Program Team
Beverly Breton Carroll Executive Director and Founder
Evolving how material is introduced in a class setting for different age groups has always been an interest of Beverly's. She has taught writing and communication to elementary, junior high, and high school students; to undergraduate and graduate college students at Seton Hall University, Duquesne University, and community colleges in Maryland, New Jersey and Massachusetts; and for many adult education programs and writing conferences. A founding parent of the Waldorf School of Pittsburgh, Beverly has written about education for general and university publications, including articles for The University of Pittsburgh and Harvard University. Beverly was awarded a 2011 Kip Tiernan Social Justice Fellowship to begin the SPARC writing program for women. After two years at Dickinson College, Beverly transferred to graduate magna cum laude from The Pennsylvania State University with a BA in English literature specializing in nonfiction writing, and a BS is in Horticulture specializing in developing, managing, and marketing small businesses. Beverly has written professionally for newspapers and magazines across the country, in addition to projects for corporate, educational and nonprofit clients. She is the author of two nonfiction books on sports, writes short romance fiction, and blogs at www.everyotherminute.com. For more on Beverly's writing, see www.beverlybreton.com.
Erin L. McCormack Co-Founder
Erin is a former professor of writing and literature at Middlesex Community College in Bedford, and has also taught at Mount Ida College and Newbury College. She has an undergraduate degree in English and Theater, and Masters in Teaching from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. She is the co-founder of a women's writing group, a long-time writing tutor, and has served as coordinator of the Bedford schools Enrichment Committee, bringing cultural and artistic programs to the students. She is a member of Boston's Grub Street writing community and the National Writers Union. She has self-published a novel, Spanish Soap Operas, for community college readers. For more on Erin’s writing, see www.erinlmccormack.com.; read her blogs at: www.everyotherminute.com.
Gail Waldron Program Assistant and Tutor
Gail Waldron worked as a technical editor and writer for MRO Software, Inc., for several years. Other professional experience includes working as a special needs tutor in the Boston Public Schools and working as a research assistant and administrator at Brighton Marine Public Health Center. Gail attended Union College where she studied English and Psychology.
Anne Leary Tutor and Editorial Assistant
Anne Leary has worked as a medical association editor, using her background as a research associate and scientist to produce an industry newsletter. She has also helped produce handbooks, newsletters, and annual reports for many community organizations, and published in local newspapers. Anne attended Emmanuel College where she studied biology, then later completed a graduate degree in science journalism at Boston University.
Anne Leary Tutor and Editorial Assistant
Anne Leary has worked as a medical association editor, using her background as a research associate and scientist to produce an industry newsletter. She has also helped produce handbooks, newsletters, and annual reports for many community organizations, and published in local newspapers. Anne attended Emmanuel College where she studied biology, then later completed a graduate degree in science journalism at Boston University.
Teammates
Alison O. Galbo
Alison O. Galbo has been active in the Nashua, NH, human services arena since 2007. Her professional experience has focused on providing care for a range of populations. She has worked with autistic children and with young people and adults with disabilities and mental illness. As a vocational counselor, she helped individuals with disabilities on resume development and interview training, and created support programs for retaining employment. She interned at the Nashua Police Athletic League Youth Safe Haven and at Prevention Makes Cents. Alison is pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Human Services.
Kaylene E. Johnston
Kaylene Johnston has completed internships at the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter, the United international Foundation, and with SPARC. Kaylene is focused on providing the means and guidance for self-empowerment of women, including computer literacy, resume building, and financial planning. Kaylene is pursuing a degree in Human Services.
Kaylene E. Johnston
Kaylene Johnston has completed internships at the Nashua Soup Kitchen and Shelter, the United international Foundation, and with SPARC. Kaylene is focused on providing the means and guidance for self-empowerment of women, including computer literacy, resume building, and financial planning. Kaylene is pursuing a degree in Human Services.
Holly Surette
Holly Surette has an extensive background in Women's Studies and initiatives connected to empowering women. A 2011 graduate of University of New Hampshire, Holly has a bachelor's degree in Women's Studies and Sociology. She interned at The Women's Commission on the Status of Women conducting research and writing and editing numerous publications, including Connection's Newsletter, where she constructed an inquiry project to research the campus climate for women at the University of New Hampshire. The results were presented at a Feminism in Action conference panel.
Advisory Board
Dianne C. Barker, M.H.S. President, Barker Bi-Coastal Health Consultants, Inc.
Research Program Director, Public Health Institute
Dianne C. Barker, M.H.S., runs a consulting firm based in Los Angeles, and is a principal investigator for research and evaluation projects administered by the Public Health Institute in Oakland, CA. Barker Bi-Coastal Health Consultants Inc. (BBHC) specializes in developing and reviewing program initiatives, designing evaluations, and conducting survey research for public health philanthropies, community based organizations, and government agencies. Prior to establishing BBHC in 1996, Dianne managed a physician education project at four Veterans' Administration Medical Centers, and spent several years in philanthropy, overseeing health services research, program evaluations, and public health grant making. During her tenure at the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, she was responsible for overseeing several public health-related evaluations as well as co-developing the Smoke-Free Families program. She is a founding member of the National Partnership to Help Pregnant Smokers Quit, and has served on the board for A Forward Step: Women Helping Women in Transition, in S. Easton, MA. She received her Masters in Health Sciences from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Department of Population Dynamics.
Lori Fowler - Director, Prevention Makes Cents
Lori Fowler is Executive Director and co-founder of Prevention Makes Cents, a Nashua-based non-profit and project of the Parent Information Center in Concord, NH. Prevention Makes Cents focuses on preventing child abuse and neglect through school-based prevention education, delivering evidence-based programming covering such topics as Active Parenting, Nurturing Parenting, Nurturing Fathers and Parenting Journey. She has over thirty years working with children, youth and families in therapeutic settings. She is the state-wide director for The Child Assault Prevention Project which utilizes trained volunteers and college interns to provide classroom workshops addressing bullying and unwanted touch by a known person. Prevention Makes Cents is also a collaborative member of the Family Resource Center of Greater Nashua located at the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Nashua and coordinates childcare and programming. Lori was appointed one of the top twenty-one “Outstanding Parent Educators” in North America by Parenting Press in October 2009. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Lesley University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood and Special Education. www.preventionmakescents.org
Donald K. Koundakjian, J.D., C.P.A.
Donald K. Koundakjian is principal of Koundakjian & Company, CPAs, in Lexington, MA, established 1972. The firm provides a variety of services, including income tax prepration, payroll reporting, business start up services, and monthly bookkeeping and financial statements for businesses and individuals. Donald also practices law, with a focus on real estate conveyancing and tax and estate law. He has extensive knowledge of the needs of small businesses and non-profit agencies, working with several programs devoted to the support and development of those in need. www.koundakjiancpa.com
Diana K. Owen - Program Director, Adult Learning Center
Diana K. Owen has years of expertise in all aspects of adult education including teaching, counseling, curriculum development, administration and technology. Serving as coordinator of Adult Basic Education, GED Preparation, English for Speakers of Other Languages, and Office Technology at the Adult Learning Center in Nashua, NH, since 1986, she is responsible for hiring, training, and supervision of instructors, as well as staff development and curriculum development. Diana serves as liaison to government and social agencies, local colleges and businesses, and other Adult Learning Center services and programs. Additional responsibilities include lobbying for adult education state and federal funding and marketing ALC adult classes to the community. As ABE Coordinator, she plans and hosts events such as staff orientation, monthly educational forums, and graduation for students. With her business and education background, Diana has developed computer, accounting and medical courses for the Office Technology Department. She earned an MBA at Illinois State University in Bloomington, IL, and holds a New Hampshire Teacher’s certificate.
Susan Swain - Marketing Manager, Good News Garage
Since moving to Bedford, New Hampshire, in 1998, Susan has volunteered and worked for a variety of New Hampshire organizations including Families in Transition, Nashua Community College, and Dress for Success. She is the marketing manager for Good News Garage, an organization that provides donated cars to families in need. Susan is originally from Maryland. She attended Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University where she studied urban planning. She later moved to Memphis, Tennessee, with her husband, Rob, where there two children were born. In addition to work, Susan manages a household which includes two children, her elderly parents--her father is a World War II veteran--and three pets.
