Penn-Mar Foundation Names New Board Leadership and Members - Penn-Mar

Penn-Mar Foundation Names New Board Leadership and Members

Posted on December 28, 2021

Appointment Of Women To Key Leadership Positions Showcases Commitment to Diversity

Baltimore, MD – Penn-Mar Human Services, the region’s leading provider of services for individuals with developmental disabilities (IDD), is proud to welcome three new board members to the Penn-Mar Foundation, the arm of Penn-Mar Human Services that secures the financial resources needed to provide innovative and high-quality supports for people with IDD.

Beth Pitts-Madonna has been named the new Foundation board chair after serving as vice-chair. Pitts-Madonna joined the Foundation board in 2017 and is the vice president of human resources, space systems at Northrop Grumman. She has a close relationship with Penn-Mar and its range of services, being the sister of Michael James Pitts, for whom The Michael James Pitts Endowment for the Advancement of Direct Support Professionals (DSP) is named. Michael has been supported by Penn-Mar since 2009 and the endowment is managed by the Foundation. 

“For people with IDD and their families, having an ally like Penn-Mar truly allows people with IDD to live courageously,” says Pitts-Madonna. “But without Penn-Mar, there is no fallback or safety net to rely on. I’ve seen first-hand the immense difference Penn-Mar can make in the lives of those they support and it’s an honor to be a part of their mission.” 

Taking over the Vice-Chair position from Pitts-Madonna is Julia Huggins, who joined the board in 2016. Huggins is the vice president of US markets and market president for Mid-Atlantic for Cigna. A devoted and long-time supporter of Penn-Mar, Huggins has a personal connection with the IDD community.

And joining the Foundation board for the first time is Dr. Jim Ball, the president of Carroll Community College in Westminster, Md. He previously sat on the board for Change, Inc., the Carroll County, Md human services nonprofit that merged with Penn-Mar in 2019.

As Penn-Mar celebrates 40 years of dedicated service to the IDD community, several significant initiatives have been implemented in the past year, including the debut of new website and branding and a $2 million workforce investment that includes a starting hourly wage of $15.50 for new DSPs.

With the addition these exciting new board members, Penn-Mar is perfectly aligned to continue its mission to help others “live courageously”.

“It is an honor to have such a brilliant collection of forward-thinking people supporting Penn-Mar’s mission,” says Foundation Executive Director and Penn-Mar Chief Advancement Officer Kathy Rogers. “We are always inspired by those who volunteer their precious time to join our effort and focus on the needs of the IDD community. And to have a team of such inspirational women leading the Foundation board is truly indicative of our ongoing commitment to support diversity in the community.”

The Foundation manages three endowments: The General Endowment, the Zgorski Family Endowment for the Penn-Mar Staff Training and Aid Fund, and the aforementioned Michael James Pitts Endowment.  Due to the diligent work of the board and volunteers and the generosity of donors, the Foundation has experienced fantastic growth in the past five years, allowing Penn-Mar to go far beyond the constraints that traditional government support can afford. Instead, Penn-Mar can bring the same experiences and opportunities to people with IDD that most people enjoy, and perhaps take for granted, in their own lives every day.

About Penn-Mar Human Services 

Penn-Mar Human Services’ mission is to transform life into living in ways that promote value, independence, and self-determination. Through meaningful employment, community inclusion, and residential choice, the people we support live a life of purpose and meaning. Innovation and pioneering spirit are the heartbeat of our services. Our approach is unique, empowering, and successful. Founded in 1981, serves nearly 500 adults with intellectual disabilities through its residential, respite, educational, vocational and supported employment programs in northern Baltimore, Carroll and Harford Counties in Maryland, and in southern York County in Pennsylvania. www.penn-mar.org 

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