Meet Our Staff
Below is a list of the professional and accessible DVG team. Please contact any one of us with your questions - we'd be happy to be of service.

DEBRA A. KAHN
Executive Director
215-790-9700 ext. 4
Email: debra@dvg.org

Debra assumed the leadership of DVG in November 2008, becoming the organizations fourth executive director. Debra’s professional background includes having served as a Principal in the public issues consulting firm GoldsmithKahnAssociates, LLC; Philadelphia Secretary of Education in the Street Administration from 2000-2005; Executive Director of Philadelphia Futures; Assistant to the President of Temple University; Vice President of Corporate Communications and Public Affairs at PNC Bank; and Special Assistant to Mayor William J. Green.

As a community volunteer, Debra serves as Vice President of the Board of Directors of Philadelphia Young Playwrights, Trustee of the Christopher Ludwick Foundation, Advisory Board Member of the Charles Ellis Fund, Ambassador Board Member of the Science Leadership Academy and Advisor to the Penn Autism Network.

Debra graduated from Franklin and Marshall College and earned a M.A. from the Eagleton Institute of Politics at Rutgers University.

As the executive director, Debra oversees the organization’s overall management and strategic direction; develops working relationships and partnerships local and national colleague organizations to promote the mission of DVG; and provides insight regarding philanthropy's role in the broader community.

CHRISTINA EDLEMAN
Director of Programs & Member Relations
215-790-9700 x3
Email: christina@dvg.org

Christina joined the staff of DVG in February 2008. Prior to DVG she served as the Development Director for The Clay Studio, an internationally renowned arts center dedicated to the ceramic arts. In Philadelphia, she has also worked for Moore College of Art & Design as the Assistant Director for Grants & Development Events. Before moving back to Philadelphia, Christina lived in Pittsburgh where she worked as the Program Manager for the McKeesport Area School District.

In 2007 Christina was chosen to participate in the first Leadership Project Cohort, a program through the Philadelphia Cultural Management Initiative designed to identify and prepare the region’s next generation of nonprofit leaders in the arts. She is also a member of the 2008 Core Program Class of Leadership Philadelphia, the region’s foremost leadership development and civic affairs training organization.
 
She received her B.F.A. from Kutztown University with a concentration in painting, and her M.S. in Arts Administration from Drexel University.

As Director of Prorgams and Member Relations, Christina is the primary liaison to the membership and is responsible for all educational services provided to members, and serves as the focal point for all member retention and recruitment activities.

AMY SEASHOLTZ
Director of Communications
215-790-9700 ext. 2
Email: amy@dvg.org

Amy has been with DVG since 1992 and during that time has served in many capacities for the organization, mostly recently taking on responsibility for communications. Immediately prior to DVG, Amy worked at Yellow Springs Institute for Contemporary Studies and the Arts, an international residency center and performing arts center based in Chester Springs, Pennsylvania, that supported the creation of new works in experimental theater, dance and music. Previously, Amy also worked as a corporate travel consultant, which afforded her the opportunity to travel extensively throughout U.S. and abroad.

Amy earned a B.S. in Marketing from the Pennsylvania State University. She also participated in a semester of study abroad at the University of Exeter in the U.K. focusing on a social sciences curriculum.

In her current role as Director of Communications, Amy has responsibility for planning, managing, implementing and evaluating DVG’s communications strategies to effectively advance DVG's mission, vision and goals.

MATT SMITH
Manager of Operations & Member Support
215-790-9700, ext. 13
Email: matt@dvg.org

Matt has been a member of the DVG staff since August 2005. Ppreviously Matt worked for the American College of Physicians, where he served as coordinator for several medical research grants. He earned a B.A. in American Studies from Temple University and is an avid reader and music aficionado, with a deep and abiding love for jazz.

As Manager of Operations and Member Support, Matt is responsible for the day-to-day operations of DVG. Among his duties are: processing invoices and payments; benefits administration; coordinating mailings; facilities management; and maintaining our computer network. In addition, Matt works in support of DVG’s member services, including handling program logistics and registrations, and managing of our contact and library databases.

LISA BENNETT STOKES
County Membership Manager
610-688-7277 (home office)
Email: lisa@dvg.org

Lisa joined the DVG staff in Septmber 2007 in the newly-created position of County Membership Manager. Lisa comes to DVG with a solid background in philanthropy and the regional nonprofit sector. Working with Judith L. Bardes and Associates, Lisa focused on philanthropy management, assisting with the administration of five family foundations. Previously, she was responsible for event planning and coordination for The Pennsylvania Environmental Council and The Philadelphia Mural Arts Program. As a volunteer, Lisa is board President of SquashSmarts, an after-school enrichment program for youth from North and West Philadelphia, which she helped found in 2000, and serves on the boards of Cliveden of the National Trust and the Merion Cricket Club.

Lisa is a graduate of the University of Vermont and received her Masters Degree in Arts and Cultural Management.

In the role of County Membership Manager, Lisa works with the Philadelphia-based staff of DVG to strengthen our program and service support to members located outside of Philadelphia.