Defining Moments: The Life & Leadership of Frances Hesselbein

Stacey D. Hodge currently serves as National Program Associate at the Higher Heights for America PAC, where she oversees candidate research, race analysis and provides support for member relations and fundraising. Ms. Hodge has over two decades of experience as an engineer - first in the public and private sectors, before crossing over into the non-profit sector. She was appointed to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Freight Advisory Committee in 2013 and co-chaired the Committee’s “First and Last Mile Subcommittee,” which focused on mitigating the many issues triggered by urban freight, such as the effect of ecommerce on congestion and traffic, lack of infrastructure and air pollution. During this time, she also held the title of New York City’s Director of the Office of Freight Mobility (where she managed a $6 million annual budget and a staff of 13 employees). Ms. Hodge would later become an Affiliate Member of SBI Strategies, Inc., where she serves as a consultant to organizations committed to improving the lives of others by using sustainable transportation solutions. Ms. Hodge holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Florida Institute of Technology, a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from Purdue University and received a
Financial Success for Nonprofits Certificate from Cornell University in 2018. She resides in the Bronx with her husband of 23 years, Reverend Deacon Michel Hodge of the Parish of St. Charles Borromeo, Resurrection and All Saints in Harlem.

Liz (Pohl) Simasek is a Director and Certified Divorce Financial Analyst at UBS Financial Services, Inc. (J2 Wealth Management) and is registered in multiple states, including New York, Florida and Pennsylvania. She began her career as a financial advisor in 2005 in her hometown of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Prior to earning her position at UBS, Liz worked as a Broker at MBSC Securities Corporation and as an Investment Advisor at PNC Wealth Management, bringing years of experience and knowledge in various areas of finance to her current role. Over the years, Liz has provided essential financial guidance to many high-net-worth families, individuals, corporate pension plans and foundations. In addition, she has accumulated a wealth of experience leading discussions on critical financial decisions such as investment goals, legacy planning, and appropriate asset allocation and cash flow strategies. Liz graduated cum laude from Princeton University with a bachelor’s degree in politics and also worked for both the
PGA Tour and the PGA of America before earning an MBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill.

Liz and her husband Anthony divide their time between Mamaroneck, NY and Charleston, SC. She has been involved in several alumni leadership activities for her alma maters and is currently on the Board of Directors of Astor Services for Children and Families (which provides children’s mental health, child welfare, and early childhood development services in the Bronx and Hudson Valley) and holds a seat on the Board of Trustees of St. Joseph’s Seminary in Yonkers, NY.

Heather Trotta, Executive Vice President, America Media, has more than 20 years of experience in development, communications, strategic planning, and public relations. She has led teams on a broad range of projects including board development, foundation proposals, special events, annual fundraising initiatives, donor stewardship, capital campaigns, and strategic initiatives.

Throughout her career, Heather has worked with dozens of nonprofits including Cristo Rey New York High School, Horizons at Sacred Heart University, Hour Children, Endeavor Therapeutic Horsemanship, and the Council of Churches of Greater Bridgeport. In March 2025, she was profiled by the Jesuit Conference as a woman leader who serves the church and the world through her leadership in Jesuit and Ignatian ministries.

Heather holds a B.S. in public relations from Syracuse University, and completed an accelerated Management Course at Yale’s School of Management Executive Education program. A native of southern California, Heather currently lives in Bedford, New York with her husband and two young sons.

In her spare time, she enjoys tennis, skiing and CrossFit. She is also an active member of Bedford Village Chowder & Marching Club, serves as a lector at St. Patrick’s Church (Bedford), volunteers on the local elementary school Parent Board Association and is a Board member at Boys Team Charity (Westchester) and Westchester Christmas.