Our Leadership Team
Behind every resource gifted, there is a dedicated team working to make a difference. We’re a passionate group of change-makers committed to helping kids thrive — one essential item at a time
Behind every resource gifted, there is a dedicated team working to make a difference. We’re a passionate group of change-makers committed to helping kids thrive — one essential item at a time
Senior Vice President Private Brands Business Strategy & Merchandising, Nordstrom
Sarah serves as Senior Vice President of the Nordstrom Private Brand group, where she leads the development and execution of merchandising strategies across Apparel, Shoes, Accessories, and Home for both Nordstrom and Nordstrom Rack. She brings 20+ years of experience in omni-channel retail, merchandising, and strategic business development. Prior to her current role, Sarah has held several leadership positions at Nordstrom over the last 15 years.
Sarah holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from The College of William & Mary.
Sarah currently serves on the Board of Directors for The Alliance for Education, an independent nonprofit dedicated to advancing education in Seattle Public Schools
Grace Sica assumed the role of Executive Director in 2020, following 4 years as Vice President of Corporate Partnerships. She is responsible for expanding the organization’s impact by guiding strategy, development, and execution of our programs. She previously served as Director of Client Services – North America for TerraCycle, and Outreach Coordinator for the Sierra Club. Grace has a B.S. in Journalism and Environmental Policy from Rutgers, and an M.B.A. from Villanova University.
Brenda Lee is a seasoned marketing and communications executive with over 20 years of experience spanning fintech, banking, and the nonprofit sector. As Vice President of Marketing and Communications at Operation Warm, she leads brand strategy and program visibility, driving growth and impact through strategic storytelling and cross-functional leadership. Since joining in 2020, Brenda has elevated the organization’s national presence while fostering a culture of collaboration and empowerment.
Passionate about purpose-driven work, Brenda brings a unique blend of corporate acumen and philanthropic commitment. Brenda holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Media Studies from Penn State University.
Heather Connolly currently serves as the leader of Operation Warm’s Fundraising teams in the role of Vice President of Partnerships. In her 9 years at Operation Warm, Heather has helped more than double the funding support from corporate and community partnerships, foundations and individuals. Her past experience includes over 16 years working in various leadership roles with non-profit programs including the YMCA of Greater Brandywine and Girls on the Run, as well as the creation of programming and facilitation of large-scale events. Prior to entering the non-profit world, Heather spent eight years in management roles working with Wachovia Bank. Heather graduated with a BA in Economics and Politics from Wake Forest University.
Tim has over 30 years of experience in the software, service, and consulting industry. Tim served as the CEO of iPipeline for 11 years until he sold the company to Ropers Technology for $1.625 billion in 2019. Prior to iPipeline he served as interim President and COO of MEDecision, Inc. (sold to HCSC); CEO and Chairman of FullTilt Solutions, Inc.; President & CEO of XLConnect Solutions, Inc. (acquired by Xerox).
Board Membership:
Award Recipient: Ernst & Young Technology CEO of the Year, 2011
Tara is passionate about philanthropy and has been working to inspire adults and children to think beyond themselves and help the less fortunate. As manager of her son’s successful Running the World for Children campaign, she has attained national media attention from Sports Illustrated Kids, Katie Couric, Disney, People Magazine and others.
Trustee:
North Star School
For over 20 years, John has applied a risk-based approach to building secure and resilient technology solutions in the highly-regulated financial services and healthcare industries. John started his career in technology with Commodore International, launching the Commodore 64 home computer, prior to becoming a founding employee of Intelligent Electronics. He currently holds the following professional certifications: CISSP, CCSP, CRISC, CEH, PMP, GCIH and GPEN.
Alex leads IBM’s strategy and mergers & acquisitions organizations, and also leads the company’s investor relations organization.
He joined IBM in 2023 from Lazard, where he served as President since June 2019. Prior to that, Alex held a number of senior executive positions at the firm, including Chief Executive Officer of Lazard’s Financial Advisory business, Chief Operating Officer, and Global Head of Strategy. Throughout his tenure, Alex advised Lazard clients on a broad array of clients, with a particular emphasis in the technology and telecommunications sectors. He joined Lazard in 1994, and was named Managing Director in 2002.
He received a B.S. from Duke University, an M.S.E. from the School of Engineering and Applied Science of the University of Pennsylvania, and an M.B.A. from The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.
Board membership:
School of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Pennsylvania
Pina led a team of over 10,000 employees at more than 60 locations, delivering customer-focused international and domestic shipping solutions.
During her tenure Pina was instrumental in the growth and profitability of the FedEx Express Division. She was a key contributor to leadership development and succession planning, leaving a legacy of successful leaders to lead the next phase of prosperity for FedEx Canada. Pina was a Director of FedEx Express Canada since 1997. She also held the position of Vice President of both FedEx Express Canada and its U.S. parent company, Federal Express Corporation, 2003-2023.
Board Membership:
Award Recipient:
Dick is a lifelong entrepreneur and philanthropist. He began his career at Arthur Anderson and was VP of Finance and Executive Vice President of Commodore International. He went on to found Intelligent Electronics, which grew to a $3.7 billion dollar wholesale distributor of micro-products and services. In 1998 Dick started The Sanford Foundation to support disadvantaged children. The first charter school in Pennsylvania was an early product and today that school, known as The Chester County Family Academy, operates in West Chester, PA. He has served on the Board of the Brandywine Museum and Conservancy.
In 1998 Dick founded Operation Warm.
Lead Director, Tredegar Corporation
Director, Anterix Inc.
Former Audit Chair, Amerigas Propane, Inc.
Former Vice Chair & CEO, OAO Technonogy Solutions
Former President & COO, Intelligent Electronics
Former Chairman, National Association of Corporate Directors – Capital Area Chapter
Board Membership:
Operation Warm – Finance Committee and Audit Committee (Chair)
Kara acts as the leading voice of the customer for TJX globally, enabling the organization to deeply understand a rapidly changing consumer and industry landscape in order to fuel business growth and drive customer loyalty. Kara joined TJX in 2012 and began building the Consumer Insights & Analytics practice for the corporation. Over the years, she has set the vision for consumer capabilities at TJX and built the needed data assets, analytics tools, external partner strategies, and talent strategy to meet the demands of a growing global retail business.
Prior to TJX, Kara worked for 15 years in the Consumer Packaged Goods industry, primarily at Procter & Gamble. At P&G, Kara started her career as an engineer working in Research & Development and quickly transitioned into the Consumer Insights field as her passion for understanding human needs and translating that into business potential has been the driving force for her career.
Kara is a member of the TJX Foundation Advisory Board. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from Clarkson University and an MBA from The Carol School of Management at Boston College.
Kristen has raised over $20 million in grant resources and spearheaded the creation and management of the CHA’s new non-profit affiliate, Springboard to Success. Since 2008, Kristen has led CHA’s partnership with Operation Warm to distribute 10,000 coats to over 3,300 CHA families in a one-day event.
Board Membership:
Operation Warm – Governance Committee
Carlos has more than 20 years of experience with FedEx, joining FedEx Ground as a facility senior manager in 2000. He rapidly ascended in the organization through a series of management positions before becoming a director in 2013 and vice president in 2019. In early 2022, Carlos was named senior vice president of Human Resources at FedEx Ground, and in 2024 this role expanded to include all surface operations under one FedEx.
Carlos earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Miami in Florida and his M.B.A. from Dowling College in New York. He is the recipient of multiple company awards, including the prestigious FedEx Ground Five Star Award. Additionally, he serves as a committee member for the United Way of Southwestern Pennsylvania and is a member of the CHRO council for The Advanced Leadership Institute.
Carlos resides in Pittsburgh, Pa., with his wife Sandra.
Dominique DuMouchel is a Senior Private Wealth Advisor for Clarfeld | Citizens Private Wealth in the Mid-Atlantic region. Her focus is on ultra-high-net-worth clients.
Prior to her current role, Dominique spent nine years at Glenmede, most recently as a Managing Director and Business Development Director, where she was responsible for cultivating relationships with high-net-worth individuals and families, endowments, foundations and tax-exempt entities. Her previous roles included serving as Glenmede’s Talent Leader, where she was responsible for firm-wide recruitment, training and development, career progression, and organizational development strategies. Prior to joining Glenmede, Dominique was the Senior Vice President and Director of Recruitment, Training and Organizational Development at Sun National Bank. She began her career at JPMorgan Chase Private Bank.
Dominique is an active member of the local community. She serves on the Board of Directors of Operation Warm, a nonprofit that manufactures and distributes brand new coats and shoes for children in need. She is a mentor for the United Way Women’s Leadership Initiative. Dominique previously served on the Development and Human Resources Board Committees for the Ronald McDonald House of Delaware, as well as Young Friends of the Brandywine. She is a frequent speaker at events and conferences, including the Million Women Mentors, Half the Sky Leadership program, and the Philadelphia Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) annual conference.
Dominique enjoys attending sporting events with her teenagers and husband. She is an avid Villanova and Philadelphia sports fan.
Board Membership: (former)
Ronald McDonald House of Delaware
Young Friends of the Brandywine
Award Recipient: New Leaders in Banking, NJ Bankers Magazine (2013)
Founder and Managing Partner TDH private equity funds
Founding President and Chairman Greater Philadelphia Venture Group
Trustee and Distinguished Service Award Recipient The Episcopal Academy
A former Marine (Silver Star, Purple Heart, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry), J. B. has an MBA from Stanford and a BSE from the Naval Academy.
Board Membership:
Operation Warm – Lead Director, Compensation Committee, and Nominating & Corporate Governance Committee (Chair)
Stephanie brings more than 20 years of finance, operations, and consulting experience with a focus on business development (mergers & acquisitions, public offerings), process improvement, and financial control in both public and private companies. She served as SVP and CFO of Alliance Consulting (acquired by Safeguard Scientifics); EVP and CFO of XLConnect Solutions (acquired by Xerox, formerly owned by Intelligent Electronics); and in various executive capacities at Intelligent Electronics. Ms. Cohen has a BS Accountancy from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign and is a CPA, having started her career with KPMG Peat Marwick.
Former Executive Vice President and General Manager of The Eagle’s Eye
Formerly worked in General Management Consulting with Touche Ross
Board Membership:
Former Board Membership:
The Chester Charter Scholars Academy, Chair of the Finance Committee, 2012 to 2019.
CSS Industries, Inc., serving on the Audit Committee and Nominating and Governance Committee, 2005 to 2018.
21 year Army Veteran, and served as a City Councilman in Alexandria, Virginia from 2014 – 2018. Willie is the founder of Firefighters and Friends to the Rescue, a non-profit organization serving underprivileged children in the Washington DC Metropolitan area.
Board Membership:
Award Recipient:
City of Alexandria Living Legend
Firehouse Magazine Heroism and Community Service Award
Rotary Club of Tyson Corner Citizen of the Year
Northern Virginia NAACP Community Service Award
Board Membership:
Moody’s Corporation
Operation Warm
Barry Abelson represents public and private companies in mergers, acquisitions, dispositions, and public and private offerings of, and investments in, equity and debt securities. Boards of directors, independent board committees, and the senior management of companies rely on Barry for strategic, governance, disclosure, and transactional matters.
Barry serves on the boards of directors of Operation Warm, a nonprofit which distributes new winter coats and shoes to less fortunate children nationally, and Holocaust Music Lost and Found, a nonprofit which focuses on discovering and bringing to life music written in captivity or otherwise during the Holocaust.
Barry received the Judge Learned Hand Award from the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Jewish Committee in 2004, in recognition of his professional achievements and his dedicated leadership and commitment to the community. He received the Blair Thompson Lifetime Venture Award from the MidAtlantic Capital Alliance in 2007, in recognition of his role in furthering the region’s venture capital interests.
Barry is listed in The Best Lawyers in America, and has been named by Best Lawyers as the Philadelphia “Lawyer of the Year” for Mergers and Acquisitions (2010, 2013, and 2019), Corporate Governance (2014), Securities/Capital Markets (2011 and 2023), and Corporate (2009). He is highly ranked as a Senior States person for corporate, M&A, private equity, and securities matters in Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business. Barry is a senior counsel in the firm, and a former chairman of the Executive Committee of Pepper Hamilton.
A highly accomplished executive with 35 years of broad-based general management experience in the global information technology and communications industries, Susan has built a solid reputation for consistently increasing top line revenue and gross margins, developing and growing new business segments, designing innovative sales, marketing and services strategies, redefining business processes and controlling expenses.
Board Membership:
