How long have you been at NHCO?

I was first connected to NHCO in October 2013 when I signed up to be a Free Tax Preparation Volunteer. I volunteered for the program for several years as volunteer preparer and quality reviewer. I was then hired part time in October 2016 as the Site Coordinator for Free Tax Prep Program. The following year I joined the organization full time as the Resource Coordinator, oversaw our Ask the Attorney Program, Education Assistance Program, Smart Investment, Free Tax Prep, Employment Services. In 2019 I became the Millvale Outreach Manager, and began overseeing the programs out of the Millvale office. In April 2022 I was hired as the Assistant Director of Programs & Services where the oversight of NHCO Pathways was added to my duties. Then, in October of that year I was promoted to the Director of Programs & Services.

How did you feel when you were first approached about being the Acting Executive Director?

I was honored to be asked. We have a good team of kind, hardworking staff and volunteers that are passionate about our mission of addressing the needs of those experiencing hardship, crisis and poverty. I am honored to work with them and our other community partners in this new role.

Even though this position is temporary, what plans do you have to help advance NHCO’s mission?

I plan to work diligently to ensure that our staff and organization has the resources needed to continue to provide our programs and services to our neighbors in need, continue to strengthen our partnership and work to build new ones, and continue to make sure that we are listening to those experiencing hardship, crisis and poverty to ensure that NHCO is addressing their needs.

What are 3 words to describe NHCO?

Compassionate, Helpers, Hardworking

What do you find the most challenging at NHCO?

Through all my years of working at NHCO, the most challenging aspect of the work is still when NHCO is unable to provide assistance to a person in need. We have worked to build partnerships with others organizations that provide services that we do not so that we can refer our neighbors in need. We understand that is difficult to ask for help and how frustrating it can be to reach out and get told no. On occasion, we get calls or emails from other states where there is not an organization like NHCO.

What is your proudest moment at NHCO?

Watching the staff and working together with staff to figure out a problem and/or finding resources to provide a client. I am very lucky to work with a team of very dedicated individuals who want to help others.

Before working at NHCO, what was the most unusual or interesting job you’ve ever had?

They were all interesting in their own way. Probably something that I still do that others might find unusual is train new volunteer tax preparers. I know taxes is not for everyone, but I do enjoy being able to help people this way. In early January for the past couple years, I am contracted by United Way & Just Harvest for help train the Free Tax Prep Coalition new volunteers for the upcoming tax season. I enjoy being able to share my knowledge and something I like with others. Plus, I know that those that I train with them go back to one of the VITA Free Tax Prep Sites throughout the area and help others by preparing taxes for free.

If you could have any super power, what would it be?

Teleportation. Being able to teleport would be very handy right now. I do at times enjoy long car rides but being able to teleport could save so much time. Another plus of teleporting would be avoiding traffic and/or road construction. Being able to teleport, I would be able to visit more people and places in person.

If you were not working at NHCO, what would your dream job be?

When I was young, I wanted to be a teacher. When I graduated high school, I planned to study accounting and/or business. I am now pursuing my MBA degree at Robert Morris University, so that dream is becoming a reality!