Meet the team.

Leah M. Reynolds, M.S.P.L.
Executive Director
Leah Reynolds took on the role of Executive Director of KACS in July 2019. She holds a Master of Science in Professional Leadership with a focus on non-profits and a B.A. in Legal Studies. Leah has more than 25 years of successful experience leading both small and complex nonprofit organizations, developing initiatives that have led to transformative change. She has also been a life-long volunteer assisting people in recovery from addiction and those facing issues of poverty. Her passion is to create collaborative relationships in order to build up communities so they, in turn, can build up the people in them. This has been a career as well as personal pursuit.

Amy Scheuren
Program Director
Amy joined KACS in August 2016 as Emergency Assistance Case Manager and was promoted to Program Director in April 2019. As Director, she is responsible for all aspects of Emergency Assistance operations including development of all programming, management of the advocate staff, fiscal management, and interface with outside agencies and funding sources. Amy is bilingual and is a licensed social worker with experience in both the United States and Central America.


Brian Holajter 
Operations Director 
Brian is bilingual and  came to KACS in March 2021 with a diverse background that includes 15 years in government and politics and over 20 years in management. Brian also has experience in running issue campaigns, community organizing, and managing diverse groups. As Operations Director, Brian is responsible for KACS operations and the day-to-day activities of the Food Cupboard, ensuring that the organization is managed and performing efficiently and effectively. 

 

Nancy Tapia 
Participant Advocate 
Nancy joined the KACS staff in 2017 and is bilingual. As Participant Advocate in the Food Cupboard, Nancy is responsible for participant registrations and communications, as well as data collection and the assessment of participant needs. Nancy also assists the Emergency Assistance Program through referrals and support as well as KACS public relations efforts. 




 Britton Elwood 
Operations Coordinator 
Britton started as a volunteer at KACS in March 2018. She joined KACS first as our COVID19 Response Coordinator and then became the Operations Coordinator in June 2020. She is responsible for food procurement through donations and food drives both at KACS and in other locations. She oversees the Luther House food delivery program.   ​




Gonzalo Cano
Emergency Assistance Advocate
Gonzalo joined KACS in December 2017 as a bilingual Emergency Assistance Case Manager. Gonzalo works with individuals and families who are experiencing early stages of instability, assisting with rental, utility and other types of assistance that may be needed.





Elizabeth Flores
Housing Stability Advocate
Elizabeth joined the KACS team in October 2017 as the Housing Stability Case Manager, adding support and long-term case management to KACS clients who have experienced chronic homelessness and recently secured permanent housing. Elizabeth holds a Bachelor’s of Social Work from LaSalle University and has experience in supporting families and individuals in crisis, with a concentration on immigrant families.




Keila Hernandez-Sullivan
Emergency Assistance Advocate
Keila  Emergency Assistance team in October 2019. She works with individuals and families experiencing homelessness and those at the highest level of crisis. An Oxford native, Keila has returned to Southern Chester County after 6 years of living, studying and working outside the area. She completed her Bachelor's of Social Work degree from Appalachian State University in Western North Carolina and has extensive experience working with the latino population and people experiencing homelessness. 


Cynthia Bido
Emergency Assistance Advocate 
Cynthia joined KACS in December 2020 as a bilingual Emergency Assistance Advocate. Cynthia holds bachelor’s in Psychology and has had an opportunity to work in various social work settings including child welfare and maternal health. Her professional and personal experiences have allowed her to gain a lot of knowledge and understanding in working with children and families in crisis. Cynthia has a lifelong devotion to serving underserved and under privileged communities.


​Cheryl Whalen
Human Resources Generalist
Cheryl joined KACS in 2021 as a Human Resources Generalist.  Her prior experience includes partnering with management and employees on employee engagement, talent acquisition, coaching and counseling, human resources policies in addition to benefits administration.  In this role Cheryl will collaborate with the management team on initiatives to support the staff and the organization, such as continuing to promote our positive culture and being part of a community.  


Sheila Eames
Bookkeeper 
Sheila joined KACS in April 2021 as the Bookkeeper. Sheila has 20+ years of experience in all functions of bookkeeping and accounting. Sheila will make sure KACS maintains its tax-exempt status, keep track of funding and make sure we’re compliant with ever-changing regulations. She is committed to helping KACS use the donations we receive to make the biggest possible impact. 

 


​Linda Johnson
Administrative Assistant 
Linda started at KACS in March 2021 in the role of Administrative Assistant. She is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and comes to KACS with experience in Public Health Nutrition from working and volunteering in food assistance programs throughout Chester County for the past 10 years. She will be providing administrative support to the operations of the programs at KACS. 




Sarah Golden
Communication and Development Associate 
Sarah joined KACS in April 2021. Sarah brings to KACS over 10 years of Client Relationship Management and Development. Sarah will champion the mission of KACS and help tell the many stories of the families that KACS helps with food, emergency assistance and crisis services. With Sarah's help KACS will continue to authentically build trust and a long-term relationships with supporters, volunteers and community members.


 
Lily Rodriguez
Information Management Specialist 
Lily joined KACS in October of 2020 assisting KACS in a temporary part-time role. In August she became the Information Management Specialist and is bilingual. Lily's work focuses on data across various software solutions. She is our in-house data guru. 





Delaney Marin-Tapia
Administrative Assistant
Delaney joined KACS as a volunteer and then an intern via the Garage Community and Youth Center's Career Compass program in March 2020. Delaney has assisted the Food Cupboard and began working with the Emergency Assistance team as a bilingual administrative assistant, providing support with the multitude of weekly requests KACS receives. Delaney is a 2020 graduate of Kennett High School and is currently enrolled at West Chester University.
 
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​Britney Bautista
Intern
Britney started in August 2020 at KACS as a bilingual intern via the Garage Community and Youth Center's Career Compass program assisting in the Food Cupboard. After her successful internship, Britney accepted a second internship through KACS. She is currently attending online college classes through Delaware County Community College in their social work transfer program. After that, her plan is to transfer to West Chester University and attain a bachelor's Degree.  

 
Lola Almanza
Data Entry Assistant