philadelphia. Anne also works as a director for Altus Partners, Inc., a risk management and insurance brokerage firm.