Our Team
The Forward Journey staff and Board of Directors are dedicated to providing a safe, positive experience for participants and peace of mind for caregivers. We’re here to answer your questions and support your family.
Forward Journey Administrative Staff
Vivian J. Turner, MPA
Executive Director
Vivian J. Turner, MPA
Executive Director
Vivian J. Turner, MPA, is the Executive Director of Forward Journey. She has spent almost 30 years in the nonprofit field, both in the United States and abroad. Vivian came to work for our organization in the summer of 2007. Her nonprofit work has included living and serving in Haiti, working in admissions for a nursing home and running the housing program at The Arc of Delaware. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from Goldey Beacom College and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the University of Delaware. Vivian and her husband live in Middletown, Delaware.
Terry Cipolla
Assistant Executive Director
Terry Cipolla
Assistant Executive Director
Theresa Cipolla is the Assistant Executive Director of Forward Journey. She started in December 2014, originally as the Development Director. Terry possesses extensive fundraising knowledge and experience in the developmental disabilities field. She obtained a Bachelor of Science in Education from Pennsylvania State University and holds a certification in Fundraising Fundamentals from Villanova University. Terry’s responsibilities include supporting the Executive Director in strategic planning and oversight, managing the volunteer program, marketing, public relations, special events and agency grant writing.
Erin Chandler, BSN, RN
Director of Nursing
Erin Chandler, BSN, RN
Director of Nursing
Erin L. Chandler is the Director of Nursing for our organization. She has over 25 years of experience as a registered nurse with a diverse background in long term care and community health nursing. She has worked with children and adults who have developmental and physical disabilities as a medication nurse and as a skilled unit nurse for residentially placed adults and children with neurological challenges. In this role, she was responsible for the assessment, evaluation and planning of healthcare services. Her job titles include the responsibilities of a Staff Educator, Registered Nurse Assessment Coordinator, Assistant Director of Health Care Services, Clinical Care Coordinator, as well as Director of Nursing, Clinical Manager, and Wound Care Nurse.
Michelle Shorter, SHRM-CP
Operations & HR Manager
Michelle Shorter, SHRM-CP
Operations & HR Manager
Michelle Shorter is the Operations & Human Resource Manager of Forward Journey. Hired in June 2014, Michelle is responsible for the coordination and evaluation of the Human Resources services, policies, and programs for the company. She also oversees the company’s IT operations and facilities management, and manages a variety of participant matters including billing, attendance, invoicing, payment reconciliation, transportation, discharge, and parent/guardian/group home communication. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resources and a minor in Business Administration from the University of Delaware. She is also a certified HR Professional through the Society of Human Resource Management. Michelle has a diverse employment background having worked for the du Pont family, MBNA America, and as a residential realtor. She is a horseback riding and therapeutic instructor for individuals with disabilities and foster children at Equissential Growth Strategies in Bear, Delaware.
Melissa MacCord, MS
New Castle County Program Manager
Melissa MacCord, MS
New Castle County Program Manager
Melissa MacCord, MS is the Program Manager of Forward Journey. She is responsible for day-to-day programming and the supervision of the Program Associates and the Assistant Program Manager at the New Castle site. Hired in 2015, Melissa came to us with an extensive background in human services. She holds a Master’s Degree in Administration of Human Services from Wilmington University and Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from the University of Delaware. Melissa has worked with many different populations. She is driven by a desire to help others and create a better life for individuals with disabilities and their families.
Darlene Myers, RN
Kent County Program Specialist
Darlene Myers, RN
Kent County Program Specialist
Darlene Myers, RN began her employment with Forward Journey in March of 2022 with a long history of nursing and management experience. With a degree acquired at Delaware Technical and Community College, most of her career has been spent in nursing care and senior living environments. In these roles she was responsible for creating and implementing policies to meet patient needs while providing staff oversight and monitoring ensure the delivery of quality services. She is responsible for the management of direct care staff and program management as well as conducting nursing duties at the Kent County location.
Sharuanda Robinson
New Castle County Assistant Program Manager
Sharuanda Robinson
New Castle County Assistant Program Manager
Sharuanda Robinson holds the record for longevity at Forward Journey, having been employed since August 2007. Starting as a Program Associate, Shar has moved up the ranks and is now a MOVE® for Adults International Trainer and Assistant Program Manager at the New Castle site. As such, she trains new Program Associates and assists with the development & execution of program activities. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice from Strayer University.
Jessica Paynter, LPN
New Castle County Program Nurse
Jessica Paynter, LPN
New Castle County Program Nurse
Jessica Paynter, LPN has been with Forward Journey since December 2016 as a Program Nurse. Working primarily at the New Castle County location, she is responsible for obtaining and following physician’s orders for medication administration, assistance with seizures and administration of tube feeding. She is also responsible for the general health and wellness of the participants and risk management to mitigate infection and transmission of COVID-19 and other illnesses.
Deanna Pedicone
Administrative Assistant
Deanna Pedicone
Administrative Assistant
Deanna Pedicone is the Administrative Assistant for Forward Journey. Deanna has spent the majority of her 30 year career in the disability field, working with The Arc of Delaware and the University of Delaware’s Center for Disabilities Studies as well as the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services. Deanna began her position with Forward Journey in January of 2023. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Delaware. Deanna volunteered with PAWS for People, providing children and individuals with disabilities with therapeutic pet visits, which is where she first interacted with Forward Journey and its program participants. Deanna lives in Newark with her husband and two children.
Forward Journey Board of Directors
Jessica is a Lean Leader with 15+ years of experience working in multiple industries including healthcare (Hospital and Private Practice), life sciences, and the arts, skilled in supporting value-based initiatives across all levels of an organization with sustainable outcomes and action-focused results.
Through her passion for purpose, Jessica volunteers discretionary effort, facilitating initiatives and improvements with various nonprofit organizations. Committed to providing support today for the leaders of tomorrow, Jessica serves as the Advancement Committee Chair for the Girl Scouts of the Chesapeake Bay Board of Directors as well as serving as the Vice President of the Forward Journey Board, helping to lend a hand in supporting those who enrich the lives of adults with multiple, severe disabilities and their families through an active, personalized day program.
Jessica earned a Bachelor of Arts from DeSales University, her Masters in Science Management through Wilmington University, and is a Fellow in Leadership Delaware’s Class of 2022.In her free time, she can be found at home with her husband, two amazing kids, and several dogs leading the pack.
Bill Hudson is an International Examiner for the Internal Revenue Service, a position he has held for 19 years. Other positions he has held include International Tax Manager and Revenue Agent. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Delaware State University and earned his Certified Public Accountant certificate in 1993. Bill served on the board from 2015 – 2020 and held the positions of Treasurer and President. He returned to the board in 2022.
Mr. Hudson is married to Susan Hudson and they have three children. Their son, Max, has a significant disability and receives services through the Division of Developmental Disabilities Services and Chimes. They live in north Wilmington.
Amy has held a number of professional roles in educational settings. She served as Assistant Director of Edgemoor Community Center, J. Fran Dell (an educational consultant) as an educational supervisor for several programs, and then taught for Colonial School District for two years in the alternative school she helped start. Amy began working for the Smyrna School District in the 2002-03 school year where she created and ran the Level IV behavioral program at Smyrna High School (SHS) for several years, then switched to teaching English/Language Arts. She currently serves as both district Transition Coordinator as well as the 504 Compliance Officer for SHS. Amy is a member of the Council of Exceptional Children and the Division of Career Development and Transition for CEC. She is currently a member of the state planning team in the Community of Practice on Transition. Amy participated in the Capacity Building Institute in Charlotte, NC as a part of the Delaware State team in order to help plan the state transition community’s goals for the upcoming year.
Brian Nuss attended the University of Delaware and West Chester University majoring in Business Administration. In 2008, he acquired a Six Sigma Green Belt certification. He started his career at MBNA and spent 19 years managing a wide range of operational positions. He was asked to serve as the Chief Operation Officer of ACT (Advanced Call Center Technologies) and was there for six years. He then joined Bridgeforce Inc. as an independent consultant focused on the financial services industry. Brian is currently with AFLAC. He is married to Lisa Prettyman and has three daughters, one of whom attends our program in New Castle County.
Maryanne Payne joined the Board of Directors in the Spring of 2022. She has been a paraeducator at the John G. Leach School since 2006, serving students with physical disabilities, moderate to severe cognitive disabilities and other health impairments. She started this career working with preschool-aged students and is currently working with the upper school students. Maryanne’s first career was as a corporate litigation paralegal for Morris Nichols Arsht & Tunnel (for about 2 years) and Smith Katzenstein & Furlow (for about 18 years). She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Ursinus College. Maryanne and her husband Mike live in Middletown and have two daughters. Their daughter, Christine, is a participant at the New Castle location and is thriving in the day program.
Blerta Profiri has 20 years of banking experience, focused on Risk Management. Currently she is an Executive Director for JP Morgan Chase & Co. She is a committee member of the Diversity & Inclusion for Consumer and Community Banking organization. Prior to JP Morgan Chase & Co., Blerta served as Senior Vice President at TD Bank and Wells Fargo Bank in various Risk Management roles in Consumer & Community Banking organization. She is an advocate of driving change, developing her team and supporting diversity and inclusion. Blerta lives in Kennett Square, PA with her husband Artan and two sons, Kevin and Connor.
Natashia Sanders is the Sr. Director of Account Management – Commercial and Managed Markets at Elixir Solutions (Rite Aid, Inc.). She serves as the Executive Advisor to a book of business collaborating with internal stakeholders, building and supporting operational projects and system enhancements, measuring the effectiveness of service delivery for routine and complex client matters, liaising with consultants and brokers, and leading a team of direct reports with health plan subject matter expertise (Medicare, Medicaid, Exchanges, ACA, EGWP, Commercial, Encounters, PDEs, etc.). Natashia formerly spent two years as the Director of Pharmacy Accounts at Anthem, Inc. and 11 years prior at PerformRx, LLC as Director of Account Management – CST Lead. Functions impacted organizational services both internally and externally which included contract negotiations, RFP support, client implementations, project management, strategy development, revenue generation and cost savings. Natashia also held positions as Director of Account Management, Workers Comp Administrator, Director of Implementations, Director of Relationship Management, and Senior Account Executive at PerformRx. Before this, Natashia also worked in specialty neuroscience pharmaceutical sales and entered healthcare out of college as a research scientist. In 2018, Natashia formed 360Innovations, Inc. to offer consultation and solutions in branding, marketing, contract negotiations and operations management.
Natashia received her Bachelor of Arts (Spanish minor) from the University of Delaware. She earned two master’s degrees in Business Administration and Health Care Administration from Wilmington University. She is currently a candidate for a Doctor of Business Administration (Spring 2023). She is a mother of four – two boys and two girls – with her oldest having both a mental and physical disability. Natashia is active and a member of various community service and philanthropic organizations holding various leadership roles and responsibilities. Natashia is currently in the June cohort of the McKinsey Academy Management Accelerator Program: Black Leadership Academy.