Board members don’t exist in a vacuum, they build on a foundation created by the volunteers before them. We like to make sure we take a #LookBack periodically to catch up and honor their legacies. Want to become part of the #LookBack group? We are always looking for talented, dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers to serve on our board or our committees!
Our people
Executive Director, Elin Ross
Until moving to the East Coast after college, Elin was a nomad, clocking time in California, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Indiana and New Jersey. She has lived in Frederick for 17 years. Her educational background includes a BA in biblical archaeology, an MA in applied anthropology and a professional certification in classical European pastry. She has more than 25 years of experience in the nonprofit industry and is especially interested in social enterprises and in the intersection of charitable work and the communities where they operate. She has extensive experience in many areas of nonprofit administration, including marketing and PR, fundraising, advocacy, finance management, program development and implementation, nonprofit standards and strategic planning. Elin joined Federated Charities in 2015 as executive director and when she’s not lighting a fire somewhere (figuratively), she can be found experimenting with fermented foods, gardening, lurking at the local farmers’ markets and working with her incorrigible dog.
Our Board of Directors
2024 President, Treasurer Forrest Popkin
Forrest was born and raised in Maryland and has worked in Frederick for over a decade as a Registered Architect and is currently a Principal with Zavos Architecture +Design, a Frederick-based, full-service architecture firm with community focus. In his career as an architect, Forrest has worked on a variety of projects, from warehouses, offices, apartment buildings and even breweries! Eager to mentor the next generation of students, he teaches as an adjunct faculty member of Frederick Community College and the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Construction Management Technology. On Sundays, Forrest is also a Jewish Education teacher for the local Beth Sholom Synagogue. Forrest joined the Federated Charities board because he has a firm belief that space forms who we are as people, and therefore spaces help define our community. He supports the programming that allows the building to be a central home for area nonprofits to thrive. An avid cocktail fan, Forrest often haunts local restaurants with quality drinks and as a spice aficionado, enjoys the most fiery entrees. He lives in Frederick City and loves downtime with his wife, child and their French Bulldog, Cosett.
Kevin Moore, 2024 Vice President/Treasurer
Kevin is an Independent Financial Advisor and partner at his family-owned financial advisory business in Frederick, MD. In this role, he operates a comprehensive wealth management firm that focuses on walking individuals, families, and small businesses through the intricacies of retirement, investment planning, insurance, and estate conservation. He received his bachelor’s degree with highest honors from St. John’s University in New York and his Master of Business Administration from Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg. Kevin is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and a member of the Financial Planning Association. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Carroll Creek. Kevin is a native Frederick County resident and resides here with his wife and three children.
Kathy Fay, 2024 Secretary
Kathy is a longtime Frederick resident with a true Renaissance background of teaching, fashion design and IT. She joins the board of directors as a former tenant in the building and lends her perspective as a community volunteer and board member on our governance committee. She admits that in her retirement she has found a new love project bringing up her whoodle puppie, Millie, to be the smartest dog ever.
Shelane Twentey
Shelane is a Vice President, and Branch Manager for Woodsboro Bank since 2019 with more 25 years of banking experience. Originally from Katy, Texas where she also appeared on a dance show in her teens, she has lived in Maryland for 25 years and worked and/or lived in Frederick County 20 years. She is married to Mark Twentey and has three children a son John who is 22 and lives in West Virginia, a step-daughter Morgan (24) and step-son Garrett(17) who live in Frederick. I enjoy being with my family along with hiking, walking, and boating.
Brandon Cannon
Brandon is the Founder and President of Revo Development, a commercial property development company. He has degrees in finance and economics. We have mostly forgiven him for not proposing to his bride Christina in front of Charity and our building because of the wealth of knowledge he brings to the Federated Charities board of directors.
Lisa Parsell
Chenee Beach
Chenee has a background in
Erica Conover
A career marketing and business development professional, Erica’s diverse background includes experience working in the National Football League (NFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), collegiate sports, various non-profit organizations, an Am Law 100 law firm, large scale events, and even healthcare, affording her with the ability to provide a holistic view of how marketing and business development can be used to elevate business goals. Erica operates at a rare intersection of marketing & sales by leveraging creative and business approaches in tandem to construct one-of-a-kind strategies. Born and raised in “The Great State of Texas,” she received her Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) in Marketing with a minor in Journalism, Public Relations, and New Media from Baylor University. She also has double jointed elbows which may or may not be on display when we host a Trick or Treat station at Halloween.
Eve Butt
Eve is a Philadelphia native who traded cheesesteaks for blue crabs as she adopted Maryland as her home after college graduation. For over a decade, Eve has worked to pair client stories with the right reporters, outlets and influencers through her Public Relations work at a Maryland-based agency followed by a Top 50 craft brewery. Throughout her years in the industry, she has added event planning and marketing skills to her experience and now embraces the opportunity to work with regional businesses to find creative solutions to their unique marketing needs as Senior Marketing Strategist at Frederick marketing agency, Postern. In her free time, Eve enjoys exploring the hiking trails, community events, breweries and restaurants around Frederick with her husband Jake, son Luke and dog Ripley.
Charity (the dog)
We know he’s not a person (or a real dog…)
