Board of Directors
President
Joseph Martellaro
Lebanon Valley College
Joe has enjoyed a 30+ year career serving charitable organizations in the higher education, public media and national health sectors. He has served in a variety of roles including public relations, corporate sponsorship, annual giving, and major and planned giving.
President-Elect
Heather P Morris
Millersville University
Heather has worked in fund development for the nonprofit sector for 20 years. She has held the credential as a Certified Fundraising Executive since 2010. Heather has been at Millersville University for nine years. Millersville is a state university dedicated to providing a high-quality academic experience at an exceptional value.
Treasurer and Acting Secretary
David M. Watts, Jr.
I am retired from the law firm of McNees Wallace & Nurick LLC after 30+ years of practice in the areas of nonprofit corporation law and estate planning, with a focus on planned giving. I live in Camp Hill with my wife Ramona, and enjoy gardening, various volunteer activities and helping to take care of our family summer cottage located in the lakes region of New Hampshire.
Director
Stephanie Asper
Dickinson College
Stephanie has been an advocate, volunteer, fundraiser and staunch non-profit supporter her whole life, particularly in the education sector. She is continually inspired by the donors she works with and the amazing students they support. In addition to planned giving, Stephanie has enjoyed working as a former educator, early education staffer, and professional in higher education student success, academic advising, records management, and event programming. She has been at Dickinson College, a small private liberal arts college located in Carlisle, PA, for just shy of 5 years.
Director
Ivy Buchan
Invoke Nonprofit Consulting
Dr. Buchan is a nonprofit strategist who has spent more than 20 years helping organizations through Board Governance, Fundraising, Strategic Planning, Training & Coaching, Collaborations & Mergers, Foundations, and Research Methods. She brings frontline experience, a PhD and credentials focused on nonprofit leadership and collaboration, and award-winning community involvement to every engagement, while offering practical tools and real-world insight. Specifically, Ivy is licensed in nonprofit management at the state and national levels and is an AFP Master Trainer.
For her full bio visit www.invokenonprofitconsulting.com.
Director
Bill Coder
Messiah Lifeways
Development Director for the American Heart Association of Lancaster County before serving as a Major Gifts Officer at Lancaster Bible College | Capital Seminary & Graduate School. Bill holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Lancaster Bible College and a Master of Business Administration from Western Governor’s University.
Director
Amanda Hickle
Landis Communities
Amanda Hickle serves as the Director of Advancement for Landis Communities in Lititz, PA. Here, she develops and oversees all aspects of fundraising. Amanda is a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE). With 23 years of development experience in nonprofit organizations, Amanda is skilled at cultivating relationships to grow charitable support. She considers these relationships and the generous people she stewards among her greatest professional joys.
Director
Elyse Kauffman
Everence Foundation
Elyse M. Kauffman is the Charitable Consultant with the Everence Foundation as part of the Pennsylvania team; a position she has held since September, 2020. Elyse joined Everence with more than 15 years of fundraising experience in the nonprofit sector – serving both large and small organizations including: Philhaven’s Center for Autism and Developmental Disabilities, Excentia’s S. June Smith Center, and York College of PA. She has a diverse background in understanding the needs of donors and of charitable organizations and serves individuals, families, nonprofit organizations, and churches throughout PA in charitable giving through Everence Charitable Services.
Director
Mary Janet Murphy
Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Capital Region
Mary had a long-time career in corporate marketing and management consulting. Along the way she found a passion for non-profits and helping those in need by “professionally” volunteering. For over 4 years she’s led a small but mighty development team at Big Brothers Big Sisters of South-Central PA (formerly BBBS of the Capital Region). Looking ahead to their 3-year strategic plan, Mary is excited to slow down a little bit, build her team, and especially put structure around development.
Nominating Committee Chair and Past President
Jen Groff
Lancaster General Health
Jennifer Groff has been at LG Health for 11 years. In her current role she created a Planned Giving Advisory Committee which consists of estate planning attorneys, accountants and financial advisors. This advisory committee has helped to build LG Health’s planned giving program and has strengthened relationships with these critical allied professionals and the mission of LG Health. Jen has more than 25 years of development experience.
Past President and NACGP Board of Directors
Mark A. Vergenes
MIRUS Financial Partners
Having entered the financial services industry in 1995, Mark has built a clientele that consists of individuals, families, non-profits and business owners. His practice focuses on the advantages of asset management and “wrap fee” programs through Cetera Advisor Networks LLC. Knowledge and experience play key roles in helping Mark’s clients more effectively work toward their financial goals. A longtime resident of Lancaster, PA, Mark is very active in the community.
