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”.
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.
Dr. Lisa Nyabinghi, Prison Advocate & Educator
Dr. Lisa Nyabinghi comes to MHA Lancaster with a background in service to her community. She has been a BIPOC counselor and therapist for over ten years and is also an Army Veteran. She has a doctorate in Psychology, specializing in grief counseling and maintains active membership with her Taino Indigenous tribe.
What I like about working for MHALC is: Being able to make a difference from behind the scenes. My mission is to pave the way for those I serve to envision success in mental health recovery and stability. I promote responsibility and ownership in everyone I encounter.
I maintain my mental health by: Taking an hour each night to do a mindfulness exercise. I allow myself the opportunity to release the day’s activities and open my mind and spirit to accept tomorrow with a clean slate.
Interesting fact about me: I am active within the indigenous community and serve as a leader for my people. I have traveled overseas to three countries and have aspirations to visit Japan and Italy in the future. I attempt to clear off at least two things on my bucket list each year!
In my spare time I like to: Walk along the beach and allow the sand to glide between my toes. I am especially fond of sunrise and listening to the waves crash against the shore, without the noise of others. I value nature, live plays, museums and yes, even the opera!
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.
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.