Patty Kim
A former news anchor and reporter and Harrisburg City Councilwoman, Patty was first elected to the state House of Representatives in 2012 and has been a leader in government reform and transparency. Kim is the Co-Chair of the Greater Capital Region STEAM Ecosystem; Co-Chair of the MLK Day of Volunteering committee, and also serves on the Appropriations, Education, Local Government, Transportation and Urban Affairs committees. She is Vice Co-Chair of the Southeast Delegation. During her second term, she served as Treasurer for the Legislative Black Caucus.
Chad Frey
With almost 20 years of experience in higher education, Chad has first hand experience leading international, national, state and local community engagement initiatives. Under President Obama, Chad worked with the White House Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, the US Department of Education and the Corporation for National Community Service to champion the “Together For Tomorrow” and “My Brother’s Keeper” initiatives in Harrisburg. Chad is also the President of Partnership Planners LLC and Foundry Makerspace and serves as a consultant for The Greater Capital Region STEAM Ecosystem which is a project of The Foundation For Enhancing Communities (TFEC).
Dr. Roma Benjamin
Apostle, Dr. Roma J. Benjamin is the Senior Pastor of New Wine Gateway Ministries International and the Director of New Sound Literacy and Technology Centers both located at 120 S. 27th Street, Harrisburg, PA. She is also affiliated with the Church of the Living God. Dr. Benjamin is a native New Yorker, now residing in Harrisburg, PA. She is a graduate of Rhema Bible Training Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma where she studied Evangelism. She has received her Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education and a Master of Arts in Public School Administration from Oral Roberts University located in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In May 2007, Dr. Benjamin completed and received her Superintendent Certificate from Shippensburg University, Shippensburg, PA. She also has completed her Doctorate in Education Leadership at Nova Southeastern University, Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Peter Speaks
Peter Speaks retired from state government in September 2018 after 29 years of service. In his last position, Peter served as Deputy Secretary for Regulatory Programs for the Department of State where he oversaw the Bureaus of Corporations and Charitable Organizations; Professional and Occupational Affairs; Licensing Enforcement and Investigations; and the State Athletic Commission. Peter also served in several senior level positions in state government such as Special Advisor to Governor Rendell for Minority and Women-owned Businesses, and as Deputy Auditor General for Performance Audits. Peter is very active with his church, The First Baptist Church of Steelton, and in the community where he serves on several community and non-profit boards and associations. Peter helped coordinate the “Grab and Go” meals” and “Summer Meals Program” this summer with the Central Food Bank and Steelton area churches. Peter is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia and he received his law degree from Hasting College of Law in San Francisco, California.
Yvonne Hollins
Yvonne Hollins currently serves as the Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Harrisburg. Mrs. Hollins is a Harrisburg native and graduate of the Harrisburg School District. She retired from a long career in education including roles as a teacher and assistant principal in the Harrisburg School District as well as the Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education in the Central Dauphin School District. Mrs. Hollins has received several awards for her dedicated service to children and youth and strong leadership within the community.
Helen Spence
Helen received both her Bachelor and master’s degree in social work from Temple University. She has experience as a protective caseworker for Chester County. For 12 years Helen served in the Philadelphia County juvenile probation department special offender’s unit and received the probation officer of the year award. Helen continued her career in juvenile probation in Dauphin County where she served as a Juvenile Probation Court Intake Worker, Assistant Supervisor of the Court Intake Unit and then selected by the chief of juvenile probation to work with Dauphin County Commissioners, Judges, and Administrators to develop a strengths and collective solutions approach to improve outcomes and to sustain families and children. Helen has conducted numerous presentations and workshop across the country promoting the effectiveness of strength base practice. She current serves as the Dauphin County’s System of Care Community Liaison Specialist. Helen also serves on the board of New Beginnings Youth Camp; Adult Services, the Penn State Research Board, and the Nursing Family Partners
Board.