Board & Team
The People Behind the Mission.
Meet the dedicated volunteer board members and consultants working hand-in-hand in creating new opportunities, and strengthening communities, ensuring Ben’s impact continues to grow—one mile at a time.
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7
Board members
2
Consultants
500+
Volunteer on
the road with us
0
Paid b0ard members
100% volunteer
Board
Who We Are
A team united by one shared purpose.
Ben’s Foundation runs on 100% volunteer power. It’s powered by the family who loved Ben, the teachers who taught him, the neighbors who helped raise him, and the volunteers who show up at events ready to lend a hand. We all carry the same assignment: spread the light, joy, and laughter Ben brought into the world.
Our Leadership
Meet the people moving the mission forward.
A small team with a long memory — and a very clear job description.
Marie Banks
Executive DirectorMarie, Ben’s mom, pours her heart into driving Ben’s Foundation forward. As the visionary behind the foundation’s fundraising events, she ensures that every gathering is infused with Ben’s signature energy and the things he loved most. For Marie, leading the foundation is far more than volunteer work—it is a beautiful, living continuation of her love for her son, ensuring his memory keeps racing ahead.
Ben Banks Sr.
Board PresidentBen Sr. co-founded the foundation in his son’s memory and chairs the board that guides it. A lifelong car guy, he keeps the organization honest about what matters most: showing up, staying present, and finishing what we start.
Grace Banks
ConsultantGrace is a Special Education major at Slippery Rock University and the proud big sister of Ben. Driven by her deep love for her brother, she has dedicated her path to supporting and empowering neurodivergent children. Through her studies and future career, Grace ensures that Ben’s vibrant legacy keeps racing forward, translating family devotion into a lifelong mission of impact.
Jessa Egger
Board memberJessa is a Special Education Teacher at the Watson Institute. She was the Banks’ neighbor for many years. Having babysat Ben during her youth, her bond with him inspired her passion for supporting neurodivergent children and pursuing a career in Autism Support. She brings a powerful combination of personal devotion and classroom expertise to the Ben Banks Foundation Board.
Addie Young
Board memberAddie is a Blackhawk High School teacher and Student Council sponsor deeply devoted to serving her community. Her journey with the foundation began when she had Grace Banks as a student, where she was profoundly inspired by Ben’s legacy and the Banks family’s mission. Driven by a heart for supporting grieving youth, Addie established the Cougar Care Scholarship for high school seniors who have lost a parent or sibling, bringing both compassionate leadership and local dedication to the Ben Banks Foundation Board.
Nicole Rodgers
ConsultantKnown lovingly as “Miss Nikki” to Ben Jr’s, Nicole is a Hopewell Middle School Counselor with a heart for service and community advocacy. She brings a powerful devotion to lifting up those in need and supporting youth through life’s challenges. Her deep personal affection for Ben and her professional expertise in student guidance make her a compassionate, grounded leader on the Ben Banks Foundation Board.
William Rodgers
Board memberGeneral Manager of Beaver County Auto and known to Ben Jr. simply as “Mr. Bill,” Bill Rodgers is a key driving force behind the foundation. A master strategist and creative “idea guy,” Bill pairs his extensive business acumen and deep community network with a heartfelt commitment to his car buddy, Ben. His vision and momentum keep the Ben Banks Foundation moving forward every step of the way.
Amy Cienkowski
Board memberTo Ben Jr., she will always be “Mrs. Cienkowski”—his beloved third-grade teacher. As an educator at Blackhawk Intermediate School (BIS), Amy has a special heart for teaching in inclusion classrooms, championing neurodivergent children and ensuring they have the support to learn differently. A cornerstone of the Ben Banks Foundation since day one, Amy has spearheaded fundraising events from the very beginning, continually elevating every initiative to maximize Ben’s impact through community outreach.
More Than Titles
Connected by community.
Inspired by Ben.
From humble beginnings to unforgettable community events. What started as simple craft nights in a school cafeteria and fire hall has grown into a powerful movement. Over the years, our community has come together for Superhero 5Ks, dodgeball tournaments, live comedy nights, and local shopping events – all to keep Ben’s legacy moving forward.
Every person here plays a part in keeping Ben’s legacy moving forward.
Marie Banks — Executive Director & Co-Founder
Advisory Council
The voices we call
before we decide.
Our advisory council brings medical, educational, and community expertise to the programs that carry Ben’s name.
Name
Role
Jan and Julie Jumet
Finance and Mentors
Tim Davis
Family Friend and Mentor
Nicole Kelly
UPMC Children’s Foundation Rep
Ken Kerrmann
Foundation CPA
Dr. Erum Hartung, MTR Pediatric Nephrologist
Ben’s Medical Research
HELP BEN’S LEGACY KEEP MOVING FORWARD.
Your support helps to fill Ben’s Toy Bins, give scholarships to students, advance meaningful research, and build joyful community experiences in Ben’s memory.
EVERY GIFT BECOMES PART OF THE JOURNEY.
