Dr. Klatzker has over 40 years of leadership experience in behavioral healthcare. He is well-known nationally for his visionary guidance and outstanding industry achievements.

He holds a PhD in Social Policy, Planning & Administration from the Heller Graduate School for Advanced Studies in Social Welfare at Brandeis University, a Master of Social Work from Boston University, and a Bachelor of Arts from Brandeis University.

As CEO, Dr. Klatzker provides Gaudenzia a wealth of knowledge, skills, and leadership that will continue to affect thousands of people’s lives each day.

Why I Work at Gaudenzia:

I love a challenge. The addiction epidemic is becoming one of the most devastating of our time. Finding a way to provide the best services possible, with the fewest barriers to care for the most vulnerable populations is what is driving me to be a part of the change here. Gaudenzia is in a unique position to bring about real change in the communities we serve, and to provide hope for so many people. I want to be a part of that change.

Dr. McKernan started working at Gaudenzia in 2019 and is responsible for overseeing all program operations of Gaudenzia as well as compliance and quality improvement.

Prior to joining Gaudenzia, she was Chief Operating Officer at a nationwide human services agency, where she spent 23 years providing services to disadvantaged individuals, including the homeless population, people with developmental disabilities, veterans dealing with substance use disorders or mental illness, and individuals transitioning from the criminal justice system to community life.

Dr. McKernan has worked as a social worker since 1990. She was president of the New Jersey Reentry Coalition where she served in leadership positions for over 15 years. In 2014, she was appointed to the New Jersey Board of Social Work Examiners.

Dr. McKernan received her B.A. from Trenton State College. In addition, she earned her Master of Social Work and Doctor of Social Work from Rutgers University.

Why I Work at Gaudenzia:

One in ten Americans report having an unresolved substance use problem. I came to Gaudenzia because of our history of serving individuals seeking help for their substance use disorder. Gaudenzia’s legacy of doing whatever it takes to help people achieve long-term recovery motivates me to do my very best by our clients and our employees.

Mr. Aronson brings more than 35 years of experience in the non-profit arena and has been part of the team at Gaudenzia since 2004. A seasoned community organizer, Mr. Aronson has championed unique concepts aimed at highlighting the value of Gaudenzia’s work in locations served by the agency.

Mr. Aronson holds a Master of Social Work and a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree. He also earned a Fundamentals of Fundraising Management Certificate through the Association of Fundraising Professionals.

Why I Work at Gaudenzia:

Gaudenzia offers help and hope to people who are mired in the deeply tragic roller coaster ride that is substance use disorder. Gaudenzia’s life-saving treatment works! I’ve been honored to hear “thank you” repeatedly from recovering individuals and their loved ones, specifying the compassionate and caring treatment experience while in Gaudenzia’s care. My passion is to help maintain and grow Gaudenzia’s services, so that many more people may benefit from our work.    

Ms. Ernst joined Gaudenzia in 2021 as the Chief Impact Officer. In this role, she oversees branding, marketing, communications, and the growth of Gaudenzia’s reputation in the communities we serve.

Prior to joining Gaudenzia, Ms. Ernst held executive positions focusing on business development, strategic operations, marketing, and branding for some of the largest national networks of programs that focus on addiction and behavioral health treatment in both for-profit and non-profit sectors. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Communications from the University of Texas at Austin.

Ms. Ernst’s southern roots can be heard in her accent, but she moved to the Philadelphia area in 2017 and has found a home with a true variety of seasons. In her downtime, she enjoys running, pottery, reading, volunteering with the Community Corps of Delaware County, and watching her son play rugby while her husband coaches.

Why I Work at Gaudenzia:

For most of my career, I have been connecting people to things they need to improve their quality of life, but rarely had a broad reach. There are so many people in need. At Gaudenzia, we welcome anyone into treatment with us, regardless of their ability to pay. I want to continue to reduce the barriers to people getting treatment — no one should be seeking help and not getting it. Asking for help is too hard. That call should never go unanswered.  That is why we are here, to answer the call.

Mr. Hilton joined Gaudenzia in a contractor capacity and as an HR leader in March 2020 and was promoted to Chief People Officer in August 2020. In his current role, he oversees the Human Resources function for the entire organization.

Prior to joining Gaudenzia, Mr. Hilton was Chief Human Resources Officer at GeoBlue in King of Prussia, PA. He began his HR career in the late 1980s as a Benefits Specialist for Children’s Memorial Hospital in Chicago IL. Soon after, he assumed increased HR leadership roles at Underwriter’s Laboratories, ADP, Amazon, Ericsson, and Inframark. Mr. Hilton served on the Board of Directors for 3 years at The Philadelphia Society for People and Strategy and continues as chair of their Mentoring Program.

Mr. Hilton received a Bachelor of Science from Illinois State University and a Master of Science in Human Resources Management from Loyola University Chicago. He also received his Senior Professional Human Resources (SPHR) certification in 2002.

Why I Work at Gaudenzia:

Working in my position within Human Resources gives me the opportunity to influence the work life of our greatest asset – our employees. I influence decisions related to policy, culture, salaries, benefits, career development, teamwork, talent acquisition and talent management. I get to work with the rest of the HR and management teams to shape a true employer of choice work environment — one I can enjoy working in and be proud of creating.

Ms. Raghavan Lobo is responsible for the quality assurance of agency programs and services through accreditation, policy and procedure development, licensing standards, research opportunities, and continuous quality improvement efforts for Gaudenzia.

She has over 19 years of experience in the substance use disorder, criminal justice, and mental health fields in multiple states and across systems.

In 2001, she began her career at Gaudenzia as a mental health therapist. Since then, she has worked in various roles and departments, including clinical, quality assurance, training, and management positions, where she has overseen the start-up and successful implementation of new projects stimulated by federal, county, and managed care organizations (MCOs).

Ms. Raghavan Lobo holds a master’s degree in Clinical Psychology. She has recently passed her written and oral comprehensive exams and is a PsyD Candidate at Immaculata University, where she is pursuing a degree as a Doctor of Clinical Psychology (PsyD).

Why I Work at Gaudenzia:

For me, it’s simple — I want to make a difference in as many people’s lives as I can. I believe in our integrated treatment model and have an opportunity to learn and implement best practices to make that difference in people’s lives, and ultimately, help them stay connected as part of their recovery journey.

Mr. Slinger began his career with Gaudenzia in 1982 as an assistant to the Community Resources Department. Over the years, he has been responsible for purchasing, transportation, food service, and a range of support services. He has been involved in the startup process of most of the agency’s many programs.

In his current role, Mr. Slinger oversees real estate acquisition, development, maintenance, and capital improvement projects.

Mr. Slinger holds a master’s degree in Business Administration from Holy Family University, and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He is also a Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE), a member of the Sigma Kappa Phi Honor Society, and was the recipient of the Class of 1988 Marketing Award.

Mr. Wilson began his career as Gaudenzia’s Chief Program Officer in early 2020 and is responsible for the overall planning, development, implementation, maintenance, and evaluation of the agency’s treatment and intervention model, with oversight of the training program to support quality service delivery.

He has over 20 years of experience in the substance use disorder, criminal justice, and mental health fields, including regional supervision of residential and non-residential behavioral health and re-entry programs. Mr. Wilson also has experience in senior leadership overseeing continuous quality improvement, agency accreditation, and risk management efforts.

Mr. Wilson holds a master’s degree from Saint Joseph’s University and training certificates from the Albert Ellis Institute and the Beck Institute for Cognitive Therapy. He is also a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers, has provided training and consultation in the areas of cognitive-behavioral intervention, Motivational Interviewing, core curriculum programming, risk/need assessment, and case management interventions across the United States and internationally.

Why I Work at Gaudenzia:

My entire life I always knew I wanted to spend my career somewhere in the helping profession. My first job as a professional was in a justice-involved addiction treatment program and I immediately gained a passion for working with this population. As my career developed, I found myself being promoted to more supervisory or administrative positions, yet the aspects of these administrative roles that kept my fire kindling were the responsibilities oriented to clinical supervision and training. 

Devoting my career to the efficient administration of programs that serve this special population was important.  However, it was the commitment to ensuring that staff had access to cutting-edge, evidence-based, skill-based training and supervision to provide the highest quality care our clients deserve that has kept me emblazoned to continue devoting myself to this field.

Cheryl Dondero joined Gaudenzia in 2019. As the Director of Government Affairs, she is responsible for creating and maintaining effective, collaborative relationships with Gaudenzia’s regulatory agencies, provider associations, funders, and referral sources. As part of her responsibilities, Cheryl develops Gaudenzia’s legislative and policy agendas while coordinating the organization’s lobbying activities.

Ms. Dondero’s experience includes a 37-year career with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, culminating as the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP). She then became the Director of Dauphin County Drug and Alcohol Services, which is the Single County Authority (SCA) for drug and alcohol prevention, intervention, and treatment services in the county. Immediately prior to joining Gaudenzia, she was the Chief Executive Officer for the federally funded National Alliance for Model State Drug Laws (NAMSDL). She received her Master of Human Services from Lincoln University in 2002.

Ms. Dondero has been vocal about Gaudenzia’s significant role in her own recovery journey from substance use disorder and she continues to advocate for the recovery community in all aspects of her life. In her free time, she is an instructor of both dance and Yoga of 12-Step Recovery(Y12SR). She enjoys spending time with her husband and boasting proudly of their two adult sons.

Why I Work at Gaudenzia:

Gaudenzia has been a big part of my life story, in both my personal recovery journey and my professional career. Gaudenzia was there for me and set me on a path that made all the blessings in my life possible. Through my work, I can help make sure Gaudenzia is there for others to have the same experience.

Ms. Blalock oversees all program operations in Maryland, including residential treatment with over 650 beds. She has led an impressive career providing treatment services to the criminal justice population, the homeless, the LGBTQ+ community, people with substance use disorders, and others in crisis.

Ms. Blalock has over 20 years of behavioral health experience providing clinical and management services in community and correctional settings. She has over 15 years of experience in various Maryland state prisons performing substance use and psychiatric assessments and evaluations, developing clinical services, and overseeing management. In addition, she has over 10 years of experience as a compliance and operations director overseeing performance improvement, accreditation, compliance, program implementation, and training.

Ms. Blalock is a Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor (LCPC) and was approved by the Maryland Board of Professional Counselors and Therapists to supervise addiction and mental health counselors seeking certification and licensure in the state of Maryland.

She is a Licensed Clinical Alcohol and Drug Approved Supervisor (LCADAS), a Master Addiction Counselor (MAC), a National Certified Counselor (NCC), a Board-Certified Psychotherapist (BCPC), and a Certified Auricular Detoxification Specialist (CADS). She earned a Bachelor of Arts and a master’s degree in Forensic Psychology from the University of Maryland, and a Master of Arts in Clinical Counseling from Argosy University.

Why I Work at Gaudenzia:

I want to make an impact. I hope that I am making an impact. An impact in individuals’ lives and an impact on my community. I knew early on in school that I wanted to be a helper. A helper that would try hard to fix people, solve their problems and feel good at the end of the day. I also knew early on that I was not going to be a physician like my mother or a firefighter/paramedic like my father, but that there were so many other ways to save people’s lives.  

The role I play within Gaudenzia as an Executive Director is one that I hope continues to affect change and impact individuals and my community — but on a different level. Although my day-to-day purpose has changed, my goal is to impact those on my team, and ultimately, those my team serves.

The responsibility of being a leader and change agent holds a much heavier weight and comes with much more responsibility, but it still requires the same skills I used in practice as being a helper. The goal is to still feel good at the end of the day. When I can see the impact of my work across a larger footprint, that is success. Success for my clients, my team, and Gaudenzia as a whole.

Ms. Paige has worked in the behavioral health field for over 30 years. Her work in Human Services includes all levels of treatment and dealing with various groups. She specializes in working with people with substance use and co-occurring disorders.

For the last 25 years, she has been responsible for coordinating care and providing gender-specific treatment to women with children and their families. Over that time, she has devoted herself to reuniting families and teaching co-parenting skills to people seeking child custody.

Ms. Paige is a long-standing advocate of trauma-informed treatment and has helped integrate trauma-sensitive and trauma-responsive care into Gaudenzia’s treatment system.

She holds a master’s degree in Human Services and certifications in Trauma Competency from the Bryn Mawr School of Social Work and Lakeside Global Institute.

Ms. Hannah joined Gaudenzia in 1984 and has served in various roles, from providing direct care to the oversight of multiple programs across the region, including outpatient, residential, and housing.

She is a recipient of the “Making A Difference” award, sponsored by the Philadelphia Mayor’s Drug and Alcohol Executive Commission, and received recognition from the City of Philadelphia for her leadership in working with youth. Ms. Hannah holds a degree in Psychology from Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Business Administration from Eastern University.

Why I Work at Gaudenzia:

I do what I do because it makes me happy. At the same time, I can help others heal and go on to live healthy, fulfilling, and self-directed lives.

Meet Our Boards of Directors

Gaudenzia’s Boards of Directors bring passion, expertise, and strong community partnerships to our organization. With their council, we are proud to operate with accountability and transparency, providing evidence-based, person-centered treatment for SUD while always keeping the long-term success of our clients front-of-mind.

Gaudenzia, Inc Board of Directors

Gaudenzia Foundation Board of Directors

Dr. Moore was appointed as Gaudenzia’s Chief Medical Officer in 2022. He is a leading expert in SUD treatment and toxicology and served as the Medical Director for Gaudenzia’s Central and Western regions in Pennsylvania since October 2020. In his current role, Dr. Moore oversees a team of more than 100 medical professionals who work with clients in Gaudenzia’s facilities.

Dr. Moore received his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from Michigan State University. He also holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Briggs Physiology with a specialization in Health and Humanities from Michigan State. He served a residency at Maine Medical Center/Tufts University School of Medicine in Portland, ME, and had a medical toxicology fellowship at the PinnacleHealth/Penn State University College of Medicine, Harrisburg Hospital.

He has more than 15 years of experience in both rural and urban healthcare systems in inpatient, outpatient, primary and tertiary, academic and private practice environments.

Why I Work at Gaudenzia:

While working in the healthcare field, I recognized the importance of quality treatment for individuals with untreated or poorly treated substance use and mental health conditions. It was challenging for medical healthcare facilities to navigate behavioral health facilities, so I began splitting my professional time to gain knowledge and insight. I quickly recognized the enormous impact and footprint Gaudenzia has in the treatment community. My background in internal medicine, medical toxicology, and addiction medicine was a perfect fit. I started dedicating more of my time to Gaudenzia and all its endeavors. The rest is history.

Carly Meyer Bentley is the founder and CEO of The Freckled Strawberry, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering independence in women through individual development, financial independence, career advancement, and entrepreneurship. She has a diverse background in handling complex financial matters, with more than years of experience in financial services. Her specialty is working with women, and the next generation, to help them grow and preserve their personal and business wealth.

Ms. Bentley holds a bachelor’s degree from Northern Illinois University, is a registered Investment Advisor with Wick Capital Partners, and currently holds her Series 7 and 66 securities licenses. She is the Board Chair for Gaudenzia Foundation and serves as a Board Member for i2n, a technology program sponsored by The Chester County Economic Development Council in Exton, PA.

Why I Serve at Gaudenzia:

I chose to serve on the board of Gaudenzia because I see how many lives are transformed by the work this organization does. My family is personally affected by the ravages of drug and alcohol abuse disorder. By serving on this board, it helps me to help others.

Ms. Roggio comes to Gaudenzia with a wide range of professional and philanthropic experiences. While she is an artist and painter at heart, her creativity has expressed itself in many forms. In 1991, she founded Garden Angels, a women-owned and operated landscaping business where she served as the Lead Landscape Designer and Contractor. Prior to this, she worked as a product designer in the Department of Research and Design at Zenith Products Corporation. From 1971-1975, she modeled for Ford Models, Inc.

Ms. Roggio has long engaged in programs and initiatives working to make an impact in people’s lives. In 1991, she founded the Berwyn-Paoli Little League Challenger Program, an adaptive baseball program for children ages 5-18 with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. She has also served as the Spokesperson and Strategist for her husband of 48 years, Robert Roggio, who was a United States Congressional Candidate for Pennsylvania’s 6^th District in 2008.

She has volunteered as the Assistant District Administrator for Pennsylvania Little League District 27 and at Gaudenzia’s Kindred House program. Ms. Roggio has served as a Gaudenzia, Inc. Board Member since 2013, as Board Secretary from 2019-2022, and most recently as Board Secretary for Gaudenzia’s Foundation Board.

Ms. Roggio holds a Bachelor of Arts from Bennington College in Vermont. She has three children and is a proud grandmother of eight.

Why I Serve at Gaudenzia:

In 2007, I began volunteering at Gaudenzia’s Kindred House, an inpatient SUD treatment facility for women that allows their children to reside with them. My husband had visited Kindred House in his capacity as a representative for Senator Bob Casey and suggested I might want to volunteer there. During my subsequent visit, I made an emotional connection with the women and children residing at Kindred House. Gaudenzia’s mission immediately resonated with me, partially due to my own life experiences. My mother struggled with substance use disorder (SUD) for over 50 years. She refused all forms of treatment throughout her life. In my time volunteering for Gaudenzia, I’ve never lost sight of the fact that all the thousands of individuals treated for SUD at Gaudenzia’s programs have families of their own. Families that are, or have been, severely impacted by addiction. When an individual is successfully supported and treated for SUD, the positive impact on that person’s family is immeasurable.

Ms. Imburgia’s professional history includes more than 35 years of experience in corporate, nonprofit, and government communications. During this time, she has specialized in engaging the public and stakeholders in dialog to advance policy and resolve complicated community issues. She is the owner and President of Creative Communications, Inc., a full-service strategic communications enterprise licensed and incorporated in the State of Delaware and the State of New Mexico. Her most recent clients include the City of Albuquerque, State of Delaware, and State of New Mexico.

Throughout her career, Ms. Imburgia has volunteered her expertise with several nonprofit, community and business organizations. She has served as President of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO) Delaware Chapter and represented women business owners on the State of Delaware Supplier Diversity Council, a position held through appointment by the Governor of Delaware.

She has also served as Chair of the economic development and neighborhood preservation Blueprint Community team in Claymont, Delaware, and as a member of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee with Go for the Greens Foundation. She currently serves as an appointed representative on the SAMHSA-funded State Overdose Response (SOR) Advisory Councils for Delaware and New Mexico.

Prior to establishing Creative Communications, she was employed as a manager and communications specialist with Westinghouse Electric Corporation, The Boeing Company, and Hewlett-Packard Company.

Ms. Imburgia holds a BA degree in Journalism from Pennsylvania State University.

Why I Serve at Gaudenzia:Most recently, I have dedicated my profession to improving outcomes for individuals experiencing substance use/co-occurring disorders and homelessness. My passion in this field is driven by personal experience navigating systems of care throughout the country. I want to apply my expertise in creating understanding on why change is necessary and find ways to fund and improve community response to addiction, overdose, and homelessness.

Dr. Loscalzo is the Director of Harm Reduction Services at Philadelphia FIGHT Community Health Centers. She is also employed part-time with the University of Pennsylvania, participating in grant-funded research on pharmacogenetics of opioid use disorder under Dr. Wade Berrettini. She is a former Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at Thomas Jefferson University, where she held a supervisory position in the Division of Substance Abuse Programs, primarily overseeing medications for addiction treatment programs. Her previous experience includes therapy, counseling, and administrative work at Keystone Center, Girard Medical Center, Montgomery County Emergency Service, University of Pennsylvania Counseling and Psychological Services, Pennsylvania Hospital, Discovery House, Institute of Addiction Medicine, and Friends Hospital.

Her interests include treatment of substance use disorders, particularly medication-assisted treatment, psychopharmacology, outcomes research, and program development and evaluation. She has presented her research at conferences for the Association for Medical Education and Research in Substance Abuse, the Society of Behavioral Medicine, the American Association for the Treatment of Opioid Dependence, and the College on Problems of Drug Dependence. Her work has been published in Aging Clinical and Experimental Research and The American Journal on Addictions.

Dr. Loscalzo earned her Doctor of Psychology degree from Chestnut Hill College in 2013. She is a licensed psychologist in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with certifications as a Master Addiction Counselor and National Clinical Supervisor Endorsement. She completed a Certificate in Patient-Centered Outcomes Research and the Quality Improvement and Patient Safety Leadership Program at Jefferson through the School of Population Health 2019.

Why I Serve at Gaudenzia:

I was graciously invited to serve on Gaudenzia’s Board of Directors and chose to do so because of Gaudenzia’s reputation for excellence, breadth and depth of services, and adaptation of treatment strategies to meet our evolving understanding of the needs of the people we serve.

Ms. Brennan-Miller’s professional experience was grounded at IBM as an Information Developer on technical manuals for the US Navy, an Education Specialist running technical professional education programs, and as an IBM marketing representative in the higher education market. She carries IBM’s company values of “Respect for the Individual” and “Think” with her every day. Her freelance work included rewriting mutual fund prospectuses for Mellon Bank to improve readability and writing a user manual for a construction management software system.

As a dedicated volunteer, Ms. Brennan-Miller chaired the cultural arts committee for the Tredyffrin Easttown School District, ran annual fundraisers at Devon Preparatory, served as Vice Chair of the Chesterbrook Civic Association during several challenging community issues, chaired Gaudenzia’s Eastern Region fundraising dinner and auction, and co-chaired the Franklin Institute Awards Ceremony and Dinner. She has served as Board Chair at Surrey Services, where she continues to serve on the Board. She currently also serves as a Trustee at the Franklin Institute.

Ms. Brennan-Miller holds a BS in Managerial and Professional Communications from Carnegie Mellon University, a certificate from the University of Pennsylvania in Fundraising for Nonprofits, and certificates from LaSalle University School of Business Nonprofit Center in Nonprofit Management and Marketing and Communications.

Why I Serve at Gaudenzia:

I believe deeply in the dignity of every individual, and their right to live a healthy and productive life. We change lives every day at Gaudenzia, restoring dignity, improving health, and providing hope for those suffering from substance use disorders and mental health challenges. By supporting individuals and their families, we can break the devastating cycle of addiction. I have witnessed how Gaudenzia’s full continuum of care provides the foundation for successful recovery for our clients and their families.

Mr. Spells presently serves as the chief law clerk for the Hon. Judith F. Olson on the Pennsylvania Superior Court. He has served with Judge Olson since November 2008, when she was appointed to the bench in the Court of Common Pleas for Allegheny County. Mr. Spells is a member of the Allegheny County Bar Association and a participating member of its Appellate Practice Committee. Prior to his clerkship with Judge Olson, Mr. Spells was engaged in the private practice of law in the litigation group at Jones Day. Before entering private practice, Mr. Spells served as law clerk for the Hon. Timothy K. Lewis in the United States District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. 

Mr. Spells earned his J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law and a B.S. from Carnegie Mellon University.

Mr. Zuckerman has served as the Chief Business Officer at Upward Health, an in-home risk-bearing provider focused on the whole health of high-needs individuals, since 2017. He joined Upward Health as one of their first employees and helped grow the organization to 200 team members by mid-2022. Prior to Upward Health, he served as a healthcare investor at Safeguard Scientifics and a management consultant at the Monitor Group.

Mr. Zuckerman earned an MBA with Dean’s Honors and Distinction in Finance and Economics and graduated magna cum laude with a BA from Columbia University, where he served as a John Jay Scholar.

Why I Serve at Gaudenzia:

I have a passion for delivering value-based care to low-income patients with behavioral health challenges. I joined the Board of Directors to help Gaudenzia realize its vision for value-based care by improving the quality of care and reducing the cost of care for the individuals that it serves.

Ms. Gill comes to Gaudenzia with more than 15 years of experience in working with medical education and regulatory communities. During this time, she has worked to promote quality healthcare through the assessment of physicians and global credentialing. While Ms. Gill’s professional focus is on operations and strategy within the nonprofit space, her career began in communications, which instilled in her a lifelong love of storytelling.      

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communication from The Pennsylvania State University and a Master of Liberal Arts from Temple University.

Why I Serve at Gaudenzia:

I would say that I am a mission-driven professional. Connection to a mission is what inspires and motivates me, and it’s why I do what I do each day. I originally chose to serve on Gaudenzia’s Board because I connected with its mission of supporting individuals, families, and communities affected by addiction. I continue to serve because I am inspired by the organization’s commitment to that mission, its drive for continual improvement, and the dedication and passion of the Gaudenzia team.

Honorable Suzanne Mack has served as a Magisterial District Judge in the City of Erie for 21 years. She also served as the President of the Magisterial District Judge Association from 2016-2017 and was awarded the Themis Award for lifetime achievement in 2018. Judge Mack serves on local boards and associations that address truancy, domestic violence, children and youth issues, chemical dependency, mental health, court security, neighborhood groups and juvenile delinquency.

Prior to becoming a Magisterial District Judge, she was employed by Serenity Hall, Inc./Crossroads —a substance use disorder treatment provider in Erie, PA — for 18 years. She started as a case manager and worked her way up to the Executive Director position. During her tenure as Executive Director, the organization merged with Gaudenzia, Inc.

Judge Mack holds a master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration and bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Mercyhurst University. She has also accumulated over 800 hours of continuing legal education.

Why I Serve at Gaudenzia:

I am committed to the care and treatment of individuals with substance use disorder and serve on the Board to ensure that those in need receive quality services in a timely and cost-effective manner. 

Pat Ciarrocchi is a 10-time Emmy Award winning and Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters Hall of Fame TV News journalist. She made her broadcast home at CBS 3 in Philadelphia as a news anchor and reporter for more than 33 years. Some of her most memorable work involved six overseas assignments at the Vatican. MS. Ciarrocchi capped off her career coverage of the Catholic Church with more than 16 hours, broadcasting live during Pope Francis’ historic visit to Philadelphia in September 2015.

Since leaving CBS 3, Ms. Ciarrocchi’s regional public speaking engagements have focused on women’s empowerment in the workplace and the role of women in the Catholic Church, even offering to regional diocesan priests a greater insight into the contemporary Catholic woman. She first became aware of Gaudenzia when she began researching a TV story on substance use disorders — especially among women. Soon, Ms. Ciarrocchi was asked to tell more of the Gaudenzia story as a master of ceremonies at Gaudenzia community events.

In 2016, she joined Gaudenzia’s Board of Directors. In 2022, she was elected to serve in a leadership position as Board Secretary. Her professional background makes her uniquely qualified to Chair the Communications Committee to the Board. Ms. Ciarrocchi’s other community outreach includes serving as a founding board member of Mission Kids — the Montgomery County child advocacy agency, providing advocacy in response to allegations of child sexual abuse. She also serves on the Board of Trustees of St. Hubert’s Catholic High School for Girls.

Ms. Ciarrocchi earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in American Studies from Rosemont in 1974. In light of her professional and community accomplishments and contributions, she was awarded four honorary doctorate degrees from La Salle University in Philadelphia, Neumann University in Aston, Cabrini College in Radnor and her alma mater, Rosemont College.

Jeffrey Shaw has over 35 years of experience working with justice-involved populations. He has held multiple supervisory positions within the criminal justice system, including a 6-year tenure as the Director of the Adult Probation Department of Erie County, PA.

Mr. Shaw has extensive experience managing criminal justice and behavioral healthcare professionals, overseeing financial operations, and implementing policies and special projects within the behavioral healthcare field.   

He joined the Gaudenzia, Inc. Board of Directors in 2020 and is a Board Member at Safe Harbor Behavioral Health of UPMC Hamot, as well as the Erie County Office of Mental Health and Intellectual Disabilities. He also acts as an Advisory Board Member at Esper Treatment Center.  

Mr. Shaw holds a master’s degree in Social Work from the University of Pittsburgh and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Edinboro University in Pennsylvania.

Ms. Peterson has more than 35 years of experience in public and community health. Her work is focused on issues that disproportionately impact minority and low-income populations. She is the chief executive officer of Hamilton Health Center and has held numerous executive management positions, including that of Deputy Director for a federally funded Technical Assistance Project for a national consulting firm.  

Ms. Peterson has served as Deputy Secretary of Health for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania for eight years, where she was responsible for administering the state’s drug and alcohol program, maternal and child health program, and preventative and communicable disease programs.

She holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Pennsylvania State University and a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. Ms. Peterson is also a graduate of the Johnson & Johnson/UCLA Health Care Executive Management Program and is on the board of directors of several local organizations.   

Mr. Klipstein is a highly qualified professional with more than 20 years of experience as an attorney, business development officer, and financial advisor. Currently, he serves as lead Client Advisor at JFS Wealth Advisors on topics including portfolio construction, strategic asset selection and allocation, estate distribution, asset protection, and charitable and estate/GSTT tax management strategies.      

Mr. Klipstein holds a Juris Doctor from Temple University School of Law and a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Temple University School of Business and Management.    

Why I Serve at Gaudenzia:    

I’m from Philadelphia, and it’s difficult to witness how drug and alcoholism continues to affect our communities. I want to make a positive impact. Gaudenzia is an organization with a mission I can get behind and contribute to through my talents, resources, and abilities.                

Mr. Olsen is a Partner with a Boathouse Capital, a private equity based in Philadelphia. He previously worked with Morgan Stanley as an equity research analyst focused on publicly traded healthcare companies. His wealth of professional knowledge includes experience working with public and private companies and providing credit and equity investments. Mr. Olsen holds a Bachelor of Sciences degree from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School and is a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Based in suburban Philadelphia, Mr. Olsen has a strong desire to use his expertise and broader network to serve nonprofit organizations in the area. In addition to serving as Gaudenzia Foundation Board Treasurer, he volunteers as Treasurer for the Berwyn Fire Company.

Why I Serve at Gaudenzia:

I value opportunities to engage with causes and organizations where I can make a significant and immediate impact. Gaudenzia’s work benefits my community. Serving this organization allows me to learn more about a growing need while aligning with my professional interests in mental and behavioral healthcare.   

Mr. Plevelich joins the Gaudenzia, Inc. Board of Directors with a wealth of experience in the finance sector. He has worked as a Healthcare Investor at NewSpring Capital for the past 15 years. In this role, Mr. Plevelich invests in healthcare services and technology companies. His experience includes working with for-profit substance use disorder treatment providers.

Based in suburban Philadelphia, Mr. Plevelich is dedicated to serving local organizations that work to benefit his community. He has served as a Board Member for healthcare companies across a range of growth stages. While attending high school, he served as a volunteer at Gaudenzia’s Kindred House, where his thoughtfulness and understanding of substance use disorder were apparent to all those he interacted with.

Why I Serve at Gaudenzia:

My interest in joining the Board of Directors at Gaudenzia is both personal and professional. Professionally, I have spent the last 15 years investing in healthcare companies. I have seen the challenges facing the behavioral healthcare industry today and believe my knowledge can be helpful to Gaudenzia’s ongoing success. From a personal perspective, my family has been touched by substance use disorder. I know the impact it can have, not only on the individual, but on the broader community. Serving on the Board at Gaudenzia allows me to use my professional knowledge to make an impact on a problem that has affected so many.

Dr. Assaye joins the Gaudenzia, Inc. Board of Directors with over 27 years of experience in accounting and auditing, with more than 15 of those years spent in the nonprofit sector. During this time, she has relished the opportunities to use her accounting skills, training, and acumen to serve others. 

Dr. Assaye has worked with executive leadership teams over the years, providing support with Financial Planning and Analysis to organizations that helped them achieve financial health and long-range asset acquisitions. She has proudly built strong professional relationships with partners of her finance teams, including brokers, funders, auditors, bankers, and other stakeholders. She has spent the last 9 years in her chosen career as the Chief Financial Officer, with her current appointment serving a peer-based organization that targets populations afflicted with mental health and substance use disorders. 

Dr. Assaye holds a bachelor’s degree in business education with a minor in business administration from Andrews University, along with masters and doctoral degrees from Drexel University. 

Why I Serve at Gaudenzia:

I was introduced to Gaudenzia by a colleague several years ago and immediately felt it was a good fit. This position draws on my passion for serving others. Gaudenzia works to restore dignity to those who have lost it due to substance use and co-occurring disorders. Substance use has taken a toll on family members and witnessing that allowed me to immediately identify with Gaudenzia’s mission. I am happy to partner with the executive leadership to continue to move this work forward.              

Ms. Naughton-Beck joined Gaudenzia as General Counsel in 2023. In this role, she oversees all legal matters affecting Gaudenzia, Inc. and Gaudenzia Foundation, Inc., as well as corporate compliance of agency programs and services.

Prior to joining Gaudenzia, Ms. Naughton-Beck was a practicing attorney for thirty years, representing non-profit organizations, governmental agencies, and municipal authorities in all aspects of the law. She was also seasoned litigator representing commercial property owners, developers, and homeowners in real estate, land development and liability matters.

Ms. Naughton-Beck earned her Juris Doctor from Widener University School of Law and a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Villanova University. She currently serves as the Chairperson of The Community’s Foundation in Delaware County and Values Into Action, a non-profit support services organization.

Why I Work at Gaudenzia:

I served on the Drug & Alcohol Advisory Board for Delaware County for over twenty years during which time I became exposed to the complexity of addiction and challenges facing treatment. Working for Gaudenzia gives me the opportunity to use my experience and skills to help support and advance Gaudenzia’s mission of helping individuals suffering from substance use disorders confront those challenges.

Mr. Anderson joined Gaudenzia in January 2023 as Chief Information Officer. In this role, he oversees the people, processes, and technologies within the organization’s IT department.

Prior to joining Gaudenzia, Mr. Anderson held numerous leadership positions, including Director of Information, Technology, Facilities, and Operations with Neuronetics, Senior Director of Corporate IT with Bioclinica, and Director of Global IT Service Delivery with ICON Clinical Research.

Mr. Anderson gained his technical degree in IT Systems Management in 1994. From 2004­‑2005, while working for an Irish company, he had the opportunity to attend the Michael Smurfit Graduate School affiliated with University College Dublin, where he participated in an executive level 2-year training course in International Business Management.

Why I Work at Gaudenzia:

For the past 20 years I have focused my career on healthcare. I can run IT for any company, but wanted to focus on organizations that help people. I worked in pharma, life sciences, medical devices, and now in treatment. I can honestly say that Gaudenzia has been the most rewarding experience of my 20 years in healthcare. I am very passionate about what I do, and I hope I bring a lot of positive energy to the organization!

Michelle Berkoben, CPA is a partner in Wipfli’s Client Advisory Services, with over 20 years of public accounting experience. She started her career in the audit practice where she focused on mainly the technology and non-profit sector for twelve years before creating the outsourced accounting practice in the northeast market.  Today, she focuses on consulting and advising on creative business solutions to help companies transform their businesses and prepare to scale. Michelle serves business owners and founders in tech and other diverse industries and stages of their business, from startups to mature companies through various controller and CFO services.  She consults and assists startups and emerging businesses with their growth from formation to maturity and consults with venture capital and private equity backed companies to prepare them for capital raises and advises her clients through the challenges of change management after their deals.

In addition, Michelle serves as the market leader for the Technology/Innovation Industry for Wipfli. Other leadership responsibilities have included the Relationship’s Chair for Wipfli’s Business Resource Group, Women of Wipfli, and a member of her markets Growth Council.

Why I serve at Gaudenzia: I am a Gaudenzia Foundation Board member because this provides a chance to be part of a dedicated group of individuals committed to addressing substance abuse and mental health issues.  While I do not have personal relationship with substance abuse, I do have a relationship with someone struggling with their mental health.  I have learned about this disparate system and lack of support and education around getting help.  I see how there is a connection with substance abuse and mental health, so this is also a personal journey. I want to leverage my skills and experience to make a tangible impact to the organization and those individuals Guadenzia serves. 

Mr. Bickford joined Gaudenzia in 2023 as the Chief Financial Officer.  In this role, he is responsible for building and executing financial strategies for the organization while overseeing fiscal responsibilities and financial deliverables.

With nearly four decades of financial leadership in the behavior health sector, Mr. Bickford brings vast experience to the organization.  Before joining Gaudenzia, Mr. Bickford served as CFO at Community Behavioral Health in Philadelphia. Prior to that role, he served in leadership roles at MVP Health Plan, Atlantis Health Systems, Pennsylvania HealthMATE, CBNHP/AmeriHealth Mercy, and the Pennsylvania Employees Benefit Trust Fund.

Mr. Bickford and his wife enjoy traveling, golf and motorcycling as well as watching their grandchildren grow up.  He also has a passion for music, playing the guitar, keyboards and woodwinds as well as authoring eight novels with more on the way.

Why I Work at Gaudenzia:

I have been directly involved in the financing of behavioral health and substance abuse treatment for the Medicaid population in eastern and central Pennsylvania regions. By joining Gaudenzia, I now have the opportunity to  work with payers to align incentives and improve reimbursement for addiction recovery and enhance the quality of services for our communities.