Board of Directors
President - Emily Daly
I became involved with Youth Infusion while working as Community Resources Coordinator for Monroe County Head Start. I was impressed by the group’s energy and mission. Since then I have enjoyed exploring many possibilities, working on many projects and getting to know some extraordinary people through Youth Infusion. I have especially enjoyed working on our triathlon, after school Shape Up program and our Bike-A-Thon.
As for my personal history, I attended Hunter College in New York City where I received a degree in English Literature. I moved to the Poconos with my husband Gene to raise our family. We love the outdoors and enjoy hiking and camping. I am passionate about community activism and enjoy working with The Garden of Giving, RSVP, Pocono Lake UMC and PATH to name a few. Currently I work as a Community Outreach Representative for AmeriHealth Caritas Pennsylvania.
Vice President & Secretary - Patricia Tiernan
Hello, my name is Patricia Tiernan and I am a proud board member on the Youth Infusion team. My passions are many, and one of them is providing mindful outdoor experiences to the members of my community and beyond.
I am a Level II Kripalu Certified Mindful Outdoor Guide and avid practitioner of yoga and meditation, trail running, backpacking, gardening, kayaking, creative writing, and reading. I have been teaching for 22 years, mainly in public high schools in NJ and PA. Moreover, I have taught Global Women Writers and Introduction to Gender Studies at The College of New Jersey and Rutgers University.
I currently teach Gender Studies, Yearbook Production, and English for the College Bound at East Stroudsburg High School South. As part of my commitment to South Students and Staff, I co-advise our school’s Gender and Sexuality Alliance, Wilderness Club, and Shanti Students Yoga. Since 2009, I have conducted school based learning programs in partnership with Youth Infusion and many other community organizations.
Additionally, I support and mentor teachers who wish to conduct school based service learning as part of their pedagogical approach in all content areas. I am currently the co-chair of our school's Social Emotional Learning Leadership Team which will work in conjunction with service learning initiatives to provide SEL opportunities to all students and staff here at the South High School.
Treasurer - Cathy Trinkle
Hi, my name is Cathy Smickley and I am a proud board member on the Youth Infusion team. I love to travel but always return home to the Poconos. My husband and I raised our 2 kids here, both graduating from Pocono Mt. School District. Through them I saw how important it is for kids to explore all possibilities and I feel Youth Infusion helps in that endeavor.
I am a CPA with 30 years’ experience. Until my retirement a few years ago, I had an office on Main St in Stroudsburg where I discovered Youth Infusion and connected with their mission. I love their commitment to young people and discovering creative ways to connect to the community.
Board Member - Martina Matheis
For the past two years, I have been the ESL Specialist at East Stroudsburg High School-South. I have served on the board of Youth Infusion for the past five years. Born in Germany and raised in New Windsor NY, I have lived in Monroe County since 1986. I completed my undergraduate degree and first Master’s degree at ESU; I completed my second Master’s degree at NYU in 2010.
I have been an educator with East Stroudsburg Area School District for the past 25 years. During my tenure at East Stroudsburg, I have also been an English teacher which I combined with both Service Learning and Online Learning. Together with Youth Infusion, I have facilitated nine Service Learning projects from 2011 to 2019 with topics ranging from Homelessness and Domestic Violence to Career Readiness and Mental Health Awareness.
My main focus is to empower students to be critical consumers of information while they develop their advocacy skills--for both themselves and others. When I am not at school, I can be found helping my partner run his business, running on my treadmill, raising my garden, or relaxing with family and friends.
Board Member - Jaclyn Novak-Lutz
I am an Adjunct Instructor at Northampton Community College and Warren County Community College. I am also an Adjunct Lecturer for Baruch College within the CUNY education system. I have seven children in my blended family ranging in age from 11-22. I enjoy spending time with my husband, children, and our four dogs.
I have supported my daughter, Isabella, in starting Kindness Covers in 2018 to provide support and comfort to those in need. Working with Youth Infusion allows my family and I time to engage in multiple community-based events and opportunities to support the public.
Board Member - Gillian Turner
I am a resident of East Stroudsburg, PA and a proud teacher of Cavaliers at East Stroudsburg High School South. I received my BA in Theater from Penn State University, my M.Ed from East Stroudsburg University. I've been a teacher in the district since 2008 and have taught English Language Arts to all high school levels and abilities.
Currently, I am teaching 12th grade honors British Literature and 12th grade Advanced Placement Literature and Composition and will be teaching Drama in the Spring semester. I am also directing the fall production (non-musical). I am also the speech and debate team coach, an assistant director of the Spring musical, co-advisor for the class of 2023, and a volunteer advisor for the Philosophy Club. I am also involved in Youth Infusion’s Youth-led Podcasting program.
I work with several of the local community theaters both on and off stage, I teach acting classes under Rebel Stages, and I am a mother/stepmother of 3 young adults.
I am passionate about education and hope that in my time I will see the absolute and cohesive inclusion of multicultural perspectives, experiences, and intelligences.
Due to the very essence of my profession, I never forget that I have the power to make or to break a person, and that it costs less to build a child than to repair an adult.
Board Member - Deborah Erdman RN MSN CCRN TCRN
Hi, I am Deb Erdman and I am the Injury Prevention Coordinator for Adult Trauma at Geisinger Medical center near Danville.
I have been a critical care nurse for over 36 years and worked in the Trauma Program for over 20, the last six years fulltime in Injury Prevention.
Currently I am also the co-chair of the Injury Prevention Committee for PTSF (Pennsylvania Trauma systems foundation) and American Trauma Society.
I am a board member of the American Trauma Society Pennsylvania Division, as well as serving in Injury Prevention Special Interest Groups for American Trauma Society, Safe States Alliance, and Society of Trauma Nursing.
I am also an instructor for the ATCN (Advanced Trauma Care for Nursing), Course Director and instructor for TNCC (Trauma Nursing Core Course) and coordinator for ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support). I have been adjunct faculty at Penn Collage in Williamsport for the last 8 years, as a clinical instructor in critical care.
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