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Leadership Team

Michelle Venema
Chief Executive Officer

Michelle Venema

The story of Michelle, our Chief Executive Officer, is a true inspiration. Thirty years ago, she started at First National Bank of Chester County as a bank teller and worked her way up to the role of Executive Vice President of Business Banking. There was a time, in her Sweet Briar College days, when she wanted to become a doctor and to that end got her degree in Biochemistry. However, once she started working at First National, she caught the banking bug and never left the financial world until joining Home of the Sparrow as Chief Executive Officer in 2017.

Kathleen Sanger
Director of Development

Kathleen Sanger

Kathleen has always worked in the nonprofit sector; always in Chester County. She began her career at United Way of Chester County in 1988 when it was located in Exton. 32 years later, she’s working down the street from her first job, serving another organization whose mission she believes in fervently. Although raised in Media, she became a Chester Countian when she arrived at WCU to study speech communications. She and her husband raised their three sons here, all of whom went to college locally. The family continues its commitment to the County with her eldest and her husband working as teachers and her middle son serving another County nonprofit as an active volunteer.

Matrie Johnson
Director of Programs

Matrie Johnson

When Matrie Johnson believes something is possible, she doesn’t take no for an answer. As Director of Programs, she grew our programs to where they are today. She made Home of the Sparrow a place that is open to all women in Chester County who are struggling with housing, despite doing everything they can. Matrie’s philosophy builds on the idea of partnership, personal strength and encouragement. Her goal is to empower single women and mothers to become financially self-sufficient and independent.

Staff

Alejandra Colin

Bilingual Program Coordinator

Alejandra also known as “Ale” is the Bilingual Program Coordinator from the Supportive Housing Program. Knowing a second language is such an important asset here in Home of the Sparrow...

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Beth Erisman

Development and Communications Associate

Beth joined the Home of the Sparrow in January of 2023 as the Development and Communications Associate. She holds a Bachelors in Elementary Education from West Chester University.

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Bruce Field

Property Manager

As one of the longest standing staff members of Home of the Sparrow, Bruce Field makes sure that our Pre-Senior Bridge Houses and our office are in tip-top shape. We have yet to find a problem that Bruce can’t fix ...

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Geisa O’Reilly Corbitt

Volunteer Coordinator

Geisa was born and raised in Delaware and made her way to Chester County 10 years ago after extensive travel; living in different states as well as overseas in Brazil. She holds degrees in English communications and media art design...

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Keila Hernandez

Keila Hernandez-Sullivan

Women's Reentry Assessment Program (WRAP) Coordinator

Keila's passion for social work began during her time in youth ministry when she worked in a prison, providing services for both men and women.

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Kristen Jaggers

Program Coordinator

Kristen has been responding to life in this way since she was a youngster, demolishing whatever barrier the universe dropped in her path. As a teenager she volunteered in homeless shelters and soup kitchens, ...

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Victoria Pascoe

Program Coordinator

Victoria is the newest member of our team and we are delighted to have her! She was born and raised in East Texas in the deep woods of the Sam Houston National Forest where she learned to fish, farm and enjoy the great outdoors.

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