Bernadette Lennon
Vice President

Bernadette Lennon is first and foremost a Parent. She has 3 wonderful sons, 6 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren so far. Bernadette and her husband Joe have been married for 55 years. Bernadette started her career as an activist for children and adults who are members of the Disability Community when her third son Christopher Michael was born 38 years ago. He was diagnosed with Moebius Syndrome. Something even Doctors still don't know what that means. It began when Chris was but 1 year old and no help was out there she found a program at UCPA and was told 2 weeks later he could not attend anymore since it was financially dependent and her husband was out working to support 5 dependents she went to Harrisburg and told them they were discriminating against Chris because his father was going out everyday to support the entire family. They came back and said he could attend the Infant Stimulation Program but would have to pay a weekly fee. When it was time for Chris to start school she worked for the School District in Special Education. Then in 1991 when the Early Intervention Law was passed she jumped on and became Supervisor for the Family Support Coordinators. In that position she helped families to understand their rights and responsibilities and shared her knowledge and experience with both the families and staff. After retiring at 65 she took a consulting position with Mental Retardation Services and then moved to Vision for Equality where she worked for 7 years. Bernadette is President of the Hall Mercer Community Council, Member of the Mayors Board for BH & IDS, Board Member at Vision for Equality and Parent Coordinator for South/West Parents Support Group and has received A Brighter Futures Award, Is a member of Parent to Parent and initiated Grandparent to Grandparent, Past Chairperson of the Public Awareness Committee to advocate the capabilities of all people with disabilities.

Richard Russo
Secretary/Treasurer

Retired from UGI Corporation, a utility company with headquarters based in King of Prussia, in 2004 as General Accounting Manager after 44 years with the company. Former Board member of PARC and DELARC. Currently a member of the family association of Cardinal Krol Center, an intermediate care facility, located in Springfield Pennsylvania. Current Board member of Vision for EQuality since 2008. Graduated form University of Pennsylvania Wharton School with a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration

Carlota Boker
Board Member

Carlota Boker was born in Venezuela, South America.  She was born to Pia Nicoloni and the late Carlos H. Boker. Carlota grew up in a very large home.  She has seven sisters, five nieces, and two nephews.  Her entire school age years were spent in Catholic school.  Some of Carlota’s fondest childhood memories were going to church every Sunday and playing in the field near her home.

Carlota currently lives in Philadelphia’s Center City area.  She enjoys spending time with her best friends and she is a volunteer at Manna where she prepares food for individuals and families who are at nutritional risk due to life-threatening illnesses.  Carlota is learning how to cook and also enjoys traveling.  Aside from traveling, Carlota loves to swim, listen to music, and watch baseball. 

Carlota is involved in several organizations that advocate for people and family members with disabilities.  Carlota is a member of the Vision for EQuality Board of Directors and is the president of Speaking for Ourselves, an organization that encourages people with disabilities to become more independent.  Over the years Carlota has received several awards for her active role in advocating for herself and others.  She has also worked at several locations within the Philadelphia region as an Office Assistant and Environmental Service Attendant.  In the near future Carlota would like to secure employment working with children.

Larry Conway
Board Member

Kristie Gonzalez
Board Member

Kristie Gonzales is the Creative Services Director at KFSN-TV/ABC30, an ABC-owned television station in Fresno, California. 

Kristie began her career in broadcasting more than 10 years ago and now oversees all on-air promotion and branding for KFSN-TV.  Before moving to the west coast, Kristie worked as a Creative Services Producer at WPVI-TV in Philadelphia, another ABC-owned station, and at various stations in Albuquerque, New Mexico. 

In the city of brotherly love, Kristie began her term on the Vision for Equality Board of Directors.  Kristie is dedicated to helping raise funds for non-profits, including Philadelphia Academies Inc. and the Arthur Ashe Youth Tennis and Education Center. 

Kristie holds a Bachelors of Arts in Fine Arts from the University of New Mexico and graduated summa cum laude with double honors.

Jean Searle
Board Member

A long-time self-advocate and a force within the disability rights movement, Jean has experienced the trauma of institutionalization first-hand. Encouraged by advocates and friends, Jean moved out to assisted living arrangements in 1984, with the help of an agency in Philadelphia. Jean has been employed with both the Public Interest Law Center of Philadelphia (PILCOP) and the Disability Rights Network of Pennsylvania, where she has been for more than 15 years. Believing it is imperative that the lessons embodied in the Pennhurst campus remain as an example for the future, Jean has become a driving force within the Pennhurst Memorial and Preservation Alliance.

Dr. Nathaniel J. Williams, Ed.D, MHS, MPA, MBA
Board Member

Dr. Williams' journey from orphan and foster child to Doctor of Education, nonprofit founder, and author has been both challenging and rewarding. Dr. Williams has proven that success can be attained when a person possesses commitment, tenacity, and integrity. In his career, he has fulfilled a multitude of roles, including direct care worker, foster parent, house parent, entrepreneur, nonprofit and for-profit organization founder, Chief Executive Officer, adjunct professor, scholar-in-residence, talk show host, and motivational speaker.

Since 1993, Dr. Williams has been the President and CEO of HumanWorks Affiliates, Inc., a cluster of nine corporations focused on human services. These corporations provide group homes, foster care/life sharing, supports for individuals living independently, leisure and recreation excursions, training and professional development opportunities, and gift arrangements. HumanWorks employs over 200 people and has an operating budget of over $11 million. Prior to 1993, Dr. Williams worked as a Director of Human Resources and Operations, Unit Director, Residence Manager, and Teaching Parent in organizations serving adults with mental health challenges, developmental disabilities, and dependent children.

Dr. Williams serves on the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Association of Rehabilitation Facilities, Inc., the Sacred Heart Villa, Inc., and Vision for Equality, Inc. He is also a member of the Pennsylvania Office of Developmental Programs Planning Advisory Committee (for which he previously served as Co-Chair), the Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council, and the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Stakeholder Planning Team. In 2010, Dr. Williams was given the Missionary Sisters of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus Founders' Legacy Award for his life's work and contribution to the community.

Dr. Williams and his wife, Tade, reside in Northampton County, Pennsylvania. They have seven children. One child has Autism.

Lynne M. Ryan Youngman
Board Member

Born in Iowa in 1947. Attended HLV Community High School in Victor, Iowa. Graduated from Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa with a B.S. in History and Political Science. Became Philadelphian in 1971.

Worked for Fitzpatrick & Smith, criminal.defense attorneys; District Attorney of Philadelphia Emmett Fitzpatrick; Herbert B. Newberg & Associates, author Newberg On Class Actions, legal secretary, researcher, paralegal.
Involved in progressive politics since youth, from working to organize farm workers, gaining reproductive choices for women, ERA, to end Vietnam War, unionization of private secretarial workers, local politics, rights of individuals with disabilities in connection with services, housing and education, to better neighborhoods, preserve public libraries, to educate the public as to the abilities and contributions of individuals with disabilities in their local communities, to train caregivers how to effectively navigate the system for their family members, to end segregation in all areas of community life; received various awards and citations for such.

Married to C. Van Youngman for 32 years and the proud parent of an amazing, handsome young man who happens to have intellectual and developmental disabilities who every day proves to me that everyone has something to contribute to society if they are just given the chance to do so.

;

Edward G. Titterton, III
Esquire

Married with Two Sons; Cerebral Palsy Since Birth

EDUCATION

VILLANOVA LAW SCHOOL, Villanova, Pennsylvania.
May 1975, Juris Doctorate. LA SALLE COLLEGE, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
May 1972, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science
Major: Political Science WIDENER MEMORIAL SCHOOL, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
June 1968, Academic/College Preparatory

BAR MEMBERSHIPS: BAR OF THE SUPREME COURT OF PENNSYLVANIA
November 1975. BAR OF THE THIRD CIRCUIT COURT OF APPEALS
November 1975.

EXPERIENCE : Work With Pennsylvania Special Education Office for Dispute Resolution.

Consultant to Pennsylvania Special Education Office For Dispute Resolution.

Member, Pennsylvania Special Education Advisory Panel.

Private Practice.
Part-time involvement with estates, representation of for profit and non-profit corporations, will drafting with concentration in special needs field, counsel for small businesses and nonprofit organizations, educational law with concentration in special education, and pro bono activities for local civic organizations.

December 1988 to Present. CIGNA/ACE USA/RESOLUTE MANAGEMENT, INC.(Berkshire Hathaway) – Environmental Claims/Coverage Group. Claims Manager, Handler, and Account Specialist managing the investigation, adjustment and litigating of environmental claims.

Spring 1989 to June 2005. Pennsylvania Special Education Appeals Panel.
Member and chair of Panel hearing administrative appeals of hearing officer findings in special education due process hearings.

January 1983 to December 1988. CIGNA, Homeowners' Warranty Claim Division (HOW).
Supervised litigation on a nationwide basis for a program that provided certain specific types of insurance coverage for new residential construction. Activity involved pleadings, discovery and other litigation related activities, as well as providing advice and analysis to other supervisors and management.

Spring of 1987.

LA SALLE COLLEGE
Taught graduate level course in Education Law.