Meet the Team
Staff
Kris Keller Executive Director
It came as a surprise to Kris late in her career that she had a real love for non-profit work!
Kris Keller Executive Director
It came as a surprise to Kris late in her career that she had a real love for non-profit work! She says that it's the people - trusting clients, talented staff, wonderful volunteers and donors, committed board members and creative partners who inspire her to help solve challenges for our neighbors in need. Kris started out in California with an engineering degree and MBA. She feels fortunate to have been asked to help re-imagine Orion for it's fifth decade. When you connect with her, ask where in the world her kids are today, her favorite Jersey beach or about recent hiking/biking adventures.
Danielle Blanchard Case Management Supervisor
Danielle knew at a very young age what she was meant to do…help people.
Danielle Blanchard Case Management Supervisor
Danielle knew at a very young age what she was meant to do…help people. She learned in high school about a career in social work. From that moment, she knew that she wanted to be…a Social Worker. There have been times in her life that she took a different career path or a break from her career to raise her three children, but she always came back to her core of Social Work. Danielle lives her personal and professional life striving to make a difference in each person’s life; for: “Helping one person might not change the whole world, but it could change the world for one person.”
Nell Linderoth Case Manager
Nell has experience in working with the elderly, pre-school children and people with disabilities. Nell has a degree in Psychology.
Nell Linderoth Case Manager
Nell has experience in working with the elderly, pre-school children and people with disabilities. Nell has a degree in Psychology.
Guadalupe Guizar Case Manager
Guadalupe has been working as a case manager at Orion Communities since 2017.
Guadalupe Guizar Case Manager
Guadalupe has been working as a case manager at Orion Communities since 2017. She has a true passion for advocating and empowering individuals and families who are impacted by social disadvantages; a quality which she tries to apply in her every day work. Guadalupe holds a MSW from West Chester University of Pennsylvania, and has worked in a variety of settings, from hospice care to victim advocacy. Her experience growing up both in the US and abroad has given her the bilingual and cultural skills instrumental in assisting Orion’s diverse community.
Erica Murphy Office Manager
Erica joined Orion as a volunteer in 2014 before becoming Office Manager.
Erica Murphy Office Manager
Erica joined Orion as a volunteer in 2014 before becoming Office Manager. With a degree in Business Administration and professional experiences that include managing a financial services branch, working as a Compliance Specialist, and owning her own business, Erica saw an opportunity to make an impact in a different way.
New to the world of social work and eager to understand how Orion's senior case managers helped the people who walk through the door, Erica watched and learned. It became clear very quickly that with some new procedures, policies, and by enhancing Orion's digital footprint that Orion's case managers could spread even more hope & smiles to our neighbors in need.
Currently, Erica oversees office operations while wearing many different hats, from marketing to finance, and is always looking for ways to help Orion make a positive difference in the lives of the most vulnerable members of our community.
Board of Directors
Keith Burress President
Keith stumbled into the most challenging and rewarding opportunity for growth by joining Orion’s board 4 years ago.
Keith Burress President
Keith stumbled into the most challenging and rewarding opportunity for growth by joining Orion’s board 4 years ago. He found a passionate organization with deep community roots that matched the community awareness that he was taught as a child. Philadelphia born and bred (thoroughly celebrated the Eagles Super Bowl victory) he has worked for over 20 years at Family Service of Chester County as a Medical Case Manager providing services to those infected/affected by HIV in Chester County.
Graduated from Hahnemann University/Drexel University with a B.A. in Psychology and is a certified mediator. Past board member of The Philadelphia AIDS Consortium and the African American Health and Wellness Fair. Currently a member of The Community Coalition, H.U.B. of Hope, and the Council on Affordable Housing. For fun and relaxation his love of music and sports are only surpassed by the joy of his family."
Kathy Magas Wilson Vice President
Kathy found her calling 35 years ago in the human and social service field.
Kathy Magas Wilson Vice President
Kathy found her calling 35 years ago in the human and social service field. She is a natural at helping individuals and families with crisis intervention and supportive counseling and is a local organizer for community outreach. Kathy earned her BS from Penn State University and her Master’s Degree from West Chester University. Kathy has been as a Medical Social Worker, for the past 17 years, at Phoenixville Hospital.
Kathy has been the heart of Orion Communities; she seems to know both everyone who needs a hug and happy to befriend others in need. Kathy has been a volunteer with Orion for the past 10 years. She is the parent of three sons.
Art Munson Treasurer & Secretary
Art has worked and volunteered with non-profit organizations across the USA for over 50 years!
Art Munson Treasurer & Secretary
Art has worked and volunteered with non-profit organizations across the USA for over 50 years! Art joined Orionʼs Board in December 2014, serving as Treasurer but he's equally known in the office for his sense of humor and baking snicker doodles. Art's distinct perspective as an engineer and organization leader has been essential to rebuilding Orion into the successful organization that now serves the needs of so many people.
He and his wife Jean love to travel by car, especially in Olive, the family Miata.
Ken George Past President
Ken has been Orion’s go to guy for many years and it is due to his generous nature and incredible variety of life experiences.
Ken George Past President
Ken has been Orion’s go to guy for many years and it is due to his generous nature and incredible variety of life experiences. It culminated during his final working years as the lay executive in charge of immigration services, refugee resettlement, and domestic disaster relief for American Baptist Churches USA. But that just scratches the surface.
A veteran of the United States Air Force, Ken has worked in public service that led him to be the Director of City Development for Schenectady, NY. He is also a theater enthusiast and enjoys both attending live performances as well as being on stage… a personal favorite was playing Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof.
Orion has benefited greatly from Ken’s leadership, broad experiences and sense of humor in serving our mission for those in need.
Members
Kara Bielli Member
Kara is a faculty and administrator at Villa Maria Academy High School. She has a B.A. in English and a law degree.
Kara Bielli Member
Kara is a faculty and administrator at Villa Maria Academy High School. She has a B.A. in English and a law degree. For six years she practiced law before transitioning to a career in education and service. She volunteers in diversity programs and lunch programs for underserved children.
A friend introduced Kara to Orion and before she knew it she was on the Board and swept up in typical Orion activities such as chairing a committee and decorating the front window with her daughter and a friend. While camping may not her favorite thing, she does enjoy taking a group of high school students to explore the wilderness each summer.
Patrick Killeen Member
Patrick has been working in the banking sector since graduating from Drexel University with a degree in Business Administration.
Patrick Killeen Member
Patrick has been working in the banking sector since graduating from Drexel University with a degree in Business Administration. He is currently the Chief Risk Officer of The Bryn Mawr Trust Company. As a 26 year banking veteran, Patrick hasheld a variety of audit, operational, and risk management leadership roles at banks and financial service businesses.
Patrick understands that it is important to give back to our local communities and to support those around us who need a helping hand. He and his wife recently moved to Phoenixville and are looking forward to getting involved in their new community.
When opportunity allows, Patrick and Anne love to retreat to Red Horse Lake in Canada, or down to the beach they were married on Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.
Glenn Moses Member
Glenn started his relationship with Orion back in 1991 when Orion helped him get his first job as part of a program to help people with disabilities secure employment.
Glenn Moses Member
Glenn started his relationship with Orion back in 1991 when Orion helped him get his first job as part of a program to help people with disabilities secure employment. Glenn explains things were different back then, he didn’t start school until he was 11 years old because the schools didn’t know how to support a student in a wheelchair.
Many things have changed since then. Glenn has a powered ’all terrain’ wheelchair that allows him to go participate in virtually any activity including two of his favorites - camping and attending outdoor concerts. One of his favorite trips was to scenic Jackson Hole, Wyoming.
Glenn has been on Orion’s Board for over 10 years and can be found volunteering at the front desk on Thursdays and Fridays.
Ellen Scott Member
Ellen is finally finding the time to give back. After 34 years, Ellen is giving up a fee based practice of law and embarking on a pro bono career.
Ellen Scott Member
Ellen is finally finding the time to give back. Raised in New England, she attended college in Philadelphia, where she met her future husband and also fell in love with Chester County. Upon graduating from law school, her plan was to work for a big law firm for a few years to learn how to do it right, and then use her newly developed skills to help others in need. The flaw in the plan was that she loved the corporate litigation work she was doing at Pepper Hamilton LLP.
Thirty four years later she is now giving up the fee based practice of law and embarking on a pro bono career. Not coincidentally, the timing of the change in her practice dovetailed with her election to the Orion Board. She is looking forward to contributing to Orion and its community. If you should meet Ellen, ask her about her three kids, her animals, her gardens and her love of tractors and rototillers.
Larry Way Member
Board member Larry Way worked as an accountant for three years, and after achieving his CPA designation, began a 35-year career with a diversified manufacturing company in the areas of finance and general management.
Larry Way Member
Board member Larry Way worked as an accountant for three years for a large auditing firm, and after achieving his CPA designation, Larry began a 35-year career with a diversified manufacturing company in the areas of finance and general management. For the last 13 years he has been a member of the Board of Directors of a regional bank and chairs its Audit Committee.
Larry graduated from Rutgers University and Mount St. Mary's College. He teaches ESL to members of the Phoenixville Spanish-speaking community and is a regular platelet donor.
Larry enjoys spending time with his family, and his hobbies include exercise, particularly swimming and hand cycling, as well as travel and reading.
Anthony Zayas Member
Anthony has worked in the social service field for 14 years. Anthony earned his BSW from Eastern University and works with the homeless to find shelter, supportive resources and permanent housing.
Anthony Zayas Member
Anthony has worked in the social service field for 14 years. Anthony earned his BSW from Eastern University and works with the homeless to find shelter, supportive resources and permanent housing. Anthony is certified in the Good Shepard Meditation Program which has been helpful in his professional and personal life.
Originally from Puerto Rico, grew up in North Philadelphia & is now a resident of Montgomery County for 4 years. While he claims not to be a dance star, he does like to salsa and keeps a watch for new nightclubs to check out.