CODI's BOARD of DIRECTORS
_jfif.jpg)
Mary Pat Braudis, (2014 - present) Board Chair
Mary Pat lives in Galloway, NJ. She has her Doctorate in Business Administration. She is the Associate Professor/Assistant Chair of NJ Programs in the College of Business at Wilmington University in Delaware. As a Visiting Instructor at Richard Stockton College (2013-2014), she was assistant director in the School of Graduate and Continuing Studies and program coordinator of the Addictions Counselor Training, a program that has trained hundreds of addiction professionals. She expanded the program to include a wide range of recertification programming.
Mary Pat has taught in various settings as an Instructor and Adjunct Teacher from South Dakota to Arkansas, Florida, and Pennsylvania. She is a licensed Nursing Home Administrator and has work experience in Health Systems and Senior Care facilities. She is a member of several organizations dedicated to the education and support of children with Autism and their families.
Dan Kelly (2013 - present) Vice-Chair
Dan lives in Rosenhayn, NJ, and is the retired President of Community Quest, Inc. He has both undergraduate and graduate degrees in Psychology and extensive experience in providing assistance and support services to persons with disabilities, veterans, and other at-risk populations. Mr. Kelly has served with ACCESS-NJ, American Conference on Diversity, Atlantic Community Human Services Council, and many other organizations that service at-risk populations and individuals with disabilities. His vision and experience serving similar groups will enhance the services CODI can provide to its consumers and provides a partner with similar ideals and goals.
Linda Carney, President & CEO
Linda received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education at William Paterson University, Wayne, New Jersey, Master of Arts Degree in Organizational Management from the University of Phoenix, and has completed Doctoral studies in Organizational Leadership. Linda has extensive community involvement as Board Chairperson of the Friends of Jean Webster, Inc., Administrative Chair at Central United Methodist Church, Presenter/facilitator of staff, client, and board of directors training for internal and external community shareholders, Past State Chair of Association for Choices and Community Supports and Employment Services NJ (ACCSES), Vice-Chair of the Workforce Investment Board (WIB) Disabilities Committee, Past Chair of the Casino Control Commission Disabilities Council, Past Chair of the Atlantic County Human Services Advisory Council, Established the County-Wide Social Services Collaborative - Family Care Partnership, Past President of the Atlantic Area Business and Professional Women’s Association, Past Member United Way Board of Directors, Strategic Planning Committee, Needs Assessment, and Finance Committee, and a Past Member of the Atlantic City Education Foundation. Since 2014, Linda has fulfilled one of her dreams of teaching as an adjunct instructor for Wilmington University. In the fall of 2015, she was selected as the Adjunct Professor of the Year for the College of Business.
Joe Cella - Past Chair
Joe was born in Philadelphia, PA, and currently resides in Margate, N.J., where he enjoys long walks by the ocean. He graduated from Holy Spirit High School and has worked in the casino industry for over 40 years. As an employee of Caesars Entertainment, he has developed many great friendships and considers many co-workers' families.
Father Paul Wise (2018 - Present)
As a former Board member and CODI employee, Father Paul is well-versed in our mission to provide employment and housing to adults with disabilities. Father Paul is a retired priest, serving St. Monica's and other parishes in Atlantic City, where he is well-known as an advocate for the under-served and marginalized in the area.
Pastor David Yun (2019 - Present)
Pastor David Yun has been serving cross-cultural ministry since 2001 and has served Lyndhurst UMC, Beverly UMC, Tuckerton UMC, and Central United Methodist Church in Linwood, NJ.
As Central’s Senior Pastor, his responsibilities include administrative leadership throughout all aspects of the church, oversight of all ministries to ensure effective functioning, and leading the church in strategic planning and efforts to ensure long-term member retention and financial sustainability.
His duties also include the development of community outreach programs, counseling of congregants; teaching bible study classes, providing messages of faith and hope weekly through the biblical art of preaching, mentoring, supervising and evaluating of the pastoral staff, and working with the church’s finance team to prepare the church’s annual budget and provide ongoing budget oversight.
Pastor David currently serves on the Board of Ordained Ministry and chairs the continuance sub-committee. He is passionate about giving back to the community and building, nurturing, and growing relationships that enhance resources and build strong community partnerships.
Theresa Zippel (2016 - present)
Theresa joined the CODI Board of Directors in 2016. Theresa has been volunteering at CODI for many years before her Board service and brought with her a deep passion for the organization’s mission, particularly in providing for our client’s daily needs.
The food pantry was created in honor of Michael Zippel Jr., a former CODI consumer who loved the local Food Bank where he volunteered.
In honor of Michael Jr., his parents, Theresa and Michael Sr founded CODI's food pantry.
Their goal was to meet food challenges often faced by individuals with disabilities and disadvantages with limited incomes.
Dr. Peter Contini (2026 - present)
Dr. Contini served as president of Salem Community College from 1997 to 2011. During his presidency, SCC experienced a 55 percent enrollment increase, the launch of innovative degree programs such as nursing, forensic science, nuclear energy technology, and sustainable energy technology, and more than $12 million in facility renovations and construction. In recognition of his transformative leadership, the College renamed its Science and Technology Hall in his honor and awarded him the title of President Emeritus.
A respected leader at the state and regional levels, Dr. Contini has served in numerous influential roles, including chairing the New Jersey Council of County Colleges’ finance committee, leading the NJCCC presidents’ group, and serving on the executive committee of the statewide Presidents’ Council. He has also contributed to economic and workforce development initiatives through appointments to the New Jersey Economic Growth Council, the State Employment Training Commission, and the New Jersey Council for Young Children, among many other local and regional leadership positions.
Dr. Contini’s distinguished career spans more than three decades in New Jersey public education, including service as a teacher, principal, superintendent, Gloucester County Superintendent of Schools, and New Jersey Assistant Commissioner of Education. He has received numerous state and national awards for educational leadership and lifetime service. CODI is honored to benefit from his depth of experience, strategic insight, and longstanding commitment to education and community advancement.
Stephanie Hodel (2026 - present)
Stephanie is a retired legal and compliance professional with over 19 years of experience spanning paralegal work, internal auditing, and litigation support. She spent 10 years as a paralegal, followed by 2 years as an internal auditor specializing in regulatory compliance and risk management. Finally, she spent 7 years self-employed providing litigation support services to law firms handling complex lawsuits.
Her areas of expertise include regulatory compliance, risk management, and thorough documentation through comprehensive policies, procedures, and manuals. She is motivated by a strong commitment to helping organizations maintain compliance with laws and regulations, protecting both their reputation in the community and the safety of the public. Her work emphasizes proactive risk management to prevent legal issues and safeguard organizational integrity.
Stephanie’s career reflects a dedication to supporting organizations in operating responsibly, ethically, and safely, while providing meticulous attention to detail in all aspects of her professional practice.
Stephanie has spent 25 years volunteering with CODI as a board member, board Secretary, Vice President, and finally President. For the last 16 years she has spent at least one day per week in the office working on the last 5 CARF accreditations, creating and updating policies and manuals, attending HIPAA training and creating risk assessments and policies to ensure all phases of the statute were covered, making in-service presentations, as well as jumping in to lend a hand wherever needed.
Stephanie not only volunteers at CODI, but in other places in the community, having served as nursery worker, food pantry volunteer, and on an adult education committee.
