At the beginning of 2026, the Dauphin County Library System had the pleasure of welcoming four new members to its Board of Trustees: Domineak Commodore, Hagir Elsheikh, Sarah DeSantis, and Amber Borreli. These new members are filling four open board roles that became available at the end of 2025. Each brings valuable new perspectives and guidance, with the goal of supporting DCLS and Dauphin County in an ever-changing environment. DCLS looks forward to working with them and to the impact they will have on the community during their tenure.
About Domineak Commodore
Domineak Commodore, a father of two, is dedicated to expanding educational opportunities for professional educators. He has helped more than 50 individuals enroll in teaching certification programs throughout his career. He currently holds a master’s degree in special education from Wilson College, a teaching certification from Wilson College, and an administrative certification from Shippensburg University. He is a member of the CLEAC Community Police Board and currently serves as Assistant Principal at the John Harris Campus of Harrisburg High School in Dauphin County.
“I wanted to join the Library Board because I want to be a bridge that connects the inner city of Harrisburg with other communities to the many resources the library has to offer. Growing up, I spent many days at the library, and those experiences had a positive impact on me. I’ve seen firsthand how valuable those resources can be.”
About Hagir Elsheikh
Originally from Sudan, Hagir Elsheikh began her activism at a young age and continued that work after she came to the United States. She has more than three decades of experience in activism, leadership, healthcare innovation, and much more, using this experience to aid in her commitment to public services. In 2024, she founded Kareem’s Mission, a regional and national autism support ecosystem. Kareem’s Mission provides resources to families, including family support, educational resources and training, events and outreach, and awareness initiatives. Elsheikh is also the founder of HSE Staffing Agency LLC, which she established in 2013.
“I wanted to join the Library Board of Trustees because I believe libraries are among the most important pillars of a strong community. They are places of knowledge, access, imagination, and opportunity. As someone who has dedicated much of my life to education, community empowerment, and creating resources for families, I see the library as a vital space where people of all ages can grow, feel welcomed, and find support”.
About Sarah DeSantis
Originally from Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania, Sarah DeSantis moved to Harrisburg in 2018, where she worked for several years as a journalist before transitioning into government. She earned her bachelor’s degree in English from Penn State and her master’s degree in journalism from Syracuse University. She currently serves as district office director for Rep. Justin Fleming, continuing her commitment to public service. As a lover of books and libraries, DeSantis has had library cards from approximately eight different systems and reads around 100 books a year.
“I’ve been a heavy library user since I first picked up a board book, and I’ve had library cards everywhere I’ve lived. I felt like it was time to give back to an institution that has given me so much.”
About Amber Borreli
Dr. Amber R. Borreli began her professional career at the Dauphin County Victim/Witness Assistance Program, where she got her start in human services. She later transitioned to Values in Action, where she focused on improving housing stability at the system level. Dr. Borreli holds a PhD in Philosophy from Alvernia University and a Master of Arts degree from Commonwealth University-Mansfield. Currently, she serves on the Capital Area Coalition Against Homelessness and leads the Allison Hill Blueprint Community Team. She is also the Founder and CEO of Empowerment in Action, an organization that helps local communities secure funding and resources for vital community priorities.
“I was drawn to joining the Library Board of Trustees because of my deep love of reading and my belief in community-driven institutions that ensure free and equitable access to information, education, and opportunity for all residents. Libraries were founded not merely as places to house books, but as public commitments to literacy, lifelong learning, and civic engagement.”
For more information about DCLS’s new board members or the board itself, visit dcls.org/about-us or email exec-dir@dcls.org.