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Dorota Gasienica-Kozak will serve as Board Chair; new board members
announced.
Allentown, PA, July 12, 2022 – Dorota Gasienica-Kozak, partner in King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul, LLC law firm and chair of the Adoption/Assisted Reproductive Technology practice section, will serve as Chair of United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley (UWGLV) Board of Directors. In the role of Board Chair, Kozak will volunteer her leadership and expertise to help UWGLV grow and strengthen its service to the community.
“In my legal practice, we work to help build and protect families, so I see every day how powerful we can be when we work together. I am honored to be serving on the UWGLV board at a time when our community needs us most,” said Kozak. “UNITED, we can come back stronger than ever.”
Today, the full and staggering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic are just becoming known: the dramatic learning losses impacting our children, the long-term effects of food instability, increasing risks of eviction or foreclosure and a mental health crisis shaking our families, our children and our older adults.
“Addressing these challenges will take bold action and UNITED solutions. With a continued emphasis on stabilizing the community, we have a solid plan and clear BOLD GOALS to ensure that we meet the needs of our Greater Lehigh Valley. We’re fortunate to have Dorota’s leadership and vision as we continue to meet the increased needs of our children, families and older adults,” remarked David Lewis, President, UWGLV.
In addition to practicing in the areas of Family Law and Estate Planning at KingSpry, Kozak is the Past Chair of the Board of Governors for the Greater Lehigh Valley Chamber of Commerce. She was a Girl Scouts Take the Lead honoree in 2018, a “YWCA Woman of the Year” for 2014, and in 2016, she was named a Woman of Influence by Lehigh Valley Business. A graduate of the Leadership Lehigh Valley program, Kozak is a former member of the board and was the 2012 Leadership Lehigh Valley Alumni of the Year. She has been named a Rising Star honoree by Super Lawyer Magazine and Philadelphia Magazine.
Kozak is joined by Vice Chair Joe Savage who serves as Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President at Victaulic. Savage joined Victaulic in August 2006, and was previously Vice President, Finance. Savage’s community activities include Chair of the Saucon Valley Foundation for Education Innovation and President of the Saucon Valley Lacrosse Club. He is currently serving on the Board of Trustees of his alma mater, Le Moyne College, Syracuse, N.Y., and held a board seat with United Way of Central New York. He was also a trustee of the Toys for Tots Foundation in Central New York.
“I’m very fortunate in my career to have earned a position where I have the ability to give and invest in our community,” said Savage. “As our local United Way continues to serve as a national model, I’m honored to help lead the organization’s next phase of strategic growth.”
UWGLV also welcomes Anne Baum of Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, Joané Hockenbury of Just Born Quality Confections, David Piperato of Easton Area School District, Thomas Ripsam of Martin Guitar Company and Erica Surita Triminio of PNC Bank to the Board of Directors.
Anne Baum returns to UWGLV’s board after her term ended in 2020. Baum is the President of Lehigh Valley Reilly Children’s Hospital, where she leads strategic planning and operations for the third largest children’s hospital in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Joané Hockenbury is the Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer at Just Born Quality Confections, a family-owned candy company that manufactures PEEPS®, MIKE AND IKE®, HOT TAMALES® and GOLDENBERG’S® PEANUT
CHEWS® candy brands. Hockenbury believes the intrinsic desire to serve others mixed with creativity, ingenuity and strategy provides limitless opportunities to positively impact the future.
David Piperato is currently in his third year as the superintendent of the Easton Area School District, serving 9,000 students in nine schools. Throughout his 36-year career, Piperato has been dedicated to creating positive change in public education with a focus on school district culture and student performance.
Thomas Ripsam, an experienced growth strategist and leader, joined Martin Guitar in 2021 as President & CEO. Ripsam has a deep passion for companies with a strong heritage and legacy. He is a trusted advisor and business partner, having guided numerous boards of directors and leadership teams to shape strategies and deliver results.
Erica Surita Triminio has 20 years of experience in the financial industry. Triminio started her financial career with Wells Fargo in 2002 as a Collections Specialist and throughout her years in banking, she has progressed in her career in numerous roles such as a Licensed Financial Specialist, Branch Manager, Bank at Work Relationship Manager, Financial Service Market Manager, Metro Market Sales Manager and Regional Manager.
All appointments are effective July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2024.
About United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
United Way fights for the health, safety and education of every person in the Greater Lehigh Valley and envisions communities where every person belongs and every person thrives. We strive to achieve this goal by assessing community needs, raising funds, investing in solutions and mobilizing our community to action. For more information, visit www.UnitedWayGLV.org
Information provided to TVL by:
Laura McHugh
Vice President, Marketing and Communications
United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley
www.unitedwayglv.org
