Jeanne Meikrantz has the privilege of being the Executive Director for The Arc of Chester County, and is responsible for strategic planning and the overall management and operations of the organization.

A graduate of Kutztown University, Jeanne has nearly four decades of experience working with individuals with disabilities and their families, and caregivers. Her experience began with volunteering at Pennhurst in 1978, followed by working as a direct support professional. She quickly advanced to working in multiple service settings in positions of advocacy, management, administration, funding, policy and operations in both the nonprofit sector and government positions.

Born and raised in the Philadelphia region, Jeanne enjoys time with her incredible and diverse family, watching the Eagles, traveling up and down the east coast, and loves being a grandmother.

Robin Fryberger is the Director of Financial Operations with over 25 years of experience working for The Arc of Chester County.

Starting as a part-time Fiscal Assistant processing Payroll and Accounts Payable, Robin has served in many capacities during her time at The Arc, learning all areas of administration and adapting with changes to the state and local levels as it relates to billings and accounts receivables.

In 2001, as The Arc moved from their rented space in Exton to their own facility, a new Operations Manager/Director of Administration position was created and Robin was promoted. In the position of Operations Manager she was responsible for oversight of Fiscal Operations, Payroll, Human Resources, IT and Facility Management. In 2019, the Administration Department was reorganized and she now oversees Fiscal Operations, including Payroll.

Robin is married and has two children.

Janet Schneider is the Chief Quality and Compliance Officer at The Arc of Chester County.

Janet began working at The Arc of Chester County in January 2012 in the Agency with Choice Department. Over the next few years, Janet assisted with payroll, billing, utilization, and supporting families as they used their services or wanted to enroll in Agency with Choice.  In March 2016, Janet joined the Management Team serving in her new role as the Director of Quality and Compliance, where she oversees the Safety and Quality Enhancement Committees, prepares for agency audits/monitorings, reviews qualifications, policies, and procedures for compliance with regulatory requirements, and assists with the development of the agency training curriculum. In June 2016, Janet was recognized as the Employee of the Year.

Prior to working at The Arc of Chester County, Janet worked in several positions supporting people with disabilities. She was a teacher’s aide during the summer session for 4 years in Delaware where she assisted in the 2^nd grade and the college programs. In 2001, Janet graduated from Saint Joseph’s University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Elementary/Special Education. Over the next eight years, she taught students in grades 1-5 in Maryland and then taught students in grades K-11 in Pennsylvania. Then, Janet worked as a Direct Support Professional supporting adults with intellectual disabilities.

Starting in high school and continuing for about the next fifteen years, Janet volunteered as a Unified Partner in Delaware Special Olympics where she was recognized twice as Unified Partner of the Year.

Janet lives in Chester County with her family.

Lisa Harner is the Director of Administration at The Arc of Chester County.

Lisa has a deep rooted history with non-profits, touting more than 30 years in the business.  She has run the gamut in working with people who experience developmental disabilities including residential, adult day programs, employment and community participation.  Some of her favorite things on the job are hiring and training new staff.

When not at The Arc, Lisa enjoys trips to Ocean City, MD and spending time with her family.  She is a member of Keystone AMBUCS and a member of the Advisory Board of Meals on Wheels (Montgomery County.)  Lisa also volunteers at Mission First, a program of Cedarville UMC, which supports those less fortunate with a helping hand.

Rita Mandik is the Director of Human Resources at The Arc of Chester County.

Rita Mandik is a graduate of Immaculata University.  She has worked in the field of Intellectual Disabilities since 1980, beginning her career in direct care and moving up to a variety of programmatic and administrative positions through the years.  Rita has been involved with supported employment, her passion, since 1995.

Rita has her CESP (Certified Employment Support Professional) and ACRE (Association for Credentialed Rehabilitation Educators) certifications, and has written and led multiple grant projects during her career.   She is a member of APSE, Association for People Supporting Employment First, and has given presentations on supported employment on both the state and national level.

Rita came to The Arc in the Fall of 2017, and took on the role of Director of The Arc’s Comprehensive Employment Services in July of 2019.

Jennifer Strausser is the first Chief Operations Officer to be hired at The Arc of Chester County.

Jen brings over 30 years of experience in the non-profit sector supporting individuals with disabilities and their families. She grew up in a household dedicated to providing respite care for people with disabilities, opening their hearts and home to those in need. Her parents subsequently adopted her brother, a former recipient of their services and new addition to the family.

Jen’s career path formed in her high school years, working as a dietary aid in a residential facility for children with disabilities. After graduation, Jen remained in the field working as a Direct Support Professional throughout college. She graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work degree from Cairn University.

Jen’s career spans over 17 years working for providers of IDD services in various positions of direct service, quality management, administration, and operations. In addition, she worked for a Center for Independent Living for seven years in supervisory, management, and compliance roles.

A passion for helping others and lifelong learning has brought Jen to The Arc where she will act as our new Chief Operations Officer, responsible for overseeing the day-to-day administrative and operational business functions. Jen will report to Jeanne Meikrantz, Chief Executive Officer.

Jen enjoys the outdoors and sitting around a campfire with her family. She currently resides in Lancaster County with her three children and various four-legged creatures.

Ashley Cabry is the Director of Family Support Services at The Arc of Chester County.

Ashley graduated from West Chester University with a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise Science, and pursued a Master’s degree in Adapted Physical Activity at Slippery Rock University. Her career kick-started at the YMCA where her role as Healthy Living Director provided the opportunity to work with all populations.

Ashley has a long history with the Arc of Chester County beginning as a preschooler in The Arc’s all-inclusive Preschool Program. She kept her connection to The Arc throughout high school and college in various volunteer roles. Prior to her employment with the YMCA, Ashley began working for the Arc of Chester County in the Family Support Services department as a Direct Support Professional. Ashley’s volunteerism with The Arc continued in assisting with Recreation events which she now manages as the Director of Family Support Services.

Ashley lives in Delaware County with her husband and two dogs, Harley and Ivy.

Kim Booz is The Director of Advocacy at The Arc of Chester County.

Kim’s career path began advocating for two of her children who have autism and intellectual disabilities. She extended her advocacy to other families similarly overwhelmed by the complex education and adult systems, voluntarily lending support for over a decade. Kim joined The Arc of Chester County’s Advocacy Team in 2015 and continues to support families in need. Her repertoire includes a range of other expertise from organizing trainings to advocating for the everyday lives of those she serves.

As Director of Advocacy, Kim oversees Education Advocacy, System Advocacy, Trainings, and Legislative Advocacy, as well as administrative duties. She enjoys working with The Arc’s dedicated team of advocates to help ensure families can access essential school and community-based supports.

Kim is a graduate of Drexel University. She resides in Chester County with her family and enjoys cooking, gardening, and travel adventures.

Shelby Hallman is the Director of Comprehensive Employment Services at the Arc of Chester County.

Shelby graduated from East Stroudsburg University with a bachelor’s degree in Rehabilitation and Human Services and a minor in Psychology. Shelby has had several jobs working with individuals with disabilities throughout college as a lead mentor for the CILLS program at ESU, a paraprofessional for students at the CCIU, and an intern at a Center for Independent Living in their employment program. Shelby started working at the Arc of Chester County as an Employment Training Specialist in the Comprehensive Employment Services program right after graduating college in 2018. As an employment training specialist, Shelby supported individuals to obtain and maintain competitive integrated employment opportunities in the community. Shelby loves creating relationships with the individuals, their families, and the employers in the community. Shelby continues her career at the Arc of Chester County as the Director of Comprehensive Employment Services as of January 2022.

Since Shelby was very young, she always knew that she wanted to make a difference in the lives of individuals with disabilities.

Shelby has her ACRE (Association for Credentialed Rehabilitation Educators) and Discovery and Customized Employment certifications.

Shelby lives in Chester County and enjoys traveling with her friends and family.

Kera has worked at The Arc of Chester County since 2004, in Children’s Early Learning Services and Programs (CELSP) as a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, and Program Coordinator. She has also worked in our Family Support Services (FSS) program for two years and brings a wealth of professional and institutional knowledge as the organization’s first Senior Director of Programs and Services. Kera has served on a variety of committees and work groups and was voted Employee of the Year in 2011 and honored with the agency’s Ruth Wood Philanthropic Leadership Award in 2018. In addition to her accomplishments at The Arc, Kera was recently an Instructor/Advisor and Fieldwork Preceptor for Thomas Jefferson University and has been a guest lecturer at various universities within the Philadelphia area.   

Kera brings over 20 years of experience supporting individuals with disabilities and their families in various capacities. Her career path formed in her high school years, interning at Easter Seals in Montgomery County in the preschool program. From that moment her passion to work with individuals and their families grew. Kera eagerness to share her passion with others grew through mentoring over dozens of college students and eventually recruiting them as volunteers at The Arc.  

A strong desire to help others and a commitment to lifelong learning has brought Kera back to The Arc full-time where she now serves as the Senior Director of Programs and Services responsible for overseeing the day-to-day administrative and operational business functions of CELSP, Comprehensive Employment Services (CES), Agency with Choice and FSS. In 2021, Kera graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Behavioral and Health Services from Thomas Jefferson University. She enjoys spending time with family and friends, networking, traveling, and being outdoors.