PA LEGAL AID NETWORK - Key Persons
Anshu joined the PLAN, Inc. team as an Accountant in June 2023 - her first venture into nonprofit accounting. Prior to this position, Anshu worked as an accountant in the private sector for ten years. Anshu earned her CPA (Certified Public Accountant) certification in 2014 and a MS (Finance) and CFA certification in 2008. She is a proud mom of two lovely boys, Siddh & Armaan, and cherishes spending her free time with them. Outside of her professional commitments, Anshu enjoys cooking, drawing, and shopping.
Brianna joined PLAN, Inc. in September 2020. She got her start in legal aid as a Grants Manager and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and grant writing certification from Temple University. Brianna is a proud mom to a sassy Siamese named Mina and enjoys art, poetry, and stand-up comedy. Brianna has long dreamed of combining her passion for travel with her love of games and puzzles, in the form of a trip to LA, where she can "Come on down!" to The Price is Right.
Edith Benson was born in Columbia, South Carolina, and grew up in Augusta, Georgia, and the Bronx, New York. Initially, she had aspirations of becoming a medical doctor. However, her path took a significant turn when she discovered the influential work of the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, who served as the NAACP's lead counsel during the Civil Rights Movement. Inspired by Marshall's impact, she decided to pursue a career in law with the intention of making a positive difference in the lives of others.
In 1974, Edith earned her degree from Case Western Reserve University, marking the beginning of her extensive legal journey centered on helping those in need. Throughout her career, she assumed various notable roles, including being the founding Executive Director of the Legal Aid Telephone Intake Service in Columbia, South Carolina, and later, the Executive Director of the Delaware County Legal Assistance Association in Chester, Pennsylvania. She has served as a staff attorney and Litigation Director at Northwestern Legal Services, a member program of the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network. Additionally, she worked as a staff attorney at the Legal Aid Society of Cleveland and held the position of Office Manager for the late Louis Stokes, a prominent politician, attorney, and civil rights advocate.
During her time at Northwestern Legal Services, Edith worked closely with several individuals who played a crucial role in the establishment of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Summer Internship Program, with the goal of promoting diversity among attorneys within the Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network and strengthening the Network's capacity to effectively serve its client community. In recognition of her contributions, Edith was honored with a PLAN Excellence Award.
Now retired from her legal career, Edith remains steadfast in her commitment to serving those in need. She is a member of Peter's Cathedral in Erie, Pennsylvania, where she serves as a Eucharistic minister and lends her support to meaningful programs such as the Day of Caring and the Bishop's Breakfast. In addition, she serves on the board of St. Patrick's Haven, an organization dedicated to supporting homeless men in Erie.
Elizabeth was hired as PLAN, Inc.'s Grants Manager in 2023, after previously working in grant administration and fundraising roles at Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania and the Public Interest Law Center in Philadelphia. Elizabeth received her J.D. from Albany Law School in 2013, where she was a member of the Albany Law Review. Outside of work, her time is spent with her husband and two young children and, when she can manage it, reading books.
Eric joined the PLAN fiscal team in January 2020 as an accountant. He also works as the Controller for the Community Justice Project, a specialty program in the PLAN network. Eric has an accounting degree from the University of Pittsburgh and a master's from Princeton Theological Seminary. Outside of work, Eric serves as a chaplain in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard and enjoys gardening, reading, and hiking.
Job Titles:
- Legal Director of Grants and Complianc
Erik joined PLAN, Inc. in March of 2023 as its Legal Director of Grants and Compliance. Before joining PLAN, Inc., Erik served as the Deputy Director for Operations for Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania where he oversaw grants, compliance, and technology. Erik earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Shippensburg University and a J.D. from the Temple University Beasley School of Law. When not working, Erik is mostly outdoors with his wife, where they try to keep up with their two energetic boys. He enjoys biking, hiking, and travel.
Job Titles:
- Director of Information and Digital Content
Henry Leone, Esquire is the Training and Information Facilitator for Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. He is also the Project Manager for the PALawHELP.org and PAProBono.net web site projects, and serves as the webmaster of PaLegalAid.net He received his B.S. in Business Management from Gannon University and his J.D. from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He previously served as the Director of Litigation and as a Staff Attorney for Northwestern Legal Services.
Job Titles:
- Interim Executive Director
- Leader
Jim is currently serving as Interim Executive Director of PLAN, Inc. He is a past board president of PLAN and has served as board president for the Community Justice Project and MidPenn Legal Services. Jim earned his J.D. from the Dickinson School of Law in 1991, and he earned his B.A. from Temple University. For more about Jim, read his full biography.
James P. DeAngelo, Esq., is currently serving as Interim Executive Director of Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network, Inc. (PLAN, Inc.).
Jim has been a longtime leader and advocate for the delivery of civil legal aid for disadvantaged populations. He is a past board president of PLAN and has served as board president for the Community Justice Project and MidPenn Legal Services.
A litigation attorney for a mid-sized law firm in Harrisburg, Jim has dedicated numerous hours of pro bono legal advice to individuals and families in the central Pennsylvania community, has served as his law firm's pro bono advisor for many years, and is currently on his firm's pro bono committee. He also has served as Chair of the Dauphin County Bar Association's Public Service Committee since 1997.
Jim earned his J.D. from the Dickinson School of Law in 1991, and he earned his B.A. from Temple University, graduating magna cum laude in 1988.
Jim is a Benefactor Fellow of the American Bar Foundation, past President of the Dauphin County Bar Association, a board member of the Dauphin County Bar Foundation and a Master in the Lipsitt Inn of Court. He is a member of the American, Pennsylvania, Cumberland, Dauphin, and Luzerne County Bar Associations.
Job Titles:
- Director of Statewide Legal Training and Content Development
Kelly began serving as PLAN, Inc.'s first Training Coordinator in 2015; in December 2022 she was promoted to Director of Statewide Legal Training and Content Development. She enjoys putting together legal trainings that will help advocates help low-income clients. Outside of work, Kelly likes spending time with her husband, two sons, her parents, and friends. She is also an avid beginning knitter and an animal lover and rescuer. She also enjoys hiking and camping with her guys and doing yardwork.
Job Titles:
- DEI Support Specialist and Assessment Coordinator
In August 2023, Kianna became an integral part of the PLAN, Inc. team, stepping into the role of Training Coordinator-an instrumental position that supports our training programs and initiatives. Kianna's position then shifted to DEIB Support Specialist & Assessment Coordinator. In this role she maintains her CLE training support responsibilities, but additionally supports PLAN's diversity efforts and creates reports for data analysis. Kianna is passionate about advocacy and has a robust background in public service, previously serving as the Coordinator Entry Specialist for the YWCA. Outside of work, Kianna enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Housing Grant Coordinator / Website Resource Assistant
Lacy joined PLAN, Inc in February 2020. She began her social services and nonprofit career in 2013 after receiving a Bachelor of Science in Human Development and Family Studies from Colorado State University as a "non-traditional" student. Lacy is obsessed with her dog, Clementina "Clemi" Mandarina. She also finds delight in traveling, gardening, biking, music, and getting into good trouble.
Mariel Quiñones Mundo is the digital content manager for PALawHelp and other online platforms. She has been with PLAN since January 2020, after starting her legal career working with access to justice nonprofits in Puerto Rico after Hurricane Maria's landfall. Mariel holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Puerto Rico and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She is vegan for the animals and shares her life with several rescued pigs and dogs.
Natalie joined the PLAN, Inc. team in January 2017 - her first venture into the non-profit world. As Administrative Secretary, she incorporates skills from prior roles as the go-to person and organizational guru into her position at PLAN. She relishes any opportunity to be creative both at work and at home, from using software to explore graphic designing, to managing her many (too many?) hobbies: cross stitch, quilting, watercolor, collage, knitting, puzzles, and more. Natalie loves all things rainbow, as well as taking pictures of anything that catches her eye. She and her husband have two cats, enjoy racing vintage go-karts, and spending time with family and friends.
Rena joined PLAN, Inc. in May of 2019 as a Bookkeeper with 25 years of accounting experience. Rena and her husband enjoy bicycle riding, gardening, and spending time with their family of two boys and several grandchildren.
Shannon joined PLAN, Inc. in July 2023 as the Director of Finance. Shannon brings over twenty years of nonprofit experience, previously working as the Director of Finance for United Way of Pennsylvania as well as Wilkinsburg Community Development, Assistant Controller for Wilkinsburg Community College, and as an Accountant for Southwest Pennsylvania Human Services. Shannon started her career in profit working for Waste Management. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Shippensburg State University, where she majored in accounting and minored in history. When she is not working, Shannon enjoys reading and spending time with her two children, Jillian and Andrew, and her 15-pound cat, Atticus. Shannon is extremely proud of her daughter, who will be graduating from Stetson Law School in May 2024, and plans on continuing to work for legal aid in Florida.
Job Titles:
- Compliance Consultant
- Consultant to PLAN, Inc
Prior to working as a Consultant to PLAN, Inc., Susan was employed for 15 years as a Program Administrator with a legal services program that was merged into MidPenn Legal Services. She started working with PLAN, Inc. in 1993, continuing to serve as a team leader for peer review visits to the LSPs. Her role as a Consultant to PLAN, Inc. expanded over the years to include compliance monitoring, technical assistance to PLAN, Inc. and the LSPs, oversight of special projects, and other compliance related responsibilities. Susan served twice as the statewide project manager for transitioning the programs and PLAN, Inc. to new case management systems. She has a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Pennsylvania State University. Susan enjoys reading thriller novels, cruising, gardening, diamond painting, and of most importance, spending time with family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging & HR Operations
Dr. Tevis Bryant joins PLAN Inc. after a career primarily in the field of higher education. During his time in education Dr. Bryant has held various positions as a faculty member, direct support professional, and in senior leadership roles. Most recently, Dr. Bryant served as the Campus-wide Director of Inclusive Programming & Student Engagement/Diversity Faculty Fellow at Harrisburg Area Community College, where he developed a "diversity compass" tool that helped marginalized members of the central Pennsylvania region access culturally specific resources (i.e., haircare, food, financial support, etc.). This tool was impactful in both the recruitment and retention of students and employees from underrepresented populations. Dr. Bryant received his Ed.D in Educational Leadership from Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ, where he founded the college's first ever multicultural fraternity (Psi Sigma Phi).