Building Community Solutions: Owning the Narrative
Each year, HealthSpark brings community together for our annual Community of Practice - a powerful gathering where connection sparks collaboration and ideas turn into action. This is more than an event. It’s an intentional space designed to connect partners, foster learning, and shine a light on both the challenges and successes shaping our community.
In one room, you’ll find community partners, advocates, nonprofits, government representatives, business leaders, funders, and policymakers - united by a shared commitment in advancing healthy, equitable, and hopeful communities throughout Montgomery County.
Following our gatherings focused on Community Power and Community Leadership, we invite you to attend Building Community Solutions: Owning the Narrative, reflective of our third strategic goal.
Join us for a powerful day of insight as community leaders share perspectives and real-world experiences - from community safety in the wake of immigration enforcement to youth leadership to affordable housing. We’ll uplift the power of advocacy, honor lived experience, and celebrate the collective efforts shaping our community’s future.
Our Event Schedule
Opening Plenary Panel: Voices On Protecting Our Communities
We’re honored to welcome Sheriff Ceisler and Sheriff Kilkenny, joined by partners and grantees Centro de Cultura, Arte, Trabajo y Educación (CCATE) and The Welcome Project, for our opening plenary panel conversation “Voices Protecting Our Communities.” This panel will explore how nonprofit organizations and government partners can work together to promote safety and wellbeing for residents, with a particular focus on immigrant communities.
Panelists will discuss practical strategies for strengthening community safety, dispel myths, and identify concrete actions that organizations and individuals can take to support inclusive and secure neighborhoods. The conversation will also create space to share the real-life impacts that immigration enforcement has on families, communities, and local institutions, helping ground policy discussions in lived experience.
Meet the Speakers
Sheriff Danny Ceisler is an experienced public safety leader who has served our community and nation in combat zones, courtrooms, and capitols.
Danny joined the United States Army when he was 18 years old. In 2016, he earned a Bronze Star while serving with a Special Operations Counter-Terrorism Task Force in Afghanistan. He is a veteran of three Crisis Management Teams at the Pentagon, including a six-month assignment in 2020 coordinating COVID response. He currently serves as a Captain in the Army Reserve.
As an attorney, Danny focused on representing victims of corporate greed and sexual violence. In his most significant case, he successfully represented over 75 law enforcement officers who were shot by their own holstered pistols because an international firearms manufacturer failed to include a critical safety feature in their sidearms.
Danny served as senior public safety official in Governor Shapiro’s administration. In that role, he spearheaded the Governor’s strategic initiatives to improve emergency response and recovery in Pennsylvania.
An active member in the Bucks County community, Danny is a co-owner of a brewery and pub in Bristol Borough, a volunteer with Bristol’s Third District Volunteer Fire Company, and a catcher in the BuxMont Men’s Baseball League. He resides in Bristol Borough with his wonderful wife, Helen.
Sean P. Kilkenny was elected in 2015 and re-elected in 2019 and 2023 as the 67th Sheriff of Montgomery County. Since taking office in 2016, Sheriff Kilkenny modernized the office with initiatives focused on transparency, innovation, diversity and professionalism. In addition to his elected position, Sheriff Kilkenny is the managing partner of Kilkenny Law. Sheriff Kilkenny has served as a trustee at Montgomery County Community College and President of the Pennsylvania Sheriff’s Association. He was also appointed to the Juvenile Court Procedural Rules Committee by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Sheriff Kilkenny is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University Sheriff and Deputy Sheriff Training Program holds a master's degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. His civilian education includes a master’s degree of public administration from the University of South Carolina, a law degree from Temple University, and a bachelor’s degree from Villanova University.
Sheriff Kilkenny is a proud Veteran, having served his country as an officer on both active duty and in the Army Reserves for more than two decades, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He began his military career as a paratrooper and federal prosecutor in the Judge Advocate General Corps. He served overseas in Bosnia, Iraq, Kosovo, and South Korea. He resides in Jenkintown with his wife and two daughters.
Obed Arango Hisijara is a Latin American citizen of Mexican origin—a photographer, film documentarian, social anthropologist, liberation theologian, social leader, and university professor. He is the founder and executive director of the Center for Culture, Art, Work, and Education (CCATE), a nonprofit organization established in 2011 and based in the greater Philadelphia area, Pennsylvania. CCATE’s mission is “to drive change and social transformation through the talents of the Latino and immigrant community, at the intersection of education, art, culture, technology, health, social justice, and environmental sciences.”
Since 2018, Obed has served as a part-time lecturer at the School of Public Policy at the University of Pennsylvania, where he teaches Qualitative Research courses and focuses on community-based action research and visual anthropology techniques. His primary anthropological research theme is “The Immigrant Village.”
Heidi Roux immigrated to the US during the civil war in her home country of El Salvador. She grew up in Washington, DC and became a US citizen after the age of 18. She holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Northern Arizona University where she explored social entrepreneurship and the importance of nonprofit work. Heidi began volunteering for Immigrant Rights Action and became its first paid Executive Director. In 2025, she oversaw the merger of Immigrant Rights Action with the larger nonprofit The Welcome Project PA. Her current role is as Director of Immigrant Justice. Heidi's lived experience as an immigrant, along with her desire to uplift others, fuels her passion and dedication to this work. Heidi and her husband Miles enjoy living in a small farm setting with their school age son. Heidi is a volunteer administrator for the Bucks County Anti-Racism Coalition and continues to volunteer for the Bucks County BookFest.
Closing Plenary Panel - From Voice to Power: Youth Leadership as a Movement
Youth voice is not just a moment—it’s a movement. Across communities, workplaces, and civic spaces, emerging leaders are stepping forward with clarity, purpose, and a deep commitment to change. They are not only sharing their perspectives—they are shaping conversations, influencing decisions, and redefining what leadership looks like today.
This panel explores how youth voice grows from expression into real influence. What does it take to move from being heard to having impact? How do lived experiences become a source of leadership and power?
Join us for a dynamic conversation on how youth are driving meaningful, lasting change—and what it takes to turn perspective into progress.
Meet the Speakers
Jarrett James Lash serves on the Board of the HealthSpark Foundation and is the 14th UNA-USA Youth Observer to the United Nations. A community planner by profession, he concurrently works at the intersection of housing, land use, and civic engagement as the Director of Planning for Upper Merion Township.
Jarrett’s work centers on turning youth voice into tangible outcomes, from advising the Youth Housing Coalition to the recent release of his UNA-USA American Youth Priorities Report. Through his national listening tour as Youth Observer, he has engaged young people across the country on trust, institutions, and how the next generation is redefining leadership.
Through these, he hopes to bring a practitioner’s perspective on how youth leadership can move beyond engagement to real influence in shaping healthier, stronger communities.
Liyan Alkawafhah serves as the Assistant Director of the Middle East Center at the University of Pennsylvania, where she leads public programming, partnerships, and community engagement that bring critical conversations about the region to campus. Her work is grounded in a deep commitment to education as a bridge between cultures and a catalyst for social change.
A graduate of the University of Calgary, where she studied Political Science and International Relations as a Daughters for Life Foundation scholar, Liyan has long focused on Middle Eastern politics, social transformation, and the lived experiences of displaced communities. She has worked and volunteered across Jordan, Canada, and the United States, supporting refugees, youth, and newcomers as they navigate complex social and legal systems.
She is currently completing her Master’s in Social Policy at the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Social Policy & Practice, where her work centers on advancing evidence-based, community-driven approaches to better support refugees and new immigrants.
Bio coming soon.
Ethan Rodriguez is 22 years old, born and raised in North Philadelphia. He’s a first-gen college student and alumni of Arcadia University. His background is in Media and Communications, and has a passion for non-profit youth-centered program work.
Some of his accomplishments include co-producing a gun violence documentary with PBSNewshour Student Reporting Labs, which was screened at multiple film festivals. In addition to that, he is a published journalist in The Philadelphia Inquirer, Teen Vogue and Chalkbeat. Since graduating college, he’s had the opportunity to work with PA Youth Vote as the Regional Organizer of Philadelphia. Within that role, he has focused on building out the curriculum for PAYV’s civic engagement program, supported student advocacy in the Philly area and has started a magazine club within the organization.
Not only that, but Ethan also serves as Assistant-Program Coordinator of POPPYN, which has been a dream come true for him. As a former participant and media educator of POPPYN, transitioning to the assistant-program coordinator role has allowed him the opportunity to give back to the organization that equipped him with the skills he has today
Explore Our Breakout Sessions
Building Bridges: Standing With Our Immigrant Neighbors
Supporting immigrant communities begins with a commitment to understanding diverse experiences. Join nonprofit leaders, community organizers, and advocates as they share strategies for strengthening community partnerships, elevating lived experiences, and fostering inclusive spaces where everyone belongs. This panel will explore how thoughtful engagement and collaboration can advance immigrant rights while building stronger, more connected communities.
Meet the Speakers
As a retired General Contractor and proud mother of two, Muneera Walker enjoys her time as a social activist, representing community members for fair and even treatment through her grassroots effort, Neighbors Helping Neighbors on the Main Line. She started the nonprofit in response to the threat of global pandemic; but continues the work to create tangible recovery from generational disparities. Muneera’s love and support of her community is expressed through three key areas: Outreach & Resource Linkage, Education Empowerment, and Food Security. Muneera’s advocacy extends to levels of government, with emphasis on inclusion and the correction of larger safety net systems. She serves on the National Human Services Assembly Peer Council, PA Educator Diversity Consortium, Lower Merion Counseling and Mobile Services Advisory Board, Lower Merion Unhoused Task Force, and the Lower Merion School District Achievement Imperative Task Force. Muneera hopes for the replication of her organization’s principles globally, and dreams of a time when such services are no longer needed because we, as a world, care for each other - one neighbor at a time. “Kindness cannot be contained by human barriers or limited by parameters of governance.” - Muneera Walker
Josh Blakesley grew up in the Midwest before completing a B.A. in Theatre at Northwestern College [IA] and a Master of Divinity [M.Div.] at Princeton Theological Seminary [NJ]. An ordained minister in the United Church of Christ [UCC], Josh has lived and worked in Iowa, Philadelphia, Hawai’i, Mexico, and Michigan. Currently, he is Pastor of Love In Action UCC, an open and affirming congregation featured in a Vox Media episode of Divided States of Women with Liz Plank and in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Josh has 20+ years of nonprofit experience, including leading workshops and training in corporate, medical, and academic settings, focused on diversity & inclusion, grant writing, fund raising, and program management. Josh is a fellow of Interfaith Philadelphia, designing and coordinating interfaith immersion service-learning experiences. Josh also co-facilitates DEIAB training with a focus on creating a sense of belonging for all. He is a founding member of The Society for Faith & Justice, a member of New Sanctuary Movement’s Driving PA Forward, and a Collaborator for Nurturing Justice. He is also a professional actor and has developed theatre arts curriculum for use in religious and secular settings.
Bio coming soon.
Bio coming soon.
Bio coming soon.
Holding Space: Wellbeing, Vulnerability, and Care in Challenging Times
In a moment when so many people are feeling stretched, overwhelmed, and uncertain, conversations about wellbeing feel more important than ever. This panel creates space to reflect on what it really means to care for ourselves and one another—not just in theory, but in practice.
Together, our panelists will explore how we lean into self-care and vulnerability during difficult times. What does it look like to show up honestly when things are hard? How do we build resilience without losing our humanity? And how can care—personal, communal, and spiritual—become a source of strength rather than another task on the list?
Meet the Speakers
A Norristown native, Mydera Taliah Robinson is Executive Director at Theatre Horizon in Norristown, PA. An artist in her own right, Mydera first partnered with Theatre Horizon in 2014 as a Spoken Word Artist, performing at a production of The Syringa Tree. Mydera’s leadership has established Theatre Horizon as a more community-centered artistic institution, where partnership, representation, and accessibility are prioritized.
Mydera currently serves on Norristown Municipal Council.
Sherry Wherry currently serves as the Trauma Coalition Coordinator for Bucks-Mont Collaborative and recently joined YWCA TriCounty as the Director of Mission Initiatives. She is also the CEO/Founder, and Empowerment Strategist of Wherry Consultations, LLC, where she utilizes her passion for empowering individuals to be their best selves. She is a Licensed Social Worker (LSW); and has earned her Master of Social Work degree from Temple University; and possesses a certificate in Trauma-Informed Practice. She has also completed a certificate of training in Professional Development Coaching from the RS Counseling & Wellness Center (RSCWC). She has extensive experience in Social Services and empowering individuals to accomplish their educational, professional, personal, and spiritual goals. Sherry also currently serves as a licensed Minister in her local church.
Making Affordable Housing Work — Local Action and Cross-Sector Solutions
Addressing the need for affordable housing takes more than action from local government—it requires coordination across sectors. This session brings together perspectives from lending, consulting, and community-based development models to explore how zoning, permitting, and local policies can either support or slow progress. Panelists will share practical, real-world examples from the local level, including public-private partnerships, community-driven strategies, and innovative models such as community land trusts that preserve long-term affordability. The conversation will also examine persistent challenges—such as regulatory barriers, access to capital, and land constraints—and how stronger cross-sector collaboration can help overcome them.
Meet the Speakers
Wyatt Schroeder has worked on the issue of homelessness and affordable housing since 2009, stemming from a fervent belief that everyone deserves a safe, stable, and affordable home. He has served roles from executive nonprofit leadership to grassroots organizer to local government official.
Wyatt serves as the Director of Hemlock & Forge, a supportive housing agency focused on addressing homelessness and housing equity in Pennsylvania and Delaware. His work focuses on designing local coalitions to accelerate new housing development. He uses a multi-disciplinary approach that mixes a social worker’s ethics with an MBA’s training and a grassroots organizer’s technique.
Prior to launching Hemlock & Forge, Wyatt was the Director of Community Partnerships for the City of Boise, Idaho, guiding all social service partnerships for City Hall. He has served a number of roles in his work on housing equity, including Executive Director of CATCH, Idaho’s largest supportive housing agency and Senior Manager at Agnew::Beck Consulting, serving communities in Idaho and Alaska by designing and managing public-private partnerships that led to the development of affordable housing and increased housing outcomes for marginalized populations.
Wyatt holds a Master of Business Administration from Villanova University and a Bachelor of Arts from Allegheny College, and a professional certificate on Real Estate Development from Fordham University. He lives in Philadelphia.
Dedicated to community empowerment and sustainable development, Tracy Purdy has spent her career advancing equitable housing, historic preservation, and civic engagement. First, as President of the Board of Directors and now as Executive Director for Mosaic Community Land Trust, she has worked hard to shape the organization’s strategic direction, secure funding, and expand educational and operational programming. Her leadership extends to the Pottstown Housing Coalition, where she has served as President from 2020 to the present, advocating for housing solutions and policy changes at the local and state levels. Her civic contributions include appointments to the Pottstown Historic Architecture Review Board and the Pottstown Area Economic Development UCC Review Committee, where she works to preserve local heritage and ensure responsible and equitable urban development. Her background in city and regional planning, supported by a Master of Science in City and Regional Planning and a Bachelor of Science in Community Development from Temple University, informs her approach to equitable land use and policy advocacy. A former adjunct professor at Temple University, she uses her expertise in community development and environmental planning in her professional, civic, and volunteer work.
She is also the owner and innkeeper of Three Daughters Inn Bed & Breakfast in Pottstown, a true experiment in community development. Tracy and her husband Jay are proud parents to Nicole, Madison and Jillian, all three grown and out there making the world a better place.
Since 2016, Angie Williamson has served as Executive Director of Jumpstart Germantown and Jumpstart Philly, where she leads efforts to expand access to real estate development opportunities for local aspiring developers. Under her leadership, the Jumpstart model has expanded to 25 communities nationwide. In Philly the program provides critical financing and guidance to projects that strengthen neighborhoods while supporting new developers.
Before joining Jumpstart, Angie was Executive Director of the Mt. Airy BID and earlier served as Economic Development Director for New Kensington CDC. Prior to moving to Philadelphia 16 years ago, she worked as a City Planner in Roanoke, VA. Angie is a graduate of Mary Washington College and holds a Master’s in Urban and Environmental Planning from the University of Virginia.
Aspiring to be a minimalist, Angie lives in a 650-square-foot apartment with two humans and one old, grumpy dog. Angie’s also a proud parent of a Philadelphia public school 7th grader — go J.S. Jenks!
Speak Up, Be Heard: How Advocacy Makes a Difference
Advocacy is more than a strategy—it’s the heartbeat of community change. Join panelists as they share how individuals and organizations can influence policies, amplify community voices, and create tangible impact. Through compelling stories and practical insights, panelists will highlight how advocacy has shaped programs and strengthened local communities.
Correne Kristiansen is the Advocacy Coordinator at the Bucks-Mont Collaborative, where she works to advance policy priorities in behavioral health and housing for Bucks and Montgomery Counties. She brings 10 years of experience in policy and politics, most recently as Chief of Staff to PA Senator Maria Collett. A Bucks County native, Correne holds a BA from Johns Hopkins University, a JD from NYU School of Law, and spent nearly a decade writing and working in television production in Los Angeles.
State Rep. Joe Ciresi took office as the state representative for the 146th Legislative District in Pennsylvania in November 2018. He resides in Limerick Township, Montgomery County, with his wife, Pam.
Prior to taking office, Joe was the director of sales and promotions for 16 years at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts. He also served 12 years on the Spring-Ford Area School Board, which included three years as president and three years as vice-president. During his tenure, Joe and the other board members reduced the school district's debt by over $125 million and moved the district into the top 2% out of Pennsylvania's 500 public school districts.
Joe serves as a board member for Pottstown’s Steel River Playhouse (where he also performs), The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Kimmel Center, and previously served on the boards of the affordable housing nonprofit Petra Community Housing and the Trappe Community Music School.
Born in Long Island, N.Y., Joe was the first in his family to attend college. He received his bachelor's degree from the University of Miami where he met his wife.
Bio coming soon.
Blessing Osazuwa is the Organizer for the Montco 30% Project, advocating for better housing policy in Harrisburg, fairer housing and zoning distribution throughout Montgomery County, and additional funding to reduce homelessness and create more affordable housing. Prior to her work with Montco 30%, she was the Metro Organizer for POWER Interfaith, mobilizing faith leaders in Montgomery County around education and housing justice. She previously served as the Lead Organizer at the Girls Justice League of Philadelphia, where she planned and implemented programs and workshops dedicated to educating and mobilizing girls in the Philadelphia region around social, political, economic, and gender justice. Blessing graduated from Lower Merion High School in 2016. She has an Associate of Arts (A.A.) in music from Montgomery County Community College and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in music and African-American/African Diaspora Studies from Columbia University in the City of New York.