About us
helping others
About Us
Sharon Deitrick Founder of The Halo Foundation
September 11, 2001 was a defining day in our lives as we encountered the darkest tragedy on US soil. Out of this catastrophe, however, we experienced the very best of the American Spirit. Unity rippled across our nation and it was the call for a small design firm in Akron, Ohio to step up and realize how to assist. As the facts began unraveling we learned how the heroes on Flight 93 gave their lives to keep the plane from destroying our Nation’s Capital. Sharon Deitrick, at Deitrick & Associates Interiors was inspired to commit to the families of Flight 93 that she would assist with creating the Memorial to tell their story. The HALO Foundation was born and our target audience would be students. The students helped raise funds for the Memorial and the legacy of the 40+1 Heroes would carry on. With the completion of the Memorial we now focus on our community, looking to help those around us in times of disaster.
Halo exists to develop students as servant leaders by recognizing specific overlooked needs in the community and illuminating the selfless example of the heroes of Flight 93 as our model.
Our Vision
To build a stronger, more compassionate Akron by uniting local youth, community partners, and national relief efforts in a shared mission of service and leadership.
Our Vision
To empower the next generation of leaders in Akron to serve with compassion at home and across the nation—strengthening communities through service, leadership, and unity in times of need.
Meet Our Board
Anne Jorgensen
Board President
After her 20+ years of service to the University of Akron, Anne “retired” and became the Building Substitute Teacher for St. Vincent-St. Mary High School. Anne has been active with the HALO Foundation since 2017.
James Mellody
Treasurer
Jim retired from a long career in Energy Services and became a Mathematics Teacher. He is currently at the Chesterton Academy in Akron. Jim has been active with the HALO Foundation since 2016.
Barbara Berger
Board Secretary
Barb began volunteering with the HALO Foundation with her boys in 2010. She joined the team at HALO in 2013 as the Bookkeeper, and has been working in various roles since then. Barb joined the Board as Secretary in 2020.
Andrea Stainbrook
Chief Operating Officer
Andrea joined us at the HALO Foundation after retiring from her career in Retail Operations Management as an Asset Protection Manager. She has been with HALO since 2023.
Julie Ball
Board Member
Julie is employed by Mont Surfaces and oversees operations for Panel Composite Systems. She has been active with the HALO Foundation since 2017.
Pete Mahoney
Board Member
.Pete retired from his life long career of Football and giving back to the community via youth football coaching. Pete recently became the Special Coordinator at the Center for Student Involvement at Kent State University. Pete has been a volunteer with the HALO Foundation from the beginning and officially joined the board in 2024.
Karin Neep
Board Member
Karin had been volunteering with the HALO Foundation with her aunt, Jane Carl (d.2021) since the beginning of HALO. Karin joined the HALO Board in 2025. Karin helped coordinate the efforts in Asheville, NC since she is from the area.
Maggie Nyeste
Board Member
Maggie has been a volunteer with the HALO Foundation since the very beginning. She and her husband Michael (d. 2025) coordinated all of the fundraisers necessary to keep the programs running. Maggie was recently recognized at the 2025 Wings of Charity Gala for her 25 years of service to the HALO Foundation.
Bob Stainbrook
Board Member
Bob retired from a career in the automotive finance industry after “retiring” as a professional baker. He joined us as the bookkeeper at the HALO Foundation in 2023, and joined the board at the same time as his wife Andrea.
Phil Wenk
Board Member
Phil Wenk is a psychologist and philanthropist. He founded the Wenk Family Charitable Foundation that serves underserved or not served children and families needing help through childhood trauma. He is an adjunct professor at John Carroll University and teaches Master level classes. He received the National Point of Light from George H W Bush.
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HALO HAPPENINGS
Our monthly newsletter
Meet Our Team
Andrea Stainbrook
Chief Operating Officer
Andrea coordinates the day to day operations of the HALO Foundation while meeting with local leaders and schools to enhance our community and grow student leaders.
Matthew Turner
Administrative Strategist
Matthew spends his days planning and designing programs for student involvement and charitable interactions for the HALO Foundation. Mathew also assists with organizational vision, planning and execution.
Barbara Berger
Office Administration/Communications
Barb is the Administrative Communication Coordinator. She answers all of the telephones, replies to emails, keeps mailing lists up to date, and handles all mailings. Social media and the websites are under her jurisdiction as well. She has the uncanny ability to tell you exactly where something is located in the files or office.
