We are thrilled to announce Merri Brown as Director of Development (pictured left) and Cecilia Filauro (pictured right) as Executive Assistant to our General Secretary. With the addition of both staff positions, we are looking forward to increased relationship-building with PYM members as well as organizational support for leadership.
On March 27th, Merri joined PYM as Director of Development. She is a gifted communicator with a background in marketing, communications, and graphic design, who prides herself on building trustworthy, authentic relationships. Having worked in various advancement and fundraising capacities for organizations including United Lutheran Seminary (Philadelphia Campus), Temple University, Make-A-Wish Philadelphia, and Pottstown Cluster of Religious Communities, Merri credits the history of her successful fundraising career to a personal story of triumph. After navigating a family medical crisis, a new capital campaign initiative hosted by the American Cancer Society’s Hope Lodge (which played a key role in her family’s ability to recover), subsequently led to Merri’s consistent volunteer work inspiring her to find a new passion for fundraising and development to help “pay-it-forward”. Cause-driven and good-work focused, Merri has actively sought cause-related opportunities where she could be most impactful and is excited to join PYM as an organization she considers as closely aligned with her personal values. Merri plans to spend her first 100 days meeting, listening, connecting, and building new relationships to become a strategic resource for helping PYM advance and achieve key goals.
As a lifelong ELCA Lutheran, she is passionate about music and enjoys singing in church and community choirs. When she is not networking, Merri enjoys hiking and biking in the Wissahickon Valley, reading, watching Philly Sports and discovering new eateries. Merri also serves in her local division as Judge of Election.
On April 3rd, Cecilia Filauro joined PYM as Executive Assistant to General Secretary, Christie Duncan-Tessmer. Cecilia studied journalism at Temple University before switching to information science. Prior to joining PYM, Cecilia worked for various Philadelphia startups. She has held positions as a teacher’s assistant and substitute teacher for various Delaware Valley schools where she discovered her love and natural knack for teaching. Cecilia is passionate about community and cooperation and is quickly becoming well known for her patience, positive attitude, and effective workflow. She looks forward to leveraging these skill sets while working closely with PYM general secretary to support projects, schedule meetings, communicate and collaborate with PYM staff as well as the Quaker community at-large. She is excited to join and participate in the good work of PYM.
Born and raised in Southern New Jersey, Cecilia spends her free time reading, writing, making music and enjoys baking. Cecilia volunteers with two mutual aid organizations distributing supplies and connecting people with resources for housing and medical care. She is interested in learning Spanish and plans to pursue a master’s degree in the future.
We encourage you to reach out and welcome our newest team members!
- Merri Brown – mbrown@pym.org
- Cecilia Filauro – cfilauro@pym.org
