Meet Our Director and Board

Tom Niarhos, Executive Director

Tom possesses a diverse professional background, characterized by a deep commitment to supporting vulnerable populations, particularly the homeless in Pottstown. His personal experiences have equipped him with a unique understanding and empathy towards those facing addiction and homelessness. As an active participant in the recovery, church, non-profit, and volunteer sectors, Tom excels in networking and coordination, fostering community engagement and support.

Dedicated to empowering community members towards achieving stability and integration, Tom focuses on enhancing housing security and overall well-being. His professional development is underscored by extensive training and certifications in mental health, domestic violence, addiction, vulnerability, leadership, and housing security, underscoring his comprehensive approach to community support and development.

Karla Romberg has been working in the Pottstown area for over 30 years in business and social services.  With a background in marketing she fell in love with working in the non-profit sector early in her career. 

She believes that building a strong network of support around individuals and programs is the way to create and maintain a healthy community. 

Collaboration is key to making the most of the valuable resources and talent that we have in Pottstown.  This community is strong, generous and bold and she is proud to be a part of the Greater Pottstown area. 

Mark Boorse, Vice President

Karla Romberg, President

Mark is the Director of Program Development at Access Services, a non-profit human services agency. In his role there, he was integral to starting up both the Homeless Street Outreach Program, which serves those experiencing street homelessness in Montgomery County, and the Street Medicine program in Pottstown. Through this work, he got connected with Al’s Heart Warming Center, both the volunteers and staff, and the guests. Mark is committed to the belief that homelessness is a community level issue and that lasting solutions can happen when all parts of the community come together to align their resources and skills towards common goals.

Cathy Heayn, Secretary

Cathy Heayn is a Registered Nurse with over 25 years of clinical, pharmaceutical and device industry experience currently working at Varian Medical Systems in Medical Affairs. Her passion to help those in need is also seen in her 20+ years of volunteer work with our low income and homeless Pottstown community through St. Aloysius Giving Tree, Community Meals, and Food Pantry, the Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities and Al's Heart Warming Center. Cathy was one of the Volunteer Award recipients for the 2021-2022 Warming Center season “for her commitment and dedication to serving the guests and being an example of hope, love and grace”. Cathy is motivated to continue this work with Pottstown Beacon of Hope using her nursing and professional experience for an organization who values community and individuals.

Dennis Kulp, Board Member Since ‘20

I have spent close to 50 years in all aspects of the automotive industry from including service, sales, purchasing and risk management. I have been active in church ministry all of my adult life, serving wherever I would see a need. In recent years I have left the institutional church paradigm in favor of direct ministry. I have been involved with the mentoring group, Molding Men, served at Pottstown Bible Church in feeding and caring for poor and disadvantaged. I have made it a point to network across all cultural groups in order build a better Pottstown. Our friend Allan Astchull introduced himself to me at a community meeting and through this meeting I embraced the mission of Al’s Hear Warming Center where I have had the privilege of serving our homeless community.   

Roxanne Troiano, Treasurer

Roxanne Troiano is a retired sales executive with over 40 years experience in the financial services industry.  During her childhood years as a Girl Scout, she became familiar with the value and reward of giving back to the community and has since  served as a board member with a number of nonprofits such as Maplebrook Academy, Maplebrook Foundation(education), Open Hearth (homelessness), Cornerstone for Hope (addiction), and her housing development's homeowner's association. 

She is also actively involved in her church community and currently chairs a ministry related to providing financial assistance to those with hearing impairments.  She was a member of the Investment Committee for the church's endowment fund and has participated in numerous church missions to serve local communities.

When she is not "giving back", she enjoys substitute teaching for local school districts, Pilates, outdoor activities such as cycling and hiking, as well as playing pickleball, Mahjong,  and pinochle.

Lauren Williams, Member

Lauren Williams, SPHR is the Founder & CEO of Workplace Harmony, a dynamic group of HR experts (think Avengers) that helps emerging and high-growth businesses thrive by leading high performing teams and building better workplaces. HR is the No. 1 thing employees complain about. Lauren and her team know how to get the employee experience right — whether it is as simple as being sure your newest rockstars can get ramped up quickly, or as complex as blending workplace cultures when you merge one company with another. From full-service Human Resources Outsourcing to one time project support, the Workplace Harmony team comes equipped to help your company thrive (and electrify the workplace culture).

When you meet Lauren, you'll see her positivity, integrity and spirit shine through. You'll know her by her smile and laugh, and you'll hear her tell her clients what they need to hear with honesty and directness.

Lauren holds an undergraduate degree from West Chester University of Pennsylvania in Finance and Economics and a Master's of Arts from Immaculata University in Organizational Development & Effectiveness.

Lauren supports her community in various ways including serving as a Board member for Pottstown Beacon of Hope, which provides shelter to the homeless population in Montgomery County. She also volunteers at Girls Spark, a non-profit that offers free programming for building confidence, courage and self-esteem in teenage girls.

Lauren resides in Pottstown, PA with her husband and three kids. When she isn't helping her husband find his keys, or wrangling the three children, she loves a good high energy concert, she can also be found cooking, and satisfying her addiction to retail therapy