CHS thought leaders

Dr. Rebekah Benedum is the Senior Director of Programs for Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning. A passionate and visionary leader, Rebekah oversees the early childhood programming of CHS across all locations. Rebekah recognizes the importance of a child’s formative years and champions the CHS whole-child and two-generational approaches. With over 15 years of experience in ECE, Rebekah is committed to building strong teams, advancing equity and inclusion, and creating a positive impact on the children and families CHS serves. She is inspired by the opportunity to make a difference in those communities, the state of Pennsylvania, and beyond. Rebekah holds a Doctor of Education degree with a specialization in Early Childhood Education. 

• Areas of Expertise: Curriculum, Project-Based Approach, Play-Based Approach, ECE Professional Development, Leadership 

• Articles: Mitigating Adverse Childhood Experiences in the Early Learning Classroom and Learning Behavioral Skills in an ECE Setting 

Beth Kroutch is the Human Resources Director for Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning. Prior to CHS, Beth was the Vice President of DC Operations for Dollar Tree/Family Dollar. Before that, Beth held multiple roles at Lineage Logistics and at SUPERVALU, including Vice President of Human Resources.  Beth’s extensive and progressively responsible roles in both Logistics/Operations and Human Resources make her essential to CHS, ensuring employees are taken care of so they can provide the most impactful experience for the children we serve. Beth earned her MBA from Lebanon Valley College and a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University. 

• Areas of Expertise: Talent, Professional Development, ECE Employee Wellness 

• Articles: New Year, New Horizons: Navigating the Early Childhood Education Job Market 

Brittany Tomaso, a Hershey native, is the Director of Marketing, Communications & Admissions at Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning. She joined CHS in 2021 as one of its first employees, helping to build and grow awareness of CHS’s mission. Brittany leads marketing, communications, admissions, media relations, events, and strategic partnerships across all CHS Centers. She previously held marketing and enrollment roles at U-GRO Learning Centres and Learning Care Group and worked in communications and events at Hershey Entertainment & Resorts. A parent and early childhood education professional, Brittany is passionate about CHS’s commitment to supporting children and families in need. 

• Areas of Expertise: Admissions, Media Relations 

Brian Engelhardt is the Director of Finance and Shared Services at Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning. Before joining CHS, Brian spent 15 years at Dutch Wonderland, serving most recently as Director of Revenue under both Hershey Entertainment & Resorts and Palace Entertainment. At CHS, he oversees the growth of the organization as it expands to six Early Childhood Education Centers across Dauphin and Lancaster counties. Brian is passionate about CHS’s two-generational approach, helping both children and families build stronger futures. Inspired by a lifelong belief in making a difference, he brings his skills and leadership to an organization that aligns with his values. 

• Area of Expertise: Finance 

Stacy Lewis is the Director of Strategy and Project Management at Catherine Hershey Schools for Early Learning. Stacy brings 30 years of leadership experience in early childhood education, spanning roles from teacher to executive director across private, faith-based, and public sectors. She previously served as CHS’s Director of Finance and Operations before leading the new Strategy & Project Management team. Stacy is passionate about creating access to affordable, high-quality early education and building strong learning communities for children, families, and professionals. A lifelong advocate for innovation and equity, she continues to help shape the future of early childhood education. 

• Areas of Expertise: Measuring Outcomes, Quality Assurance