BOARD OF DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
CHAIR
1ST TERM – ELECTED 2022
PAUL DECAMARA
Paul DeCamara, along with his wife Cindy, has been involved with Pro-Life activities for the last 25 years at St. Alphonsus Parish in Maple Glen, PA. They have six children and live in Upper Dublin Township, PA. Paul has worked in the fire sprinkler industry for the last 38 years and has supported pro-life activities for many years.
TREASURER
1ST TERM – ELECTED 2017
DEACON PAT KENNEDY
Deacon Patrick Kennedy is a Deacon of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia (AOP), who besides serving in several parishes is assigned to the Office of Life and Family, wherein he works with parishes and assists engaged couples in marriage preparation, provides counseling, and oversees the AOP programs to help couples nurture, enrich and strengthen their marriage and family life. Dn. Pat has been married to his wife Diane for almost 50 years, they have five adult married children and nine grandchildren. Most of his business career was dedicated to the Emergency Medical & Healthcare field, beginning as a Philadelphia firefighter & paramedic, then as the Founder, President & CEO of an EMS company, and ending as the Senior Vice President of a Catholic hospital & healthcare organization. Called to the life of a deacon, Pat entered formation in 2010 and after completing the Master of Theology program was ordained in 2017. A lifelong pro-life advocate in the defense of the unborn and for the sanctity of all life in all stages and conditions, especially the most vulnerable among us, is honored to be among such a distinguished group of women, men and priests who stand for life in love of Jesus Christ.
VICE CHAIR
1ST TERM – ELECTED 2017
ASHLEY GARECHT
Ashley Garecht is a homeschooling mom of four who was unexpectedly thrust into the national pro-life debate after she and her daughters were filmed and harassed by State Representative Brian Sims while they were praying outside of a Planned Parenthood in downtown Philadelphia. She continues to pray outside of abortion facilities in the region and speaks publicly about the sanctity of life and the civil and religious liberties of pro-life activists. Before motherhood, Ashley worked in the White House and is a graduate of Duke University.
AT-LARGE-MEMBER
1ST TERM – ELECTED 2019
MARLENE DOWNING
Marlene Downing is a mother of two, author, public speaker and director of HOPE Pregnancy Center. She is a dedicated community leader who brings awareness to tough issues facing society. Her desire is to create opportunity for organic conversations, wholeness and healing. Her wisdom in these areas is based on her own personal experience. She is no stranger to hardship or to the power that Jesus Christ has to turn it all around. After working nearly a decade at a corporate organization, Marlene yielded to the call of God to work at a non-profit organization named HOPE Pregnancy Center. Since then, her love for the work has given her zeal to be divinely creative through the leading of the Holy Spirit. Marlene views her work at the HOPE Center as a beautiful golden opportunity to mentor women while saving lives.
SECRETARY
1ST TERM – ELECTED 2017
HELENE HALLOWELL
Helene Hallowell is a health and wellness professional who is committed to guiding others to see their full potential in body, mind and spirit. Helene thrives on being the supportive presence for some who sometimes have little positive influence in their lives, and is a proponent of Natural Family Planning as a means to build up family life.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Members
PATRICK STANTON
4TH TERM – ELECTED 2009
Pat, the oldest son of our founder John Stanton, has been active in the pro-life and other human rights movements for many years. With his wife Wendy, he has raised nine children in the metropolis of Jenkintown. He is owner of Sloane Moving Company in Elkins Park.
ESTELA BUGG
1ST TERM – ELECTED 2019
Originally from Honduras, Central America, Estela is now living in Greater Philadelphia and married with three children and five grandchildren. She has been Director of Volunteer and Parish Community Relations at Catholic Social Services of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia for 24 years. In addition to this job role, Estela is the Project Rachel Ministry Director recently relaunched in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office for Life and Family. Estela has been volunteering as a sidewalk prayer in front of abortion clinics. She is a longtime parishioner at St. Peter the Apostle Parish. Before her work at Catholic Social Services, Estela was the founder and first director of the Cardinal Bevilacqua Community Center in Philadelphia. Estela holds a Masters in Human Services, bilingual and bi-culture. Because of her parish outreach for seven parishes in the North Philadelphia Latino area, she became instrumental in the development of the Office for Community Development of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.
LIANA HOLLENDONNER
1ST TERM – ELECTED 2019
Liana is the Regional Coordinator for Students for Life of America in Pennsylvania and Delaware. She graduated from DeSales University in 2016 where she studied Political Science and Theology. Originally from New Jersey, she is the oldest of six children and remains very close to her family. Liana now lives in Media, PA and continues to stay involved with Catholic ministry and liturgical music.
EMERITUS DIRECTORS
JOHN STANTON (1927-2014)
NICK GIBBONI
SANDY SASSO
REGINA O’REILLY
215.885.8150
PRESIDENT & CEO
TOM STEVENS
Tom Stevens is a husband to Ann and father to Tommy, John Paul, Megan, Kellan, and Andrew. The Stevens family are parishioners of St. Colman Catholic parish in Ardmore.
215.885.8150
MEMBER SERVICES
ANNE HINNEGAN
Anne Hinnegan has been with the PLU since 1992 working with our founder John P. Stanton for many years. Anne serves as our Member Services Coordinator working with Church and Parish contacts to build support for the sanctity of life and the mission of the Pro Life Union.
PROGRAM & DEVELOPMENT
DIRECTOR
PAUL CORBETT
215.885.8150
Paul Corbett`s many years of pro-life activity include participating in Operation Rescue, local pro-life political action, and work within his parish. His professional career spanned over thirty years in sales and operating small businesses. He and his wife raised ten children and have been blessed with 14 grandchildren. In addition to his passion for protecting the unborn, Paul is an advocate for supporting our injured Veterans.