Keystone Human Services

Keystone Children & Family Services

Capital Area Head Start: Agency Leadership Biographies

Jo Pepper, Executive Director of Capital Area Head Start
jpepper @ keystonehumanservices.org
Jo Pepper is the Executive Director of Capital Area Head Start. She received her Master of Education from Penn State University and has been involved with Capital Area Head Start since 1979. Jo is a graduate of Head Start Management Fellows Program at the University of California in Los Angeles and is a participant on Head Start Program Review Teams. Jo is also a presenter at local, regional, and national conferences.
Sue Smith, Director of Early Childhood Development
ssmith @ keystonehumanservices.org
Sue Smith has served in the early childhood field since 1988, and she joined Capital Area Head Start in 1993. She attended the University of Delaware and Kutztown University and received her degree in 1981. At CAHS, she has worked in both our center-based and home-based programs. Since 2002, she has taken a lead role in the partnership with the Harrisburg School District, overseeing the expansion of that program from 12 classrooms to 35. Among other professional opportunities, Sue has participated in the Governor’s Institute for Early Childhood and has presented at local and state conferences. She created many of the original illustrations for the preschool version of Promoting Alternative Thinking Skills (Preschool PATHS).
Melanie Heller, Director of Early Head Start Services
mheller @ keystonehumanservices.org
Melanie is the director of Early Head Start Services. She received her Master of Education from Lehigh University and has worked with children and families for over 25 years. In addition to her work with Head Start, she works part time as an adjunct professor for the early childhood education department at Northampton Community College, where she teaches distance learning courses. She also presents local and regional workshops. Melanie is an active partner with PNC and the Whitaker Center for Science and the Arts Grow Up Great Initiatives for CAHS children, families and staff.
Sheri Prince, Director of Employee Development & Operations
sprince @ keystonehumanservices.org
Sheri Prince has been an employee of Capital Area Head Start since 1992. She received her bachelor’s degree in elementary education and child development from Michigan State University. She participates in the Pennsylvania Early Learning Career Preparation and Development Committee and is a national trainer for the PATHS (Promoting Alternative Thinking Strategies) curriculum. She has presented at national, state and local conferences.
Kim Smith, Director of Family & Community Partnerships
ksmith @ keystonehumanservices.org
Kim Smith has been employed with Capital Area Head Start since 1993 and has been working in the social service field in the Harrisburg area since 1987. Kim holds a master's degree in social work from Temple University. Additionally, Kim has served on the Dauphin County Social Services for the Children and Youth Advisory Board and on the State Board for Private Academic Schools since 1996.
Amber Bilder, Director of Health & Special Services
abilder @ keystonehumanservices.org
Amber graduated from Bloomsburg University with a bachelor’s degree in sociology. She earned a master’s degree in leadership and organizational transformation with a concentration in health and wellness from Chatham College in Pittsburgh, PA. She is currently working on her MBA in healthcare administration from Scranton University.
Catherine Cornelius, Office Manager
ccorneli @ keystonehumanservices.org
Catherine Cornelius has been employed with Capital Area Head Start since 2005, coming to us from Trinidad and Tobago where she worked in the administrative field for 21 years. As a result of her past experiences, she brings a wealth of knowledge about administration, human resources, marketing, and industry relations. Catherine presently oversees our main office, located at 3700 Vartan Way.
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This page last updated on:
October 3, 2007