award Archives - Penn-Mar

Central Penn Business Journal Names Penn-Mar’s Jenn Hobbs 2026 “Forty Under 40” Winner

ggorham — Thu, 17 Sep 2026 20:03:02 +0000

Each year, Central Pennsylvania’s leading business publication, the Central Penn Business Journal (CPBJ), announces it’s “Forty Under 40” award winners, recognizing the region’s emerging leaders under 40 who excel in their careers, give back to their communities, and are reinventing the local business landscape.

This year, for the first time, Penn-Mar’s Chief Development and Marketing Officer, Jenn Hobbs, was named an honoree of the award. But for anyone who works with Jenn, this comes as no surprise.

“What truly sets Jenn apart has always been her ability to deeply understand and share Penn-Mar’s ongoing mission,” says Kathy Rogers, Executive Director of the Penn-Mar Foundation, who hired Jenn in 2017. “Her work as an advocate for our mission and for inclusion of others is exceptional. Jenn is a leader people rely on and want to follow while being a great mentor to other emerging leaders at Penn-Mar and within the nonprofit space.”

Jenn joined the Penn-Mar team as an Associate Director of Development, but over the years, her vision, strategic leadership, and passion for our mission helped her grow into her current role as our Chief Development and Marketing Officer in 2025. Today, she leads efforts to secure critical resources, raise public awareness, and expand services that improve quality of life for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“No matter what role I have been called to do, the most important mission has been ensuring that the stories of the people we support are told in respectful, authentic, and powerful ways,” Jenn shares. “Whether I am advocating for disability inclusion and support, showcasing Penn-Mar’s growth and initiatives across two states, or leveraging philanthropy and public awareness to support our mission, the goal is to create a community in which every person has the agency to define their own future.”

Her commitment to service extends well beyond her office hours. Jenn serves on several nonprofit boards, including Action for Kindness and the Carroll Technology & Innovation Council. She also spends nearly every Saturday morning during the summer volunteering at the Hampstead Farmers Market to support local vendors and bring neighbors together.

For Jenn, building strong relationships is the foundation of real community change.

“I believe we all have the opportunity to leave our corner of the world better than we found it,” says Jenn. “The greatest catalyst for that impact is making sure the people we surround ourselves with inspire us, challenge our thinking, and help us grow.”

In her time at Penn-Mar, the organization has seen remarkable growth and achievement, supporting more people than ever before across two states. But along with the success, have come the inevitable obstacles. For Jenn, those challenges are just a natural step on the path toward something greater.

“The most valuable lesson I’ve learned from failure and setbacks is that they are always opportunities to learn and evolve,” Jenn reflects. “Some of my greatest personal and professional growth has come from challenges that didn’t go as planned, and those experiences have taught me that perseverance and perspective are more important than perfection.”

The post Central Penn Business Journal Names Penn-Mar’s Jenn Hobbs 2026 “Forty Under 40” Winner appeared first on Penn-Mar.

Leading by Example: Greg Miller Named 2026 ICON Honors Award Winner

ggorham — Thu, 10 Sep 2026 21:00:21 +0000

Great leadership changes lives, and at Penn-Mar, we see this in action every day in how our team supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). We are proud to share that Penn-Mar CEO Greg Miller has been named a 2026 Central Penn Business Journal ICON Honors award winner.

The ICON Honors recognize leaders over the age of 60 who have made a lasting impact on Central Pennsylvania. Honorees are chosen for their executive success, integrity, vision, and long-standing devotion to community service.

Greg’s work at Penn-Mar started in 1988 and across four decades since, his career has grown in tandem with the organization, culminating to the role of President and CEO in 2012. But for Greg, leadership has never been about titles, but about creating opportunities so people can live full and self-directed lives. Whether developing new programs, mentoring staff, or speaking on international panels about inclusive employment, his focus stays fixed on equity and human dignity and setting an example for the entire organization.

A big part of Greg’s leadership style is empowering others to lead and excel at what they do best, without micromanaging and helping others discover what makes them successful. He gives employees the freedom to make decisions and solve problems. When people feel trusted, they take pride in their work and want to succeed and fuel our culture of caring and respect for one another. This approach brings fresh ideas to our programs and helps staff grow into confident leaders.

This award celebrates a career built on service, but it also shines a light on the core values of Penn-Mar. His unwavering commitment continues to inspire our team, the people we support, and our partners to keep pushing for communities that exemplify what it means to Live Courageously.

The post Leading by Example: Greg Miller Named 2026 ICON Honors Award Winner appeared first on Penn-Mar.

Creating a Culture of Caring: The Daily Record Names Greg Miller One of Maryland’s Most Influential Leaders

ggorham — Wed, 29 Jul 2026 18:00:08 +0000

True leadership isn’t measured by smooth sailing, but by how a team stays true to its core values when navigating tough waters. Today, we are proud to share that Penn-Mar Human Services President and CEO Greg Miller has been named one of The Daily Record’s 2026 Influential Marylanders.

Gregory Miller
President/CEO Penn-Mar Human Services

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Influential Marylanders program, celebrating two decades of visionaries whose dedication shapes the state’s civic, business, and nonprofit communities. Selected by The Daily Record’s editors, this recognition highlights leaders whose commitment to service leaves a lasting mark on Maryland.

For Penn-Mar, Greg’s leadership is always focused on our mission to ensure people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) live full, empowered lives.

By embracing assistive technology, streamlining operations, and deepening relationships with the business community, Greg has ensured that Penn-Mar remains resilient, innovative, and deeply effective. His approach demonstrates that resource constraints do not have to limit our vision or lessen our impact.

At the heart of Greg’s philosophy is a simple fact: Penn-Mar cannot empower the people we support without first caring for the team members who work with them every single day.

A two-time recipient of The Daily Record’s Most Admired CEOs award (2023 and 2025), Greg prioritizes employee well-being, authentic appreciation, and continuous learning. He regularly connects directly with staff, from leadership to new hires, celebrating wins while gently pushing everyone to ask: “How can we do this even better tomorrow? What more can we do? How can we serve more people in need?”

Greg approaches every challenge with hope and steady resolve. He firmly believes that true leadership is defined by what we invest in our families and the positive legacy we leave for our broader community.

Please join us in congratulating Greg Miller on this well-deserved honor!

The post Creating a Culture of Caring: The Daily Record Names Greg Miller One of Maryland’s Most Influential Leaders appeared first on Penn-Mar.

Celebrating Leadership and Community: Jennifer Hobbs Named a Leading Woman Under 40

ggorham — Wed, 08 Jul 2026 20:37:56 +0000

True leadership is measured by the depth of your impact and the voices you lift up along the way. At Penn-Mar Human Services, we are thrilled to celebrate a leader who embodies this idea every single day.

Our inaugural Chief Development & Marketing Officer, Jennifer Hobbs, has been named one of The Daily Record’s Leading Women Under 40 for 2026. This honor recognizes women for the incredible accomplishments they have made early in their careers, judged on professional experience, community involvement, and a proven commitment to inspiring change.

With nearly 15 years of dedicated experience in the intellectual and developmental disability field, Jenn has spent her career reshaping how we talk about inclusion, community, and opportunity. Since joining Penn-Mar in 2017, her strategic approach and devotion to our mission has helped drive our path forward. Jenn oversees a comprehensive strategy that encompasses donor engagement, public relations, internal communications, marketing, and advocacy. But in everything she does, her primary focus is ensuring that the stories of the people we support are told in respectful, authentic, and powerful ways, giving everyone the dignity they deserve.

As Jenn says, “Working for a mission-driven organization is a true privilege. It has connected me with extraordinary people — people I’m honored to serve, support, and work alongside every day.”

Jenn’s dedication to service extends far beyond her professional role. She balances her executive role at Penn-Mar with a commitment to the greater community. Jenn serves as the Board Secretary for Action for Kindness, a nonprofit focused on spreading empathy and connection, and as a Board Member for the Carroll Technology and Innovation Council in Maryland, where she champions digital equity. You can even find her spending her summer Saturday mornings volunteering at the Hampstead Farmers Market, helping local farmers and artisans connect with the neighborhood.

For Jenn, the common thread running through her career and volunteer work is a dedicated belief that we are stronger together. She adds, “We each have a role to play in making the world a better place.”

Her unique blend of mission-driven empathy and strategic excellence empowers the entire Penn-Mar team to live courageously. The success of that team and their impact on the community they serve is what she considers to be her greatest achievement.

“My greatest professional accomplishment is having the honor of leading an exceptional team at Penn-Mar to secure the resources needed for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live their best lives.”

We invite you to join us in congratulating Jenn on this wonderful, well-deserved milestone and thanking her for her unwavering dedication to creating a more inclusive world.

The post Celebrating Leadership and Community: Jennifer Hobbs Named a Leading Woman Under 40 appeared first on Penn-Mar.

A “HEART” for Service

ggorham — Mon, 22 Jun 2026 19:56:08 +0000

From behind-the-scenes leadership to hands-on teamwork, her dedication helps shape Penn-Mar’s culture of appreciation and excellence.

Janae (center) stands with Bobbi Snyder, Director of Team Member Relations & Risk Management (left) and Paul Schiavone, Chief HR Officer (right).

For 25 years, Janae Householder has worked in various full and part-time positions at Penn-Mar.

She started in 2001 as an instructor in the Day Program; substituted and worked as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) and Residential Supervisor (RS) in various residential homes; conducted training sessions for DSPs; and held several positions in the Penn-Mar Central Day Program in Freeland, MD before assuming her present duties as Administrative Assistant and trainer, where she helps to connect people who want Penn-Mar services with the supports they need.

Bobbi Snyder, Director of Team Member Relations & Risk Management in HR, describes her as a “superstar” who is highly regarded by all her team members. “Janae consistently goes above and beyond her core responsibilities to foster collaboration and provide support across Penn-Mar,” she said.

Janae, head of the Awards Committee, works alongside the Heart Committee to plan and execute Penn-Mar’s Heart Luncheon and HEART and Leaders in Our Midst (LIOM) Awards. Last year, Janae supported HR with administrative tasks for the Service Awards Luncheon and has volunteered to assist with logistics for the event again this year.

The HEART Award program recognizes team members whose passion and performance leave the mark of their own legacy and who are doing an outstanding job of embracing Penn-Mar’s mission, core values, and commitment to person-centered support. It is awarded semi-annually in April and October.

The monthly LIOM Awards recognize team members who go above-and-beyond the expectations of their jobs.

“Being chosen for a HEART or Leaders in Our Midst Award is a significant honor because it reflects the respect and admiration of colleagues who have witnessed that person’s contributions firsthand,” Bobbi said. “These awards allow us to publicly celebrate and acknowledge our team members in a meaningful way.”

The HEART Committee meets monthly to carefully review nominations submitted by Penn-Mar team members and family members of the people we support. Together, committee members evaluate each nomination against established criteria before selecting and notifying the award recipients.

This past April, 14 HEART Award recipients were announced at a luncheon event where Penn-Mar leadership, the nominator of the recipient, guests of the award winners, and many team members honored the winners.

When the committee met to discuss the final recipients for the recent event, they conveniently omitted one HEART award winner on purpose: Janae Householder.

The committee managed to keep the surprise under wraps until three weeks before the award celebration, when they finally told Janae she had been selected unanimously for a HEART Award. Janae was initially embarrassed before saying, “What did I do to win this?”

For a person who was raised surrounded by people who were always helping others, Janae felt like she was “just doing her job.”

According to Bobbi, who was proud to nominate Janae for the honor, “Her proactive approach of volunteering to assist other departments and taking the initiative to lead the way in making improvements exemplifies her commitment to high standards and continuous improvement.”

Over the years, Janae has seen how overjoyed team members are to win the HEART and LIOM Awards. “They are always so gracious and surprised,” she said. “People literally tear up with excitement and the same goes for the people who nominated the winners. It’s an incredible experience for everyone.”

“It’s really a human need to be appreciated,” she continued. “I am very grateful to Penn-Mar, Bobbi, and the award committee for choosing me to receive the HEART award.”

Janae’s story is a reminder that the people who make a difference every day are often the least likely to seek recognition for themselves.

HEART Award nominations are now open for the October Awards Luncheon. If you know a team member whose actions reflect Penn-Mar’s values of Integrity, Excellence, Collaboration, Innovation, and Appreciation, take a moment to recognize them by submitting a nomination.

Click here to nominate a team member.

The post A “HEART” for Service appeared first on Penn-Mar.

Amanda DeStefani Nationally Recognized for Person-Centered Supports and Championing Self Advocacy

ggorham — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 15:56:17 +0000

Amanda DeStefani Builds Programs Around People. Now She’s Being Recognized for It.

From L to R: Ally Comerci, Amanda DeStefani, and Vanessa Whitman pose together while Amanda holds her award.

On April 23, American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR), a leading national association dedicated to advancing the future of supports and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), presented 57 Direct Support Professional (DSP) of the Year Awards at their Connect ’26 Conference in Boston. Penn-Mar DSP Amanda DeStefani was one of the award winners.

Amanda didn’t see it coming. Back in February, her supervisor, Jen Hisey, pulled the Penn-Mar Central Day Program team together to share the news. That’s when Amanda found out she had been nominated and selected as ANCOR DSP of the Year in the Person-Centered Supports 2026 Special Category.

“I was totally shocked,” Amanda said. “I didn’t know anything about the awards or the fact that I was nominated so I was extremely excited and proud. Most of all, I was proud of the people our team supports who share their preferences and ideas every day to help us create fun and innovative person-centered programs.”

One of those examples was featured in Amanda’s award profile in the ANCOR Conference booklet on pg. 12:

“After reading Charlotte’s Web, the people Amanda DeStefani supports decided to create their own puppet show. Amanda made sure everyone had a role in bringing production to life, supporting people to choose characters, write dialogue, and design scenery. When one man joined the project late, Amanda smoothly folded him into the process, making sure his ideas became part of the story as well.”

Amanda shakes a person’s hand on stage as she accepts her award.

Amanda and her group worked very hard to bring the production to life. She helped cast members learn their lines and was amazed when one person memorized her part instantly with no help from her coaches.

Amanda’s group designed and sent invitations to other program departments as well as to Penn-Mar managers and leadership, encouraging them to support the two-day performance in the Penn-Mar Central Day Program gymnasium.

The event was such a hit that the group is considering putting on a show about The Little Mermaid.

“The people we support in the Central Day Program are very into reading, crafts and cooking,” said Amanda. Recently they wanted to make grilled peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, so Amanda turned the request into a learning experience, taking them to the store to compare prices and purchase the ingredients.

Each day is shaped by what the group wants to explore, from trips to the library to visits to the state capitol. On one visit to a pet store, Amanda challenged the group to pretend they were buying a cat and figure out what they would need to purchase on a $500 budget to feed and care for the pet.

Since Amada joined Penn-Mar as a DSP in 2023, she has been a fierce advocate for the people she supports.

She leads a self-advocacy group made up of team members and the people Penn-Mar supports for sharing concerns about issues affecting those with disabilities. A recent conversation explored the need for wider spaces in public restrooms to allow people using wheelchairs to maneuver them more easily and doors with push pads for easier access. That resulted in each person in the group composing and mailing letters to their legislators, imploring them to address the issue.

Amanda’s supervisor and nominator, Jen Hisey, said it best about why Amanda deserved to win:

“Amanda is the epitome of what it means to be person-centered. Whether she’s helping someone identify letters and numbers, reading a book, or leading the advocacy club, Amanda takes her role seriously and does everything she can to ensure a person’s voice is heard and that their needs are met. It is because of the quality of support she provides that she was nominated for this award. Several of the people she supports have varying degrees of dementia. Her attention and care have helped them to remain safe and engaged. She’ll tell you she’s not creative, but I’m always excited to see what she comes up with next!”

The post Amanda DeStefani Nationally Recognized for Person-Centered Supports and Championing Self Advocacy appeared first on Penn-Mar.

Penn-Mar Human Services’ Direct Support Professional Named One of Best in the Nation

ggorham — Fri, 17 Apr 2026 15:31:35 +0000

– DSP Amanda DeStefani Wins ANCOR’s 2026 Award for Person-Centered Supports –

April 17, 2025

Baltimore – Penn-Mar Human Services, the region’s leading provider of services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is proud to share that the American Network of Community Options and Resources (ANCOR) has named Penn-Mar Direct Support Professional (DSP) Amanda DeStefani a winner of the 2026 ANCOR Direct Support Professional of the Year Awards, in the special category of “Person-Centered Supports”.

By prioritizing person-centered support, Amanda has empowered individuals to move beyond the sidelines and create new bonds with the community. As a quiet yet powerful leader, Amanda models best practices for her colleagues, mentoring new team members while advocating for the DSP workforce at the state level. For instance, when a staff member connected with an individual who rarely left the building, Amanda encouraged that staff to take the lead. With support, the individual began going out into the community every week, a breakthrough Amanda facilitated by stepping back and recognizing another’s strengths. This ability to lift others up is a testament to her leadership style.

Her innovative spirit also reflects Penn-Mar’s commitment to growth and improvement. Within her day program group, she consistently introduces meaningful, skill-building experiences, from mock job interviews to community caroling, helping ensure each person she supports builds confidence and independence.

“Amanda represents the very best of what it means to be a Direct Support Professional,” said Greg Miller, President and CEO of Penn-Mar Human Services. “Her ability to listen deeply and turn a person’s interests, whether it’s a love for literature or a simple request for an ice cream social, into a path for growth and self-advocacy is remarkable. She doesn’t just provide support, she creates a platform for people to lead their own lives with confidence and dignity.”

Beyond creative projects, Amanda emphasizes inclusion, ensuring no one feels left out, which is why she also leads Penn-Mar’s self-advocacy group, where she encourages the people in the IDD community to identify issues important to them. For example, on Developmental Disabilities Day, she helped participants prepare talking points for lawmakers, motivating them to share their views. For those hesitant to speak, Amanda respectfully advocated on their behalf, ensuring their concerns were represented.

Her recognition by ANCOR serves as a testament to her dedication to the DSP profession and her unwavering commitment to the Penn-Mar mission to help others Live Courageously.

For more information, please contact Roger Mecca at roger@vitaminisgood.com.

About Penn-Mar Human Services
Penn-Mar Human Services is a nonprofit that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to Live Courageously, whether that’s securing a job, being an active member of their community, building independence, or developing new relationships. Penn-Mar accomplishes this by supporting people on their own unique personal journeys. Founded in 1981, Penn-Mar operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in northern Maryland and southern Pennsylvania. They support 400 adults with disabilities daily through an array of customizable services. www.penn-mar.org.

###

The post Penn-Mar Human Services’ Direct Support Professional Named One of Best in the Nation appeared first on Penn-Mar.

Penn-Mar’s Kathy Rogers Named One of Maryland Top 100 Women For 2nd Time

ggorham — Mon, 13 Apr 2026 19:34:40 +0000

– Maryland Daily Record’s Annual Awards Recognize State’s Most Impactful Women Leaders –

April 10, 2026

Baltimore – Penn-Mar Human Services, the region’s leading provider of services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is honored to share that Kathy Rogers, executive director of the Penn-Mar Foundation, has been named one of The Daily Record’s 2026 Maryland Top 100 Women. This is the second time Rogers has won the award, the first time happening in 2024.

“I am truly humbled to be named one of Maryland’s Top 100 Women for the second time,” says Rogers. “Leadership is most meaningful when it is used to lift others up, a philosophy that sits at the very heart of our mission at Penn-Mar. I am proud to represent our team and continue this journey of service alongside other inspiring women.”

In her role as Executive Director of the Penn-Mar Foundation, Rogers supports the work of Penn-Mar Human Services by securing the financial resources needed to provide innovative and high-quality supports for people with an IDD, and she has been instrumental in leading The Penn-Mar Foundation’s dramatic economic growth in the past decade. In 2016, the Foundation had $4 million in funds. Today, thanks to the extraordinary generosity sparked by the $7.5 million Building Bold Futures campaign, which Rogers helped to design and lead, contributions to the General and Michael James Pitts Endowments, and strategic investment performance, the Foundation proudly manage more than $20 million.

This growth has elevated the Foundation from a vital safety net to a true strategic partner, enabling transformative investments that align directly with Penn-Mar Human Services’ long-term plan. “For the last 10 years, Kathy has been an indispensable member of our team, and I have had the distinct honor of collaborating with her on some of our biggest moments,” says Penn-Mar Human Services CEO Greg Miller. “Over this time, my admiration for her exceptional leadership, unwavering dedication, and transformative vision has only deepened. Kathy exemplifies the highest standards of professionalism—through her strategic management, profound community influence, and inspiring role as a mentor and guide to her colleagues and emerging leaders across our organization.”

Rogers has over 20 years of leadership experience in marketing, public relations, philanthropy, advocacy, and community development for national organizations across Washington, D.C. and greater Maryland. Rogers joined Penn-Mar in 2016 as the group’s chief development officer, after a decade with the American Diabetes Association. Outside of Penn-Mar, Rogers was

appointed by the Governor of Maryland to serve on a State Advisory Council. She also serves on several local non-profit boards, including the Baltimore Women’s Advisory Board of the Greater Baltimore Committee (GBC) and is a graduate of the GBC LEADERship Class of 2010.

Since 1996, The Daily Record’s Maryland’s Top 100 Women has recognized high-achieving Maryland women making an impact through their leadership, community service and mentoring. Winners are selected by past Top 100 Women and business leaders based on professional and community involvement, corporate and nonprofit board memberships, and mentoring experience, among many other categories and qualifications.

The press can speak with Rogers or get additional info by contacting Roger Mecca: roger@vitaminisgood.com.

About Penn-Mar Human Services

Penn-Mar Human Services is a nonprofit that supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to Live Courageously, whether that’s securing a job, being an active member of their community, building independence, or developing new relationships. Penn-Mar accomplishes this by supporting people on their own unique personal journeys. Founded in 1981, Penn-Mar operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in northern Maryland and southern Pennsylvania. They support 400 adults with disabilities daily through an array of customizable services. www.penn-mar.org.

###

The post Penn-Mar’s Kathy Rogers Named One of Maryland Top 100 Women For 2nd Time appeared first on Penn-Mar.

Penn-Mar Team Member Betty Huggins-Martin Honored with “Outstanding Direct Support Professional (DSP)” Award

ggorham — Tue, 06 Jan 2026 16:40:33 +0000

The community-based Senior DSP received a citation from Maryland Governor Wes Moore.

Betty poses at the award ceremony with her certificate.

In October, the Maryland Department of Health, along with partners from the Maryland Department of Disabilities and the Maryland Department of Labor hosted a celebration of everyday heroes who go above and beyond to support individuals with developmental disabilities.

Thirty-one “Outstanding Direct Support Professionals (DSPs)” were chosen from over 100 nominations, including Penn-Mar Senior DSP Betty Huggins-Martin. The honorees received individual citations from Governor Wes Moore to say ‘thank you’ for a job well done.

During the event, Department of Disabilities Secretary Carol Beatty recognized the transformational work of DSPs and thanked the honorees for providing outstanding support in the award category of community living.

“Direct Support Professionals support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities with developing important life skills that allow for meaningful participation in all aspects of their community life,” Secretary Beatty said. “This can include finding and keeping jobs, enjoying recreational activities, and living safely in their homes and neighborhoods. Direct Support Professionals are the backbone of our community system of services.”

Department of Health Secretary Laura Herrera Scott called the day’s celebration “a small token of the recognition that DSPs deserve every day of the year.”

Betty remembers being completely surprised when she learned that her supervisor, Lauren Martinez, nominated her for the prestigious honor.

“Lauren is an all-around great supervisor,” she said. “She saw something in my work that she felt deserved public recognition. She always makes it her business to tell me when I’m doing a good job and is quick to show appreciation for the efforts of the DSPs on her team.”

Betty takes a selfie with a person she supports.

Only six months after Betty joined Penn-Mar in August 2022 as a community-based DSP out of Westminster, she was promoted to Senior DSP. Describing herself as a “team player,” she said her supervisor knows she is willing to do anything she suggests or asks.

“I know how busy my supervisor is and I want coworkers on my team and other teams to know that if they need something, I will do the best I can to help and accommodate them. I am very connected with staff, and many DSPs at Penn-Mar reach out to me for advice. I like being a ‘go-to’ person for problem-solving.”

The recent award recognizing her passion for helping people in need was “heartwarming” for Betty. She first provided emotional support and personal care for a neighbor when she was only 14 years old and “just kept going from there.”

Before joining Penn-Mar, Betty supported the elderly and those with Alzheimer’s. Seeing them smile when they succeeded in doing something they usually struggled with made all her efforts worthwhile.

“I get the same feeling today,” she said, “helping the people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) at Penn-Mar live their best lives.”

Her recent award and the continuing training that Betty has pursued while at Penn-Mar have boosted her confidence and capabilities. She successfully completed a 12-month Professional Development training class, and in February she will obtain her DSP-III Certification, graduating from the Career Ladders E-Badge Academy program.

A natural “go-getter,” Betty pursues additional opportunities to enhance her skills and help her continue to be an outstanding DSP, be it side-by-side training with her supervisor or tuning in to relevant webinars.

And whether it’s helping the people she supports become more independent or devising innovative tools to help them communicate their person-centered wishes, Betty loves that no two days on the job are alike, with every day offering different experiences and breakthroughs.

“I love the direct support work I do in the community,” she said. “Looking ahead, my goal is to be a support team manager.”

That dream, and many more award opportunities, will undoubtedly be in Betty’s future!

The post Penn-Mar Team Member Betty Huggins-Martin Honored with “Outstanding Direct Support Professional (DSP)” Award appeared first on Penn-Mar.

Penn-Mar Human Services’ Greg Miller Wins “Most Admired CEOs” Award Second Time

ggorham — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 20:46:54 +0000

– Maryland’s Top Leaders Recognized Annually by Maryland Daily Record –

September 29, 2025

Baltimore – Penn-Mar Human Services, the region’s leading provider of services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD), is proud to announce that President & CEO Greg Miller has been named one of 2025’s Most Admired CEOs by the Maryland Daily Record for the second time, having won the award in 2023. The recipients of this prestigious award are exceptional Maryland business leaders who have not only achieved remarkable professional success but show a strong commitment to community service. Their visionary leadership has earned praise from co-workers, board members, and community leaders alike.

“I am delighted to receive this award for a second time, but it truly belongs to the entire Penn-Mar team,” said Miller. “Our success has always been a collective effort. It is the unwavering dedication of our team and boards, the trust and generosity of our partners, and the courage of the people we support that allows us to constantly innovate and advocate for meaningful change. This is a team that strives to be better every day, and this award is a recognition of what we can accomplish together.”

Since beginning his career as a direct support professional (DSP) over 30 years ago, Greg has built an impressive career in human services, culminating in his role as CEO of Penn-Mar in 2012, and has overseen remarkable growth for the organization. Under Greg’s exceptional leadership, Penn-Mar has flourished, now serving over 2,000 adults with IDD annually through the nonprofit’s diverse programs. He has directly influenced the human services industry by helping to lead the shift from outdated “sheltered workshops” and sub-minimum wages to equitable, community-based employment opportunities within local businesses via Penn-Mar’s Customized Employment program. This commitment extends to person-centered initiatives, ensuring services are tailored to individual needs.

His insight was also evident in establishing the nationally recognized “career ladders” program for DSPs, offering education, credentialing, and wage enhancements, resulting in a staff retention rate 30% higher than the national average. In July 2023, under his leadership, Penn-Mar made a historic, $3 million investment in team members, increasing Direct Support Professional (DSP) wages, which continue to climb well above the national average. He also co-led Penn-Mar’s Building Bold Futures campaign, the group’s most successful capital campaign, raising an impressive $7.6 million, despite the global pandemic.

Greg spearheaded Penn-Mar’s Belonging Initiative, a culture-building campaign focused on fostering a workplace where every employee feels truly valued and supported. The program is designed to leverage the unique experiences of the entire team to create a more inclusive and connected environment and further bolster recruitment and retention while improving services for the people Penn-Mar supports.

“It’s hard to imagine a more fitting recipient for the Most Admired CEO Award,” says Penn-Mar Human Services Board Chair Beth Pitts-Madonna. “Greg is a true leader who has a deep understanding of the intellectual and developmental disability community. His profound commitment to the people he serves and their families, coupled with his strategic vision and compassionate approach, makes him an exceptional leader worthy of this recognition.”

Greg’s lifelong commitment to the disability community began in college with an introduction to Target Community & Educational Services. As a DSP, he worked directly with people with IDD to empower them to live life on their own terms. This mission became so personal that he and his wife, Terri, took a significant step and opened Maryland’s first home for children with significant disabilities.

This foundational experience shaped a career trajectory that saw him rise through every level of leadership at Penn-Mar. He spent years in various roles before stepping into the Chief Operating Officer position in 2000, and then becoming CEO, bringing decades of frontline experience to the top leadership role.

Media can contact Roger Mecca at roger@vitaminisgood.com to set up an interview or learn more about Penn-Mar.

About Penn-Mar Human Services

###

The post Penn-Mar Human Services’ Greg Miller Wins “Most Admired CEOs” Award Second Time appeared first on Penn-Mar.