Easton, PA – (February 12, 2026) Shanthi Project is pleased to announce several changes to its Board of Directors, including the appointment of Debora “Debi” Rice as President and Sarah Morgan as Vice President. These appointments mark a significant milestone as the organization builds on the legacy of its outgoing leadership to further its mission of teaching social-emotional resiliency through the practice of mindfulness.
Debi Rice has served on Shanthi Project’s Board for two years, most recently as Chair of the Fund Development Committee. The founder of Lehigh Valley-based Fun-Nominal Events & Marketing, Rice brings decades of event management and branding expertise to the role. During her tenure, she aims to increase and diversify funding while strengthening Shanthi Project’s focus on teen and tween mental health.
Rice’s leadership position at Shanthi Project is motivated by a personal commitment to mindfulness. “Shanthi does work that is so needed for both youth and adults. To share our mission with the community in all different ways, for all different ages, is so important,” said Rice. “On the event planning and marketing side, I can create and grow events that are branded to Shanthi. We can build a lineup of known events that create both awareness and revenue for the organization.”
Working alongside Rice is Sarah Morgan, newly appointed Vice President. Involved with Shanthi Project since 2024, Morgan brings more than two decades of healthcare communications expertise across corporate, agency, and startup environments. A dedicated mindfulness practitioner and trained meditation teacher, Morgan hopes to expand public awareness of Shanthi’s work throughout the Lehigh Valley.
These leadership transitions occur as Tiffany Yurasits and Dave Erickson step down from their respective roles as President and Vice President. Since 2022, Yurasits and Erickson helped strengthen the foundation of the organization and introduce Shanthi Project’s mission to new audiences, working to ensure long-term sustainability.
“Serving as President has been a humbling and inspiring journey,” said Yurasits. “As I pass the baton to Debi, I do so with full confidence. Debi brings a thoughtful leadership style and a clear vision for Shanthi Project’s future.”
Executive Director Kim Hopkins expressed gratitude for both the outgoing and incoming leaders: “On behalf of the Board and the entire organization, I extend our sincere thanks to Tiffany and Dave for their leadership and service as Board President and Vice President. Their steady guidance and strategic insight have strengthened our organization, and we are appreciative of their many contributions. As we move forward, we are thrilled to welcome Debi as President and Sarah as Vice President; their combined expertise and deep dedication to our mission make them the ideal leadership team to guide Shanthi Project’s next chapter.”
About Shanthi Project: Shanthi Project is a nonprofit organization providing evidence-based mindfulness education to more than 5,000 children and adults annually across the Greater Lehigh Valley. For more than a decade, Shanthi Project has been working within schools and in the community to share mindfulness practices that support mental health and well-being.
www.shanthiproject.org
Information provided to TVL by:
Lauren Drabenstott
