Meet the Board Members
At the heart of Gratitude for Greatness is a dedicated team of individuals who bring personal passion, professional expertise, and a shared commitment to serving those who serve others. Each board member brings their own story, skill set, and reason for joining this mission—but together, we work as one to uplift and support first responders, veterans, and seniors in meaningful, lasting ways.
Get to know the people behind the purpose.
Founder & Board Member
Allison Carbone
Gratitude for Greatness was founded by Allison Carbone, a real estate professional with Keller Williams Realty and community advocate whose passion for service is deeply personal. For Allison, this nonprofit is more than just an organization—it’s a tribute to her family’s legacy of selflessness, sacrifice, and commitment to protecting others.
She created Gratitude for Greatness to support those who have spent their lives serving others—first responders, veterans, and seniors. The mission is rooted in the example of three extraordinary men in her family who dedicated their lives to the fire service.
Her father, now 80 years old, is still an active member of the East Norriton Fire Company. He was recently honored for 60 years of continuous service, a reflection of his unwavering dedication and strength of character.
Her grandfather, who passed away at age 90, was a lifetime member of the George Clay Fire Company, where he held the title of Honorary Chief. Throughout his life, he proudly served with nine additional fire companies, always stepping up wherever he was needed.
Her great-grandfather was the very definition of lifelong service. With 75 years in the fire service, he served as Chief Engineer, Paid Driver, and State Fire Warden. He remained active until the day he passed at 88 years old.
Gratitude for Greatness is Allison’s way of honoring these three men, whose lives helped shape her values and purpose. Their legacy lives on in the organization’s work—whether it’s helping first responders buy their first home, delivering care packages to seniors, paying utility bills, or protecting vulnerable individuals from financial scams.
Through every act of service, Allison’s message is clear: thank you—not just to her own family, but to every hero who shows up quietly, serves selflessly, and asks for nothing in return.
Co-Founder & Board Member
Matt Blazynski
Matt Blazynski brings a powerful combination of discipline, heart, and financial expertise to Gratitude for Greatness. A former professional baseball player turned advocate for those who serve, Matt’s journey reflects a lifelong commitment to teamwork, community, and making a meaningful impact.
Matt studied accounting at Delaware County Community College and continued his education at the University of Cincinnati. His background in finance brings structure and accountability to the organization, ensuring that every program we run is built on a foundation of integrity and transparency.
Before his work in nonprofit service, Matt played professional baseball around the world, representing various independent leagues as a catcher and first baseman. His time on the field taught him the value of hard work, resilience, and trust—all of which he brings to his role with Gratitude for Greatness.
**Inspired by his fiancée Allison’s family’s long-standing tradition of service—including generations of firefighters and public servants—**Matt felt called to give back in a meaningful way. That calling led him to help co-found Gratitude for Greatness, where he now plays a key role in coordinating care packages, utility assistance, and donation drives that support veterans, first responders, and seniors in need.
Matt’s passion lies in creating practical solutions that improve lives—ensuring that those who’ve spent their lives protecting others receive the dignity, support, and gratitude they truly deserve.
Board Member
Denise Monico
With over 43 years in the real estate industry, Denise brings unmatched knowledge, professionalism, and heart to everything she does. She began her career as a lender, gaining deep insight into the financial side of homeownership before transitioning into title work and transaction management. Her well-rounded background makes her a trusted expert in guiding buyers, sellers, and agents through complex real estate processes with clarity and confidence.
Denise has built a reputation for being detail-oriented, solution-focused, and fiercely dedicated to the clients and communities she serves. Her passion lies not just in getting deals to the closing table—but in making the journey smooth, transparent, and empowering for everyone involved.
Denise serves on the board of Gratitude for Greatness because she believes that real estate should be accessible, supportive, and rooted in purpose—especially for first responders, veterans, and seniors. Her personal mission aligns deeply with the organization’s goal of removing barriers to homeownership and educating the community through meaningful, proactive outreach.
With her decades of experience and unwavering integrity, Denise helps ensure that Gratitude for Greatness stays grounded in both compassion and expertise.
Board Member
LindsayBlazynski, MBA, PHR
Lindsay Blazynski is a tireless advocate for seniors and a compassionate champion for everyone she meets. With her professional experience at Guiding Hands ElderCare, Lindsay brings exceptional knowledge, empathy, and dedication to ensuring seniors receive the care, respect, and support they deserve.
Beyond her career, Lindsay is deeply involved in the community, consistently stepping up to fight for what is right and making a positive difference in the lives of those around her. She approaches every challenge with warmth, integrity, and a genuine desire to help others, inspiring those she encounters to do the same.
As a member of the Gratitude for Greatness Board, Lindsay brings not only her expertise in eldercare but also her unwavering passion for service, her fierce advocacy, and her boundless heart. Her dedication strengthens our mission to honor and support veterans, first responders, and seniors, and her presence reminds us all of the power of compassion in action.
Board Member
Jessica Kemp
Jess Kemp is one of the most compassionate people I know—and her dedication to serving others comes naturally. As a Military & Family Readiness Specialist (Certified Family Programs Group Leader) with the U.S. Army Reserve, she brings deep insight into the challenges faced by service members and their families .
Her personal experience as a military spouse has given her an intimate understanding of the sacrifices and resilience required of families in uniform. Jess has guided countless service members and their loved ones through deployments, transitions, and the everyday trials of military life, always with empathy, strength, and unwavering support.
Jess joined the board of Gratitude for Greatness because she believes deeply in our mission to honor those who have served—and those who continue to serve. Her background equips her perfectly to lead our programs for care packages, utility assistance, and community support with precision, compassion, and organizational excellence.
Her voice ensures we stay connected to the real needs of first responders, veterans, and seniors—she knows what it means to serve, and she brings that lived perspective to every decision we make.
Board Member
Kim Grill
Kim Grill, owner of SSE Enterprises, is not only a highly experienced professional in accounting and business management—she’s also one of the most deeply compassionate people you’ll ever meet. Known for her quiet generosity and her steady presence, Kim is the kind of person who will always step up to help someone in need, without hesitation and without needing recognition.
With a strong background in accounting and years of experience running a successful business, Kim brings structure, transparency, and financial wisdom to everything she touches. Her company, SSE Enterprises, is a respected name in the industry, built on the same values she brings to her volunteer work: integrity, accountability, and heart.
Kim joined the board of Gratitude for Greatness because she believes in giving back to the people who sacrifice so much for our communities—especially first responders, veterans, and seniors. Whether she’s reviewing budgets, delivering care packages, or quietly helping behind the scenes, Kim leads with kindness and consistency.
Her presence on the board ensures that the organization not only operates responsibly, but also remains grounded in compassion, service, and purpose.
Board Member
Danielle Stango
Danielle is passionate about serving her community and giving back to those who serve others. She is deeply committed to supporting veterans, first responders, and seniors, helping ensure they have access to the resources, programs, and care they deserve.
With her role as Professional Development Manager at MRINetwork and advanced knowledge of the staffing industry, Danielle brings invaluable expertise to our nonprofit. She leverages her forward-thinking approach to integrating AI to help us streamline operations, enhance outreach, and scale our initiatives, ensuring we can make a greater impact in the lives of those we serve.
Her dedication, insight, and innovative mindset make her an essential part of our mission to support and uplift the community. Danielle’s big heart and commitment to giving back ensure she is always ready to lend a hand and make a difference.