THE PATHWAY SCHOOL - Key Persons


Brad Kerr

Job Titles:
  • Executive Vice President, Janney Montgomery Scott, LLC

Brian Trusty - COO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Operating Officer
Brian has been with The Pathway School since February 1987 where he started his career after graduating from Bloomsburg University with a BA in Sociology/Social Welfare. In addition to his BA from Bloomsburg, Brian also earned a Master of Science in Administration with the honorable distinction of "Outstanding Graduate" from West Chester University. Brian has held a variety of positions with The Pathway School before holding his current position of Chief Operating Officer. Brian is an avid Philadelphia sports fan and Disney World enthusiast. He enjoys attending theater performances with his wife Michelle and his daughter Tiana. He also has a passion for working with his church to build and renovate Child Development Centers for needy communities overseas (having assisted projects since 2015 in the Dominican Republic and Panama).

Catherine Lepley

Job Titles:
  • Administrator
  • Director of Education
Catherine joined The Pathway School family in November 2018 as the Director of Education. Catherine has been an administrator for 14 years. Prior to earning her Supervisor of Special Education and Principal certifications from Immaculata University, she was an Emotional Support teacher for grades 9-12 for 11 years. Catherine oversees the Education Department which includes everything from careers, to food services, to related services. Catherine has been a lifelong learner and has earned two Bachelor's degrees, two Master's degrees (Education and Psychology), and her Doctorate in Education.

Celeste Schwartz

Job Titles:
  • Vice President of Pottstown, Information Technology, & Institutional Effectiveness, Montgomery County Community College

Christine Chiodo - CHRO

Job Titles:
  • Director of Human Resources
  • Director of Human Resources at Pathway
For the past 11 years, Christine Chiodo has been the Director of Human Resources at Pathway. She has over 28 years of HR Management experience and received her Bachelor's Degree in Communications and Marketing from La Salle University. Christine is a member of the Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM) and has a Professional Human Resources (PHR) designation/certification from the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI). She is responsible for overseeing the HR department, recruiting and staffing, performance management, benefits and compensation administration, employee training, and maintaining Pathway's policies and procedures. Christine's mission as an HR Director is to support the organization’s goals, objectives, and day-to-day operations by creating a work environment that encourages and inspires people to succeed.

Colin Hartnett

Job Titles:
  • Principal, Aquarius Consulting

Cynthia M. Keaveney

Job Titles:
  • Principal, Keaveney Partners, LLC / Secretary

David J. Schultheis - CEO, President

Job Titles:
  • CEO
  • President
President and CEO David Schultheis has led The Pathway School since 2014. Previously, he was the Executive Director for Community Behavioral Health programs at Devereux Advanced Behavioral Health and prior to that he was the Chief Financial Officer at Liberty Resources in Philadelphia. David holds bachelors' degrees from both an American university (Michigan) and a British university (Sussex). He also has a dual master's degree in Business Administration and Public Administration from Penn State University.

Diana Phifer M.

Job Titles:
  • Director of Admissions & Marketing
Diana's enthusiasm for Pathway's mission led her to the organization in 1995. She earned her BS in Psychology from Millersville University and MS, Cum Laude, in Organizational Leadership from Cabrini College. As Director of Admissions and Marketing, Diana is responsible for the overall admissions process including informing families and professionals about Pathway, managing new student enrollment, collaborating with staff to make a new student's transition as seamless as possible, and additional admissions-related functions. Diana enjoys spending time with her husband, two adult daughters, and their dogs. Diana and her family enjoy making memories with extended family at their favorite vacation spot - Deep Creek Lake.

Dr. Kara Fawley

Job Titles:
  • Director
  • Director of Clinical & Behavioral Services
Dr. Kara Fawley joined The Pathway School as Director of Clinical and Behavioral Services in 2019. Dr. Fawley is a highly experienced mental health professional who has worked in social service organizations, schools, and hospitals. She has a multifaceted background from acute care to clinical research.

Edmond A. Watters III

Job Titles:
  • Chief Executive Officer, QPC, LLC

Emryk Becomes

Job Titles:
  • First PECO Energy Ambassador
In an exciting adventure beyond the classroom, Upper School student Emryk has become The Pathway School's first ambassador for the PECO Energy Force Program. This program partners with local nonprofits to train young adults with developmental...

Evan S. Kovalsky

Job Titles:
  • Medical Director, EviCor Healthcare

Franca M. Palumbo

Job Titles:
  • Special Education Attorney, Education Law Partners

Hadley Williams

Job Titles:
  • Managing Director, HumPro LLC

Jack Bateman

Job Titles:
  • Pathway Student from 1981 - 1993, Has Maintained a Professional Career since Graduating. He Described How Pathway Prepared Him for His Career Working in Maintenance
Jack Bateman, a Pathway student from 1981-1993, has maintained a professional career since graduating. He described how Pathway prepared him for his career working in maintenance: "Going to Pathway was like being a janitor with keys. Each key...

Jennifer J. Peck

Job Titles:
  • Retired

Jory Barrad

Job Titles:
  • Director of Development & Communications
Jory joined The Pathway School in January of 2019 following leadership roles at theVillage and Bancroft. He has a BS, Cum Laude, from Neumann College, and a certificate in Principles of Fundraising from Villanova University. Jory oversees all fundraising and communications activities and works with individuals, foundations, and corporate supporters. Jory enjoys touring the countryside, along with his wife, on their Harley Davidson motorcycle. They have three adult sons and live in Delaware County with their dog and cat.

Lisa Brown

Job Titles:
  • Retired / Chair

Loretta Bobb - CFO

Job Titles:
  • Chief Financial Officer
Loretta Bobb joined The Pathway School as Chief Financial Officer in May 2023. She is responsible for directing the school's financial affairs and overseeing the administrative policies of the school. Prior to coming to The Pathway School, Mrs. Bobb held several senior financial positions and has over 20 years of experience in executive support for finance, administration, and budget planning. Most recently, Loretta was the Controller at The Agnes Irwin School and Controller at Peirce College in Philadelphia. Loretta holds bachelors' degrees from Andrews University (Michigan, USA) and Oxford Brookes University (United Kingdom). She also has a master's degree in Business Administration from Villanova University.

Nina Prestia

Job Titles:
  • Upper School Principal
Nina worked as a teacher in The Pathway School's Lower School and the Emotional Support Program for 17 years prior to becoming Pathway's Upper School Principal. She has an undergraduate degree and a master's in Special Education from Gwynedd Mercy University. She has a second master's in Educational Leadership from Holy Family University. Nina also taught for two years outside Pathway in a public school district. When not working, Nina enjoys time spent with her family. She and Joe, her husband of 35 years, have two sons, one a police officer and the other a member of the U.S. Marine Corps, one granddaughter and one more on the way, and they reside in Plymouth Meeting.

Patti Rowland

Job Titles:
  • Retired / Vice Chair

Richard Marcus

Job Titles:
  • Business Psychologist

Rita Bernhart

Job Titles:
  • Lower School & Emotional Support Program Principal
Rita has worked in the field of education since 2006 and joined Pathway in the summer of 2019. She obtained an Associate Degree in Business Administration from Peirce College and a Bachelor's Degree in Secondary Education with a Certification in History from Holy Family University. She later went on to earn her Master's in Special Education from Holy Family University as well as Certifications in Mid-Level English and Citizenship. In 2014, she completed the Educational Leadership Program earning her K-12 Principal Certification also through Holy Family University. Rita has a wonderful husband of fifteen years, five children, three fabulous sons-in-law, and three beautiful grandchildren. To relax, she enjoys cooking for her large family as well as going to the beach, camping, and visiting historical reenactments.

Thomas F. Furey Jr.

Job Titles:
  • Director of Retirement Plan Services, FPA Wealth Management / Treasurer

William S. Harrigan

Job Titles:
  • Retired