Our Team | The Welcome Project

Our Staff

Josh Blakesley, M.Div.

(he/him)

Co-Founder and Executive Director,
The Welcome Project PA

Josh grew up in the Midwest before completing a B.A. in Theatre at Northwestern College [IA] and a Masters of Divinity [M.Div.] at Princeton Theological Seminary [NJ]. An ordained minister in the United Church of Christ [UCC], Josh has lived and worked in Iowa, Philadelphia, Hawai’i, Mexico, and Michigan. Currently, he is Pastor of Love In Action UCC, an open and affirming congregation featured in a Vox Media episode of Divided States of Women with Liz Plank and in the Philadelphia Inquirer. Josh has 20+ years of nonprofit experience, including leading workshops and training in corporate, medical, and academic settings, focused on diversity & inclusion, grant writing, fund raising, and program management. Josh is a fellow of Interfaith Philadelphia, designing and coordinating HS and University student groups for interfaith immersion service-learning weeks, called “Alternative Break Interfaith Encounters.” Josh also co-facilitates “How to be an Interfaith Ally” trainings for Philly Peace Day and recently, in Toronto at the Parliament of the World’s Religions. He is founding member of The Society for Faith & Justice, and a Collaborator for Nurturing Justice. He also performs regularly with the dinner theatre company, Without a Cue Productions, and has developed theatre arts curriculum for use in religious and secular settings. Josh also enjoys playing basketball, strumming on the guitar, traveling, learning languages, or making strange and funny faces. He lives in Center City Philly with his life and laugh partner María Elena.

Niki (Nicolette) Kulp, LCSW

(she/her or they/them)

Co-Founder & Associate Executive Director,
The Welcome Project PA

Niki is a Clinical Social Worker from Montgomery County, Pennsylvania. In addition to their work with SAGA, they are currently working as a Psychotherapist with J. Snyder Therapeutic Services in Blue Bell, PA. They have a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Arcadia University and a Master of Social Service from Bryn Mawr Graduate School of Social Work and Social Research. They interned with Mazzoni Center in 2016 and co-founded SAGA Community Center in 2017. They initiated the planning for the first ever Bucks-Mont PRIDE Festival in 2021. Niki feels privileged to be a part of the important work being done by SAGA and The Welcome Project PA with a team of such passionate and talented humans. They will continue to focus their passions for service, social justice, and mental health and wellness toward the goal of increasing support for the LGBT+ individuals of Bucks and Montgomery Counties.

Aimee Sarah Goldsmith

(they/them)

Co-Founder and Assistant Director,
SAGA Community Center

Aimee is a professional artist with a BFA in sculpture from the University of the Arts. Aimee helped to co-found SAGA Community Center and has been integral in program development, planning, implementation, web design, marketing & grant writing. They also assisted with building SAGA's Queer Library and four new therapy offices onsite for WPPA's the mental health program. Their other interests include traveling, hiking the Wissahickon, and crafting handmade wooden jewelry & other commissioned artwork. They enjoy live music, festivals, DIY projects, and spending time with loved ones.

Our Board of Directors

2020-2022

Laurie Schrecengost, Secretary (she/her)
Education Specialist, Lakeside

Adjunct Professor, Immaculata University

Worship & Community Leader, Love In Action UCC

Gerald W. Vassar, Chair (he/him)
President/CEO of Lakeside

Member of WPPA

Organizational Strategist

Elle Anzinger, Treasurer (she/her)

Councilperson/Pro-Tempore, Borough of Hatboro

Geologist, Sediment Remediation Group at Jacobs

Alexander Myers (he/him)

Community Volunteer/LGBTQ+ Advocate
Treasurer of Elm Street Hatboro
Member of Rotary, International
Member of WPPA

Jeff Chirico (he/him)
Realtor@, BHHS Fox & Roach
Freelance Reporter, 6abc Action News

Kai Howard (he/him)
Chief Information Officer,

Accreditation Liaison Officer,

Higher Education

Member/Leader, Love In Action UCC

Member/Leader, SAGA Community Center

Jim Leamon (he/him)

Biopharma Development Director,

Diversity and Inclusion Leader,

Jazz Pharmaceuticals