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So a child's care can be
a parent's only worry
Fred's Footsteps helps working families stay on their feet through a child's illness or injury.

We provide direct financial assistance for non-medical expenses, such as household bills, to make up for gaps in income as well as one-time extraordinary expenses, like medical equipment or home modifications. We are the only program in the region that provides this type of bridge—not just momentary help—to families during their time of need.

Our Guiding Principles

Family

We always put families first. We do everything possible to achieve a deep, meaningful, and personalized impact for each family.

Compassion

We serve families with kindness, dignity, and respect during their time of need.

Connections

We build personal relationships with our partners, our supporters, and the families we serve to achieve a meaningful impact together.

Integrity

We are honest and transparent in our work and in our management of the resources entrusted to us.

Legacy

We carry forward the legacy of G. Fred DiBona, Jr. as a person of compassion, generosity, and principle, and we inspire the same qualities in others.

Fred's Legacy

Fred’s Footsteps honors the life and legacy of native South Philadelphian G. Fred DiBona, Jr., a community and business leader known and respected for his generous spirit, big heart, and dedication to others.

Fred's Legacy

Fred’s Footsteps was created in memory of G. Fred DiBona, Jr., who died on January 11, 2005, at the age of 53 after a courageous fight with cancer. Fred was a native South Philadelphian who became president and CEO of Independence Blue Cross and was a leader in Philadelphia’s business community for more than three decades.

Fred was well known by his family, friends, and colleagues as the one who always went out of his way to help people who were dealt a bad hand, were struggling with some kind of hardship, or were the underdog. While he was a driven business leader, he also had a big heart. When he gave his word, he kept it. He was loyal to those he trusted, and he expected the same in return. He loved to laugh, and to make others laugh. When Fred saw someone in need—especially a child—he did everything he could to help.

Despite his many achievements, Fred always preferred to acknowledge the accomplishments of others. He never bragged about his multiple awards, and wouldn’t take credit for growing Independence Blue Cross into a $10 billion company or for spearheading the successful effort to locate the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. But there is one thing Fred was never modest about: his family. He was a devoted husband to his wife, Sylvia, and a proud father to his children, Christine and Fred. Nothing was more important than family, and he delighted in telling others how much they meant to him.

Meet the Team
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Christine DiBona Lobley
Executive Director
Laura Billet Beauchamp
Director of Strategy & Marketing
Marie Vacca
Director of Development
Diane Smith-Hoban, MSW
Program Manager
Kate Slider
Operations & Systems Coordinator
Christine DiBona Lobley
Executive Director
Laura Billet Beauchamp
Director of Strategy & Marketing
Marie Vacca
Director of Development
Diane Smith-Hoban, MSW
Program Manager
Kate Slider
Operations & Systems Coordinator
Christine DiBona Lobley
Executive Director
Laura Billet Beauchamp
Director of Strategy & Marketing
Marie Vacca
Director of Development
Diane Smith-Hoban, MSW
Program Manager
Kate Slider
Operations & Systems Coordinator
Christine DiBona Lobley
Executive Director
Laura Billet Beauchamp
Director of Strategy & Marketing
Marie Vacca
Director of Development
Diane Smith-Hoban, MSW
Program Manager
Kate Slider
Operations & Systems Coordinator
Sylvia DiBona
Board Chair
Fred's Footsteps
Michael A. Bova
Retired Managing Director
Accenture
Jonathan Brassington
Head, Capgemini Invent NA
Capgemini
Teresa DiBona
Board Member
Fred's Footsteps
Fred DiBona III
Principal
DiBona Associates, LLC
Pat Gillespie, Jr.
President
Shannon Outdoor Advertising, Inc.
Regina Heffernan*
Senior Associate
Aequitas Partners
Sheila Hess
Former City Representative
City of Philadelphia
Dan Hilferty
Chief Executive Officer and Chairman
Comcast Spectacor
Brian Lobley
Chief Executive Officer
tango
Juan Lopez, CPA
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer
Independence Health Group
Veronica McKee, CMP
Chief Marketing Officer
Haverford Trust
Danielle Pinto*
Account Marketing Lead
Accenture
Chris Rehmann*
Regional Vice President
IntePros Consulting
William Sasso, ESQ
Chairman
Stradley Ronon Stevens & Young, LLP
William Sautter
President & CEO
Elliott-Lewis Corporation
Michael R. Vennera
Executive Vice President and Chief Strategy, Corporate Development, and Information Officer
Independence Health Group
Matt Webb
Senior Vice President, Global Brand & Experience
Cencora
*Fellows Board Seat
Walter D’Alessio
Vice Chairman
NorthMarq Capital
Nicholas DeBenedictis
Chairman President & CEO
Aqua America (Retired)
John J. Dougherty
Former Business Manager
IBEW Local Union 98, Philadelphia Building & Construction Trades Council
Joseph Frick
Former President & CEO
Independence Blue Cross
Rosemarie Greco
Founding Principal
GRECOVentures Ltd
Eileen DeBenedictis
Wellness & Fitness Professional
Independent Health
Gregory D. Garber, MSW, LCSW
Director of Oncology Support Services
Department of Medical Oncology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital
Reetika Kumar, MD, FACP
VP Market Clinical Solutions & Pharmacy Service
Independence Blue Cross
Mary Sammon, MD
Pediatrician
Nemours Children’s Health System
Reporting
Impact Reports
Gratitude Reports
Financials