SAFE BERKS
Safe Berks has announced two key staffing updates that strengthen the organization’s commitment to serving survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault throughout Berks County.
Eniyah Cooper (Courtesy Safe Berks)
Eniyah Cooper has been named donor and board relations administrator. In this role, she will support donor engagement, maintain stewardship systems, coordinate board communications, and help advance the strategic fundraising efforts.
Cooper has more than seven years of experience that includes managing confidential records, supporting leadership operations, coordinating reporting, and maintaining efficient systems.
Erica Caceres has stepped into the role of interim director of development. Caceres previously served on the Safe Berks board of directors beginning in the summer of 2025, giving her direct insight into the organization’s governance and strategic priorities.
Erica Caceres (Courtesy Safe Berks)
She has more than 12 years of experience in communications, marketing, and nonprofit advancement. Since joining Safe Berks, Caceres has led strategic messaging initiatives, expanded community partnerships, increased digital engagement, and supported major fundraising efforts including the organization’s 50th Anniversary Celebration of Peace.
“These appointments reflect strong leadership and a commitment to stewardship,” Beth Garrigan, chief executive officer, said in a statement.
ALVERNIA UNIVERSITY
Rodney S. Ridley Sr., Ph.D., RTTP, Alvernia University chief economic, community and strategic development officer, has been named to the City & State Pennsylvania 2026 Black Trailblazers list. Ridley was honored in February at the Marriott Old City in Philadelphia, among a group of influential Black Pennsylvanians who are making a meaningful impact across the Commonwealth, as well in a recent magazine issue.
Rodney S. Ridley Sr., PhD. (Courtesy Alvernia University)
The annual recognition highlights Pennsylvanians who are shattering glass ceilings, setting records and making history across sectors and communities statewide, according to City & State. Ridley was recognized for The O’Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship’s community impact and its growing national reach, including work supported by a National Science Foundation grant.
Ridley was also recognized as a valued Greater Reading community leader at a Black History Month celebration hosted by state Rep. Manny Guzman on Feb. 18.
Since 2020, Ridley has been instrumental in developing and sustaining the university’s Reading CollegeTowne initiative. Under his leadership, the O’Pake Institute served more than 300 local businesses, trained 75 students, and awarded over $175,000 in microgrants. Ridley launched the Berks County Cultural Coalition and O’Pake’s Technology Transfer Office, which received its inaugural patent in 2022. Ridley received local and international awards for his impact on the region’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
FULTON FINANCIAL CORP.
Fulton Financial Corp. Chief Human Resources Officer Bernadette Taylor will retire from Fulton on June 5, 2026.
Bernadette Taylor(Courtesy Fulton Financial Corp.)
Following Taylor’s retirement, Karen Grafje, currently director of total rewards and HR Solutions, will be promoted to chief human resources officer.
Taylor joined Fulton in 1994 as corporate training director and was promoted to leadership positions in Human Resources, becoming chief HR officer in 2015.
Karen Grafje (Courtesy Fulton Financial Corp.)
Grafje joined Fulton three years ago, bringing more than 25 years of experience in human resources. She holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s degree in industrial and labor relations, both from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Grafje’s certifications include Senior Professional in Human Resources, Society for Human Resource Management – Senior Certified Professional, and Certified Compensation Professional.
SAXTON & STUMP
Environmental and commercial litigator Stefanie Pitcavage Mekilo has joined Saxton & Stump’s suburban Harrisburg office, reinforcing the law firm’s commitment to helping businesses navigate regulatory risk and high-stakes disputes.
Mekilo is a shareholder in the law firm’s Environmental, Workplace Safety and Utilities Group, and its Business Litigation and Strategic Solutions Group.
Stefanie Pitcavage Mekilo (Courtesy Saxton and Stump)
Before entering private practice, Mekilo spent more than a decade as a judicial law clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, where she drafted more than 200 judicial opinions for federal judges and worked closely with the court on jury and bench trials, as well as emergency injunction proceedings.
In her environmental practice, Mekilo counsels clients facing regulatory challenges, enforcement action, and litigation arising from environmental and energy laws, agency action, and compliance obligations. She regularly represents clients before state and federal agencies, including in permitting, compliance, and citizens’ group appeals before the Pennsylvania Environmental Hearing Board, and in proceedings seeking judicial review of agency action. Mekilo’s business litigation practice spans a wide range of complex disputes, including restrictive covenants, fiduciary duty, and business tort litigation, emergency injunction proceedings, statutory disputes, class actions, multidistrict litigation, and related commercial matters.
Mekilo serves as president of the Middle District of Pennsylvania Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and co-chair of the organization’s CLE Committee. She is also a member and immediate past president of the YWCA of Greater Harrisburg Junior Board and previously served on the organization’s board of directors.
Mekilo received her law degree from Widener University Commonwealth Law School, where she graduated summa cum laude and later returned as an adjunct professor. She earned her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Bloomsburg University.
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