Millersville, Maryland – October 1, 2025 – The Coordinating Center, Maryland’s premier nonprofit care coordination organization for individuals with disabilities and complex medical needs, is proud to announce the appointment of three new members to its Board of Directors: Dr. Shereé M. Tilley-Whitaker, Alexis Malfesi, and Caitlin Houck. Each will serve a three-year term beginning October 1, 2025.

“We are thrilled to welcome these accomplished professionals to our Board,” said Teresa Titus-Howard, PhD, MHA, MSW, CCM, President and CEO of The Coordinating Center. “Their leadership, lived experience, and expertise in healthcare and education will greatly enhance our mission to improve outcomes for those we serve.”

Dr. Shereé M. Tilley-Whitaker is Coordinator for Student Access and Achievement at the Howard County Public School System. A seasoned educational leader, speaker, and equity advocate, she brings more than 20 years of experience in advancing student success. Dr. Tilley-Whitaker also brings a personal connection to The Coordinating Center as a parent advocate, partnering with the organization for over a decade to support her son Darren, who lives with a life-altering injury sustained at age five.

Alexis Malfesi serves as a Value-Based Care and Payment Specialist at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), within the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). With a strong background in healthcare strategy and policy, she leads national efforts to improve care for populations with complex health needs through value-based care models and quality initiatives.

Caitlin Houck is Executive Director of the Maryland-National Capital Homecare Association. A Registered Nurse and senior healthcare executive, Houck brings extensive experience in home and community-based care. Over the past decade, she has led high-performing organizations across clinical, operational, and regulatory domains in the D.C. metro region.

The Coordinating Center also announces a transition in Board leadership. After fourteen years of dedicated service, including four years as Chair, James Karpook will step down from his role and continue to support the organization in a consultant capacity as a non-voting member for the next year. The Center extends its deepest gratitude to James for his visionary leadership and steadfast commitment to advancing the mission.

Succeeding James as Chair is Carole Taylor, a Board member for ten years whose appointment marks a significant moment in The Coordinating Center’s continued evolution. Carole brings a unique blend of professional expertise and personal passion to her new role. As Chief Operating Officer for The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore, she oversees technology and operations for more than ten local nonprofit organizations.

Her leadership is distinguished by a deep commitment to operational excellence and strategic governance, demonstrated through her prior role as Chair of the Governance Committee, where she championed best practices in board performance and CEO evaluation. Carole’s advocacy is rooted in lived experience. As a Parent Representative and mother of an autistic child, she brings heartfelt compassion and an unwavering dedication to the mission of The Center. Her voice has consistently emphasized the importance of inclusive leadership and thoughtful policy development, guiding the board through complex decisions with clarity and empathy.

In addition to Carole’s appointment, the Board welcomes several other leadership transitions:

• Hillery Tsumba, a long-standing Board member and Chief Operating Officer at the Primary Care Coalition, will serve as Vice Chair for two years, bringing strategic insight and a collaborative approach to governance.
• Norma McCowin, Snr. Director Program Management at Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc., steps into the role of Secretary for two years, continuing her work to strengthen board operations and transparency.
• Scott Reifsnyder, CFO of GT Mid Atlantic, will remain in his role as Treasurer for one additional year, ensuring continuity and fiscal oversight during this period of strategic growth.
• Yanfen Wu, CPA and CFO at Kranz Consulting, joins the Executive Committee as an at-large member for one year, contributing her financial expertise and passion for mission-driven work.

The Center also announces that Adith Kumar Thummalapalli, Project Engineer, City of Salisbury, as chair of the Board’s Quality Committee. A passionate advocate for accessibility and inclusion, Adith brings both professional insight and lived experience to this role. His appointment reflects The Center’s commitment to elevating consumer voices in quality improvement efforts.

Together, this dynamic leadership team reflects The Coordinating Center’s commitment to excellence, inclusion, and community impact.

ABOUT THE COORDINATING CENTER
Your Health, Your Journey. Our Priority. ^TM

Founded in 1983, The Coordinating Center has been a leader in care management, delivering person-centered support to individuals with disabilities and complex medical needs. Its mission is to partner with people of all ages and abilities and those who support them to achieve their goals for independence, health, and meaningful community living.

For more information visit coordinatingcenter.org.