The Carbon County Community Foundation announces the appointment of three new members to its volunteer board of directors: Dennis DeMara, Robyn Plesniarski and Melissa Zegley.

The individuals bring a wealth of professional experience, community ties and a shared commitment to strengthening Carbon County.

“We are thrilled to welcome Dennis, Robyn and Melissa to our board,” said Sharon Alexander, president of the community foundation. Each of them brings something distinct and deeply valuable to our foundation — decades of environmental stewardship, deep community connections in health care and civic life, and a profound dedication to wellness and human resilience.

“Together, they reflect the breadth of expertise and heart that makes Carbon County’s philanthropic community so strong. We are excited to grow alongside them as we continue our mission of improving the quality of life for all Carbon County residents, now and forever.”

DeMara, conservation outreach coordinator for the Wildlands Conservancy, brings more than 40 years of experience in conservation, recreation and natural resource leadership in Carbon County and northeastern Pennsylvania.

As former director of Parks and Recreation for Carbon County, he advanced landmark projects including Mauch Chunk Lake Park, the Switchback Gravity Railroad Trail — one of the nation’s earliest rail-to-trails projets — and the development of the D&L Corridor.

His work supported award-winning conservation partnerships and helped protect more than 30,000 acres of open space.

He currently serves as conservation outreach coordinator for Wildlands Conservancy, continuing his lifelong dedication to environmental stewardship and regional collaboration.

Plesniarski, physician liaison for Lehigh Valley Health Network Jefferson, joins the foundation board with deep roots in the Carbon County community — both personally and professionally.

In her role as a physician liaison with LVHN Jefferson’s business and development team, she brings experience in relationship-building and community outreach.

She is a Carbon Chamber Ambassador, a Rotarian and a founding member of the Friends of CCTI charitable fund.

An enthusiastic volunteer, Plesniarski regularly donates her time to local events including the Veterans Day dinner and the Dimmick Library.

A mom of twin boys graduating this year, Plesniarski is excited to bring her network and energy to the community foundation with the goal of deepening awareness of the organization’s impact across Carbon County.

Zegley, founder of Zen with Zegley LLC and patient experience specialist, is a 500-hour yoga teacher, grandmaster of meditation, ayurvedic wellness practitioner, and reiki master based in Northeastern Pennsylvania.

In 2016, she co-founded Zen with Zegley LLC, a heart-centered wellness practice offering yoga, meditation, reiki, ayurveda and workshops both in-person and online.

Alongside her teaching, Zegley brings nearly 25 years of experience as a patient experience specialist in health care, supporting people through vulnerable moments with compassion and steadiness.

She is an active member of the 20/20 Circle, volunteers with Sync Recovery, and has offered community yoga and meditation programming through the Palmerton Area Library. Helping people find wellness isn’t just her profession — it’s her purpose. board of directors

The Carbon County Community Foundation is governed by a volunteer made up of residents, business owners, and community leaders from across Carbon County. Board members bring a broad range of professional expertise, lived experience and diverse perspectives that guide the foundation’s work and strengthen its impact.

The foundation is committed to inclusive leadership and seeks board members who are knowledgeable about the educational, cultural, civic, public and charitable needs of the community. Board members serve three-year terms and may serve up to three consecutive terms, with the board composed of up to 15 members and new directors elected on a rolling basis.

The board officers are: chair, Steve Kresge, retired; vice chair, Tammy Trimbur, Lehigh Valley Health Network; treasurer, Joe Mastriani, CPA, Buckno Lisicky & Company, CPAs; and secretary, Barbara Green, retired.

Directors are: Bill Allison, retired; Joseph Bennett, Bennett Family Properties; Dennis DeMara, Wildlands Conservancy; Marianne Eisenhauer, The Neffs National Bank; Richard Forgay II, Business Leadership Mastery LLC; Marlyn Kissner, Pocono Mountains Visitors Bureau; Richard Nothstein, retired; Robyn Plesniarski, Lehigh Valley Health Network; and Melissa Zegley, Zen with Zegley.