Donald Dea

Chairman of the Board

Donald Dea brings more than four decades of executive leadership, board governance, entrepreneurship, and nonprofit service to his role as Chairman of the Board of The Home Economy Project. His experience spans Fortune 500 business, higher education, nonprofit organizations, entrepreneurial ventures, and executive leadership development, with particular expertise in governance, strategic growth, organizational transformation, CEO oversight and succession planning, mergers and acquisitions, financial oversight, fundraising, and workforce readiness.

Donald began his corporate career with Xerox Corporation, where he served from 1978 to 1994 in progressively responsible executive leadership roles encompassing finance, operations, strategic planning, mergers and acquisitions, corporate real estate, general management, and strategic partnerships. His leadership responsibilities extended across organizations representing more than $1 billion in aggregate annual revenue.

While at Xerox, Donald was selected to participate in the President’s Executive Exchange Program and was appointed Special Assistant to the Attorney General of the United States. In that role, he served on Vice President George H.W. Bush’s National Drug Task Force and helped develop an integrated federal framework addressing law enforcement, prosecution, incarceration, and resource planning.

Donald subsequently applied his executive experience to entrepreneurship. He co-founded Alaris Corporation, helping build the company from startup to approximately $90 million in revenue within 18 months. He later founded and served as President and CEO of Fusion Productions, a nationally recognized enterprise serving Fortune 500 corporations, associations, universities, and nonprofit organizations. He also founded digitalNow, an invitation-only executive leadership forum that convened approximately 250 CEOs and senior executives annually.

His extensive board leadership includes service with Excelsior University, where he served as Trustee, Chair of the Strategic Growth and Mergers & Acquisitions Committee, and Board Chair. During his governance tenure, the university grew from approximately $4 million to more than $110 million in annual revenue and expanded to approximately 39,000 students. He also helped guide the institution through presidential succession following the unexpected death of its President and CEO. In 2025, Excelsior University named Donald Chair Emeritus by Proclamation, making him the only individual in the university’s history to receive that distinction.

Donald has also provided decades of leadership to organizations serving people who are blind, visually impaired, and veterans. He has served the Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired since 1982 in roles including Board Member, Treasurer, Board Chair, and Past Chair. His service with America’s VetDogs & Guide Dog Foundation began in 2004, and he has served as Board Chair since 2011. During his leadership, the organization’s net assets grew from approximately $25 million to more than $75 million. He helped recruit and hire its current CEO and has partnered with executive leadership on a $25 million capital campaign.

His additional board leadership has included service as Board Chair of UranX Corporation, MALA Construction Group, and Bold Futures Academy; President of the Board of Directors of US Strategic Infrastructure Systems; and service on the Board of Directors of African Women in Technology. His committee experience spans executive leadership, audit and finance, compensation, nominating and governance, strategic growth and mergers and acquisitions, diversification, and executive succession.

Beyond the boardroom, Donald remains actively involved in developing current and future leaders. He serves as an Executive Mentor for Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business Executive MBA Program, providing guidance to senior executives, entrepreneurs, and business leaders. He also serves as a Strategic Advisor to the Artificial Intelligence Program at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs and as an advisor to the CEO and Executive Vice President of AICPA. He is a frequent speaker, panelist, and contributor on governance, board leadership, higher education, workforce readiness, artificial intelligence, entrepreneurship, and organizational transformation.

Donald completed the Senior Executive Program at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, earned an MBA in Finance from Duke University’s Fuqua School of Business, and holds a B.A. in Economics from McDaniel College.

His professional recognition includes election as an ASAE Fellow, the ASAE Key Award for Advancing Association Professionalism, McDaniel College’s Distinguished Alumni Community Service Award, selection for Xerox Corporation’s President’s Executive Exchange Program, and his appointment as Special Assistant to the Attorney General of the United States.

As Chairman of the Board of The Home Economy Project, Donald brings extensive experience guiding organizations through growth and change, strengthening governance, developing executive leadership, and helping mission-driven organizations build the organizational capacity necessary for long-term impact.

Maralea Norden (She/Her)

CEO & Executive Director

Maralea Norden serves as the CEO and Executive Director of The Home Economy Project. Her professional background includes business administration, legal studies, operations management, education, small business development, and nonprofit leadership. The Home Economy Project grew out of years of listening to the practical questions people were asking—not just young adults beginning independent lives, but individuals and families of all ages struggling with everyday challenges. Questions about budgeting, food preparation, employment, housing, household management, and financial stability revealed a gap between crisis services and long-term self-sufficiency.

Rather than creating another organization that duplicated existing services, Maralea founded The Home Economy Project to teach practical skills that help individuals and families build lasting stability. She believes communities become stronger when people have the knowledge, confidence, and opportunity to create successful households, meaningful employment, and sustainable local economies.

One of Maralea’s core leadership philosophies is that a nonprofit should never depend on one individual. From its earliest days, The Home Economy Project has been intentionally built around strong governance, documented systems, financial accountability, and community partnerships so the organization can continue serving future generations regardless of who holds leadership positions. Her goal is not to build an organization around herself, but to build an organization that outlives her.

Guillermo Escorcia

Board of Directors, Treasurer

Guillermo Escorcia serves as Treasurer of the Board of Directors, bringing expertise in Human Resources and Accounting to support the organization's financial governance and long-term sustainability. He works as the HR and Finance Director for a nonprofit organization in Austin, Texas, and is concurrently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Accounting alongside a Master's in Human Resources. 

Guillermo was born and raised in Brownsville, Texas — a border town near Mexico and South Padre Island — where he enjoyed walking his dog on the beach and relaxing in the sand. Outside of his professional and academic commitments, Guillermo enjoys walking and hiking with his dogs, discovering cozy coffee shops, watching horror movies, spending time with his family, and playing video games. 

His goal is to be a resource and a partner in every organization he works with or volunteers for, a commitment that aligns directly with The Home Economy Project's mission of empowering communities through practical knowledge, equal access for all, and shared support.

Cynthia Treffer (She/Her)

Administrative Support Volunteer and Emeritas Board Member

Cynthia Treffer serves as the Administrative Support Volunteer for The Home Economy Project, and was the Founding Treasurer of the Board.Her professional background includes business administration, bookkeeping, human resources, and small business management. This is her first leadership position in a non-profit organization.

When approached with the opportunity to help develop The Home Economy Project, Cynthia felt called to give back to the community that has given her invaluable support and guidance over the years. She used the skills she was taught and the resources she received while living in Larimer County to become self-sufficient over the last 17 years, all while raising two children as a single mom. What matters the most to her is connecting with as many people as possible and sharing tools and education to help them empower their own lives, as long as they come with an open heart and mind. Cynthia knows through experience that it takes a village to succeed, and she hopes that the residents of Weld County will allow her and the rest of The Home Economy Project to be a part of theirs.

Jaiden Hitchcock (He/They)

Volunteer Communications Coordinator and Emeritas Board Member

Jaiden Hitchcock serves as the Volunteer Communications Coordinator at The Home Economy Project, and was the Founding Secretary of the Board. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Positive Psychology, and now spends his free time reading, playing board games with his husband, or snuggling with his eclectic family of adopted pets. This is his first leadership position at a non-profit organization.

Jaiden is very excited to build the foundation of an organization that he believes will help his community in a number of valuable ways. He knows how vital both education and support are to success, and is passionate about creating a space where everyone can learn and grow together. Nothing, including background, identity, or ability, should stand in the way of equal access to resources that allow people to thrive. Jaiden believes that anyone can achieve their goals of stability and resilience with the right people and resources to help them get there. 

Lawrence Koebernik

Community Outreach Coordinator

Lawrence Koebernik serves as the Community Outreach Coordinator for The Home Economy Project. He brings experience in recruitment, community outreach, organizational development, leadership, and public service. Professionally, Lawrence works as a Regional Recruitment Specialist, connecting individuals with career opportunities, developing community partnerships, coordinating outreach and hiring events, and helping applicants navigate the employment process. He also brings more than five years of law enforcement experience and over a decade of military service.

Through his experience in law enforcement and public service, Lawrence has seen how a lack of resources, opportunities, and support can have lasting effects on people's lives and futures. He believes that connecting people with the right resources and opportunities before they reach a point of crisis can make a meaningful difference. At The Home Economy Project, Lawrence hopes to use his experience to expand the organization's presence in the community, develop lasting partnerships, and help connect individuals and families with resources that support greater stability and self-sufficiency.