Our History

H. Chase Lenfest owns or holds interests in a diverse portfolio of companies operating in media, marketing, technology, real estate, and private and public equity investment. He is a dedicated philanthropist, with a particular passion for improving the quality of life for urban and inner-city residents, which he advances through personal endeavors and his two foundations. As the president of The H. Chase Lenfest Foundation, Inc., which began operations in 2002, Mr. Lenfest provides financial support for programs intended to make a positive impact on the lives of children primarily in the Philadelphia area.

Ingrid Boucher is Founder and Principal at Bloom Planning. Ms. Boucher’s passion is improving opportunities and outcomes for all children by helping nonprofit and education-related organizations operate in strategic, efficient, high-impact ways. She uses her 20+ years of experience in education and social services to help clients create mindful, meaningful processes that guide transformation and propel their organizations in successful pursuit of their missions. Ingrid understands that effective change begins with strong relationships that support honest conversations and lead organizations in bold, desirable directions. She has an abiding commitment to supporting organizations that serve and work on behalf of vulnerable people.

John Henry is Chairman/Founder, CEO, Chariot Companies. Mr. Henry is a nationally-recognized social entrepreneur and business leader with a long record of success. As the Founder, Chairman & CEO of Chariot Companies, he is recognized for creating new and sustainable business strategies, products and solutions that meet social needs or serve overlooked markets to enhance quality of life. By dissolving traditional business boundaries and unrestricted by conventional forms and structures, Mr. Henry is bringing new value chain choices to markets that will create demand for equipment, systems, technology and education that save energy, conserve resources and support socio-economic growth in communities.

Thomas Pasch is Vice President and General Counsel of the Lenfest Media Group. Mr. Pasch practiced law with the Philadelphia based law firms of Braemer, Ableson & Hitchner; Hoyle, Morris & Kerr; Montgomery, McCracken, Walker & Rhodes; and Saul Ewing, LLC before joining the Lenfest Group, LLC as General Counsel in 2000, representing the business and personal interests of the Lenfest family members. In 2004 he began full-time representation of the business and personal interests of H. Chase Lenfest.

Leah Stauffer is Vice President of Business Development , WEIV Agency at WEIV Media Corp and Founder, Half a Million Kids. Ms. Stauffer is an accomplished entrepreneur who has applied her visionary and organizational skills to several successful entities throughout her career including but not limited to The Learning Studio (a forum for women’s empowerment and life enrichment programs) and Philadelphia Films. As an investigative researcher, director and producer, Leah has Co-Produced an award-winning feature film, and developed a nationally-licensed motivational dance program, book and DVD series. She has been featured by publications such as the Washington Post, Women’s Health, O Magazine, The Times London, CNN and numerous other local, national and international media.

Dr. John Tupponce is Chief Operating Officer of City Year. Mr. Tupponce. Dr. Tupponce serves as a key leader in the implementation of systems, processes and organizational design, and works to align impact, fundraising, and district engagement operations with City Year’s vision and goals for the future. Prior to this role, Dr. Tupponce served as an as assistant superintendent for the School District of Philadelphia, where he managed and lead a portfolio of 20-40 educational sites and 300-500 employees, overseeing $90 to $150 million in funding, promoting transformational outcomes, and increasing student achievement. Dr. Tupponce began his career as a teacher and has held other leadership roles in school systems in Virginia and in Philadelphia, including as a school principal and executive director.

Josh Klaris has more than 25 years professional experience, with a significant expertise in school and non-profit improvement and innovation at the local and system-level. Currently, he is the Executive Director of North10, Philadelphia, a “place-based” community change, strategy organization that is committed to improving the overall quality of life for current residents in the Hunting Park-East Tioga community of North Philadelphia. North10 is the parent organization of the Lenfest Center.

Previously, Josh was the Director of School Leadership for Generation Ready, a leading national provider of leader and teacher professional learning services. In 2013, Josh served as the Resident Principal at the United States Department of Education. Josh co-founded DREAM Charter School in East Harlem, New York, and served as the school’s first Principal and Executive Director from 2007-2011. Before that, Josh served as the principal of PS 183 in Manhattan after holding positions as an assistant principal and teacher within the New York City Department of Education from 1994. He was a 1991 Teach for America corps member, starting his career as a kindergarten teacher at St. Mary Parish in Amelia, Louisiana.

Josh has a doctorate in Educational Leadership (Ed.L.D.) from Harvard University, a master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Teachers College, a master’s degree in administration and supervision from New York University, and a bachelor’s degree in history from Tufts University. He and his wife, Amy, have 17-year-old twins, Gabriel and Eloise.

Staci has built a successful career working tirelessly in support of individuals who believe themselves to be voiceless and who have been marginalized by mainstream society.  In her role as COO, she leads strategic and operational efforts in support of the organization’s mission: to improve the life outcomes for community members in Hunting Park and East Tioga. Staci is a highly dynamic and resourceful leader with over 25 years of experience in strategic planning, operations, business and workforce development, philanthropy, and community/public relations.

Before joining North10, Philadelphia she was the President and Executive Director of a nationally recognized nonprofit organization where she spearheaded efforts addressing social determinants of health including education, food insecurity, and housing insecurity.

She is an award-winning author, inspirational speaker, and the CEO of the SJS Organization, a boutique consulting firm that inspires women and girls. Staci has spent the past 25 years inspiring vulnerable populations and successfully leading social service organizations through her message of positivity, passion, and purpose. When she is not traveling the world spreading her message she can be found mentoring youth in the foster care system, serving on multiple boards, volunteering, and loving life.

Staci has a master’s degree in Human Services from Lincoln University.

 

Chris Gale is a public service professional with varied experience in both the nonprofit and government sectors. He currently serves as Center Director and Chief Programs Officer for North10, Philadelphia, which he joined in 2019. With a special passion for families and young people who are affected by systemic poverty, Chris works tirelessly to help empower the residents in the Hunting Park-East Tioga neighborhood of North Philadelphia and other communities of color through education and human services to ensure that young people have the tools they need to prepare for success throughout their lives.

Before joining North10, he served as the Deputy Director for Community Schools in the Mayor’s Office of Education, City of Philadelphia. Chris also served as Administrator for Casa del Carmen, which is part of Catholic Social Services, where he oversaw the growth of all the programs he led – particularly the Preschool Academy – as well as the food pantry, public benefits access, parenting/prenatal education, emergency helpline, and more. Under his leadership, the preschool doubled the number of children served, added staff, and increased its quality rating from a middle rating to the highest rating given, while also ensuring sustainable funding for the program. He began his career in Philadelphia with the Boys & Girls Clubs, serving as the Manager of Literacy Initiatives. Before moving to Philadelphia in 2012, Chris worked for the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Holland, Michigan, as the middle school program lead. Chris has a master’s degree in public administration from Villanova University and a bachelor’s degree in public administration/nonprofit management from Grand Valley State University.