BIO: Dr. James R. Thomas

Dr. James R. Thomas is a distinguished educator, pastor, military chaplain, and community leader with an extensive academic and professional background spanning over five decades. He holds multiple advanced degrees including a Ph.D. in Education Policy and Administration, four master’s degrees in theology, education, and special education, and numerous certificates in pastoral care, military chaplaincy, and peace studies.

Dr. Thomas currently serves as Associate Professor of Church and Ministry at Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary (LTSS), teaching a wide range of theological and social justice-related courses. He has also taught internationally in Ghana and at various U.S. institutions, including Union Theological Seminary and New Brunswick Theological Seminary.

His pastoral leadership includes serving in Harlem, Queens, Manhattan, and Minneapolis, as well as in administrative roles such as Assistant to the Bishop and Director of African Descent Outreach for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA). He’s also deeply involved in advisory and leadership roles across multiple church, educational, and nonprofit boards.

Dr. Thomas had an impactful military career as a U.S. Air Force Reserve Chaplain, retiring with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, and was actively involved during the 9/11 emergency response in New York.

He has received numerous honors, including the Meritorious Service Medal, Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society membership, NAACP Life Membership, and several faculty and humanitarian awards. Dr. Thomas is also a published author, with contributions to books and journals on African American Lutheran history, peace, and justice.
 

Kirby G. Upright

Kirby G. Upright is a highly experienced attorney with rich knowledge in his field of estate planning/administration, corporate tax planning and orphans’ court litigation. He believes in treating everyone he represents and counsels with the utmost degree of sensitivity, respect and responsiveness.

An attorney and a certified public accountant, Mr. Upright serves as an expert witness in estate and trust administration/planning matters across the Commonwealth. He frequently lectures and comments on legal issues and cases. He is a Fellow in the exclusive American College of Trust and Estate Counsel – one of only two in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

Mr. Upright is a frequent faculty member for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute, by which he is recognized as a leading commentator in the area of legal ethics, and how those professional rules apply to the Trust and Estate areas. He has also authored numerous articles in the areas of estate planning and administration, and is the editor of the PBI publication Representing Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered Clients in Pennsylvania, now in its Third Edition.

Mr. Upright is listed in The Best Lawyers in America, is listed as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer, is AV-rated by Martindale Hubbell as selected by his peers and the judiciary, and is recognized as an Accredited Estate Planner by the National Estate Planning Council. A former Chair of the Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, Upright is a member of the PBA Legal Ethics and Professional Responsibility Committee. He is a past president of the Estate Planning Council of the Lehigh Valley. In 2017, he was named to the list of “Select Lawyers” by Lehigh Valley Style Magazine.

Mr. Upright, whose experience ranges from simple wills to the most complicated and sophisticated estate planning situations, graduated from the Pennsylvania State University and the University of Akron Law School. He earned a Master of Law degree in Taxation from Temple University School of Law.

Lauren Peterson is the Executive Director of Safe Monroe (formerly known as Women’s Resources of Monroe County), where she has worked for over eleven years. Lauren has worked in the field of victim services for over 20 years, before coming to Monroe County,  Lauren worked for Victim Services Center in Montgomery County. Lauren holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration, concentrating in Nonprofit Administration from West Chester University, and a Bachelors in Criminology/Sociology from Immaculata University. Lauren has served on the Board of Directors of Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Monroe County, and the League of Women Voters of Monroe County. Services and advocacy for victims of crime, specifically those who have suffered domestic or sexual abuse, has always been a passion for her, and she continues to use that passion and her background to help her team of staff and volunteers meet the needs of victims in Monroe County.

The CHEMO Bag Inc.  with the help of the community proivdes care bags filled iwth items to provide comfort to men and women going through chemotherapy treatments.

Melissa Healy  

President, The CHEMO Bag Inc.  

With over 22 years of experience in the financial services sector at PNC N.A., Melissa Healy currently holds the position of Assistant Vice President and Client Service Advisor for PNC Private Bank. Previously, she excelled as a Branch Manager for 14 years. Melissa is dedicated to delivering exceptional service to her clients and her Private Bank team while actively contributing to her community. 

She has served on the board of The CHEMO Bag Inc. for more than 11 years, initially as Secretary and currently as President, where she is instrumental in expanding the organization’s reach from the Lehigh Valley to 24 infusion centers throughout Eastern Pennsylvania. Her personal experiences, including the loss of her mother to cancer and the challenges faced by family members battling the disease, have profoundly fueled her passion for the organization and its mission. This commitment drives her efforts to ensure that the “Bag of Hope” comfort bags are delivered to as many chemotherapy patients as possible. 

Beyond her professional commitments at PNC Bank and The CHEMO Bag, Melissa enjoys golfing and cherishing quality time with her family, friends, and grandchildren.

Please RSVP $40/pp

Paul V. Conforti is the Managing Shareholder and Partner in Charge of the Tax Division at Riley and Company, Inc., a respected firm of business advisors and certified public accountants. With extensive experience working with regional businesses and the Pennsylvania Department of Revenue, Paul has devoted much of his career to public accounting.

Paul graduated from West Scranton High School with honors and then went on to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Wilkes University. He later earned his Certified Public Accountant (CPA) designation, further establishing his expertise in accounting and tax advisory.

Throughout his career as a Certified Public Accountant, Paul has served a wide range of clients, including for-profit and nonprofit organizations, public and private educational institutions, and government entities. His experience includes, conducting audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, overseeing complex tax preparation, representing clients during Internal Revenue Service and State agency tax examinations, and delivering strategic business consulting and advisory services. He has also been appointed by the courts as the accountant in charge of corporate liquidations and has testified as an expert witness.

In addition to his CPA designation, Paul was awarded the Certified Government Financial Manager (CGFM) designation by the Association of Government Accountants (AGA), recognizing his expertise in government financial management. He also previously held a securities licenses reflecting his past qualifications in investment and financial advisory services.

Paul is a member of both the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants. He was a long-time member of the Rotary Club of the Stroudsburgs, serving as President from 2011-2012 and as District Treasurer for Rotary District 7410 for many years.

In previous years, Paul has also served as a member of the Association of Government Accountants and the National Association of Forensic Accountants. His community involvement has included roles such as Commissioner for the Spring Brook Township Planning Commission, and Treasurer for Monroe County Head Start.

Paul resides in North Pocono, Pennsylvania, with his wife. Together, they have raised two children and enjoy spending time with their five grandchildren.

Tara Mezzanotte is a community advocate and activist in the New Jersey/Pennsylvania area, primarily known for her involvement in local infrastructure and environmental issues. She is a dedicated liaison working with both New Jersey and Pennsylvania transportation departments on significant regional projects. 

Her primary roles and activities include:

Founder of the I-80 Fence and Safety Concerns at the Delaware Water Gap Coalition: In this role, she advocates for comprehensive safety studies and evaluations of all possible alternatives for major I-80 projects near the Delaware Water Gap, particularly concerning rockfall mitigation and the highway's "S" curves.

Municipal Liaison for Smithfield Township: She has been appointed as the municipal liaison for NJDOT I-80 and PENNDOT Route 611 matters, representing the township's interests in these infrastructure projects.

Project Coordinator for the Paulins Kill Wild and Scenic River Initiative: She serves as Warren County's representative on the Lower Delaware Wild and Scenic River Management Council, promoting the voluntary nature of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in preserving local waterways.

Community Volunteer: She is actively involved in local environmental commissions, such as the Knowlton Environmental Commission, and often posts about community events and issues on social media. 

Mezzanotte frequently collaborates with local government officials and agencies to ensure community concerns are heard in large-scale infrastructure projects. She has recent speaking engagements scheduled into late 2025 regarding the I-80/611 coalition's work. 

Len Lavenda has a background in corporate communications. His responsibilities have included technical writing, marketing communications, public relations and financial communications. Most recently, he was Vice-President of Communications for Sanofi Pasteur, where he managed media relations, product publicity, employee communications, community relations and philanthropy.

Now retired, he has served on the Board of Directors for the Red Cross of NEPA, including Board Chair from 2022 to 2025. He is also the Red Cross EmComm Lead for NEPA and the Assistant Emergency Coordinator for Monroe County ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service).

Len holds a BS in Engineering Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Lori Wehr Bio

Lori Wehr is the Vice President of Advancement at Easterseals Eastern Pennsylvania, where she leads efforts to fund and support life-changing programs for children and adults with disabilities.

A dedicated nonprofit professional, Lori has spent her entire career in the sector. She was drawn to Easterseals by its tangible, local impact, seeing firsthand how the organization creates opportunities for neighbors right here in our community to live, learn, work, and play. At Easterseals, Lori connects generous donors with opportunities to unlock potential and minimize barriers for people with disabilities. She believes that a strong community is one where everyone is included.

Outside of her professional work, Lori enjoys camping and attending spin classes. She and her husband, Jim, are the proud parents of two adult children, a daughter working at Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, and a son graduating The Citadel this spring to commission in the U.S. Army.

Casey Stairiker - Director of Childhood Programs:

Casey Stairiker is the Director of Early Childhood Programs at Easterseals Eastern Pennsylvania, where she oversees the Early Intervention program, Make the First Five Count, and Club Curious, three initiatives focused on supporting young children and their families through early identification, inclusive programming, and community-based supports.

In her role, Casey leads the Early Intervention department, supervising a multidisciplinary team of independent contractors including Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Special Instructors. These professionals provide services to children and families throughout Lebanon, Berks, Lehigh, Northampton, Carbon, Monroe, and Pike counties. Casey is deeply committed to ensuring high-quality, family-centered services that support children’s development during the most critical early years.

 Casey also oversees Make the First Five Count, a program designed to reach caregivers and families who may not otherwise have access to services. Through this initiative, families are empowered to screen their child’s development and are connected to resources and supports when concerns arise, helping reduce barriers and promote early identification.

In addition, Casey leads Club Curious, a free social group for children from birth to five and their siblings up to age ten. Club Curious offers families a welcoming, inclusive space focused on learning through play, including shared reading, gross and fine motor activities, sensory experiences, crafts, music, outdoor free play, and snack time.

 Outside of her professional work, Casey enjoys creative projects, staying active, and spending time with her family. She and her husband are raising two children, a son who plays football and a daughter who cheers, keeping life busy, energetic, and full of joy.

As a vice president and a senior fiduciary advisor, Mary is responsible for the execution
of the terms of your financial and estate guidance, acting on your behalf, thus helping to
deliver peace of mind to you and your families across generations. She works with you,
your advisors and your team to develop and carry out the terms of your estate and
financial plans to help you and your family achieve your goals. Mary is ever mindful of
the impact of changes in governing law and tax rules, as well as the importance of
family dynamics, to help ensure successful outcomes of your plan.
Mary served as an attorney with a large regional law firm for over five years prior to
joining PNC Private Bank in 2018.
Mary is a Fork Over Love board member and an active member of the Luzerne
County Law and Library Association.