STAT BOX
There is a parade on or near her birthday every year —in honor of Patriots’ Day, but that’s not what she tells her kids
Married with four children (two girls and two boys); a dog, Nicco; and an anole [lizard], Gandalf the Green
Enjoys cooking, entertaining friends and neighbors, travel with her family, yoga, paddle boarding, long walks, and reading on an empty beach
Favorite places: Her sectional couch in the winter with a fire in the fireplace, surrounded by her husband and kids; the Rhode Island Coastline
Nonprofit management professional
Q: WHAT IS THE MOST EXCITING THING GOING ON IN YOUR LIFE RIGHT NOW?
A: I recently accepted a position with an exciting, start-up, nonprofit organization called Neighbor Brigade. Neighbor Brigade was founded by Wayland, Massachusetts resident Pam Washek who wanted to “pay forward” the help she received as she battled a cancer diagnosis. Pam has created a web- and community-based organization to harness people’s good intentions when others are in need. I am the organization’s third hire and will be working as its Program Director with the charge of strengthening and expanding upon Neighbor Brigade’s service delivery model. The current model relies heavily on volunteer “Chapter Leaders,” and our aim is to expand from our current 40 Massachusetts communities to additional New England states and beyond. So no shortage of items on my to-do list these days.
Q: I HEAR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ARE WORLD TRAVELERS. WHAT WAS YOUR MOST MEMORABLE TRIP?
A: There are so many! We’ve spent a month in Tuscany, spent two weeks in India, explored the Pacific Northwest, and have our sights set on future trips to Australia, London, Panama, South America, and as much of continental Europe as we can manage. I’d have to say, though, seeing India through our kids’ eyes was an incredible experience. They accepted the cultural and quality of life differences with amazing understanding and appreciation. My husband and I were so impressed with their openness and attribute much of it to the kind and gentle nature of the Indian people themselves.
Q: HOW DO YOU ALL KEEP UP THE EXCITEMENT WHEN YOU’RE BACK HOME IN MASSACHUSETTS?
A: Excitement is never a problem in our house. Our family motto is “It’s never dull,” and we treat “bored” like a four-letter word. I serve on a variety of nonprofit boards, my husband and I coach our kids’ sports teams, and we are constantly entertaining or in the company of our friends. As often as possible, these visits involve water balloon fights…
Q: SO FUN! LASTLY, WHO BROUGHT YOU INTO SHEGIVES, AND WHAT DO YOU LIKE BEST ABOUT HER?
A: I come to SheGives by way of founding board member, Kathy Taudvin, my friend and neighbor. What I like most about Kathy is her innate goodness. She is a thoughtful, compassionate person whom I feel fortunate to call my friend.
SheGives connects committed, inquisitive, engaged funders with a slate of diligenced nonprofits in the Greater Boston area. We provide members with relevant data about the nonprofits in our portfolio and an opportunity to meet directly with our nonprofits’ Executive Directors and senior staff in small settings that promote in-depth q&a’s and, ultimately, informed giving. Giving is personally driven, but because we give side-by-side our collective impact is greater.
WhoIsShe is a regular column featuring an appreciative but sometimes irreverent conversation with a SheGives Member.
