As we mature into our sixth year, we are excited to grow our board of directors, and are grateful for the willing volunteerism of this group of leaders.
Their experiences, their devotion to caring for vulnerable children, and their passion for non profit work and serving their community will help us continue making a difference in this arena.
As educators and business experts, foster and adoptive advocates, non-profit, financial, and ministry professionals, we trust their guidance as we continue to passionately pursue our mission.
David Tanney | BOARD PRESIDENT
A graduate of Penn State University and an Edward Jones financial advisor, it is important to David to invest time in understanding the goals and dreams of the individuals and families he is working with. Whether planning for retirement, saving for college for children or grandchildren, or just trying to protect the financial future of the ones you care for the most, he is focused on working together to develop specific strategies to help his clients achieve their goals.
As a retired US Marine and former Recon Marine, he served in Okinawa, Japan, and deployed for two years in the Asian Pacific. David was fortunate enough to be selected for Army Ranger School where he met some of the most talented individuals of his life. After five years, David finished his enlistment and returned home. As a financial advisor, he is very passionate about serving veterans and their families for the sacrifices that they have made.
Married to his high school sweetheart, Kelly, they live in Montoursville, PA, and are members of Faith United Methodist Church. When not working you might find David pursuing his passions for running, scuba diving, classic cars, visiting family with Kelly, and attending Penn State football games together.
Knowing the importance of a stable, safe place to call home, David is honored to serve on the board of directors for Dwell and do his part to bring hope and healing to kids that come from hard places and to the families that love them.
Emilie Ertel | BOARD Vice President
Emilie is a dedicated professional with a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management from Misericordia University. In 2009, she earned her MBA, showcasing her commitment to continuous learning and professional development. Emilie is the Business Manager of McCormick Law Firm, where she has worked for over ten years.
A Williamsport native, Emilie enjoys giving back to the community that raised her. She is involved in various organizations, including Dwell, the West Branch Human Resource Society where she serves as the Vice President of Membership, and the Williamsport Women’s Tennis League board. Emilie was involved with Leadership Lycoming for many years, coordinating community projects and volunteer opportunities. Emilie also has a passion for teaching children through sports. She has coached soccer at various levels for over a decade.
Emilie resides in Williamsport with her husband and daughter. She brings a unique blend of skills and passion for the cause to her role as a member of the Dwell board.
sam ryder | BOARD TREASURER
Sam is a Business Banker with First National Bank. In this role, Sam manages a portfolio of existing client relationships and works to develop new business opportunities throughout the Susquehanna Valley.
Sam is a graduate of Shippensburg University where he earned a degree in Business Management. He went on to complete his MBA at Pennsylvania State University. Sam is a graduate and current board member of Leadership Susquehanna Valley . He is active in his church, Lewisburg Alliance Church, serving as small group leader, volunteer and past elder. He was treasurer of the board of directors for Susquehanna Valley CASA – Voices for Children for nine years. He serves as a board member for the Susquehanna Valley chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He is also an adjunct professor and a member of the business advisory committee at the Pennsylvania College of Technology. Sam is passionate about financial literacy and serves as a volunteer for Pennsylvania Council on Financial Literacy and as a facilitator of Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University.
Sam will celebrate his 25th wedding anniversary with his wife, Sharon this year. They are the parents to Bryce (college freshman) and Brady (high school sophomore). In his spare time Sam runs marathons and plays golf (poorly).
Susan Best | BOARD SECRETARY
Sue graduated from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development and Family Relations. She taught Head Start kindergarten in Philadelphia and Special Education in a one room schoolhouse in Buckhannon, WV.
She has been married to John Best for 53 years and is the mother of Natalie VanFleet, Julie Chilson, Michael Best and Melanie Hofstrom, and the grandmother of eight!
Sue and John owned and operated Buckeye Pretzel Company and made private label organic and traditional pretzels for many pretzel companies and grocery chains including Trader Joe’s, Utz, Wege, Snyder of Hanover and Weis Markets.
After they sold the business they answered the call to more volunteerism. Together they founded the Williamsport Volunteers In Mission and have led 39 mission trips throughout the United States, Haiti and the Bahamas to help rebuild homes and lives affected by natural disasters or poverty.
In 2015 Sue and John were presented the Howard and Elizabeth Brinton Award by the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church for “excellence in mission engagement in their local community and beyond.”
As a member of First UMC-Williamsport, Sue is active in Transform, a local mission ministry, has helped to prepare and serve weekly free meals to the community and, with John, organized and leads the Code Blue homeless shelter.
Sue served on the Board of Directors of Albright Care Services for 9 years and is a sustaining member of the Junior League of Williamsport. In 2018 Sue was nominated as a YWCA Woman of Excellence and recognized for her impact on the community.
Sue is passionate about the welfare of all children and families.
Dr. Raphael Mnkandhla, PhD i Board member
Since 2015 Raphael has served as the Lead pastor of City Church in Williamsport. He was born and raised in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Prior to replanting City Church he served as the Youth and Associate Pastor at City Chapel in Grand Prairie, TX, Youth Pastor at Fellowship of Joy in Grand Prairie, TX, a missionary with YWAM in several countries, and Student Evangelist with Scripture Union Zimbabwe. He received a B.A. in Church Ministries from Southwestern Assemblies of God University, a Masters in Theological and Biblical Studies from Criswell College and a Ph.D in Ministry at Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. His passion is to inspire and motivate gospel change that affects every sphere of life.
Raphael is married to Heidi, and together they raise their 6 children; four sons, Judah, Cooper, Liam, and DeJahn, and two daughters Ellie and Aliyah. Having fostered and adopted three of their children, Raphael has been a champion for the cause of orphans and children in foster care for countless years.
Carol Fausnaught | BOARD MEMBER
Carol holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from Princeton University and a Masters of Nonprofit Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania. Carol spent 10 years working in the business consulting divisions of Price Waterhouse, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and IBM. From 2016 - 2019, Carol worked in fundraising leadership for Christian Union, a national culture-change ministry based in New York City. Currently, Carol serves as Vice President of Development at The Veritas Forum.
Carol lives in Williamsport with her husband of 25 years and two adorable labs Shiloh and Phoebe. Her three adult children, Emily, Tyler and Caleb are all in college pursuing their passions. Carol's life was transformed in college when she first clearly understood the Gospel and, as a result, is passionate about people coming to know Jesus. Her family is a member of First Church Williamsport. In her free time, you will find her running on a snowy trail and traveling to see her children.
LaTricia Scutching I board member
LaTricia is a graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technology where she received her B.S. in Human Services with a Minor in Psychology. She currently serves as the Assistant Director at Families United Network, Ashler Manor.
In her work with Families United Network, LaTricia empowers teenage girls who have been through emotional, physical, sexual, and mental trauma. Working with her clients individually, and in group settings, she empowers them to reach their highest potential while also providing family therapy with the goal of helping families move towards healthier relationships.
In addition to sitting on the Dwell board, LaTricia holds a seat on the board for The Lycoming County United Way and is an active member of The Junior League of Williamsport.
When asked why she wanted to join the Dwell family as a board member, LaTricia shared, “Well, my favorite song Beyoncé has written is “I Was Here”. Her lyrics state “I just want them to know, that I gave my all, did my best, brought someone some happiness, left this world a little better just because, I was here”. Whenever I dedicate myself to something or someone, I am full heartedly committed. My mission in life is to help others help themselves. I want to be a part of the solution, whatever that may be.”
Lisa Cramer | BOARD MEMBER
A transplant from Baltimore, Lisa has lived in Williamsport with her husband, Matthew, and three children, Ben, Jon and Madison, since 2000. She has been a stay at home mom for 22 years, and, with her husband, is preparing to become an empty nester very soon.
Lisa is a member of First United Methodist Church and attends BSF in Montoursville. She earned a degree in PR and Advertising from Flagler College. Lisa has been a member of the Williamsport Junior League, sat on the advisory board of Diakon Family Life Services, served on the board of the Williamsport Education Foundation, and ran admissions and was president for West Branch School in Newberry.
When not volunteering at the Hillman Cancer Center’s infusion center, Lisa enjoys traveling with her family and crafting.
Barbara D. Reeves i board member
Barbara currently serves as the administrator of L.I.F.E. Child Care Learning Center (LCCLC) and Christ Community Worship Center, Inc. (simultaneously) in Williamsport PA. She is responsible for handling the day-to-day operations from behind the scenes, including bookkeeping and human resources. Mrs. Reeves holds a B.S. degree in accounting from DeVry University and has recently completed the course work for the Child Development Associate Credential (CDA) at Lock Haven University, which has prepared her for classroom interactions with the students at LCCLC.
Married to Pastor Marwin C. Reeves, Jr. (27 years), she is also the proud mother of two adult children, Imani (Liam) and Jerah (Samantha). Her favorite title and life promotion is BiBi (bee- bee), Swahili for grandmother, by which she is affectionately known by her five grandsons. In addition to serving on the Dwell board, Mrs. Reeves currently serves as a member of Board of Education for the Williamsport Area School District, a position she has held since 2018.