Young Professionals Committee

Matt Shipon grew up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania where he attended George School high school. He later went on to attend the Pennsylvania State University where he studied Finance and International Business.

Today, Matt and his brother Seth are Co-Owners of AaronRob Properties, which is a real estate development and management company located in Philadelphia. The company’s current portfolio of properties has been in their family for over three generations.

Building on their years of experience developing and managing real estate, the brothers look to continue to acquire and develop more multi-family residential and commercial mixed use buildings in Philadelphia and its surrounding areas.

Outside of work, Matt has always had a desire for helping others. In addition to being the President of the Young Professionals Committee for the Foundation, Matt is also on the board of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Renaissance Group, which helps the needs of the Jewish community here in Philadelphia and around the world.

When Matt was originally introduced to the Barkann Family Healing Hearts Foundation, he knew immediately that the Foundation was truly something special.

Matt believes wholeheartedly in its mission of helping local families through times of adversity and he hopes that through his leadership position, he can help the Young Professionals Committee and the Foundation continue to grow and develop in the years to come.

Dorothy Rothman grew up in Ventnor City, located in Atlantic County, New Jersey. She attended Holy Spirit High School and later attended La Salle University and studied Information Technology.

Dorothy works for Enterprise Holdings Inc. as a Market Manager for the Greater Philadelphia region. She has years of experience in sales and account management. She also manages sponsorships at Enterprise focusing on the sports industry and universities, which makes her a perfect fit to help with growing corporate partners and sponsorships with The Barkann Family Healing Hearts Foundation.

Dorothy was introduced to The Barkann Family Healing Hearts Foundation through her best friend and Board Member, Mark Maggi. After attending her first event, Holiday Hearts, which she presented a grant to The Barkann Foundation from Enterprise Holdings Foundation, she decided that this was the organization that she would dedicate her time and help heal the hearts of families that are facing adversity or tragedy.

Dorothy is excited about her new role within the Young Professional Committee and is devoted to help grow The Barkann Family Healing Hearts Foundation family through advocacy and dedication.

“Volunteers do not necessarily have the time, they have the heart.” –Elizabeth Andrew

Theresia Kody is a 2011 psychology graduate from St. Joseph’s University. Throughout Theresia’s time at St. Joe’s University, she committed much of her time to service, developing volunteers, and fundraising; this included serving in leadership roles where she was able to develop new initiatives, manage events, and increase funds to serve more people.

Currently Theresia serves as the Greater Philadelphia area as a Business Service Representative with Educational Data Systems, Inc (EDSI) for a contract known as PA CareerLink Philadelphia.

“I am blessed to be a part of this Foundation and strive to do all I can to serve the incredible families of our community. This Foundation is truly a family, a family I am excited to see grow.” – Theresia Kody

To quote Mother Teresa: “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”

Jason Torrance grew up in Greensburg, Pennsylvania and relocated to the Philadelphia area in 2008. He is a graduate of Cabrini College and is currently pursuing his Masters of Leadership Development degree at Penn State Great Valley.

Jason and his wife Lauren, a fellow Young Professionals Committee member, reside in Phoenixville. Jason is a finance professional at Vanguard where he has worked since 2012.

In his spare time, Jason participates in multiple recreational softball and flag football leagues in Chester County. He is an avid sports fan and also enjoys playing golf and traveling.

Jason was introduced to The Barkann Family Healing Hearts Foundation during its inception in 2012 and is an original member of the Young Professionals Committee. He has participated in and organized many foundation events over the years and was asked what being a part of the foundation means to him.

“The foundation is an opportunity to give back. It provides prospective in life. Often times we get caught up in the day to day grind and lose sight of what is really important in the world. The foundation has shown me what matters most in life and has allowed me to impact many lives through the events that we’ve hosted over the years. I have an extended family in the foundation and for that I am grateful.” – Jason Torrance

Lauren Torrance grew up in the suburbs of Philadelphia and currently resides with her husband, a fellow Young Professionals Committee member, in Phoenixville. She is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh and holds a Masters of Business Administration from Penn State University.

Lauren has been with Vanguard, one of the world’s largest investment firms, since 2008. She is currently a Project Lead overseeing change management and communications for large projects.  

Outside of work you can find Lauren coaching cheerleading for Phoenixville Middle School or at Lincoln Financial Field cheering on her beloved Eagles with fellow season ticket holders.

At its inception in 2013, Lauren jumped at the opportunity to join the Barkann Foundation Young Professional Committee.

“This is the first time I’ve ever been intimately involved with a charity, and I could not be happier that I chose the Barkann Foundation. I am so grateful that I get to see firsthand the impact we have on so many families.” – Lauren Torrance