Tree House Books Advisory Board

The Tree House Books Advisory Board brings together city leaders and passionate advocates in the community who are committed to the work of literacy and to supporting children and families in our local neighborhoods. Working in concert with organizational leadership, the Advisory Board will meet formally and informally, working behind the scenes throughout the year to advance and promote the organization’s mission and goals.

Meet our 2025 members:

CHAIR EMERITUS:

Jon Weiss, THB Founding Member, Equinox Management & Construction, LLC

CHAIR:

Brett Cohen, Past THB Board Chair

MEMBERS:

Melissa Ash, Past THB Board Member & Chair, Fund Development Committee

Carolyn Ashburn, THB Impact 100 Advocate

Bob Borenstein, Past THB Board Member, Owner - Appletree Child Care Centers

Donna Bullock, THB Founding Member, Project HOME

Jennifer Egmont, United Way of Greater Philadelphia and Southern New Jersey

John Fleming, Past THB Board Member, Owner-HopDial

Marni Fogelson, Philadelphia Literacy Advocate

Michel Gilbert, The Schell Group/Merrill Lynch

Eli Goldblatt, THB Founding Member, Temple University, Retired 

Charles Ireland, Philadelphia Principal, Retired, Director, and Small Business Owner

Aliyah Johnson-Roberts, Business Consultant and Child Care Strategist, Bustleton Learning Center

Kristen Kiser, Publisher/VP, Running Press Publishers

David La Fontaine, Executive Director, Community Ventures

Jennifer Liharik, Business consultant

Grace Manning, Past THB Board Chair, Communications, Culture, and Engagement at Pete and Gerrys Organics

Yasmina Richardson, Communications and Design Professional

Nyseem Smith, Past THB Board, Program and Staff Alumni

Anthony J. Spatichia, Managing Partner at Vista Wealth Solutions

Andrew Starfield, Financial Professional, Broad Street Financial

Senator Sharif Street, District 3, PA State Senate

Dr. Mecca Jamilah Sullivan, Author, Associate Professor of English, Georgetown University, Tree House Staff Alumna

Andrea Swan, Temple University Office of Community Relations

Anna Welsh, Entrepreneur/Owner, Littlebags by Anna