Judi first learned about the impact you can make on a child’s life while volunteering in the Big Brother Big Sister program in college. She continued her passion for helping by serving in soup kitchens and offering companionship to the elderly at nursing homes.

In February 2006, Judi founded People Who Need People (PWNP) shortly after a medical leave. With ample time off from work, Judi used this time to reflect. The kindness her friends and family showed her, made her think about what other people do without a support system. Her thoughts also centered around her grandmothers who both lost their lives early battling cancer. Judi’s gratitude led her to want to do something that was meaningful but could also commemorate her grandmothers. She decided to focus on women and children in need and set out to discover how to best support local shelters.

It was a powerful moment during a tour at a local shelter that helped her define PWNP’s mission. Judi stood with a director greeting children unloading off a school bus when an eager little boy said, “Are you here to play with me?” That served as a reminder of how important an emotional connection can be to helping those in need.

In addition to being an advocate/cheerleader for those in need, Judi takes pride in cheering on her two children on the lacrosse fields and at the Ice hockey rink. With dual degrees from Miami of Ohio in Business and James Madison University in Interior Design, Judi has been a top performer for twenty one years in Sales and Marketing for a Commercial Interior design company

Jennifer began to volunteer at the age of five, learning the ropes from her mom at the local volunteer library, and later becoming an active member of the Junior League of Montclair-Newark. She attended Lehigh University, where she served as Philanthropy Chair and Vice President of her Sorority, and earned an M.B.A. from New York University. She worked in strategic marketing and advertising for more than 20 years, and has won multiple Lion awards from the Cannes International Advertising Festival. Jennifer has served for several years as an officer of the Howard County Fine Arts Advocacy Council, as President of the Cattail Creek Women’s Tennis Association, and currently co-chairs the Annual Fund committee at Glenelg Country School. As Vice President of PWNP, she works most closely with Grassroots Emergency Shelter in Columbia. She aspires to pass on a passion for volunteering to her three kids.

From AMC’s Mad Men to Discovery Channel’s Shark Week, Judy is an award-winning marketing professional with over twenty years of experience in the broadcast and cable industry. Currently, Judy brings a wealth of energy and experience to create unique opportunities for clients at Havit Advertising in Washington, DC. They say if you want to get something done – ask a busy person. Judy is never one to sit idle and is always willing to lend an enthusiastic hand to her family, friends, church, sports teams, children’s school and now People Who Need People!

Heather first became involved with PWNP while leading her Girl Scout Junior Troop on a journey that asks young girls to think critically about how they can make a difference in their world. Heather graduated from Syracuse University with a BS in Retail Marketing. While she has 20 years of marketing experience she quickly realized that her more important challenge was raising twin daughters in a world that constantly has the clatter of materialism ringing in their ears. She is excited to be a part of PWNP, to volunteer her time actively working to help others. Heather feels it is the perfect way to help instill compassion in her own children while making a difference in her community and the world beyond it.

Allison first fell in love with PWNP when she took her three girls to help assemble lunches for Sarah’s Hope and Grassroots. The Lunch Line was such a fulfilling experience for her family that she tried to support the organization as much as possible. With a strong belief that if you want to make an impact on your community, one good place to start is by volunteering for or donating to) a local charity, Allison knows she couldn’t have picked a better local non-profit organization and find PWNP to be the best way to instill a charitable spirit in my children.

Allison is blessed and happily settled living back in her hometown of Glenwood, Maryland, raising four wonderful children with her husband of ten years. She graduated from University of Delaware with a major in Finance and a minor in Management Information Systems and worked for 10 years as a financial consultant implementing Oracle financials in NYC, NJ, Denver, Connecticut, Baltimore and Washington DC. After entering the motherhood bliss, she achieved a “balance” and worked for an additional 2 years at my job. The toll of being ‘supermom’ opened a pandora box of anxiety, guilt, self-doubt and a million other emotions. Becoming a stay-at-home mom was calling me loud and clear and later found balance working in direct sales from home. I spend most of my free time chauffeuring my children around town to lacrosse, swimming, basketball, soccer, tee ball and any other over-scheduled activity they can sign up for. In addition to serving on the board for PWNP, I am a girl scout leader for both my daughters troops, PTA member and HCLAX board member. In all the craziness, I also manage to squeeze in some of my favorite hobbies, such as, working out, cooking and entertaining.

Gina first learned about PWNP when looking for opportunities to teach her children about volunteerism, giving back, and helping others in need. She first volunteered with PWNP as a collector for the Chocolate Box Challenge. Watching her sons’ excitement as they collected, organized, and help deliver over 150 toiletries and chocolate boxes, Gina knew this was an organization she wanted to continue to support. Since that first project, Gina and her family have participated in several other events, including making knotted blankets and collecting blankets, sheets, and other needed items.

Gina has a Master’s Degree in Speech Language Pathology from Loyola University of Maryland. She works part time as a Speech Language Pathologist at St. Agnes Hospital in Baltimore. Gina has previously served on the Board of Directors for a preschool in Baltimore County, and currently serves as a member of the Executive Board of her sons’ elementary school PTA. She spends her free time volunteering at her sons’ schools, spending time with family and friends, and playing tennis. Gina lives in Cooksville with her husband and three sons.

With an open heart, helping hands and a strong desire to bring out the best in others, Catherine has been connected with People Who Need People by being a former Kids Helping Kids Triathlon participant, back to school shoe buyer and active Lunch Line helper. She is excited to take on this new role and have a more involved role. When she is not helping PWNP, Catherine is a dedicated high school student, club lacrosse player, and field and ice hockey player, and loves to watch and play sports. In her “free” time, Catherine spends it hanging with friends and family, helping at her church, refereeing kids’ soccer games and watching movies.

For years, if People Who Need People needed a sports team to host Lunch Line, Jennifer gladly stepped up and brought one of her children’s sports teams. Likewise, she has been a collection site for both the Blanket Drive and the Chocolate Box Challenge and she has created hundreds of completed hygiene kits all to help People Who Need People help others. It seemed a natural next step for Jen to join the Board and parlay her unique knack for motivating others, her action-oriented desire to work hard and her genuine heart and grace to ensure our community is able to serve its most vulnerable.

Jennifer is a high school teacher with Howard County Public Schools. In addition to teaching she has also coached volleyball and lacrosse. When she is not in class, Jennifer is married and a mom of 2 children who are active in soccer, volleyball, basketball and lacrosse and with whom she shares an interest in helping others. In her spare time you can find her running with her chocolate lab, cooking and at the beach.

Karen realized the power of people and helping others while attending Boston College. She had the opportunity her freshman year to volunteer at Rosie’s Place, the first ever womens shelter in the USA. Her experience in her first year inspired her to continue to volunteer her time for all four years while in Boston. She gained an understanding of the needs of those that come to the shelters, as well as learning about the administrative side as well. After college, she worked as a CPA at PriceWaterhouse Coopers in Philadelphia. A few years later, she made the move to Baltimore and began her career at Aerotek. With three girls of her own, she feels passionate about helping other women become strong, independent and caring individuals. She is excited to be a part of PWNP, and learn from those she is working with.