Our Volunteers

Emily Steffensmeier

Founder

Emily started fundraising for Dr. Rowe almost a decade ago. Her birthday donation requests grew to become Rowe's Research Runners. After a quarter of a century of living with chronic illness, Emily finds purpose and passion in disability advocacy, awareness, and connection.

When she's not blogging at Chronically Emily, working on RRR, or connecting with fellow patients, she finds joy in cooking; snuggling with her pup; spending time with her boyfriend, friends and family; listening to audiobooks; going for walks; knitting; and cheering on the Golden State Warriors.

Jessica Benedict

Communication & Technology

I am a self-proclaimed nerd and geek! I enjoy reading, loom knitting, playing Dungeons & Dragons with my friends, and doing data analysis work as part of my career. I live with my cat Simba, who keeps me in cuddles and nudges me to get out of bed.

Dr. Rowe truly was my guiding light during a time when I had given up hope of ever being “normal” or healthy. I volunteer to help support his work, and his ability to help others like me. I also volunteer in support of Emily Steffensmeier, the founder of RRR, who has become a very close friend and an integral source of support in my life.

Amy Marshall

Social Media Strategist

I spend my days writing about and for other people in my role as an editorial director at Penn State, but rarely write about myself! I am the mom to two witty and sarcastic teens, dog mom to two adorable Shelties, an avid traveler, and a somewhat reluctant companion on my husband's RV camping excursions.

I volunteer because of Emily - it's that simple. We met in 2017 when she attended a campaign event for my husband, who was running for county judge. I was inspired by her enthusiasm and commitment to helping others with illnesses like hers and realized I had a skill set that could aid in her efforts.

Pacey

Social Media

Pacey has been fundraising for Rowe's Research Runners since its inception in 2017. She joined to help give back to Dr. Rowe and to connect with other patients. Pacey is beyond grateful to be a part of Rowe's Research Runners and has met so many wonderful people through it. In an effort to spread more awareness of Dr. Rowe's research, Pacey created our Instagram account in 2020 and continues to help manage it.

She has always had a passion for advocacy and activism and is thankful to be able to help as much as she can from home. Pacey loves singing, adaptive dance, being a part of the chronic illness and disability community, and volunteering for the non-partisan organization When We All Vote.

Corinne Romero

Social Media

I am a proud mom to three adult children, and married to the love of my life for over 35 years. I love dogs (we have 2), board games, travel, and reading. I’m a serial hobbyist who currently wants to learn embroidery, but has also loved learning knitting, sewing, wood-working, and Photoshop. I have been a speech-language pathologist and a professional photographer, and am now an application reader for a law school.

I volunteer because my son suffers from chronic illnesses, and when I met Emily about a year ago, I learned about RRR and the fantastic work she does with the organization, and I asked if I could help. I am so grateful she included me and I have met so many wonderful people through this group!

Wade Harkins

Web Master

Wade has been a patient of Dr. Rowe's since age 7, and owes much of his current quality of life to Dr. Rowe's guidance.

He is currently working as a front-end web development consultant. In his free time, Wade enjoys spending time with friends and family, creative endeavors, and sleeping in.