Leadership Team
Mark Kurzenknabe - Executive Director
Mark was named executive director of children’s services in 2021. It is his goal to support the kids and make every effort to help them to succeed. He served as assistant director of children’s services from 2004 to 2020.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in recreation and leisure services management from East Stroudsburg University and a master’s degree in strategic leadership from Elizabethtown College. He is a 5th generation Mason and member of Robert Burns Lodge No. 464, Harrisburg, and the Scottish Rite – Valley of Harrisburg. He resides in Hummelstown with his wife and two sons. He enjoys traveling, hiking and being outdoors.
Paula Haldeman - Assistant Director
Paula was named assistant director of children’s services in 2021. She previously served as the social service worker. She loves working with children, helping them to succeed in life and have meaningful relationships with their families.
Paula has her bachelor’s degree from York College of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree from Villanova University. She and her husband reside in Elizabethtown, and she has three grown children. In her off time, she enjoys being with her family, attending arts and craft fairs, shopping at antique stores and traveling. Fall and the holidays are Paula’s favorite times of year.
Scott Cranston - Department Coordinator
Scott finds great joy in being a positive influence in the lives of children. He has more than a decade of experience as a houseparent and most recently served as the activity coordinator for Masonic Village’s former Adult Daily Living Center. In his free time, Scott coaches youth sports teams, plays golf and spends time with his wife, two children and their family dog, Cinnamon.
Lauren McEwen - Education Coordinator
Lauren joined the children’s home in 2023. In her role, she oversees the after-school tutoring program and attends IEP (individualized education plan) meetings and parent/teacher conferences, communicates with teachers and makes sure the students’ schedules are correct. She also helps those attending college with finding housing, buying books/materials and more. Lauren uses her prior experience teaching special education at private and public schools to advocate for and make sure all the students’ needs are met. She holds a bachelor’s degree in elementary and special education from Misericordia University.
Rebecca Sears - Social Worker
Michele Stanford - Administrative Assistant
Michele began working at the Masonic Children’s Home in April 2024. Prior to her new role, Michele was a program assistant for Lancaster-Lebanon Intermediate Unit 13, where she provided administrative support for the education service agency for schools in Lancaster and Lebanon counties. She studied at York Technical Institute, earning a travel and tourism degree. Michele has been married to her husband, Tyler, since 2008 and has two daughters in the Elizabethtown Area School District. She enjoys reading, hiking, gardening, thrifting, coffee shops and walking her new puppy, Chase, around town.
Mark Kurzenknabe - Director
Mark was named director of children’s services in 2021. It is his goal to support the kids and make every effort to help them to succeed. He served as assistant director of children’s services from 2004 to 2020.
He earned a bachelor’s degree in recreation and leisure services management from East Stroudsburg University. He is a 5th generation Mason and member of Robert Burns Lodge No. 464, Harrisburg, and the Scottish Rite – Valley of Harrisburg. He resides in Hummelstown with his wife and two sons. He enjoys traveling, hiking and being outdoors.
Paula Haldeman - Assistant Director
Paula Haldeman was named assistant director of children’s services in 2021. She previously served as the social service worker. She loves working with children, helping them to succeed in life and have meaningful relationships with their families.
Paula has her bachelor’s degree from York College of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree from Villanova University. She and her husband reside in Elizabethtown, and she has three grown children. In her off time, she enjoys being with her family, attending arts and craft fairs, shopping at antique stores and traveling. Fall and the holidays are Paula’s favorite times of year.
Scott Cranston - Department Coordinator
Scott finds great joy in being a positive influence in the lives of children. He has more than a decade of experience as a houseparent and most recently served as the activity coordinator for Masonic Village’s former Adult Daily Living Center. In his free time, Scott coaches youth sports teams, plays golf and spends time with his wife, two children and their family dog, Cinnamon.
Alison Izer-Bowman - Social Service Worker
Alison Izer-Bowman was named social service worker in 2021. She previously served as the program manager for the former Masonic Village Adult Daily Living Center. A lifelong learner committed to making the world more equitable, Alison also has years of experience working in counseling and as a therapist focused on youth and family issues. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from York College of Pennsylvania, a Master of Social Work from Temple University and a license in social work. In her free time, she enjoys gardening, reading, traveling and spending time with her husband and mother.
Lauren McEwen - Education Coordinator
Donna Jean Culbertson - Administrative Assistant
Donna moved to Elizabethtown from Johnstown in 1978, and began work at Masonic Village in 1994 in the human resources department. She transferred to the children’s home in May 2001. She graduated from Lancaster School of Cosmetology as a certified massage therapist. A member of Grace Brethren Church, as well as a youth group leader, she has directed Bible School and fundraisers for the congregation. Her favorite pastimes include spending time with her children and grandchildren, making rag quilts, photography, painting pictures, working in the yard and cleaning the house.