Our Team
Meet the SFS Staff, Board of Directors, and Board of Advisors who put in the work to make our services possible!
STAFF
Lenis 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
Product Manager, Convergent Dental
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)