Board of Directors
Board Members
Julie Haywood, President
Jessika Rao McLaughlin, Vice President
Tim Gaudreau, Secretary/Treasurer
Emily Cheramie-Walz, Commissioner
Jesse Gallagher
Alycia Kinchloe
Board Member Biographies
Ms. Julie Haywood is an attorney and has practiced health law for over 30 years, most recently as Associate Deputy General Counsel at Independence Blue Cross until her retirement a few years ago. She is currently a Volunteer Attorney at Pennsylvania Health Law Project, where she assists clients who are over the Medicaid income limit to apply for pooled income trusts to preserve their in-home benefits.
Ms. Haywood is a former Cheltenham School Board Director, having served in that capacity for 12 years. During her tenure on the School Board, Ms. Haywood advocated for and was instrumental in drafting the School District’s Equity Policy. Ms. Haywood is also involved in several community-based organizations, including the Black Doctors COVID Consortium, American Red Cross, Cheltenham Democratic Committee, and Salem Baptist Church Scholarship and Endowment Committee.
In her second year as President of the Library Board, Ms. Haywood believes that the libraries serve a vital role in making community connections. A vibrant and adequately funded library system is essential to continue bringing quality programs and services that we expect and rely on. She is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, UCLA School of Law, and recently earned a certificate in Global Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. Ms. Haywood resides in Wyncote with her husband, Senator Art Haywood, and has three adult children, Arthur, Olivia, and Alexandra.
Jessika Rao McLaughlin has been an educator in the Philadelphia region for more than 20 years. Over the course of her career, she has served as a teacher, school leader, and now works as an independent consultant, partnering with schools and programs to drive exceptional outcomes for students and families.
Jessika joined the Board in 2021 and has served on the External Affairs and Governance Committees. Currently, she serves as Vice President of the Board, co-chairs the Governance Committee, and is a member of the Community Advisory Committee. She is deeply committed to advancing CTLS’s mission and vision of serving the community.
Jessika holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Loyola University and earned her teaching certification from the University of Pennsylvania. She resides in Elkins Park with her husband and their three daughters, who are enthusiastic patrons of CTLS.
Tim Gaudreau joined the Board of Library Directors of Cheltenham Township in 2024 after previously serving as an advisor to the Internal Affairs Committee. He is an Arcadia alumnus and township resident since 2015. He and his wife, Stephanie, have 2 sons in the Cheltenham School District, and his wife is active in the PTO and runs a small business DesignsbyStefe.
Tim brings his 15 years of executive operations management and a commitment to the community to the board. He is also active in the Cheltenham Little League and Cheltenham Sports.
Jesse Gallagher has lived in the Philadelphia suburbs for most of his life and in Glenside since 2017, joining the Friends of the Glenside Free Library shortly thereafter. He works as a programmer, doing consulting work for a variety of clients, and serving on the board of the non-profit organization OpenNTF.
Alycia Kinchloe is a dedicated advocate for lifelong learning and community engagement. She began serving as a member of the Board of Library Directors of Cheltenham Township in January of 2025. With a background in law, she brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership, strategic planning, and community engagement, making her an invaluable asset to the board.
Alycia holds a degree in Psychology from Temple University, a Juris Doctorate from the James E. Beasley School of Law, and an Executive Masters of Business Administration from the St. Joseph University’s Haub School of Business. Her passion for supporting local educational initiatives is evidenced in her volunteer work with PTO boards of the schools of Cheltenham School District.
In her role on the board, Alycia works to ensure that the library will continue to serve as a vital community resource, advocating for diverse programs, accessible services, and sustainable growth. Outside her board duties, she enjoys reading, running, and volunteering. She lives in Elkins Park with her husband, three sons, and two dogs.
Emily Cheramie Walz was elected as Cheltenham Township Commissioner for Ward 6 on November 4, 2025 and sworn in to office on January 5, 2026. A dedicated resident of Elkins Park since 2007, Emily brings deep community roots and a passion for civic engagement to her work on the Board.
With nearly 25 years of professional experience in the Philadelphia nonprofit sector, Emily has worked with organizations across arts & culture, social & human services, and education to strengthen community engagement and support. In her current role as Director of Development and Partnerships for Reading Terminal Market, she leads fundraising and strategic partnerships that support one of the region’s most important public marketplaces, small businesses, and community gathering spaces. Prior to her current role, she served as Development Director at the Pennsylvania Prison Society, the country’s oldest humanitarian organization, after working as Director of Development and Communications for Fred’s Footsteps, a nonprofit providing life-changing support to families caring for medically fragile children.
As Commissioner, Emily is committed to enhancing the quality of life for all Township residents. Her priorities include proactive environmental stewardship, exploring opportunities for thoughtful economic development, and supporting small businesses and community institutions that serve as anchors of neighborhood life. Emily will serve as Vice Chair of the Finance Committee and will also serve as a liaison to the Cheltenham Library Board.
A lifelong learner and active community member, Emily’s approach to local government is rooted in thoughtful collaboration, transparent communication, and a commitment to represent the voices of her neighbors in Ward 6 and beyond. Emily is a graduate of Ithaca College and lives in Elkins Park with her husband, Mark, and three energetic and wonderful sons.
Meeting Schedules and Minutes
2026 Board Meeting Schedule
Except as noted, meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of every other month at 7:00 PM. Meetings are open to the public and will be held in person with the option to attend virtually via Zoom. Public Comment Policy
Link to Join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85744246306?pwd=aEMvV295WUdqL1JSQnR4aGtxWnRuUT09
Meeting ID: 857 4424 6306
Meeting Password: 483221
January 28 – In-person: Elkins Park | Virtual: Zoom | Agenda
March 25 – In-person: Glenside | Virtual: Zoom | Agenda
May 27 – In-person: Elkins Park | Virtual: Zoom | Agenda
July 22 – In-person: Glenside | Virtual Only: Zoom | Agenda
September 23 – In-person: Elkins Park | Virtual: Zoom | Agenda
*October 28 – In-person: Elkins Park (If necessary for budget purposes) | Virtual: Zoom | Agenda
December 2 – In-person: Glenside | Virtual: Zoom | Agenda
* = Date changed from original or special meeting
2026 Community Advisory Committee Schedule
Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM unless otherwise noted. The meeting will be held remotely via Zoom, and members of the public are welcome to attend. Public Comment Policy
Link to Join:
See the agenda for the Zoom link and meeting details.
*January 13th | Cancelled
February 10th | Agenda
March 10th | Agenda
April 14th | Agenda
May 12th | Agenda
June 9th | Agenda
July 14th | Agenda
August 11th | Cancelled
September 8th | Agenda
October 13th | Agenda
November 10th | Cancelled
December 8th | Agenda
*= Rescheduled or Cancelled
2026 External Affairs Schedule
Meetings are held on the first Monday of every month at 6:00 PM unless otherwise noted. The meeting will be held remotely via Zoom, and members of the public are welcome to attend. Public Comment Policy
Link to Join:
See the agenda for the Zoom link and meeting details.
January 5th | Agenda
February 2nd | Agenda
March 2nd | Agenda
April 6th | Agenda
May 4th | Agenda
*June 1st | Cancelled
July 6th | Agenda
August 3rd | Agenda
September 7th | Agenda
October 5th | Agenda
November 2nd | Agenda
December 7th | Agenda
*= Rescheduled or Cancelled
2026 Governance Committee Schedule
Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 6:00 PM unless otherwise noted. The meeting will be held remotely via Zoom, and members of the public are welcome to attend. Public Comment Policy
Link to Join:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88581089070?pwd=c2ZndHpnQkdVbGVGdk1iRlVIUmkvQT09
Meeting ID: 885 8108 9070
Meeting Password: 625351
Phone: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
January 13th | Agenda
February 10th | Agenda
March 10th | Agenda
April 14th | Agenda
May 12th | Agenda
*June 9th | Cancelled
July 14th | Agenda
August 11th | Cancelled
September 8th | Agenda
October 13th | Agenda
November 10th | Cancelled
December 8th | Agenda
*= Rescheduled or Cancelled
2026 Internal Affairs Committee Schedule
Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month at 4:00 PM unless otherwise noted. The meeting will be held remotely via Zoom, and members of the public are welcome to attend. Public Comment Policy
Link to Join:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81613701233?pwd=N1drd2VReXVHd0dVb1RSS1VTZFBxUT09
Meeting ID: 816 1370 1233
Meeting Password: 257483
Phone: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
January 12th | Agenda
February 9th | Agenda
March 9th | Agenda
April 13th | Agenda
*May 4th | Agenda (Rescheduled from May 11th)
June 8th | Agenda
July 13th | Agenda
August 10th | Cancelled
September 14th | Agenda
October 12th | Agenda
November 9th | Cancelled
December 14th | Agenda
*= Rescheduled or Cancelled
Board Members
Julie Haywood, President
Jessika Rao McLaughlin, Vice President
Tim Gaudreau, Secretary/Treasurer
Jeff Chirico, Commissioner
Jesse Gallagher
Alycia Kinchloe
Ms. Julie Haywood is an attorney and has practiced health law for over 30 years, most recently as Associate Deputy General Counsel at Independence Blue Cross until her retirement a few years ago. She is currently a Volunteer Attorney at Pennsylvania Health Law Project, where she assists clients who are over the Medicaid income limit to apply for pooled income trusts to preserve their in-home benefits.
Ms. Haywood is a former Cheltenham School Board Director, having served in that capacity for 12 years. During her tenure on the School Board, Ms. Haywood advocated for and was instrumental in drafting the School District’s Equity Policy. Ms. Haywood is also involved in several community-based organizations, including the Black Doctors COVID Consortium, American Red Cross, Cheltenham Democratic Committee, and Salem Baptist Church Scholarship and Endowment Committee.
In her second year as President of the Library Board, Ms. Haywood believes that the libraries serve a vital role in making community connections. A vibrant and adequately funded library system is essential to continue bringing quality programs and services that we expect and rely on. She is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, UCLA School of Law, and recently earned a certificate in Global Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. Ms. Haywood resides in Wyncote with her husband, Senator Art Haywood, and has three adult children, Arthur, Olivia, and Alexandra.
Jessika Rao McLaughlin has been an educator in the Philadelphia region for more than 20 years. Over the course of her career, she has served as a teacher, school leader, and now works as an independent consultant, partnering with schools and programs to drive exceptional outcomes for students and families.
Jessika joined the Board in 2021 and has served on the External Affairs and Governance Committees. Currently, she serves as Vice President of the Board, co-chairs the Governance Committee, and is a member of the Community Advisory Committee. She is deeply committed to advancing CTLS’s mission and vision of serving the community.
Jessika holds a bachelor’s degree in Communications from Loyola University and earned her teaching certification from the University of Pennsylvania. She resides in Elkins Park with her husband and their three daughters, who are enthusiastic patrons of CTLS.
Tim Gaudreau joined the Board of Library Directors of Cheltenham Township in 2024 after previously serving as an advisor to the Internal Affairs Committee. He is an Arcadia alumnus and township resident since 2015. He and his wife, Stephanie, have 2 sons in the Cheltenham School District, and his wife is active in the PTO and runs a small business DesignsbyStefe.
Tim brings his 15 years of executive operations management and a commitment to the community to the board. He is also active in the Cheltenham Little League and Cheltenham Sports.
Jesse Gallagher has lived in the Philadelphia suburbs for most of his life and in Glenside since 2017, joining the Friends of the Glenside Free Library shortly thereafter. He works as a programmer, doing consulting work for a variety of clients, and serving on the board of the non-profit organization OpenNTF.
Alycia Kinchloe is a dedicated advocate for lifelong learning and community engagement. She began serving as a member of the Board of Library Directors of Cheltenham Township in January of 2025. With a background in law, she brings a wealth of experience in nonprofit leadership, strategic planning, and community engagement, making her an invaluable asset to the board.
Alycia holds a degree in Psychology from Temple University, a Juris Doctorate from the James E. Beasley School of Law, and an Executive Masters of Business Administration from the St. Joseph University’s Haub School of Business. Her passion for supporting local educational initiatives is evidenced in her volunteer work with PTO boards of the schools of Cheltenham School District.
In her role on the board, Alycia works to ensure that the library will continue to serve as a vital community resource, advocating for diverse programs, accessible services, and sustainable growth. Outside her board duties, she enjoys reading, running, and volunteering. She lives in Elkins Park with her husband, three sons, and two dogs.
Emily Cheramie Walz was elected as Cheltenham Township Commissioner for Ward 6 on November 4, 2025 and sworn in to office on January 5, 2026. A dedicated resident of Elkins Park since 2007, Emily brings deep community roots and a passion for civic engagement to her work on the Board.
With nearly 25 years of professional experience in the Philadelphia nonprofit sector, Emily has worked with organizations across arts & culture, social & human services, and education to strengthen community engagement and support. In her current role as Director of Development and Partnerships for Reading Terminal Market, she leads fundraising and strategic partnerships that support one of the region’s most important public marketplaces, small businesses, and community gathering spaces. Prior to her current role, she served as Development Director at the Pennsylvania Prison Society, the country’s oldest humanitarian organization, after working as Director of Development and Communications for Fred’s Footsteps, a nonprofit providing life-changing support to families caring for medically fragile children.
As Commissioner, Emily is committed to enhancing the quality of life for all Township residents. Her priorities include proactive environmental stewardship, exploring opportunities for thoughtful economic development, and supporting small businesses and community institutions that serve as anchors of neighborhood life. Emily will serve as Vice Chair of the Finance Committee and will also serve as a liaison to the Cheltenham Library Board.
A lifelong learner and active community member, Emily’s approach to local government is rooted in thoughtful collaboration, transparent communication, and a commitment to represent the voices of her neighbors in Ward 6 and beyond. Emily is a graduate of Ithaca College and lives in Elkins Park with her husband, Mark, and three energetic and wonderful sons.
2026 Board Meeting Schedule
Except as noted, meetings are held on the fourth Wednesday of every other month at 7:00 PM. Meetings are open to the public and will be held in person with the option to attend virtually via Zoom. Public Comment Policy
Link to Join: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85744246306?pwd=aEMvV295WUdqL1JSQnR4aGtxWnRuUT09
Meeting ID: 857 4424 6306
Meeting Password: 483221
January 28 – In-person: Elkins Park | Virtual: Zoom | Agenda
March 25 – In-person: Glenside | Virtual: Zoom | Agenda
May 27 – In-person: Elkins Park | Virtual: Zoom | Agenda
July 22 – In-person: Glenside | Virtual Only: Zoom | Agenda
September 23 – In-person: Elkins Park | Virtual: Zoom | Agenda
*October 28 – In-person: Elkins Park (If necessary for budget purposes) | Virtual: Zoom | Agenda
December 2 – In-person: Glenside | Virtual: Zoom | Agenda
* = Date changed from original or special meeting
2026 Community Advisory Committee Schedule
Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM unless otherwise noted. The meeting will be held remotely via Zoom, and members of the public are welcome to attend. Public Comment Policy
Link to Join:
See the agenda for the Zoom link and meeting details.
*January 13th | Cancelled
February 10th | Agenda
March 10th | Agenda
April 14th | Agenda
May 12th | Agenda
June 9th | Agenda
July 14th | Agenda
August 11th | Cancelled
September 8th | Agenda
October 13th | Agenda
November 10th | Cancelled
December 8th | Agenda
*= Rescheduled or Cancelled
2026 External Affairs Schedule
Meetings are held on the first Monday of every month at 6:00 PM unless otherwise noted. The meeting will be held remotely via Zoom, and members of the public are welcome to attend. Public Comment Policy
Link to Join:
See the agenda for the Zoom link and meeting details.
January 5th | Agenda
February 2nd | Agenda
March 2nd | Agenda
April 6th | Agenda
May 4th | Agenda
*June 1st | Cancelled
July 6th | Agenda
August 3rd | Agenda
September 7th | Agenda
October 5th | Agenda
November 2nd | Agenda
December 7th | Agenda
*= Rescheduled or Cancelled
2026 Governance Committee Schedule
Meetings are held on the second Tuesday of every month at 6:00 PM unless otherwise noted. The meeting will be held remotely via Zoom, and members of the public are welcome to attend. Public Comment Policy
Link to Join:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88581089070?pwd=c2ZndHpnQkdVbGVGdk1iRlVIUmkvQT09
Meeting ID: 885 8108 9070
Meeting Password: 625351
Phone: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
2026 Internal Affairs Committee Schedule
Meetings are held on the second Monday of the month at 4:00 PM unless otherwise noted. The meeting will be held remotely via Zoom, and members of the public are welcome to attend. Public Comment Policy
Link to Join:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81613701233?pwd=N1drd2VReXVHd0dVb1RSS1VTZFBxUT09
Meeting ID: 816 1370 1233
Meeting Password: 257483
Phone: +1 929 205 6099 US (New York)
January 12th | Agenda
February 9th | Agenda
March 9th | Agenda
April 13th | Agenda
*May 4th | Agenda (Rescheduled from May 11th)
June 8th | Agenda
July 13th | Agenda
August 10th | Cancelled
September 14th | Agenda
October 12th | Agenda
November 9th | Cancelled
December 14th | Agenda
*= Rescheduled or Cancelled
IG