Lester S. Shelley., BS, M.Div
(Chairman)
Lester Shelley was appointed as Pastor-Chaplain of the NJ Veterans Memorial Home at Menlo Park in Edison, NJ by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. Shelley served his country honorably in the United States Army and received numerous awards and decorations. Shelley is an ordained minister and serves as Associate Minister at First Baptist Church of Lincoln Gardens, Somerset, NJ, and serves the Pastoral Care and Counseling Ministry and is the Chairman and Founder of the Veterans Ministry, where assistance is provided to veterans within the congregation and community with employment, job training, affordable housing, education, healthcare and veterans benefits. Additionally, Minister Shelley is founder of Shelley Ministries which provide ministry in Chaplaincy, Hospice Care, Evangelistic Outreach, Weddings, Funerals, Concerts, Seminars and Philanthropy. Shelley is Founder/CEO of Shelley Enterprises LLC, with business entities that include Trinity Productions, an entertainment company that produces the Divinity Awards, a philanthropy group that establishes endowments for seminary scholarships and recognizes pastors and business leaders for their achievements in ministry, education and community service. T3 Marketing Group, a management company for direct sales entities. Shelley has an earned Bachelor of Science (BS) degree from Philadelphia Biblical University (Cairn) and Master of Divinity (M.Div.) Degree from New Brunswick Theological Seminary and is currently pursuing the Doctor of Ministry (D.Min.) at Regent Divinity School, Virginia Beach, VA
Deborah Carthan, M.S., CPRP
(President)
Deborah Carthan, Certified Psychiatric Rehabilitation Practitioner (CPRP), is an associate member of the American Psychological Association and Psi Chi -The International Honor Society in Psychology. Carthan is a graduate of New Jersey City University and Rutgers (The University of Medicine & Dentistry of New Jersey), where she received an award for outstanding clinical performance. Carthan has extensive leadership, organizational, administrative, and advocacy skills and has over 12 years of experience working with survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault and individuals with severe and persistent mental illness. Carthan is trained in Trauma-Informed Care and Trauma Services, Psychiatric Rehabilitation Principles and Practices, Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavior Therapy Interventions. Carthan has a Master’s of Science in Psychiatric Rehabilitation.
Dione Bennett, M.S.
(Division of Child Protection and Permanency, formerly DYFS)
Dione Bennett has been an employee of the Division of Child Protection and Permanency for twelve years. Her career began at the Newark South Local Office as an investigative worker. Since then, Bennett has worked as a supervisor for the intake and permanency units and is currently in the position of Administrative Assistant for the Newark Northeast Local Office. As an Administrative Assistant, Bennett manages all administrative functions, which include front line personnel issues. Bennett assists the local office manager with the facilitation of hiring new staff. She is responsible for ensuring that the staff is abreast of new policy and changes. She facilitates the local office manager in the hiring of new staff by being part of the interview and ensuring all the background documentation is received. Bennett is also the liaison for Programs for Parents, The Youth Advocate Program (YAP), and the travel liaison for the office staff. As the liaison for these programs, she coordinates the meeting between staff to ensure best case practice and quality improvement. Bennett holds a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling.
Alexis Hassell, MST, CPA
(Price Waterhouse Coopers, LLP)
Alexis Hassell has 9 years of experience serving as a trusted business advisor to her clients. Throughout her career, she has served a diverse group of companies, in varied industries, in all stages of growth from private equity backed start-ups to multinational companies doing business in the US and internationally. She primarily focuses on assisting with their federal, multi-state and international tax compliance and planning needs, but her 5 years as an auditor allows her to also provide broader advice. Hassell is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of New York and is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. She has a Bachelor’s in Business Administration and a Master’s of Science in Taxation.
Rhonda Stenson, MBA, PHR
(Choice Hotels International)
Rhonda Stenson serves as manager of human resources for Choice Hotels International, Inc., one of the world’s largest lodging franchisors. In this role, she is responsible for the professional management of employee relations, administration of policies and programs, participation in human resource strategies, and proactive identification of organizational opportunities. Stenson also oversees activities within the areas of work life programs, human resource training, human resource state and federal employment law, educational services, leads Employee Resource Groups, talent recruitment, staffing and retention with her various business partners. Prior to joining Choice in 2006, Stenson held the position of director, human resources for McNeil Technologies, Inc., where she was responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of global human resources functions. During her time with McNeil, Stenson also served in the roles of human resources manager, and senior human resources analyst. Throughout her 18 year human resources career, Stenson has also held various management positions with GIS/Trans, Ltd. and Coates & Lane Enterprises.