Pictured (Left to right): New board members at Bloom, Dinoli Rowlands, Meloney Sallie-Dosunmu, Tiffany Sondergaard, and Ernie Stiegler seek to elevate the organization’s commitment to women survivors of sex trafficking.

Lehigh Valley Leaders Seek to Elevate Nonprofit’s Commitment to Sex Trafficking Survivors  

DECEMBER 12, 2022, LEHIGH VALLEY, PA – Bloom, Lehigh Valley-based nonprofit offering housing and resources to women survivors of sex trafficking, is pleased to announce the addition of the following board members to the organization’s leadership:

• Dinoli Rowlands, MBA, VP, Regional Business Banking Relationship Manager, PNC Bank
• Meloney Sallie-Dosunmu, MBA, CEO, Precision Talent International
• Tiffany Sondergaard, Founder, Public Relations & Event Planning Specialist, –ts PR & Event Planning
• Ernie Stiegler, MBA, VP of Client Engagement, SWBR, Inc.

“We are blessed to have a dedicated board with diverse talents helping us better serve the needs of women in our community,” says Carol Andersen, CEO, Bloom. “As Bloom continues to grow and build on our mission, we benefit from the guidance of these caring, strategic individuals who share their time and expertise with us. We look forward to their collaborative efforts and contributions in 2023.”

Dinoli Rowlands has over 20 years of experience in the financial services industry and has been with PNC Business Banking since 2015. She earned an MBA from Kean University and has been recognized as a Market All Star. In addition to serving on the Bloom board, she also volunteers with the Easton Main Street Initiative.

For more than 30 years, Meloney Sallie-Dosunmu, has built a career in training, development and human resources, holding positions at Dorman Products, Just Born, Thermo Fisher Scientific and City of Allentown amidst launching her own HR services firm, Precision Talent International. Meloney also serves as an adjunct professor at Muhlenberg College, as well as a moderator and facilitator at Harvard Business Publishing.

In addition to her board role, Tiffany Sondergaard looks to serve as Bloom’s PR agency of record, supporting media relations and special event marketing. As founder of –ts PR & Event Planning, she has extensive experience in the design and execution of national publicity campaigns, strategic marketing communication programs, and special events for brands like Procter & Gamble, TOMY, Reebok International, Bath and Body Works, and Bioré. She was recently recognized as one of Lehigh Valley Style’s 2022 Women of the Year.

As VP of Client Relations at SWBR, Ernie Stiegler stays connected with Lehigh Valley’s top businesses and creative professionals. A graduate of Eastern University with an MBA from St. Joseph’s University, he also serves on the board of Touchstone Theatre and the Bethlehem Chamber, as well as remains active with United Way of the Greater Lehigh Valley.

Recently inducted Bloom board member, Ernie Stiegler states: “Bloom is an unbelievable organization, dedicated to serving an incredibly important purpose. I chose to become a board member as I believe in the organization’s mission and feel that I can provide support to Bloom in several ways. Greatly looking forward to further advocating for Bloom!”

Other members of Bloom’s board include Jessica Armstrong, Esq., Associate General Counsel, St. Luke’s University Health Network; Dr. Lorri Tomko, Dentist, Tomko Dental Associates; Mark Sessanta, Founder & Ceo, Stark Financial Group; Autumn Reif, Registered Nurse, St. Luke’s University Health Network; Sharon Garretson, Finance Specialist, Merck & Co., Inc.; Maureen O’Meara, Retired, Business Development; Karen Higgins, Retired Business Owner; and Loren Rabbat, High School English Teacher.

Recently, Bloom opened its fifth residence in Allentown, the Mountain Laurel House, uniquely set up to house pregnant survivors of sex trafficking, offering them two years of safety and support while they heal, deliver and care for their baby, attend parenting classes and receive mentoring and vocational training.

To learn more about Bloom’s leadership, mission, and giving opportunities, please visit www.bloomforwomen.org or follow on social media @BloomforWomenPA.

About Bloom

Bloom is a faith-based non-profit organization with the mission of providing sanctuary and a continuum of care to heal, empower and employ women survivors of sex trafficking. As part of its mission, Bloom offers emergency response, a two-year residential program, and an independent living program in the Lehigh Valley area of Pennsylvania. Bloom follows the model and is a sister community of the remarkably successful Thistle Farms Nashville program. In addition, the Bloom Creative Studio, located in Bangor, Pa., is a social enterprise to leverage art as a healing tool and provide employment opportunities for survivors. Bloom also has a women’s upscale, resale boutique, My Sister’s Closet, based in Bethlehem, Pa., that provides employment opportunities for survivors and financial support for the organization. To learn more about Bloom, visit: www.bloomforwomen.org.

Information provided to TVL by:
Tiffany Sondergaard
Public Relations Liaison Event Planning Specialist
–ts PR & Event Planning
www.tseventplanning.com

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