Board of Trustees
Friends Village is governed by an independent, volunteer board of trustees. They are recruited for their deep and varied skills, experience, and backgrounds. Most of the trustees at Friends Village are members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).
Dennis Kilfeather
Chair. Executive, Governance, and Finance Committees.-
Dennis has worked in Public Accounting for nearly twenty years at Lear & Pannepacker, LLP, where he serves as the partner-in-charge of their Newtown Buck County Office. Dennis has years of experience in not-for-profit accounting, compliance and governance matters as well as the same in the for-profit sector. Dennis has previously service on the boards of The Historical Society of Princeton, BoardConnect and was an 8 year Big Brother in the Big Brother Big Sister of Bucks County Latin American Initiative. He also serves his local community as a volunteer firefighter and is a Member of Wrightstown Friends Meeting.
Robert Firestone
Secretary. Executive, Governance, Finance Committees.-
Bob brings more than 35 years of legal and business experience to our Board, having recently retired as the Associate General Counsel for the University of Pennsylvania and its health system, Penn Medicine, where he worked on elder law, research compliance, and healthcare transactions, among other matters. Prior to representing Penn, Bob was the Vice President for Affiliate Relations and Vice President for Finance, Administration and Operations at Dow Jones Electronic Publishing, and helped launch WSJ.com, one of the world’s first subscription-based website businesses. He also oversaw strategic planning, decision support, legal, finance, and the radio business unit, among other business and legal responsibilities.
Bob has lived in Newtown for over 28 years and, along with his husband Tyler Hoff, they have been enthusiastic supporters of Friends Village since 2014, when Tyler began work as FV’s Executive Director.
Janet Braker
Quality and Finance Committees.-
A lifelong educator and community-minded leader, Janet brings decades of experience in education, business, Quaker service, and public service to the Friends Village Board of Trustees.
Before retiring in 2021, Janet served for ten years as a school principal in the William Penn School District, providing instructional leadership and overseeing the day-to-day operations of an elementary school community. Earlier in her career, Janet taught and served in administrative roles in public, charter, Quaker, and Jewish schools. These experiences offered the opportunity to work with people from many different backgrounds and helped shape a deep appreciation for the importance of listening, understanding, and building meaningful relationships.
Prior to entering education, Janet worked as a commercial insurance broker in Chicago and Philadelphia, developing strong analytical, communication, and organizational skills while working with businesses ranging from small companies to large organizations.
A Fulbright Memorial Fund Scholar, Janet traveled to Japan as part of an educational and cultural exchange involving educators from across the United States. Janet holds a Master of Science in Education from the University of Pennsylvania and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Temple University.
Service has remained an important part of Janet’s life. A member of Newtown Monthly Meeting, Janet has served Friends through Newtown Monthly Meeting, Bucks Quarterly Meeting, Philadelphia Yearly Meeting, and as a former School Committee member of Frankford Friends School. Janet also serves on the Board of the Free Library of Northampton Township and has shared a love of lifelong learning by teaching computer skills to older adults through an AARP program at Friends Village.
Across education, business, and volunteer service, Janet has remained committed to strengthening communities, building relationships, and helping people of all ages continue to learn, participate, and grow.
Charles Chichester
Property Committee.-
Charles Chichester brings extensive expertise in architectural preservation and project management to the Friends Village Board of Trustees. A graduate of Cornell University’s Architecture program, Charles has worked on a broad range of projects for both government and private clients, specializing in the careful preservation, restoration and adaptive reuse of historic buildings. His career includes leadership roles at firms such as Mills + Schnoering Architects and Ralph Curtis Fey Architects, where he managed projects ranging from federal courthouses to performing arts centers and academic facilities. A registered architect and past president of the Bucks County chapter of the American Institute of Architects, Charles is deeply committed to community service. As a member of the Yardley Friends Meeting, he serves on the Property, Outreach, and Social Action Committees, and supports local wellness initiatives like the Interfaith Food Alliance. Charles is passionate about fostering vibrant, interactive spaces that support lifelong learning and community connection, aligning closely with the mission of Friends Village.
Gloria Hancock
Quality and Property Committees.-
Gloria Hancock is a retired public servant with over four decades of experience in leadership and management for large and small organizations in the areas of policy and strategic planning, budgeting, research and curriculum and professional development and training.
She holds a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Organizational Leadership from the University of Pennsylvania, a master’s degree in public administration from Rutgers University, a Bachelor of Science and Associate Arts degree from Thomas Edison State University.
Dr. Hancock is credited with developing significant public-private partnerships to support children and families, supervision of diverse workforce and leadership of an array of policy and planning initiatives in human services, education, and juvenile justice services.
She is the recipient of the Excellence in Management Award, City of Trenton Partnership Award and the New Jersey Association of Parent Coordinator Inc, Award.
She has facilitated numerous workshops, professional development, and panel discussions at various levels of government and institutions. She has taught at both the community college and graduate school levels.
Hancock is a leader with high ethical standards and clearly defined principles rooted in her faith and unwavering advocacy and support for the betterment of all people. Her understanding of the value of diversity in all its forms is steeped in experience and buoyed by practicality. She is a team builder, an adaptive learner, always diligent but not rigid, people oriented, issue oriented, results oriented and an analytical person.
In service to her community, Gloria ran and was elected to the Country Bend Condominium Association Board. She also serves on the Compassion Develops Communities Board and recently was invited and accepted to serve on the Friends Village Board.
She is widowed, has one son and three grandchildren.
On weekends she is busy assisting others where needed, tending to her garden, reading, and listening to an eclectic mix of music and engaging in online travel exploration around the world.
Mike Charlton
Vice-Chair. Executive, Governance, and Property Committees.-
Mike is a life long Bucks County resident, living and working in and around the Newtown area for most of his life. He helps run his family business, Kenderdine’s Heating Oil & HVAC, along with handling property management for their properties in the area. Years of involvement in small business ownership have brought him many challenges and life lessons. In his spare time, Mike enjoys outdoor activities, traveling, and fine art photography.
Janet Beasley
Advancement Committee.-
Janet is an Information Technology executive at The Clorox Company where she currently leads technical strategy and delivery for the enterprise growth functions: R&D, Sales and Marketing. Previously Janet held various IT leadership roles in retail and hospitality. She has notably led digital transformation programs at Clorox, Coach and Urban Outfitters. Janet is a graduate of Fairfield University in Fairfield, CT.
Janet and her husband Brian have called Newtown Borough home since 2005. Their property is adjacent to the Friends Village Paxson campus.
Terry Christensen
Advancement and Property Committees.-
Capt. Terry Christensen grew up in Warrenton, Oregon ('where the mighty Columbia meets the vast Pacific'). As one might expect, he grew up around boats and spent high school and college summers working in the commercial fishing industry. After earning a degree in physics (from Lewis & Clark College where he was also a middle linebacker), Terry discovered the sport of rugby and continued commercial fishing in the off-season. A series of knee injuries motivated him to take up fishing as a career. Shortly thereafter, Terry transitioned to the Merchant Marine, starting as an Ordinary Seaman and working his way through the ratings until he was qualified to sit for a US Merchant Marine Deck Officers License exam which he passed in 1981.
In 1985, Capt. Christensen was hired as Chief Instructor and Master of Training Vessels for the Seamanship program at the Tongue Point Job Corps Center near Astoria Oregon. Under his leadership, two additional training modules were added and the program achieved an unprecedented 96% placement matching rate for its graduates. In 1988, Terry returned to sea working for Sause Bros. Ocean Towing as a deck officer. In 1989, he signed on as First Officer of the M/V SALVAGE CHIEF. Notably, the Salvage Chief was engaged in effecting repairs to the T/S EXXON VALDEZ which made it possible for the ship to be towed to a graving dock for repairs.
In 1990, Capt. Christensen became the Chief Instructor for the Maritime Science Department at Clatsop Community College in Astoria, Oregon. During his time there, Clatsop began offering a Radar Observer Certification Course (a prerequisite for hold and Deck Officer’s license). Also, during this time frame, Clatsop became the first maritime training program (other than the five traditional academies) to offer a license preparation course that was certified by the USCG and qualified as sea-service in advance of the licensing examination. In 1994, Christensen developed a degenerative disease of the optic nerve and his seafaring career came to an abrupt end.
In 1999, encouraged by advances in adaptive technology, Terry resolved to return to teaching. He began at Marylhurst University by earning a Master of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies (MAIS). This was followed with a M.S. in History from Oregon State University where he also earned a Ph.D. in the History of Science by writing about mentoring in theoretical physics. Along the way he earned numerous academic awards and fellowships.
Since moving to Bucks County in 2007, Terry has become increasingly active in the community. He has served on the Steering Committee of the Peace Center, the Board of Directors for Friends Village, and he continues to sit on the Newtown Township Planning Commission. Terry has also been active in his Quaker Meetings, Bucks Quarterly Meeting, and Philadelphia Yearly Meeting.
Terry recalls that the best advice he ever got was from his high school football coach, Ray Downs. In response to letters he has recieved from small colleges, Terry asked Coach Downs if he believed that Terry could play football at that level. Downs replied, “I genuinely don’t know. But I do know this: If you don’t try you’ll never know … and if you never know, you’ll spend the rest of your life wondering … I’d rather know than wonder.”
Sarah Buxton
Advancement Committee.-
Sarah brings more than 27 years of experience in education, leadership, and student advocacy to the Friends Village Board of Trustees. She currently serves as Head of Lower and Upper School at Newtown Friends School, where she has held a variety of leadership roles including Head of Lower School, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, and Supervisor of Student Support Services. Throughout her career, Sarah has been recognized for her expertise in strategic school leadership, curriculum development, inclusive educational practices, and fostering strong partnerships among students, families, faculty, and boards.
A passionate educator and lifelong learner, Sarah has worked with schools and districts across the country as a consultant, coach, presenter, and teacher. Her work has focused on improving literacy instruction, supporting neurodiverse learners, developing faculty leadership, and creating educational environments where all students can thrive. Sarah holds a Master’s Degree in Secondary English Education from the College of Staten Island and a Bachelor of Arts in American History and English from the State University of New York at Albany. She is committed to mission-driven leadership and is honored to support Friends Village’s dedication to community, lifelong learning, and compassionate service.
Treasurer. Executive, Governance, Finance and Advancement Committees.Neil Vance
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Now retired, Neil worked as an actuary for the State of New Jersey, where he worked for the Medicaid program and the NJ Division of Aging, developing innovative programs to provide services outside of nursing homes.
Neil holds a PhD in Mathematics from the University of Virginia and is a member of the Society of Actuaries.Neil is active in Fallsington Friends Meeting.
Rev. Angela Brown-Vann
Finance and Advancement Committees.-
Reverend Brown-Vann is an Associate Minister at St. Mark AME Zion Church in Newtown. She has worked as a currency and real estate trader, mortgage lender, and financial planner, and holds an MBA.
She continues to provide low-cost financial services to seniors.
Renee Noel
Property and Advancement Committees.-
Renee worked for nearly twenty years for Merrill Lynch, where she served as a discretionary asset manager for international and domestic clients, and provided market research on Latin American stock markets. While raising her family, she built a thriving real estate business and is a top producing realtor in Newtown, PA.
She has served on the boards of Network of Victim Assistance and Newtown Friends School and volunteers with Newtown Library Company and the Interfaith Food Alliance. She has also served as a member of the Newtown Borough Historic Architectural Review Board.
She is a member of Newtown Friends Meeting.
“Friends Village supports residents’ independence and individuality - the kind of environment I would want for myself or my family. I serve on the Board to make sure this community remains strong and vital.”
— Randi Lawrie, Former Board Trustee