Our Team

Meet the SFS Staff, Board of Directors, and Board of Advisors who put in the work to make our services possible!


STAFF

Leniz Perez

Executive Director

Lenis Perez brings over 12 years of dedicated service in the non-profit sector, specializing in youth development, human services, and community engagement. Born and raised in Lawrence, MA, Lenis understands firsthand the challenges and opportunities facing underserved communities.

At the heart of Lenis Perez’ work is a deep commitment to community engagement and collaboration to foster positive change. She understands the importance of building strong partnerships with local stakeholders, government agencies, and other non-profit organizations to maximize impact and address systemic challenges facing communities. As the Executive Director of SFS, Lenis is dedicated to advancing the organization’s mission, driving positive change, and creating lasting impact for the families and the communities SFS serves.

Lenis holds a Bachelor’s Degree from St. John's University and is pursuing her education at Springfield College, where she is obtaining a Master’s degree in Human Services.

lperez@sittersforscholars.org

Judy Coleman

Program and Outreach Manager

Over the past 20 years, Judy has worked in public health and education providing education, outreach, and advocacy for children and families.

jcoleman@sittersforscholars.org


Workplace Policies

 

Sitters Non-Discrimination Policy

Sitters prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, national origin, citizenship, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, veteran or military status, age and any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws, regulations or ordinances.

This non-discrimination policy applies to all employees, board members, and volunteers with respect to the organization’s activities and operations, including the delivery of services and employment and advancement decisions.

Sitters Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Policy

We thrive as an organization when perspectives are diverse, our culture is inclusive, and our practices model the equity we want to see in the world. We strive to incorporate and value all voices and perspectives, including those across our varied identities and lived experiences.

 

Board of Directors

 

Ellen Bruce

President

Professional Industry: Higher Education & Law

Nicole Lau

Vice President

Professional Industry: Human Resources

Sandy Shea

Secretary

Professional Industry: Nonprofit

Albert Pasakarnis

Treasurer

Professional Industry: Finance

Kristin Bell

Director

Professional Industry: Nonprofit

SFS Sitter Volunteer

Laurie Burlingame

Director

Professional Industry: Law

Bianca Levarity

Director

Professional Industry: Nonprofit

Jacqueline Lutz

Director

Professional Industry: Research Consultant

Jenny Marcelin

Director

Professional Industry: Higher Education

SFS Student Parent Scholar

Rachel Puopolo

Director

Professional Industry: Higher Education

Leakhena Schechter

Director

Professional Industry: Sales & Customer Relations


Board of Advisors

 

Samuel Batchelder, Esq.

  • Retired NPO Consultant, Executive Service Corps of New England

  • Former Partner, Goodwin Procter, Boston, MA

Margot Botsford, Esq.

  • Retired Associate Justice, Massachusetts Supreme Court

Lisa R. Carter

  • Director of Project Access, Roxbury Community College, Boston, MA

Caitlin Cornwall

  • Sr. Clinical Trial Manager, Goldfinch Bio

  • Former SFS Volunteer Sitter & Board Member

Kara Cormier, Esq.

  • Associate, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., Boston, MA

Rosie Cunningham

  • VP of Strategy & Alliances, Family Reach, Boston, MA

Oksana Hradyska

Emily Kanstroom Musgrave, Esq.

  • Partner / Co-Chair, Appellate Practice Group, Mintz, Levin, Cohn, Ferris, Glovsky and Popeo, P.C., Boston, MA

Liza M. Nascembeni

  • Assoc. Director, Human Resources & Community Values, Harvard Business School, Cambridge, MA.

  • Former SFS Volunteer Sitter

Kathleen O’Neill

  • Director of Single Stop, Bunker Hill Community College, Boston

Tory J. Stephens

  • New England Network Weaver at Grist.Org

Thanie William-Phillip

  • Police Officer, City of New Rochelle, NY

  • SFS Student Parent Scholar (2015)