Brendan Dierman
Student Homeless Initiative Partnership (SHIP) of Frederick County
Brendan works as Case Manager, a position he has filled for 18 months. He is a team player in every sense of the phrase. The role of a Case Manager is often a difficult one, putting Brendan in the middle of various challenging situations. Despite the taxing nature of the work, he is always ready to find a creative approach collaboratively. The students SHIP serves are impacted daily by Brendan’s efforts, achieving goals they may not have thought possible. He helps eliminate barriers for kids who are experiencing homelessness to help them graduate, having hands on opportunities to see their challenges.
He works with them often for long periods of time, and can see growth and changes. “Having a kid tell me I gave him hope” is something that Brendan describes as one of his greatest accomplishments. He is constantly reminded of the positivity SHIP is bringing to students. One of the most important components is the closing out process – the goal is to help them be great self advocates so they can continue their journey on their own. Brendan is also an active member of the Nonprofit Young Professionals Network, working as part of Generation Connect.
“Brendan makes natural connections with our most vulnerable students, bringing out their most positive attributes. I am proud to have him on the SHIP team, helping our students reach successful outcomes.”
-Melissa Muntz, Executive Director
Laura Fernandez
Frederick Health Hospice
Laura works as the first Bilingual Bereavement Counselor with the Hospice Equal Access Bereavement Program. In her position for nearly two years, she exemplifies Hospice’s mission to positively affect the well-being of every individual in the community affected by serious illness, grief and loss, and demonstrates dedication to breaking barriers for all grieving individuals. Through innovative grassroots efforts, Laura has cultivated an engaging and trusting rapport, helping people to express themselves, especially in their native language, which creates more opportunities for connection and healing.
Laura is a leader in supporting grieving children through her collaborative efforts with Frederick County Public Schools and Hospice’s grief camps for school-aged kids. She partners with school staff including counselors and teachers as well as other community resources to ensure continuity of care for students. Laura shares what she considers to be her greatest accomplishment: “Every day I feel accomplished because I am able to reach community members who wouldn’t be able to have access to our services without this program… also, connecting with children and adolescents who are grieving, and allowing me to be part of their journey.”
“I have worked in healthcare for 15 years and Laura is one of the most dedicated, hard-working, and compassionate people I have ever been honored to call part of my team. In an industry that can be emotionally heavy and draining, Laura inspires others to find joy, connection, and fulfillment in their work.” Chloe Bishop, Co-Worker
Visit Frederick Health Hospice’s website
Denise Getzandanner
The Community Foundation of Frederick County
As Philanthropic Services Assistant, Denise has been in this position for four years, starting during the pandemic when all training was virtual. She embodies the mission of “connecting people who care to causes that matter” in an inspiring way. With unwavering passion and a deep commitment to making a positive impact, Denise is an instrumental part of the team. She is the first voice someone hears when calling The Community Foundation. She listens with compassion and warmth and connects people to the appropriate resources.
She works with donors who are often grieving the loss of a loved one in a kind, empathetic manner. Denise is the ultimate team player. She is always willing to lend a hand to her colleagues, join activities and do whatever needs to be done. She is compassionate, has a witty sense of humor and is a good listener. Denise shared that “she is excited to have the opportunity to interact and become more involved with donors, and have more responsibility”. Denise likes to give back to the community in any way she can, spending over 15 years volunteering as an EMT in Walkersville.
“We are lucky to have Denise on our team. She exudes warmth and professionalism. Whatever the need, from answering phones to visiting donors, we can always count on Denise.” Becki DeLauter, Co-Worker
Visit The Community Foundation’s website
Amy Hunt
Heritage Frederick
Amy Hunt is the Curator of Heritage Frederick, after serving at the Fine Arts Museum in Hagerstown. When Amy joined Heritage Frederick two years ago, the team was all newly hired, and this gave the team latitude to think and dream big. Through her research and storytelling, she seamlessly connects the past with the present, engaging with descendants and inviting them to explore our collection. Her collaborative, compassionate, and forward-thinking approach ensures that the stories of the people, places, and artifacts significant to Frederick are preserved and celebrated.
The power of Amy’s job is not only to remember those from the past and preserve their history, but to bring history to life to those in the community. “Even when it’s busy, it’s still fantastic… my dream job!” Amy proclaims excitedly. The Frederick community is truly fortunate to have someone like Amy, whose unwavering dedication to preserving and sharing the stories of our city’s and county’s artifacts, people, and places enriches our collective understanding of Frederick, Maryland’s rich history. Outside of work, Amy has continued to focus her efforts on uplifting history and supporting genealogical research.
“Amy’s dedication to preserving the artifacts at Heritage Frederick, coupled with her skill in connecting with living family members linked to these artifacts, solidify our organization as a trusted and respected entity within the community.” Tonya Hatosy-Stier, Co-Worker
Visit Heritage Frederick’s website