board of directors

OFFICERS

Nina V. Rogers
(Chair)

Real Estate
President, Legalty

John Sundquist
(Vice Chair)

Business-Retired

Clifford P. Haugen
(Treasurer)

Finance
Principal & Financial Advisor, President, BLB&B Advisors, LLC

Polly M. Shaffer
(Secretary)

Legal-retired

Kristen E.M. Gay, Ph.D.

President & CEO
Gemma Services


William H. Black, Jr., Esq.

Legal
Vice President and General Counsel, Cassatt RRG Holding Company

Christopher Holland

Nonprofit/Ministry
Executive Director, The Common Place

Yardly R. Jenkins

Philanthropy
Community Volunteer

C. Andrew Krepps, Jr.

Finance
Investment Planner, Geneos Wealth Management

Connie L. Murphy

Fundraising
Director of Strategic Relationships, Alliance for Decision Education

Elisabeth S. Slate, Ph.D.

Psychology
Licensed Psychologist, Private Practice

Robena Spangler

Health & Human Services
Senior Director, DEI, Apis Services, Inc.

Nancy B. Wolcott

Finance-Retired

senior management

Kristen E.M. Gay, Ph.D., President/CEO

Kristen Gay serves as President & CEO of Gemma Services. She has devoted her career to serving children and families, previously at Silver Springs - Martin Luther School prior to its merger with the Village to become one, unified organization now known as Gemma Services. After receiving a B.A. in Psychology from Franklin and Marshall College, and an M. Ed. in Psychological Services and a Ph.D. in School, Community and Clinical Child Psychology from the University of Pennsylvania, Kristen joined the Silver Springs staff in 1999. Kristen worked in various roles throughout the organization, including Clinical Intern, Foster Family Care Caseworker, Independent Consultant, Performance Improvement/Family Resource Services Director, Development Director, and Vice President. In addition, Kristen has clinical experience in Counseling and School Psychology and has served as an Adjunct Instructor at the University of Pennsylvania. Kristen has served on task forces at the city and state levels. Kristen’s diverse experience working within the programs and administration at Gemma, as well as within the broader behavioral health system, informs her strong and passionate vision for the future of the organization, and the myriad ways through which Gemma Services brings hope and healing to children and families. A proven collaborator and decisive leader, Kristen is honored to lead Gemma Services and its many programs providing hope, education, and healing for children, youth, and families in our region and beyond.

Joan Plump, ESQ, MA, Chief of Staff

Joan Plump joined Silver Springs - Martin Luther School in 2008 after working for many years as a civil defense attorney in the Philadelphia region. When Joan first arrived she served as a Development Officer, later Development Director, Administrative Services Director, and then Vice President. As Administrative Services Director and Vice President, Joan assumed oversight of Martin Luther School, human resources, and information management. Now in her role as Chief of Staff at Gemma Services, Joan supervises human resources, operations, information management, and quality and compliance, oversees commercial insurance, and provides strategic counsel to the CEO. Joan is passionate about the organization's mission to help vulnerable and remarkable children be safe and reach their full potential. Joan has a B.A. from Bucknell University, a Master’s in Education from La Salle University, and a J.D. from Fordham University. She is licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, and has served as a volunteer lawyer for The Support Center for Child Advocates in Philadelphia.

Janet Felder, Chief Human Resources Officer

Janet Felder is the Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO) at Gemma. Janet arrived in September 2022 after serving as CHRO at the YMCA of Bucks & Hunterdon Counties since 2016. In that role, Janet led the Y’s HR department which supported seven locations that included 2500+ staff and volunteers. Her responsibilities included the development of all aspects of talent management from recruitment through the employee’s work experience. She led diversity and inclusion initiatives and assisted with creating and maintaining the Y’s organizational culture. Janet has over 30 years of extensive HR experience working in both private and public sectors. At Gemma, Janet provides leadership for all recruitment, retention, employee relations, HRIS, and all other strategic functions of the Human Resources department. Janet is passionate about mentoring and encouraging people to reach their highest potential. She received her B.S. from Immaculata University and M.S. from Villanova, both with a specialization in Human Resources and Organizational Development. Janet is a certified Professional of Human Resources (PHR) and holds her SHRM-CP credentialing.

Jamie Fenstermaker, LPC, Chief Integrity Officer

As Chief Integrity Officer, Jamie Fenstermaker is responsible for the oversight of aspects of the organization related to quality improvement, compliance, and ensuring high standards of care for all services. Prior the merger with Silver Springs, Jamie served as Chief Operating Officer at theVillage (now Gemma Services), and also served there as Senior Director of Residential Programs and Director of Quality Improvement. Jamie joined theVillage following over 16 years of service at St. Mary’s Villa for Children and Families, another local non-profit residential program providing residential and clinical care to vulnerable youth. Jamie brings experience in leading multifaceted programs, a background as a Licensed Professional Counselor, and certification in Lean Six Sigma. Jamie earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh and Master’s degree in Counseling from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Her mission of helping those most in need started when she began volunteering in homeless shelters and outreach programs in Pittsburgh and continues through her work today through improving services to children and families through Gemma Services’ programs.

Wendy Wait, Chief Financial Officer

Wendy Wait began as Chief Financial Officer of Silver Springs - Martin Luther School in November 2017. She brought extensive experience in behavioral health financial management. Wendy previously was Controller at Melmark for 5 years, and CFO at Holcomb Behavioral Health Systems for 11 years. In her current role with Gemma, Wendy oversees financial operations, budgeting and reporting, and provides leadership for finance-related matters. Wendy attended Penn State University and graduated with a B.S. with Honors in Accounting and Finance.

Lynn Unipan, MSW, CFRE, Chief Development Officer

Lynn Unipan serves as Chief Development Officer and provides leadership for all fundraising initiatives, special events, grant writing, volunteer engagement, and related communications. Lynn arrived at Silver Springs, prior to the merger with theVillage, in 2008 after many years working in nonprofit fundraising, marketing, and communications roles. She received her BA from Bowdoin College, MA in Education from Claremont Graduate University, and Master’s in Social Work from the University of Southern California. She also has prior experience as a clinical social worker in residential and outpatient mental health settings. A Certified Fundraising Executive, Lynn is a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Philadelphia Chapter (AFP) and is passionate about advancing opportunities for disadvantaged children, youth, and families.

Neil Clark, Vice President of Operations

Neil Clark is Vice President of Operations and, as such, oversees buildings, grounds, major building projects, food services, energy management, purchasing, contract agreements, and safety and security of Gemma Services' three locations. Neil brings a unique perspective to his work as he has held supervisory positions in both the Residential Treatment Program and Martin Luther School. Neil previously served as Operations Director with the Wallingford/Swarthmore School District, supervising major construction and the Facilities and Transportation Departments. He has served on public and non-profit boards and associations, including as Chair of the Montgomery County Office of Children and of Youth Advisory Committee, Lower Merion Youth Aid Panel, Plymouth Township Shade Tree And Recreation Committee (current), and Silver Springs - Martin Luther School Foundation Board (2013-2019). Neil graduated from DeSales University, Center Valley, PA with BA in Psychology.

Melissa Harvey, MSW, LSW, Vice President of Community Based Programs

Melissa Harvey arrived at Silver Springs in November 2016, prior to the merger with theVillage, with more than 15 years of supervisory and leadership experience in the non-profit behavioral health and social service sector. Melissa has served as Director of Operations for all Youth Behavioral Health Services at NorthEast Treatment Centers (NET). Melissa, a Licensed Social Worker in PA, received her Master’s Degree from Temple University. She began her career working with medically complex children and children with developmental delays. In her administrative roles, Melissa has created and organized numerous systems to ensure that children and their families receive the best quality care and service. Melissa brings to Gemma Services a passion for and dedication to serving families and their children in all aspects of care. In her current role, Melissa oversees all Community Based Programs including Adoption and Permanency; Family Based Mental Health Services; Foster Family Care; Intensive Behavioral Health Rehabilitative Services; Outpatient Mental Health Services, and two Prevention Programs, a Family Empowerment Center and In Home Protective Services.

Sarah Kline, MSW, LCSW, Vice President of Residential Services

Sarah Kline is the Vice President of Residential Services, providing leadership and oversight for Gemma's residential programs. Sarah arrived in 2012 with experience working in the child welfare system as well as alternative school and in-home settings. Sarah received her Master's in Social Work from Widener University and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. Prior to the merger with theVillage, at Silver Springs, Sarah served as a social worker and trauma therapist in the Residential Treatment Program, the Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement Supervisor, and most recently, as the Senior Residential Program Director for the Plymouth Meeting Residential Treatment Program. Sarah is committed to excellence and innovation in the services we provide, and to ensuring that evidence based practices are implemented and family-driven care is at the forefront of the residential programs.

Dean Martella, Vice President of Information Management

In his role as Vice President of Information Management, Dean Martella provides leadership for the overall technology vision for the organization. He is responsible for the management of all hardware, software, workflows, and information security at Gemma Services. Dean has more than 17 years of experience in the technology field, including work as a consultant to non-profit and for profit organizations of various sizes. Dean has an Associate’s Degree and many industry certifications, most notably from Microsoft and VMware.

Eva Morrison, M.A., Vice President of Educational Services

As Vice President of Educational Services, Eva Morrison is responsible for providing leadership and oversight for all the educational services that Gemma provides, which includes leading Martin Luther School. Eva previously served as Director of Martin Luther School, arriving in 2019 with more than 25 years of experience as an educator and educational leader. Eva has served in various roles throughout her career, most recently before arriving at Gemma, as Director of Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment and Professional Development for the Upper Dublin School District. Eva is passionate about teaching and learning, and committed to facilitating a collegial, student-centered learning environment where both students and staff leave school each day feeling fulfilled. Eva has a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education and Teaching from Carlow University, K-12 Principal Certification (Pennsylvania) from Delaware Valley University, and a Master’s Degree in Secondary Education and Teaching from LaSalle University. Eva is a life-long learner who is creative, authentic, and genuinely cares about the educators and students with whom she works.