Staff
Kim McDevitt, Executive Director
Kim McDevitt brings over 20 years of executive-level leadership and management experience to MHA. Through her leadership, Kim has built partnerships with donors that have significantly advanced the goals of non-profits in Lancaster, Lebanon and York Counties. Her background in psychology and education has been used to transform organizations. Kim most recently served as Chief Operations Officer with Lancaster Housing Opportunities Partnership, where she brought about substantial systems changes. Prior to that, she was the Executive Director of Power Packs Project, where she succeeded the founder and grew the organization to three surrounding counties.
Kim has returned to her roots in behavioral health to assist in the growth at MHA Lancaster County. She is driven to empower, motivate and strengthen individuals and families, as well as bring public awareness to the issues that prevent people them from achieving success. Her studies and career experiences have allowed her to gain an understanding of the barriers that families face, both socio-economically and psychologically, and has ardently followed this knowledge in building services with strategies and programs that help others to overcome those barriers.
Kim immigrated to the U.S. at age 7 and has always believed in empowering others, just as she was empowered. “I have always believed in leaving a legacy. My greatest accomplishment is instilling, to my four children, the message of using your talents to help others. I am most proud that my oldest daughters are both teachers in inner city Philadelphia, and my sons, despite their vigorous sports and academic schedule in high school, are highly dedicated to volunteering for various organizations”.
Dave Krahling, ThM, Program Manager
I maintain my mental health by: Reducing access to social media and find activities that I enjoy in my off time, such as golf and reading. Currently, I am reading There’s a Hole in My Love Cup.
Interesting fact about me: I enlisted in the Army at the age of 38. I used to have my own karaoke show.
In my spare time, I like to: Golf and spend time with family.
My passion: Helping people become the best version of themselves.
Elaine Gilbert, Administrative Assistant
What I like about working for MHALC is: The culture of caring that we all strive to demonstrate. I love that my coworkers and I all share the passion that is our community, and we all hope that we can help advocate and expand mental health awareness to decrease the stigma.
I maintain my mental health by: Spending time with the ones I care about the most. I also like to do shadow work journals to help process and regulate my emotions.
Interesting fact about me: I’m a walking Sagittarius stereotype – I love to travel and have lived in all corners of the USA except the Midwest! My dream is to visit all 50 states and at least 100 countries (I still have a very long way to go)!
In my spare time I like to: Do a variety of outdoor activities – from fishing to camping and everything in between! I also enjoy baking, karaoke, and grilling as well as gardening, painting, and antique hunting.
My passion: Connecting with people from all walks of life!
Shelby Witmer, Family and Child Services Coordinator
Shelby has a background in education and a passion for supporting families struggling with mental health issues. She hopes to use her life experiences to empower other families to get the help and support they need: “I want them to know they aren’t alone!” She will also be providing IEP Advocacy support to help foster positive supports between home and school.
I maintain my mental health by: Practicing physical and mental fitness, self-care, meditation, and lots of laughter.
Interesting fact about me: Despite being named Shelby, I was named after a character in a book my mom was reading, not the car.
In my spare time, I like to: Spend time with family and friends, travel and read. My happy place is any beach!
My passion: To end the stigma of mental health and provide support and
compassion for those who are struggling with it. Nobody is alone and we all struggle with something so let’s support each other.
Michelle Frederick, Adult & Senior Advocate
What I like about working for MHALC is: I get to help people in a way that I thought I never could!
I maintain my mental health by: Seeing my psychiatrist regularly and having the supports in place when I need to talk to a little help.
Interesting fact about me: Having indirect/direct sunlight helps with my mood!
In my spare time I like to: Play pool. I’m in a pool league a couple of time s a week and it helps with socialization.
Megan Beyerle, Education Coordinator
What I like about working for MHALC is: I love being out in my local community, advocating for mental health destigmatization and educating all ages on stress mitigation techniques and all of the support and resources that are available. Through MHALC, I found a group of like-minded, compassionate individuals and we all share the same common goal of advocacy. MHALC is the most rewarding organization I’ve ever been a part of.
I maintain my mental health by: Being with my large circle of family and friends – my relationships bring me my greatest joy. I also love to read, write, contemplate my existence in the universe and think about things bigger than myself. Going to concerts, Fulton plays, microbreweries, painting, dancing, stretching my comfort zone, playing games with my daughter and going on adventures and self-care also bring me balance. For my mental health, balance is key. I love to milk life for everything I can, but I also love to spend time alone to recharge.
Interesting fact about me: I enjoy watching movies, cooking, playing board games, learning new things, listening to music, hanging with my family and friends, and traveling. I have a ton of things I love to do – so I tend to keep quite busy with fun!
In my spare time I like to: My passion is people. I have always been a person who tends to connect with and build relationships with everyone – I’m a natural empath and I love to listen to people’s stories. I believe that there is so much beauty in humanity and endless things we can learn from one another. I also love to be creative in a multitude of ways to color outside the lines.
Frank Letoski, Prison Advocate & Educator
My background: I worked over 25 years with the state prison system, specializing in mental health
Why MHA: I am dedicated to helping individuals having mental health issues. I take pride in my work and have compassion for those in need. I’m excited to continue with my purpose in life.
Will Fisher, Compeer Coordinator
What I like about working for MHALC is: What I like best about working for MHALC is being part of a dedicated team; each bringing their own talents, career and life experiences that complement one another. Perhaps the greatest thing that we share in common is a willingness to be transparent and honest with ourselves and each other, admitting that we are broken, imperfect people, who seek to better their mental health while serving others who seek the same. Early on, I learned that our staff is a family, in every sense of the word. I truly appreciate the laughs we share in between working on our focused areas.
I maintain my mental health by: I maintain my mental health by having an awareness of the importance of having a healthy balance of “The 8 Dimensions of Wellness”. What is equally important to me is to have people that can hold me accountable when things appear to become imbalanced. In addition, I like to read books that pour into those 8 dimensions. For me, I have found that serving others has been a great help in maintaining my mental health.
Interesting fact about me: I hold a bachelor’s degree in biblical studies and have served as a pastor periodically over the years. Let’s play 2 truths and a lie… 1) I was a wedding singer, 2) I published a book, and 3) I was a standup comedian. The truth is that while it is true that I often stand up while telling jokes, I was not a professionally paid comedian. The truth is I have been working on a book for years, but am not yet a published author. The Truth is I was a highly sought after Wedding Singer… okay part of that is true.
In my spare time I like to: I enjoy carpentry, theology, making others laugh with, and I am quoting here, my “Amazing sense of humor,” and “You are Hilarious!” I like spending time with my family and keeping them in stitches as well, (insert their eye rolling here.) In a serious note, I enjoy serving in various roles at church, as well as serving as The Assistant Program Manager at MHALC. Oh yeah, I’m a big fan of “The Office.”
Cynthia Jones, Accountant
Kim and I have had the pleasure of working together at a previous non-profit, Power Packs. She coined my favorite description of my thought process… Intuitive. I am thrilled to be able to join the MHA team.
Carol Bowman, Intensive Peer Advocate
What I like about working for MHALC is: The mission of helping individuals and families to experience lives that are mentally healthy, and of supporting people who struggle with mental illness, is one that has been close to my heart for many years. I like being a part of the great team of people here who are working to provide resources to assist that mission in the Lancaster community.
I maintain my mental health by: Maintaining a daily meditation practice, journaling, and getting outside to breathe the fresh air and enjoy the natural world.
Interesting fact about me: Wherever I travel, I like to bring home rocks and stones to remember the places I’ve been.
In my spare time I like to: Read, write, paint, make jewelry, cook – doing anything creative makes me happy!