David Measel Executive Director

David has a degree in Political Science from Wayne State University (Detroit, MI) and is a Pennsylvania Certified Peer Specialist (CPS), CPS Supervisor, and National Certified Peer Specialist. In addition to these certifications he has also completed the enhanced skill trainings of Certified Older Adult Peer Specialist (COAPS) and Certified Wellness Recovery Action Plan (WRAP) Facilitator. He is the former Executive Director of Recovery Connections (a consumer satisfaction team in Lancaster County, PA) where, aside from running the day-to-day operations of the organization, he also developed and delivered trainings based on recovery principles to key stakeholders.

Following this position David was a Certified Peer Specialist and Supervisor at Recovery InSight, a peer run and operated provider agency. At the same time he also served on the Board of Directors of the Pennsylvania Peer Support Coalition where he chaired the bylaws committee and communications committee.

In 2015 David became the Executive Director of the Pennsylvania Peer Support Coalition where he completed a number of projects that help enhance Peer Services in Pennsylvania. In partnership with the Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) and Temple University, David was the lead individual charged with the creation of a three-day Certified Peer Specialists in Crisis Services Training, which went “live” in 2015. He has continued facilitating the crisis training with other individuals he trained in the curriculum ever since. In 2017, in coordination with OMHSAS and the Pennsylvania Certification Board (PCB), David helped lead the workgroup that created the framework for a new formal credentialing process for Pennsylvania CPSs. David is excited to continue to lead the PaPSC as it expands its scope to represent the interests of all peer professionals in Pennsylvania

David has a 12-year old son, Sam; and currently lives in Strasburg, PA with his husband, Ken, and two dogs, Fritz (7-year-old dachshund) and Eli (2-year-old mixed breed).

Keith Elders Director of Operations

Keith works for the Pennsylvania Peer Support Coalition (PaPSC) as our Grant and Project Coordinator. Prior to taking on this role at PaPSC, Keith worked for the Alternative Community Resource Program where he served as Director/MHP of Peer & Recovery Support Services. He has worked as a Peer Based Professional in Pennsylvania for nine years. In addition, Keith has enhanced certifications in Forensic Peer Support through PMHCA and Drexel University, CPS in Crisis Services, as well as Older Adult Peer Support and holds CRS and CPS Supervisor credentials. His unique life experience is what led him to pursue a career in this field, and since beginning this work, he has truly found his passion for helping others in peer-to-peer settings. Through his diligent work ethic, and application of peer-based principles in his own life, he went on to complete his bachelor’s degree at the University of Wisconsin-Stout where he was awarded ‘Student of the Year’ in the Human Development and Family Studies program in 2018 and is currently pursuing his Masters of Public Administration with a focus on non-profit management at Villanova University. Additionally, he was responsible for conducting weekly Seminar I WRAP® groups within the Transitional Housing Unit (THU) at SCI Laurel Highlands where he introduced justice involved males, who were within one year of release, to WRAP® and what it has done for him personally, as well as the potential that it holds in their lives. While at PaPSC, Keith has led the charge in developing an Ethics training to help Peer Based Professionals better understand their Codes of Ethics through the Pennsylvania Certification Board, an LGBTQ+ training designed specifically for Peer Based Professionals, and, in coordination with his teammates and partners, was responsible for writing and obtaining the $1 million “Building a Peer Support Workforce in PA” grant through the Appalachian Regional Commission. Keith strives to continue to empower the individuals he works with and support them in their life goals through the embodiment of peer-based principles, both through the projects he’s played a part in developing, and in every area of his own personal recovery journey.

Abigail Boccardi Experience and Engagement Manager

After earning her CPS certification in 2019 Abigail joined Geisinger Health Plan as one of their first Certified Peer Specialists on the Behavioral Health Case Management Team. In her time there she quickly became the team’s main point of contact for youth and young adults, as well as LGBTQIA+ cases. Once becoming involved with the PaPSC, Abigail volunteered to become a lead for the Coal Region REC and helped both develop and facilitate “When Self-Soothing Becomes Self-Harm”, a training designed for peer professionals on how to support those who experience thoughts of non-suicidal self-injury.

During her time at GHP and volunteering for the PaPSC, Abigail saw the need for education on the role of peer professionals and ways to support them through compassion fatigue, burnout, and vicarious trauma. She joined as the Wellness Coordinator to address that need by helping the Coalition develop and implement wellness retreats and continue to support the state’s RECs. Her work will ensure the PaPSC continues its vision of supporting peer professionals throughout the state with networking and professional development.

Before becoming a CPS, Abigail worked for one of the largest video game companies in the US, running a team that provided community support via social media. When she’s not passionately advocating for peer support you can find her playing and making mods for video games, adding to her board game collection, or designing and running tabletop RPG campaigns.

Shawn Kelley Bridge Program Coordinator

Shawn works for the Pennsylvania Peer Support Coalition (PaPSC) as the Bridge Program Coordinator. In this position Shawn will be responsible for helping individuals who were trained as peer professionals while incarcerated transition back into their communities by supporting them in gaining skills needed to be successful peer professionals.

For the past three years Shawn has also worked as a Certified Recovery Specialist (CRS) for CleanSlate Centers in Scranton, PA. He works with people who utilize Medicated Assisted Treatment (MAT) as their method for recovery. He advocates for their recovery and mental health needs. He assists in getting them involved with counseling services, in-patient treatment services, housing, employment, education, tutoring, and Lackawanna County Treatment court obligations. He advocates for anything that helps people to become the Recovery Rock Stars that they are or will become.

Before working at CleanSlate, Shawn was employed by The Recovery Bank as a CRS and volunteered chairing meetings and organizing fundraisers. Shawn has been a CRS for four years, drawing on personal experience acquired through his own Recovery Journey. Shawn found his way into recovery with the help of Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services (DATS). While there he was introduced to Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) which became his chosen pathway.

Shawn was a facilitator in the Read Aloud Program, helping incarcerated fathers in Delaware Correctional Center read books aloud while being recorded to send to their children. He has been the liaison between CleanSlate and the  Lackawanna County Treatment Court with Judge Barrasse to discuss participants’ progress. Shawn speaks at the University of Scranton, each semester, to students who are majoring in Human Services and Mental Health. He speaks about his past and his recovery journey candidly. He does so knowing that each student will one day meet with someone who is struggling with addiction and/or mental health – someone just like him.  He asks that they learn patience and compassion – just as he was shown at the most crucial part of his life.

Shawn is passionate about helping people achieve long-term sobriety. He is committed to creating an environment that people feel heard and safe. He offers each person he meets the support and help that was offered to him and only asks that they, too, pass it on one day.

Mo Hagen Program Assistant

Mo is a Certified Peer Specialist who uses their lived experience to support others in navigating their own paths to wellness. Their path to peer work began with their own journey navigating mental health conditions, multiple chronic physical health conditions, and physical disability – an experience that often felt isolating and filled with judgement. Finding validation and insight through individuals with similar lived experiences shaped Mo’s commitment to providing that same support to others, and inspired Mo’s belief that peer work is the key to a more accommodating and compassionate society.

After becoming certified as a peer specialist in 2023, Mo worked as a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Coach for a non-profit organization in Chester County, helping the program maintain a strengths-based and peer-focused approach.  While in that role, Mo helped establish a peer program and WRAP workshops to strengthen the role of peers within the organization.  During this time, Mo also volunteered on the PaPSC’s Training and Education committee, and regularly attended virtual drop-in calls to offer support to their fellow peer professionals.

Mo comes to peer work with a diverse background, including years spent designing science curricula, leading community outreach programs, and coordinating employee training. In their current role as Program Assistant for the PaPSC, Mo applies this background as they support peer professionals in the essential work they do.