Josh Fields – The Next Step Programs

Josh Fields, the visionary behind The Next Step Programs, has carved a niche in the disability community of Bucks County from Doylestown, PA. As the co-founder and Executive Director, Josh's journey began in 2015 during his high school years alongside a friend, driven by the ambitious goal of ensuring individuals with disabilities could enjoy an everyday life post-high school. This dream has since materialized into a reality with The Next Step (TNS) emerging as a respected Medicaid waiver provider, a beacon for the local disability community, and a supportive pillar for countless families.

A proud alumnus of Penn State University, Josh holds a degree in Labor & Employment Relations. His contributions to social impact were recognized in December 2023 when Forbes honored him on their 30 Under 30 list. His endeavors have not only caught the attention of Forbes but have also been highlighted by NBC10, ABC Action News, and Congressman Fitzpatrick, who has twice celebrated Josh as a hometown hero.

Under Josh's leadership, The Next Step Programs are dedicated to enriching the lives of young adults with disabilities through social engagements, community-based day programs, and skill development initiatives as they transition from high school. Looking ahead, Josh is steering TNS towards innovative housing solutions and long-term care options, continuing his commitment to enhancing the quality of life for individuals with disabilities.

Paul Muller – Team Toyota

Paul Muller is the president of the Team Toyota Auto Group with dealerships in Lawrenceville, NJ and Langhorne and Glen Mills, PA. He purchased his first dealership, the Lawrenceville location,
in 1983 has since purchased and sold a number of dealerships in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Born in Hoboken, NJ, Paul was raised and has lived for most of his life in the Washington Crossing
PA area, where he resides today. He graduated from Council Rock High School in Newtown, Pa and attended Rider University, where he was granted an honorary PhD in 2022. 
He is a veteran of the United States Army and served in Vietnam. He has been the President of the Tri State Toyota Dealers Association for 31 years which is responsible for all the Toyota adverting and philanthropic efforts in the Philadelphia region. He has served on numerous Toyota Boards and his dealerships are consistent winners of many of Toyota’s highest awards. He has been honored by a number of philanthropic and service organizations including the Caron Foundation Treatment Centers, the Boy Scouts of America, The Philadelphia Police Athletic League and The Philadelphia Advertising Association. Paul and his wife Beverly of 54 years met while in high school and together have raised four sons who work in the family business. They have three daughters-in-law and and five grandchildren.

Janet Brennan - Shamrock Reins

Janet is the Founder of Shamrock Reins and serves as President and Chairperson of the Board of Directors. She also serves as Executive Director managing the operations of Shamrock Reins.  As the Founder of Shamrock Reins, Janet has always loved horses and their interactions with people. Janet believes strongly in the healing powers of horses and her goal is to bring these powers to those in need. Janet also firmly believes that as US citizens we have a responsibility to our Veterans, Military Personnel, and their Families and that by bringing horses together with our Heroes and their Families we will be able to assist them in their recovery and healing and assimilation back into civilian life.

Janet’s first career was as a Emergency Department/Trauma Nurse and prior to incorporating Shamrock Reins, Janet spent 20 years in the Pharmaceutical Biotechnology outsourcing industry serving in various leadership and management roles. Most recently Janet held the position of Chief International Affairs Officer and Executive Vice President at ReSearch Pharmaceutical Services, Inc., (RPS) a clinical research organization located in Ft. Washington, Pennsylvania. While in this position Janet was responsible for incorporating in 65 countries and for managing the operations in Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East, Africa, and Latin America.  Janet also served on the Board of Directors of RPS for 4 years.  

Prior to her tenure at RPS, Janet held various Director and management positions at Kendle International, Omnicare (formerly IBAH), and Covance (formerly PACT).  Janet began her nursing career in the cardiac unit at Bryn Mawr Hospital in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania followed by a position as Clinical Nurse in the Emergency Department of Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  Janet is a member of the Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship International (PATH Intl.) and obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Nursing from Thomas Jefferson University, College of Allied Health Sciences.  

Ryan Manion - Travis Manion Foundation 

Ryan Manion has dedicated her life to supporting our nation’s military, veterans, and families of fallen heroes. She is inspired by the character, leadership, and sacrifice of her brother 1st Lt.Travis Manion, USMC, who made the ultimate sacrifice in the Al Anbar province of Iraq while drawing fire away from his wounded comrades on April 29th, 2007. Now the CEO of one of the nation’s leading veteran service organizations –Travis Manion Foundation – Ryan works to empower veterans and families of fallen heroes to inspire future generations to be change makers in their communities. Ryan is the co-author of The Knock at the Door, in which she shares her personal story of grief, and how she moved forward to be the best version of herself. She is also the host of The Resilient Life podcast, where her guests discuss their experiences with resilience and how they have turned their challenges into opportunities of growth.

Patrick Murphy 

Mr. Patrick J. Murphy was appointed as the 32nd Under Secretary of the Army and Chief Management Officer (CMO) by President Obama on Jan. 4, 2016. Mr. Murphy assumed duties as the Acting Secretary of the Army three days after being sworn-in and remained in the position until May 18, 2016. In this position, he led the management and operation of the Army, which would rank as a Fortune 10 company if it was a public company. His focus was on dynamic and efficient business operations, transforming the Army to be more innovative and responsive, expanding the Soldier for Life initiative, public-private partnerships, and aggressively utilizing social media to tell the Army story to new audiences in a more compelling way.

Prior to his confirmation, Mr. Murphy was a litigation partner and served as an outside general counsel for small businesses at a national law firm. Previously he served as a Special Assistant for the Southern District of New York.

From 2011-2015, Mr. Murphy was a television anchor and contributor to NBC Universal and executive producer for MSNBC’s “Taking the Hill,” a national security policy show which specialized in breaking down the civil- military divide that’s occurred with an all-volunteer force.

From 2007-2011, Mr. Murphy served as the first Iraq War Veteran elected to the U.S. Congress, representing the Eighth Congressional District of Pennsylvania. He served on the Armed Services, Select Intelligence, and Appropriations committees, responsible for the $3.4 trillion budget. He co-authored several initiatives including the 21st Century GI Bill, the Repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, and Hire Our Heroes legislation. In 2008, he was instrumental in establishing the Washington Crossing National Veterans Cemetery for over 300,000 veterans. He also authored the Improper Payments Bill, which has saved the American taxpayer tens of billions of dollars.

Mr. Murphy, a third generation veteran, was commissioned as a second lieutenant and later served in the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General’s Corps as a criminal prosecutor and as an assistant professor in the Department of Law at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY. Following 9/11, he served two overseas deployments-Tuzla, Bosnia in 2002 and Baghdad, Iraq in 2003-04. While serving in Iraq with the 82nd Airborne Division, he led a Brigade Operational Law Team (BOLT) and earned a Bronze Star for his service. Overseeing the justice system for the 1.5 million Iraqis in south central Baghdad, he prosecuted two high-level terrorists in Iraq’s highest court.

The Peace Center

Mission: To educate, empower and support individuals and organizations in order to prevent violence, promote peaceful resolution of conflict and foster inclusive, equitable and safe communities locally, nationally and worldwide. The Peace Center has been working for community peace and social justice since 1982. Our programs are designed to reduce violence and conflict in our schools, homes and communities through a multicultural, community-based approach. We are dedicated to building peace by understanding and managing conflict in our community, our nation and our world.

Barbara Asteak Kaner

Staff Attorney
Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania

Barbara graduated from Lafayette College in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and Law and earned her law degree from Widener University School of Law in 1985.  While there, she was a member of the Moot Court Honor Society.

After graduation from law school Barbara's first position as an attorney was as an Assistant District Attorney in the Northampton County District Attorney's Office from 1985 to 1987.  From 1988 to 1999, Barbara was an attorney in the Bucks County District Attorney's office.

After resigning from that position to be a stay-at-home Mom, Barbara returned to the practice of law in 2002  as a Staff Attorney for Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania, representing plaintiffs in Protection From Abuse matters.

Barbara has remained in this position since that time because she finds the work to be extremely rewarding.
 

Program Sponsors:

Shelly Law Offices, LLC

Advisors Mortgage Group

Rockstar Closers

Marcolla Realty

Thomas Kennedy Group - Keller Williams

C & N Bank

Fox Rothschild, LLP

Grim, Biehn & Thatcher, P.C.

Holland & Knight, LLP

The MCS Group, Inc.

Pathfinders IT

Bernadette Heenan

Shamrock Reins

The Peace Center

Sightline by Consilio

 

Donors:

Grim, Biehn & Thatcher, P.C.

Hon. Stephen A. Corr

Elizabeth W. Fritsch, Esq.

John J. Hart, Esq.

Dianne C. Magee, Esq.

Sean Plankey