Jennifer VanBlarcom
Board President

Jennifer began her career as a registered nurse with a specialty in critical care. She moved into a sales role at a large pharmaceutical company, eventually accepting a leadership position in the Sales Training Department. There, she discovered a passion for developing individuals’ and organizations’ capabilities for success.
For over twenty years, she worked as a consultant with Development Dimensions International (DDI), a global leadership consulting firm, providing services such as leadership and organizational assessment, behavioral interviewing, strategic planning, coaching, and leadership development. Her work included projects with organizations such as Johnson & Johnson, Roche, BASF, FAA, and SAIC. 
Toward the end of her career, a connection with a nonprofit organization in Maryland led her to accept a board position, and later, a staff role as Director of Education for the Maryland Coalition of Families. She worked with the board on advocacy and policy issues, developed curriculum, and led intensive workshops to educate families about systems of care. She collaborated with other Maryland agencies to execute the organization’s mission of empowering families of young people with mental health issues and substance use disorders. 
After retiring, Jen and her husband moved to Lewes, Delaware. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she faced the challenge of caring for her aging father, who lived alone without access to resources. After he passed away, alone and in a facility, Jen discovered Village Volunteers. Through the Village, she has the opportunity to serve older adults so they can live independently in their own homes as long as possible. She is grateful for the organization and the many volunteers who generously give their time and energy to make a difference. 

Tracey Gersh
Board Vice President

Tracey Gersh, Ph.D. retired from a long career in healthcare as both a clinician and an administrator, with particular interests in reducing health disparities and integrated models of care. During her career, she enjoyed participating on leadership teams that focused on strategic and programmatic planning, development, and evaluation. In her role as a member of executive teams, Dr. Gersh has also served on various non-profit boards and committees, including twice serving as Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee. Since retiring, Dr. Gersh has continued serving on non-profit boards and committees, volunteering, and providing support and guidance to various former colleagues. When not volunteering, Dr. Gersh enjoys spending time with her wife and two greyhounds, cooking, playing various sports, and enjoying the salt air.

Robin Stutman
Board Secretary

Robin M. Stutman retired from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR), Office of the Chief Administrative Hearing Officer, on July 31, 2020, where she held the position of Chief Administrative Hearing Officer since March 2012. She previously served as EOIR's General Counsel from August 2009 - March 2012. From August 1987 to August 2009, Ms. Stutman served in the Office of Special Counsel for Immigration Related Unfair Employment Practices (now the Immigrant and Employee Rights Section), Civil Rights Division, DOJ, as a Special Litigation Counsel, Supervisory Attorney and Senior Trial Attorney. From 1986 to 1987, she was in private practice as an Associate with Venable, Baetjer, Howard and Civiletti (now Venable). From 1982 to 1986, Ms. Stutman worked as a Trial Attorney in the Federal Programs Branch, Civil Division, DOJ, entering on duty through the Attorney General's Honors Program. From January to May 1981, she served as an intern to the Honorable Joyce Hens Green, U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia. Ms. Stutman received a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1978 from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and Juris Doctorate in 1982 from the University of California, Los Angeles, School of Law (UCLAW). She is a Senior member of the District of Columbia bar.
Ms. Stutman currently serves as the Secretary of the board of Village Volunteers in Lewes, Delaware, which helps older adults age in place. She also serves on the Advisory Board of Building Peaceful Bridges, which assists in the integration of newcomers into American society. Previously, she served on the board of Homes Not Borders, an immigrant assistance organization (where she also served as Board Secretary). In addition, she mentors law students at UCLAW and volunteers in her community.

Jennifer Heald
Board Member

Jennifer brings a strong background in marketing to the board and the organization at large, having held various marketing and product development roles during her 26-year career at JPMorgan Chase. After relocating to Rehoboth Beach three years ago, she began working as a personal trainer, combining her professional experience with a passion for health and wellness. Jennifer and her husband, Dave, who also volunteers with Village Volunteers, providing transportation, are proud members of the local community. They have two adult sons and enjoy giving back through service.

Logan Jarrell
Board Member

Compassionate, collaborative, and committed to advancing age‑friendly care — Logan serves as a NICHE (Nurses Improving Care for Healthsystem Elders) Coordinator at Beebe Healthcare, working to ensure that older adults receive evidence‑based, dignified, and person‑centered care across the health system.
With a foundation in nursing and a passion for geriatric excellence, Logan coordinates interdisciplinary efforts to implement NICHE principles, educate staff, and align systems with best practices for elder care. Her role bridges frontline nursing, clinical education, and strategic planning — all with the goal of enhancing outcomes and experiences for hospitalized older adults.
In addition to NICHE, she also serves as the Nursing Culture Recognition Coordinator at Beebe Healthcare, strengthening a culture where nurses feel valued, supported, and celebrated. She oversees recognition programs that highlight compassionate, high‑quality care and reinforce the values that define our nursing community. Through program development, data tracking, storytelling, and staff engagement, she helps elevate the professional pride, well‑being, and sense of belonging within the workforce.
Together, these roles allow Logan to champion both exceptional elder care and a positive, thriving nursing culture — creating an environment where clinicians feel appreciated and empowered, and where patients receive the highest standard of care.

Ellen Powers
Board Member

Ellen is the Founder of Ascend Investment Management, an independent registered investment advisory company. It was recently sold to Grey Fox Wealth Advisors and Ellen currently does consulting work for them. Ellen lived and worked in the Philadelphia area for most of her life. She moved to Lewes in 2015. Prior to founding her business, Ellen was a stockbroker for E.F. Hutton, and she managed high net worth customer assets for Bank of America, Mellon, and Davidson Capital Management. Ellen earned a BA in History from Brown University and an MBA in Finance and Investments from The George Washington University. She was a past volunteer on the Finance Committee and the board of the Lewes Public Library. 

Kathleen Schneider
Board Member

Kathleen Schneider retired after 35 years in the healthcare industry, including work in care (case) management and population health and informatics. She is a caregiver and care manager for her much older, disabled spouse, including managing his highly complex medical needs at home for many years. Schneider is a Board Member and Vice Chair of Unified Community Connections (formerly United Cerebral Palsy of Central Maryland) from 2010 to 2019. She received a BSN from The Catholic University of America. 

Tom Thunstrom
Board Member

Tom Thunstrom is Vice President and Commercial Loan Officer at County Bank. He has over 15 years of experience in financial services, plus an additional eight years of business advisory and consulting work at the Delaware Small Business Development Center (SBDC). Tom was the SBDC’s leader for outreach and business advisory services in Kent and Sussex Counties and also served as coordinator for statewide SBDC professional development, operations, and lender relations.
Locally, Tom has recently served as Treasurer at Lewes Public Library and remains actively connected to the library. He is also currently on the Board of Directors for Delaware Humanities, supports the finance committee of the Lewes Historical Society, and was a founding board member for the Lewes History Book Festival.
In his spare time, Tom is an avid runner, reader, and occasional foodie. Tom is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and resides near Lewes with his wife, Kelly.