Elections for Chestnut Hill Board of Directors are held annually. Board meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of each month (December excluded).
There are 26 Board Members, 5 of which are appointed positions. There is a staggered election process, we have 7 board positions up for election each year. Each At-Large (Elected) Board member serves a 3-year term.
Click Here for the 2024 Ballot
Meet the 2024 Chestnut Hill Community Association Board of Director Nominees:
Tony Banks
Hello!, I am a Vice President at Wolf Commercial Real Estate and lead WCRE’s retail practice in Pennsylvania. I focus on multiple areas of commercial real estate in the Philadelphia and South Eastern PA markets. Throughout my career, I have worked with local and national retail tenants, landlords, community and neighborhood development groups, investors, and startup companies. Before embarking upon a real estate career, I spent more than a decade on the trading floor of the Philadelphia Stock Exchange, where I worked with some of the more prominent firms on the NYSE, including Goldman Sachs and Susquehanna International Group. As a part of the Chestnut Hill community, I am running again to be a board member so that I can continue to give back to a community that inspires me to be the best version of myself… while being part of a diversity of collective voices where ideas, beliefs, efforts and people meet to protect this community we all call home. Chestnut Hill finds a way to shine brightest, when everyone is heard. 
Joel Barras
Hello!
My wife, teenage daughter, and I are proud to call Chestnut Hill home. In our 10 years here, we have rooted ourselves in the community. We love taking part in CHCA events and in frequenting the restaurants, shops, and parks that make Chestnut Hill such a phenomenal place to call home. Professionally, I am an experienced labor and employment attorney. I oversee the employment law team for a publicly traded financial institution, as well as currently handle legal issues related to privacy and cyber security. Previously, I was a partner in the labor and employment group at Reed Smith, LLP. While there, I represented a variety of public and private employers in employment and traditional labor matters.
For eight years, I served as a board member for the Chestnut Hill Local, my final year as president, until my terms expired. I was proud to act as a steward of that local institution, working alongside many dedicated and talented board members and staff. I now hope to continue serving the community as a CHCA Board member and help steward another storied local institution. My focus as a CHCA Board member will be to improve the quality of life in our community. We must preserve what is special about Chestnut Hill, while helping our community evolve to meet the changing lives of all of our residents, business owners, and visitors. Northwest Philadelphia is a beautifully diverse community and the CHCA and its programs should reflect that beauty. If elected, I will advocate to increase the level of discourse within our community and work to expand the CHCA's offerings to appeal to everyone.
Elizabeth S. Brennan
Hello! I have a diverse background in government affairs and corporate relations, bringing almost 20 years of experience in navigating the intersection of politics, advocacy, and business.
I began my career as a congressional staffer on Capitol Hill, where I worked for two Members of Congress, gaining invaluable insights into legislative processes and political dynamics. This early experience laid the foundation for a career marked by strategic leadership and impactful engagement. From there I transitioned to a national political committee where I worked through two presidential cycles fostering relationships crucial to organizational success.
Most recently I worked for The Boeing Company where I held two roles. First, I managed the Boeing Political Action Committee (BPAC). I strengthened the BPAC Advocacy Program to achieve $1,000,000 growth over two-year cycle in membership contributions making BPAC the third largest corporate PAC, surpassing many of Boeing’s customers, competitors and corporate peers. I positioned BPAC as a formidable presence within political circles, fostering partnerships and alliances to advance Boeing's interests effectively. Transitioning to a broader role within the company, I managed the Customer Relations team, where I spearheaded the planning and execution of large-scale, high-profile Boeing-sponsored events in support of Government Operations. Through inclusive communication and strategic planning I facilitated collaboration with Boeing Global Engagementensuring alignment with corporate responsibility objectives and amplifying the Boeing brand through community engagement initiatives. In my capacity as a liaison with Boeing Global Engagement, I played a pivotal role in forging partnerships with esteemed institutions and organizations, including The John F. Kennedy Center, The National Air and Space Museum, The National Archives Museum, and Virginia Tech University. Through collaborative programming and strategic engagement, I positioned Boeing as a valued contributor to the communities it serves, leveraging the company's resources to drive meaningful impact and foster enduring relationships.
Outside of my professional endeavors, I embrace the joys of family life in Chestnut Hill, having relocated from Washington, DC in 2021 with my husband, Bob, and dog, Payton. Our family has expanded to include a one-year-old son, Finley, who brings boundless energy and laughter to our home. We delight in exploring the vibrant community of Chestnut Hill, frequenting local coffee shops, eateries, and green spaces. You might even catch Finley waving enthusiastically to the Septa buses as they pass by on Germantown Avenue!
As a part of the Chestnut Hill community, I believe in the Chestnut Hill Community Association and have long admired their mission and the impact they make within the community.
Valerie Brown
Hello! I am partner at Holland & Knight LLP, a law firm with over 2200 lawyers across the world. My legal practice focuses on commercial and employment litigation, as well as strategic advice and counsel for executive management teams on matters relating to governance and human resources. Throughout my legal career, I have dedicated my public interest and pro bono activities to serving the Philadelphia community. I have served on the board of non-profit organizations in Philadelphia, and have often represented those organizations on a pro bono basis when legal needs arise. I am a parent of two young children, and active community engagement is a core value in our family. My family is active in many different aspects of the Chestnut Hill community, including youth sports, religious fellowship, and social and professional networking.
I have been involved in the Chestnut Hill community since moving to the area in 2016. I am currently on the board of the Chestnut Hill Local newspaper, which is owned by the Chestnut Hill Community Association. My service to the Local has shown me the many ways that the CHCA has positively impacted this community, and I want to assist in enriching those opportunities and find new ways to reach community members. In addition, as a Board member, I believe my legal background and experience providing strategic legal advice will be an asset to the Board when addressing challenging issues and determining the path forward that best serves our community. 
James Bruno
Hello! Since the age of 10, I’ve lived in Chestnut Hill, Mt Airy and Chestnut Hill again! Growing up in a family of 7 boys and 2 girls, I attended Norwood Academy, LaSalle High and Temple University.
Since we were married in 1990, my wife Maureen Pié and I have lived on Summit Street here in Chestnut Hill where we raised our three children, Susannah, Will and Claire, who attended OMC, Norwood and JS Jenks. In fact all three have their names carved (legally!) on the Jenks playground fence.
Our family has been active in this community for decades. I served on the Chestnut Hill Youth Sports’ Board, and spent over 30 years with that organization, 25 years as a little league baseball coach and 5 years as the baseball commissioner. I was also one of the parents who founded our girls’ intramural soccer program and I coached girls’ softball and soccer.
In other activities, I was the first president of Teenagers’ Inc., and helped them obtain their 501(c)(3) status. For over a decade Maureen and I were volunteers at the Germantown-based Inn Dwelling, Inc., a program where Brother Al Smith and Sister Rosemary Jefferson have tutored gifted at-risk middle- and high school students, assisting them with admission and scholarships to elite high schools and universities. At their Annual Gala in 2019 Maureen and I were honored for their years of service.
As next-door neighbors to the proposed 33-unit apartment building at 10 Bethlehem Pike we have been working closely with members of the Community Association Board and LUPZ. I have been impressed by the effort and dedication the CHCA is bringing to improving the project so that it will be better incorporated into the fabric of our vibrant and beautiful neighborhood. I have been reminded of the good work the CHCA has done over its many years before and since Maureen was a member of the board in the ‘90s. I want to serve alongside these community conscious people.
Thank you for considering my candidacy for at-large member of the CHCA Board.
Lindsey D'Angelo
Hello! I am a current resident of Chestnut Hill, having moved here 9 years ago with my husband, Ryan Umberger. We are enjoying raising our 5 year old daughter, Margot and newborn, August, on the avenue, at Pastorius Park, Jenks playground, and of course, frequenting all local cafes and restaurants!
Professionally, I have been a governance, risk, and control professional within the financial industry for 14 years. I have spent most of my career in internal audit professional practices and technology management at a big bank, managing communications between multiple parties to resolve issues is a daily occurrence.
I have done one prior term on the CHCA Board from 2017-2020, and have volunteered to assist in organizing or co-chairing events such as the Circle of Trees and the Great House Tours.
As a member of the community and raising two children here, I’d like be as involved as possible. Ideally I can help provide more for our neighbors, whether it be through green space initiatives, organizing events and family activities, or just providing a voice for our community members. Currently, our home has been in the center of major construction activities. As a result, ensuring neighbors are in the know and have appropriate say when they are impacted by current events in the community is something I am passionate about.
Jeff Duncan
Hello! I have lived on Summit Street in Chestnut Hill with my wife, Kristen Regina, since 2016. We moved up to Philadelphia from Washington, DC, when Kristen accepted a position as head of the library and archives at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Currently, I volunteer as Site Manager and Curator at the Woodford Mansion, a 1756 National Historic Landmark in East Fairmount Park. My wife Kristen serves as Trustee at Woodford. I also volunteer as Ward Leader of the 9th Ward Democratic Committee. Prior to joining Woodford, I had my own consulting firm. Before that, I spent more than 30 years working as a Congressional staffer in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, most of them working for Representative and then Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) and by the end of my time on the Hill I served as his Chief of Staff.
My interest in the Chestnut Hill Community Association grew out of my love for the beautiful and historic architecture of our neighborhood and my work with neighbors concerned about the proposed redevelopment of the former Sunoco station at the end of our street at 10 Bethlehem Pike. I have worked with the CHCA over the past three years to support our litigation regarding a decision by the City’s Licensing and Inspection Office to approve the developer’s plan to erect a 33-unit apartment building on this site. The lawsuit that the CHCA and the neighbors filed against the project was successful in the Common Pleas Court, blocking the project from going forward. The developer has appealed that ruling, however, and we are now waiting for a ruling by the appeals court.
I addition to my work on development issues, I have also been a Member of the CHCA Executive Committee and served as Vice President of Operations. Additionally, I have served on the organization's Governance Committee, which updated the CHCA by-laws and drafted conflict-of-interest rules and a code of conduct to guide Board Members.
I would like to be reelected to the CHCA Board because I believe that the CHCA plays an essential role in helping to ensure that new development in Chestnut Hill is compatible with the community's historic architectural fabric. I am committed to helping the organization carry out that mission in a fair and transparent manner, and also to helping us grow the CHCA so that it brings in new neighbors who are not presently Members.
Karrie Gavin
Hello, I am a partner at Elfant Wissahickon Realtors and team leader of the Karrie Gavin Group, one of the leading real estate teams in Greater Philadelphia. I serve neighborhoods throughout the city and suburbs, but there is no place I enjoy working more than Chestnut Hill, because it is home! I grew up just down the hill in West Mount Airy. My first job was at Bredenbeck's Bakery. Today, I can see that sign out of my office window at Elfant Wissahickon, and chuckle to myself that while I have traveled lots and lived in other great places, I have landed right where I started.
I live with my husband, two sons and our dog and cannot imagine a better place to live. I am deeply committed to Chestnut Hill as a resident and as a business owner, and there is nothing I enjoy more than introducing my clients from Center City, NY, the West Coast, and abroad to the neighborhood. I love that they are as charmed by it as I am–the walkability, the thriving business district, proximity to parks including the great Wissahickon, the stunning architecture, diversity of people and housing, and so much more.
I am also the author of the Philadelphia guidebook, Moon Philadelphia. As a 4th generation Philadelphia with a large network and deep local roots, my experience, knowledge and connections will serve well in my position as a board member. I hope to have the opportunity to contribute to making our fine neighborhood even better, while helping residents new and old fully engage in this glorious community we are lucky to call home!
Greg Lattanzi
Hello! I have been a Chestnut Hill Resident for years. My wife and I fell in love with the community, people and culture of this historic slice of Philadelphia, and are raising our two children here. I am an archaeologist with training in cultural resource management, historic preservation and museum studies. Currently I serve as Curator of the Bureau of Archaeology at the New Jersey State Museum and am the New Jersey State Archaeologist. I am also a member of the East Mermaid Lane neighbor's group. I believe my knowledge and experience in the field of historic preservation have been a great asset to the CHCA Board at a time when the community faces new challenges in preservation and development. I also serve on the LUPZ committee and have been instrumental in being a community advocate in light of these challenges.
Mil Niepold
Hello! I’m a life-long Philadelphian. I’m particularly interested in joining the board to help this remarkable community continue to thrive at a time of unprecedented societal and environmental challenges. I want to preserve this special place we call home for generations to come.
I am the Founder and President of The Mara Partners (TMP), a global facilitation, research and training organization that works at the intersection of gender, racial equity and the environment to solve complex social issues both in the US and globally. I work with Fortune 500 companies, governments, the United Nations and civil society organizations to structure equitable long-term solutions that balance the needs of all stakeholders.
I am currently leading TMP’s research and thought leadership on the critical, and oft ignored, role that applying a gender lens to climate initiatives plays in accelerating impact from the grassroots through to the top levels of government. I pioneered the Integrated Gender and Climate Framework (IGC) currently being used by a group of Fortune 500 companies and have trained women climate leaders on negotiation, through the UN and NGOs such as the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance, as well as on strategies to ensure that they are routinely included in decision-making processes. Previously, I was the Director of Policy at Verité – a leading human rights organization -- for 14 years, where I led several initiatives including Verité’s work on women in the workplace and other multi-stakeholder initiatives for clients that included Mondelez, Reebok and Levi Strauss, among others.
I am currently co-president of the International Cocoa Initiative, a climate and women’s rights advisor to the International Center for Research on Women and the Boston College Center for Corporate Citizenship and was founding Co-Chair of Amnesty International USA’s first business and human rights group. I am also a frequent public speaker including for the World Bank, IFC, Climate Investment Fund, the Women’s Forum for the Economy and Society and various universities. I am a bi-lingual French – English speaker.
Sue Nocero
Hello! I was born and raised in Chestnut Hill with multi-generational links to the community. I am an accomplished Financial Services executive with 40+ years in Mortgage Servicing and Credit Card Operations. During that time the organizations in which I worked contributed significantly to the Philadelphia community providing me many opportunities to volunteer and interact with a variety of neighborhood outreach programs. The Hill will always be considered my hometown. I desire to take those skills used in my corporate career and apply them as a volunteer on the many projects underway to improve and sustain the CH community.
Now retired from banking, I am a founding member of Bravehearts for Strong Minds (BHSM 501(c)(3), a non-profit organization started in 2012. The walk’s mission is to raise funds for the 529 Education Plans of children who have lost a parent. Each year, the Saturday before Father’s Day, BHSM holds a charity walk bringing together our local business partners and community. This year Chestnut Hill College will host our event. During the spring/summer as a member of the Philadelphia Flying Dragons, I enjoy paddling on the Schuylkill and playing golf at local courses.
Camille Peluso
Hello! I have been a resident of Chestnut Hill for 30 years and a practicing architect for 40 years. I am dedicated to creating buildings and places which embrace the past as well as look to the future. I greatly respect the unique quality and history of our village and would work tirelessly to maintain the character of this community which has made it one of the most desirable places to live in the city. Currently a member of the Land Use Planning and Zoning Committee (LUPZ) and a member of the working group of the Germantown Avenue Neighborhood Commercial Area, my goal is to protect and promote the visual harmony of the historic character of Chestnut Hill.
As the principal of a full service architectural and interior design firm, Camille Peluso Architects, LLC., we are dedicated to creating sustainable and innovative environments. Established in 2005, the practice focuses on Corporate Institutions, including Government, Financial and Workplace Environments as well as Health Care, Retail, and Residential projects. My firm is certified with the Women Business Enterprise National Council.
I am also a member of the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts Women’s Committee and a member of the managing committee of the Carpenter’s Company of Philadelphia.
Having chosen Chestnut Hill as my home to raise a family, I am dedicated to the stewardship of this historic village. Please join me in working to keep the quality of our community and guiding it into the future.
Eric Shelton
Hello! I’ve been a resident in the Chestnut Hill community for the past four years, where my girlfriend and I make Abington Avenue our home. I have been fortunate enough to watch our community grow, have fallen in love with the Wissahickon, and am a regular at our local restaurants and coffee shops. I'm running for the CHCA board because I feel the shared responsibility to contribute to our community and feel I can contribute a unique skillset to support the organization's mission to "grow a stronger community together."
Professionally, I'm a strategist and designer with Vanguard and an Adjunct Professor at Rutgers University. My work with Vanguard focuses on large-scale, long-term strategic decisions that unite diverse stakeholders in pursuit of common goals. I teach interaction design at Rutgers, or rather, how to effectively communicate via the web. Both experiences require a deep level of understanding, problem solving, and empathy that I will bring to the CHCA and community at large.
Earlier in my career I worked at architecture firm Gensler, leading a variety of projects in real estate branding, environmental design, and strategy that worked closely with neighborhood groups, developers, and tenants to ensure success—my crown jewel being the renovation work on 550 Madison Ave., NYC. The building is a Philip Johnson-designed landmark-designated skyscraper, where ensuring historical preservation but modern use was crucial. I’m also the longest standing board member on The University of the Arts' Alumni Council.
I have benefited from and believe in the Chestnut Hill way of life, close knit community, and rich history that is truly unique, special, and worth preserving. It's time for me to give back to the place that's given me so much. Not only does the CHCA protect and preserve that quality of life we love so much, it is also key to usher evolution, ensuring its relevance, charm, and importance for decades to come.
With my unique background, I believe that I can bring clarity to complex issues Chestnut Hill regularly faces. I'm excited at the opportunity to grow our strong community together and I’m confident in my ability to do just that.
2024 Election Information
2024 CHCA Election Rules and Procedures
CHCA Code of Conduct
CHCA Disclosure and Conflict of Interest Policy
CHCA Disclosure Form
CHCA Conflict of Interest and Code of Conduct Enforcement Policy
IMPORTANT DATES in 2024:
Voting procedure and nominating form posted in the Local and on the CHCA website on April 17th.
Nominating form available in the Local and on the CHCA website from April 17th – May 28th.
Last day to submit nomination form (with photo and bio) is Tuesday, May 28th at 10:00am.
CHCA membership must be current by May 31st, 5:00pm in order to be eligible to vote in election.
Voting takes place June 5th – June 27th (3 weeks)
Votes must be received via email or hard copy by the end of the Annual Membership Meeting on June 27th, 6:30pm - 8:30pm.
Notice of election results posted on the front door of Town Hall and emailed to nominating committee on June 28th.
Notice of election results will be published in the CH Local on July 3rd. Elections for Chestnut Hill Board of Directors are held annually. Board meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of each month (December excluded).
2024 BOARD NOMINATIONS ARE CLOSEDLink to 2024 Nomination form for printing
Nomination forms are due to the CHCA offices no later than Tuesday, May 28, 2024 at 10:00am. The form can be emailed to info@chestnuthill.org, mailed or dropped off in person to the CHCA office at 8434 Germantown Ave. Philadelphia, PA 19118.
Sample Bio for Board Nominee
