The historic Pearl S. Buck house in Hilltown, Bucks County. (Credit: Pearl S. Buck International)
Pearl S. Buck International is starting 2026 with new leadership and new statewide recognition.
The Hilltown Township-based nonprofit has announced a new slate of officers for its Board of Directors while also being selected as one of just 10 youth-serving organizations across Pennsylvania to receive PA Humanities’ inaugural Rain Poetry Grant.
New leadership takes the helm
Tony Luna will serve as Chairperson of the Board of Directors, bringing more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience and a long history with the organization. Luna first joined Pearl S. Buck International in 1998, serving 18 years across two terms, including nearly a decade as Vice President of Development. During that time, he helped strengthen the organization’s financial foundation by launching major gift and planned giving programs, completing a $2.8 million historic preservation campaign and a $500,000 capital improvement initiative, securing one of the organization’s largest bequests and representing the organization internationally, including media engagements in the Philippines.
Luna currently serves as Director of Philanthropy for the Catholic Foundation of Eastern Pennsylvania.
Susan Berrodin will serve as Vice Chair. A board member since January 2019 and former Board Secretary, Berrodin has volunteered with the organization since 2013 and previously served as president of the Pearl S. Buck Volunteer Association. A retired pediatric physical therapist, she spent her career in hospital-based and educational pediatric care settings and holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Arcadia University.
Emma Strausser will serve as Secretary. Adopted through Welcome House in 2000, Strausser brings a personal connection to the organization’s mission of cross-cultural understanding and global service. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University, is pursuing graduate studies in Special Education and works as an Early Intervention Specialist at The Oaks School.
Maxine Romano will return for another term as Treasurer. A board member since March 2022, Romano is a retired CPA who spent much of her career at Kreischer Miller, where she led the not-for-profit audit practice. She previously owned and operated a bakery for 11 years and holds a degree in accounting from Temple University.
The new officers began their two-year terms on Jan. 1, 2026.
Rain Poetry grant brings youth voices to public spaces
In addition to leadership changes, Pearl S. Buck International has been selected by PA Humanities as a recipient of the first-ever Rain Poetry Grants.
The 2026 program expands a statewide initiative that encourages young people to write haiku poetry and then brings their words to life through water-activated installations in public spaces. Only 10 organizations statewide were selected through a competitive review process. Each will receive $4,000 and individualized coaching support.
Pearl S. Buck International, the only recipient from Bucks County, will partner with the Bucks County Free Library on a youth-focused project scheduled to launch in Fall 2026.
“Supporting programs like Rain Poetry is an investment in young people, community life, and the shared civic spaces that bring us together,” said Rep. Shelby Labs, R-143, in a release. “I’m excited to see this work reaching communities across the Commonwealth and in my district at Pearl S. Buck International.”
Since debuting in 2023 as part of PA Humanities’ 50th anniversary, Rain Poetry has engaged hundreds of young people and produced hundreds of original poems through workshops led by poets and teaching artists.
“Rain Poetry is an opportunity for young people to take the lead as celebrated creators and thinkers in their own communities,” said PA Humanities Executive Director Laurie Zierer. “When youth voices are visible and valued, communities across Pennsylvania are stronger.”
Cheryl A. Castro, president and CEO of Pearl S. Buck International, said the recognition is especially meaningful.
“We are truly thrilled and deeply honored to be a Rain Poetry grant recipient,” Castro said. “It feels especially meaningful knowing that Pearl Buck herself would have delighted in seeing children gather on her property to create art, give voice to their imaginations, and share their words.”
Founded to preserve the legacy of author and humanitarian Pearl S. Buck, the organization provides opportunities to explore and appreciate other cultures, builds better lives for children around the globe and maintains Buck’s National Historic Landmark home in Doylestown.
For more information, visit pearlsbuck.org.
