Darcie Martin
Email: ceo@unitedwayscc.org
Darcie Martin is the Chief Executive Officer of United Way of Southern Chester County (UWSCC), where she leads efforts to advance financial stability and economic mobility for ALICE households and working families. With nearly 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, Darcie focuses on building partnerships and developing community-driven solutions that address barriers to economic security, including transportation, workforce stability, financial education, and access to essential services. Prior to joining UWSCC in 2025, she served as Deputy Executive Director of the Delaware Museum of Nature and Science, where she helped lead a successful $10 million capital campaign. Darcie holds degrees from Penn State University and York College of Pennsylvania, along with leadership certificates from Duke University and the University of Delaware.
Kaki Reynolds
Email: reynoldsk@unitedwayknox.org
Kaki Reynolds serves as Senior Director of Economic Mobility at the United Way of Greater Knoxville, where she leads initiatives focused on expanding economic opportunity and strengthening support systems for families across East Tennessee. A New Orleans native and University of Georgia graduate, Kaki has built her career in nonprofit program management with a focus on helping families and young children thrive. Prior to her current role, she helped launch Knox County’s nationally recognized Safe Baby Court program. Passionate about creating pathways to stability and success, Kaki is dedicated to helping families reach their full potential. She is also a proud wife and mother of two.
Nic Dunn
Email: nic@sifreedom.org
Nic Dunn is Vice President of Strategy and Senior Fellow at Sutherland Institute, where he leads policy research, coalition building, and public advocacy focused on expanding opportunity and upward mobility. With more than 14 years of experience in public policy and strategic communications, his work centers on workforce development, social safety net reform, and strengthening outcomes for individuals and families. Prior to joining Sutherland, Nic led statewide social impact initiatives at Utah Community Builders and held key policy and communications roles in state and local government, including positions with the Utah Valley Chamber, Salt Lake County, the Utah Department of Workforce Services, and the administration of Governor Gary Herbert. He also hosts Sutherland’s Defending Ideas podcast and frequently contributes policy analysis and commentary to national and regional media outlets.
Adrienne Briggs
Adrienne Briggs, M.Ed., an Early Childhood Educator and entrepreneur based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. For over thirty years, has owned and operated Lil’ Bits Family Child Care Home, a high-quality Keystone Star 4 and PHL PreK facility dedicated to nurturing young learners in a safe, engaging, and developmentally appropriate environment. As a Consultant, PQAS Instructor, and CDA Professional Development Specialist, she empowers educators through mentoring, training, and advocacy. She formerly served as President of the Family Child Care Advisory Council and currently serves as Vice President of Quality Influential Professionals (QIP). She is also a published author and a respected voice for quality improvement and equity in early
childhood education. Throughout her career, she has held formative roles as a CDA Student Support Coach, provider leader, and expert consultant for the Racial Equity Early Childhood Provider Council. As a proud Early Childhood professional, she is most excited about collaborating with fellow professionals to elevate family childcare visibility and drive meaningful changes across the field.
PJ O’Brien
Email: patricko@uwbucks.org
P.J. O’Brien joined United Way of Bucks County in 2020 and serves as Director of Strategy and Operations, supporting organizational planning, process improvement, and collaboration across departments. He previously served as HELP Center Associate and Impact Director of Financial Stability, overseeing programs and special projects that help households build greater financial stability. Before joining United Way, PJ worked in legislative and political roles with the Pennsylvania House of Representatives.
Sheri Ratner
Email sherir@uwbucks.org
Sheri Ratner joined United Way of Bucks County in 2016 and has served as Director of the HELP Center since 2020. She oversees the Center’s work connecting individuals and families with essential household goods that support their well-being and financial stability. Sheri previously served in Resource Development roles within the organization. Before joining United Way, she spent many years in retail management, bringing extensive experience in customer service and operations to her work at the HELP Center.
Lori Cushman
Email: loricushman@justamerefoundation.org
Lori has been at the head of the Justamere Foundation since its inception in 2020. The mission of the organization is to impact generational poverty by removing the barriers that are keeping hard working people from their most prosperous selves. Before Justamere, Lori spent 30+ years in technical sales for both software and services. Many of the project management skills there translate well to philanthropy as they both put the client success first and foremost. She has used these skills on many boards including West Chester Area Education Foundation, Lions Club, and Task Force Movement (a special Whitehouse task force).
Rebecca Mercatoris
Email: rebecca.mercatoris@alleghenycounty.us
Rebecca C. Mercatoris (Becky) has served as the inaugural Director of Allegheny County’s Department of Children Initiatives since 2021. With more than 25 years of experience in early childhood education, she has led efforts at the local, state, and national levels on key issues including workforce development, early learning policy, and support for infants, toddlers, and families. Prior to her current role, she served as Director of the Bureau of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development for Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). Becky holds a Master of Public Policy and Management from the University of Pittsburgh and a bachelor’s degree from The College of Wooster.
Amanda Blevins
Email: ablevins@uwchestercounty.org
Amanda Blevins is the Community Impact Director at Chester County United Way, where she leads the organization’s community impact strategy and oversees programs that address the stability barriers facing households.
Amanda’s perspective is shaped by experience across the nonprofit, health care, and fundraising sectors. In her current role, Amanda directed more than $1 million in community impact investments into Chester County. She oversees the Financial Stability Center, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program, which provides free tax preparation and financial services to more than 2,500 households annually. She also directs the Mobile Home Tax Reassessment Program, which has reached more than one-third of the county’s mobile homeowners.
Amanda holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Penn State University. Her work reflects a cross-sector approach that brings together employers, government, funders, and community organizations to strengthen financial stability and economic mobility for working families across the region.
Karen McDermott
Karen McDermott is Manager of Children’s Savings Accounts within Pennsylvania Treasury’s Bureau of Savings Programs and oversees the Keystone Scholars program. Keystone Scholars is a statewide children’s savings account program which provides a $100 scholarship account for every Pennsylvania child’s post-high school education. In her role as manager, Karen is responsible for new program and partner development, as well as operations, data analytics, and evaluation functions. Description for this block. Use this space for describing your block. Any text will do. Description for this block. You can use this space for describing your block.
