United Way of Bucks County announced the election of five new members to its board of directors.
Paul Bencivengo, president and COO of Visit Bucks County and United Way of Bucks County’s Nominating Chair, said, “Each individual in the next class of board members brings a unique set of skills and expertise to the table, but they all share the passion to do everything they can to help support the Bucks County community.”
New members include: Karen Johnson-Susko, Global Customer Care Director, Supply Chain, SUEZ Water Technologies & Solutions; Dr. Kern Jolibois, Senior Thought Leader, Liaison, Genentech; Dr. David Pocalyko, Senior Director, Janssen Research & Development; Carol Anne Schramm, Finance Executive, Gannett; and Tiffany Thomas-Smith, Esq., Senior Partner, Owner, The Thomas Smith Firm, P.C.
“Our board of directors is a dedicated team of community leaders committed to creating opportunities for quality education, financial stability, and good health to ensure real, lasting change for individuals and our communities,” said Marissa Christie, president and CEO, United Way of Bucks County. “Without question, I know that our new board members will be instrumental in furthering our mission.”
“We look forward to working with these new members as we continue our important work with the citizens of Bucks County,” added Catherine McElroy, board chair, United Way of Bucks County board of directors.
Johnson-Susko is a strategic leader with 20-plus years’ experience in supply chain, customer experience, and commercial support roles. She has a proven track record of growth, transformation and operational excellence. She leads all aspects of fulfillment operations in the specialty chemicals sector for a $3B BU, providing sustainable solutions to complex water and process treatment challenges across the diverse range of industries.
“As a leader at GE, and now SUEZ Water & Process Technologies, I have been able to leverage my position as a director and influence our employees to further our rich history with the United Way,” she said. “I have been a key leader in our annual giving campaign for North America, as well as fostering our years-long connection in Bucks County. As a leadership donor, I believe in what the United Way of Bucks County does every day in helping our neighbors and am excited about playing a larger role as a board member.”
Jolibois is a dynamic professional with strong business acumen and the ability to step forward to handle challenges and deliver results. He has several years of experience in biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. Jolibois has cross-functional expertise across clinical, sales, marketing and healthcare trends.
“I would like to be involved in the many activities supporting the community, and to contribute to the success of the organization,” he said. “I have participated in national United Way annual campaigns in the past but being able to have a direct impact on my community, through the United Way of Bucks County, will be very rewarding.”
Pocalyko is a pharmaceutical industry executive with extensive experience in drug discovery and development. He has a track record for building high performing teams and delivering results including multiple INDs and POCs. Pocalyko is a highly motivated leader capable of effectively working in dynamic multi-disciplinary teams.
Schramm has comprehensive and progressive experience as a senior finance professional. She is results-driven, utilizing data and metrics to provide critical financial insight and strategic support to CFO, CEO and various stakeholders in a matrixed organization. She has a strong background in both publicly and privately held, multi-national, high growth companies in diverse industries, such as engineering and construction, services and manufacturing. She enjoys strategic decision making, influencing outcomes, and serving as a mentor and role model to colleagues.
Thomas-Smith is owner and partner of The Thomas Smith Firm, PC, a boutique legal firm in Newtown. She provides her clients in Bucks, Montgomery and Philadelphia counties with client-centered quality legal services focused on family law issues. She is admitted to the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Bar. Thomas-Smith has practiced law for over 20 years. As an active member of the Bucks County Bar Association in Doylestown, she currently serves as chair of the Diversity Committee and frequent volunteer for Pro Bono PFA Defense. Additionally, she serves as president of the Bucks County Collaborative Law Group and is trained in mediation and Parenting Coordination Process with Pennsylvania Bar Institute and Pennsylvania Psychological Association.
Visit uwbucks.org or call 215-949-1660 for more information on United Way of Bucks County.
