Leadership
The Shared Humanity Project team brings a combined 60 years of experience, including extensive on-the-ground initiatives that have produced measurable results. We are dedicated to using our resources to end poverty in the U.S. and will continue scaling our efforts nationally until it is eradicated.
Our Executive Director and co-founder
Dr. Mark Bergel has nearly 40 years of leadership in poverty and health-related initiatives. He has founded and led multiple organizations that have impacted hundreds of thousands of people in poverty. Honored as Washingtonian of the Year and inducted into multiple Halls of Fame, he consults globally on innovative poverty solutions, emphasizing community-driven approaches.
Dr. Bergel’s perspectives differ from mainstream approaches to poverty, believing that the solutions lie not with government or even nonprofits but with individuals and groups in every sector — and especially with people in the communities where opportunities are most needed.
Our Board of Directors
Dr. Katherin Ross Phillips, Treasurer & SHP Co-Founder
Katherin is a co-founder of The Shared Humanity Project. She worked for many years studying the reach and effectiveness of policies that support low-income working families. Katherin received her Bachelors degree from Johns Hopkins University and her Masters and Doctoral degrees from Syracuse University.
Dr. Pamela Loprest, Vice President
Pam is a Senior Fellow and Labor Economist at the Income and Benefits Policy Center at The Urban Institute. Her research focuses on policies to enhance the economic well-being of disadvantaged persons through work. Pam received her Ph.D. in economics from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Polly Poffenroth, Secretary
Polly is a mental health counselor with extensive experience working with adolescents and adults in diverse settings. She holds a Masters of Arts degree in Community Counseling and a Masters of Science degree in Health Education and Promotion.
Lisa Stranksy, Member
Lisa has been instrumental in the development of multiple nonprofit organizations focusing on poverty eradication. Lisa has also been a top producer in the Washington area residential real estate market for the last 20 years and was recognized by the Wall Street Journal and Real Trends as one of the top 1000 agents in the country. Lisa earned a Bachelors from Miami University and a Masters from American University.
Dr. Mark Bergel, President
Mark is a co-founder of The Shared Humanity Project. Mark has led efforts at both the university and grassroots levels, creating programs and services that have served more than 300,000 children and adults living in poverty. Mark received his Bachelors degree from Northwestern University and his Masters and Doctoral degrees from American University.