About Us
Leadership Team
Peter DeMaio
President
pdemaio@paforhumanlife.org
Pete De Maio originally from Ventnor, NJ married his high school sweetheart, Tricia. They’ve been happily married since 2003 and have seven beautiful children; four boys and three girls. Pete is a very successful Allstate Agent and genuinely enjoys Insurance & Financial work having majored in both at Temple University. Tricia is a Villanova Alum, former nurse, and now a stay at home mom. Pete enjoys being a lector & server at the Cathedral Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Philadelphia. He was named the President of Pennsylvanians for Human Life, where he has been a volunteer speaker and served on the board since 2008. He also serves on the board of Jersey Shore Women’s Center and on the Respect Life Leadership Council for the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. He’s a sought after Catholic speaker having presented on various topics since 2008. Together, Pete and Tricia believe that marriage and family are the central unit of society. They love teaching The Joy Filled Marriage program through Ascension Press and are often utilized specifically to teach Natural Family Planning. Their entire family is active in pro-life witnessing. Pete and Tricia were both born and raised Catholic but they have a beautiful reversion and healing story which they are always thrilled to share.
Charles Reimer
Vice President
creimer@paforhumanlife.org
Chuck Reimer joined Pennsylvanians for Human Life in 2008 first as a volunteer speaker, and then was invited to join the Board of Directors. He spearheaded PHL’s first ever virtual “Celebrate Life” event in March of 2021. He is in the process of developing PHL’s respect life video library by coordinating with a recoding company. This library will eventually be available to all groups inside and outside our region interested in learning the “Science” behind the concept “Life begins at conception and ends with natural death”. Chuck is retired from Citizens Financial Services, a subsidiary of Citizens Bank where he worked for 20 years. He was a Senior Vice President at the time of his retirement and had served on the Executive Advisory Committee for 5 years. Chuck grew up in Philadelphia, graduated from St. Thomas More High School and Villanova University. He and his wife Betsy have raised six children and enjoy the benefits of five grandchildren.
Charles Waldecker
Treasurer
Charles has been the treasurer of PHL and a member of the board since 2005 and is committed to advancing the mission of PHL, recognizing the importance of every life. He is an active member of Knights of Columbus and is presently the Grand Knight of Mater Dei Council #4129 in Newtown Square and the Color Corp Commander for the Fr. Kapaun Assembly #3274 in Paoli. He is a long time parishioner and usher at St. Pius X in Broomall. Charlie is a CPA and tax advisor at Siana Carr O’Connor & Lynam LLP. A graduate of Cardinal O’Hara High School, he received his bachelor’s degree from St. Joseph’s University, earned a J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law (Camden) and an LL.M. (Taxation) from Temple University School of Law.
Mary Ellen Devlin
Office Manager
Mary Ellen began her involvement with PHL as a student with LaSalle University’s Pro-Life Committee and went from school presenter to Program Director from 1987 to 1994. After her first child, Mary Ellen stepped down as Director but continued as an education volunteer and working with PHL’s events. She and her family support PHL’s longstanding mission of education as the most permanent means to changing hearts and minds with the truth. She and her husband Robert have four children and reside in Ambler, PA.
Erin Kirk
Intern
Erin Kirk is a student intern for PHL, having joined the organization as a high school student on the Student Advisory Board. Erin graduated from Merion Mercy Academy in 2022 and is currently pursuing a degree in Political Science and Catholic Studies at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. With a passion for education, Erin aspires to become a teacher and school principal, aiming to make a positive impact on the lives of high school students. She led Women for Life and Love at Merion Mercy, a club emphasizing the importance of a culture of love for fostering a flourishing culture of life. She actively participates in and leads various pro-life activities at Duquesne University and the Pittsburgh area, and assists in organizing college pregnancy outreach tabling events at Duquesne.
Erin serves as a lector at both Saints Simon and Jude Parish and Duquesne University, regularly practicing her public speaking skills in application to her Catholic faith. In her free time, Erin finds solace in visiting Jesus in adoration and spending quality time with her family and friends. She also enjoys cooking, writing, and playing piano.
Board Directors
Maria Parker
mparker@paforhumanlife.org
Dr. Denise T. Wilcox
Board Member
Joseph P. Aquilante
jaquilante@paforhumanlife.org
Endorsements
“I highly recommend the program presented by the Pennsylvanians for Human Life. Each year, competent presenters come in and share the beauty and respect for the human person from the moment of conception with our upper grade students. Our students actually see models of the growth of a baby from the time of conception and realize how precious a human life is. The teachings of the Church on pro-life and abortion are presented in a very understandable manner for our students. Our students respond so positively to this program. I feel the program is a blessing and a must for every student in the upper grades!
Sister Barbara Montague, IHM, Principal, St. Cyril of Alexandria School
“Pennsylvanians for Human Life is a worthwhile program for middle school age students. It stresses the irreplaceable value and uniqueness of each human life. It explains the current laws in PA and the country regarding abortion. Surrounded by a culture of death in our country, students are offered a beacon of light that focuses on the importance of lie from the very first moments of conception. I highly recommend this program for your middle school aged students.”
Mrs. MaryAnne Aurely, St. Titus School, East Norriton, PA
“The presentation was wonderfully organized – the 7th & 8th grade students were completely captivated as the slides were shown and discussed at an age-appropriate level. Every student commented on how much they enjoyed such an informative and important presentation. I strongly recommend having Pennsylvanians for Human Life representatives visit other schools to share the message.”
Ms. Susan Macrone, Middle School Educator, St. Joseph/St. Robert School
“I thought the presentation was phenomenal! It is so important for all pre-teens and teens to hear the beautiful message of Pennsylvanians for Human Life, as well as the staggering (and shocking) statistics regarding abortion. I couldn’t wait to go home and talk about it with my parents.”
James, 7th grade