Lindsay Alperin

Career Readiness Program Director, Partners for Youth with Disabilities (PYD)

Lindsay holds a Bachelor of Health Science Studies and a Master of Occupational Therapy. She has valuable experience working with individuals across the lifespan with a variety of disabilities for over 6 years as a registered and licensed Occupational Therapist. Specifically, she has worked with youth with disabilities of all ages and delivered the Career Readiness Curriculum to Boston Public School students. Lindsay has valuable experience adapting and delivering the Career Readiness Curriculum and providing accommodations and resources to meet various learner needs. She has trained over 20 special education teachers to utilize the curriculum with their students reaching over an additional 100 students per year. Lindsay provides general program administration, fosters partnerships with the local business community, and trains and supervises the staff providing the Career Readiness Program.

Angie Boudreau

Associate Director, Talent Acquisition, Harvard University

Angie has worked in Human Resources and Talent Acquisition for over 20 years. As an Associate Director of Talent Acquisition for Harvard University, Angie partners with Harvard University Information Technology, Financial Administration Department and Harvard University Employees Credit Union to recruit and hire a wide variety of professionals.

Joe Buizon

Employment Services Specialist, Massachusetts Commission for the Blind

Joe Buizon is the Employment Services Specialist for the Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB).  He holds an undergraduate degree in Social Work from Bridgewater State and a Masters in Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling from UMass Boston.  Joe has worked at MCB for 14 years in varying roles including rehabilitation teacher, social worker, employment services specialist and now as the supervisor for that team.  Prior to his long tenure at MCB, Joe held positions in Speech Pathology at Mass General Hospital and as a Residential Counselor at the Carroll Center for the Blind.  He is a lifelong Massachusetts resident of Somerville where he currently lives with his wife and two elementary school aged sons.

Jonathan Delman, PhD

Vocational Specialist, Principal Investigator

Jonathan Delman, PhD is a NIDILRR distinguished research fellow studying the vocational needs and preferences of young Black people with mental illnesses, and a vocational specialist at a program for young adults with mental illnesses. He is also an Assistant Research Professor at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Department of Psychiatry, and technical assistance consultant at the Learning & Working During the Transition to Adulthood Rehabilitation Research & Training Center at UMass. Dr. Delman, himself a person with lived experience of mental illness and first episode treatment, is also an advocate and participatory action researcher who believes that research should meet the expressed needs of the community and directly impact policy and practice.
Dr. Delman is passionate about providing the best and most relevant vocational opportunities for young adults with mental health conditions, and is experienced at promoting their on the job success. His relevant materials on this topic include: Effectively Employing Young Adult Peer Providers: A Toolkit, The promise of demand side employer-based strategies to increase employment rates for people living with serious mental illnesses, and Employment and Young Adults with Serious Mental Health Conditions: Increasing Employment and Career Opportunities.

Lisa Drennan

Owner, MERGE Diverse Abilities Inclusion Consulting

Lisa has a 35-year career supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to be active and engaged within their community. At New England Village in Pembroke, MA, she gained experience in working as a Direct Support Professional and eventually as the Director of The Sollar Wellness Center specifically designed for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

In 2014, she joined the South Shore YMCA as the first-ever Association Director of Inclusion, creating innovative programs and comprehensive staff trainings to build a culture of inclusion.  Lisa was appointed as the National Chairperson of the YUSA’s Diverse Abilities Working Group providing a platform of learning and sharing of best practices for Y’s across the country.

In 2018 Lisa started her own company, MERGE Diverse Abilities Inclusion Consulting where she provides consultation, staff training and systems implementation to community entities committed to recreation, sport and social program inclusion.

Lisa graduated from Saint Michael's College in Vermont with a Psychology degree. She lives with her family in Pembroke, Massachusetts and is an avid fitness enthusiast who enjoys outdoor adventure activities.

Sean Driscoll

Principal and Founder, BBsquared, LLC

Sean Driscoll is the Principal and Founder of BBsquared (a/k/a Breaking Barriers X Building Bridges), a consulting platform empowering inclusion through creative collaboration www.BB2consulting.com. BBsquared's aim is finding roles on projects connected with Disability, LGBTQ+, and Re-Entry (people with criminal background diversity) identities. BBsquared cultivates the amazing cross-connectivity that can be discovered across diverse communities, that when harnessed in the right fashion, can become exponentially empowering and impacting. BBsquared is a LGBT Business Enterprise - certified by the National Gay Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. BBsquared consults with partners across a wide spectrum of identities – from smaller non-profits, to community-based organizations to larger public and private sector companies. BBsquared offers a wide range of services from presenting/speaking, training, facilitation, strategic advisement, conflict resolution, initiative creation, to customized retainers. Sean is a LeadBoston (Social Justice Leadership Program out of YW Boston) alum, a Founding Member of the MA LGBT Chamber of Commerce, and on the Northeast Human Resources Diversity and Inclusion Committee.

Katherine Galasso, MS, Certified MINT Trainer

Communication Consultant

Katherine Galasso is a Communication Consultant in organizational development, leadership, communication skills and change management. She is one of 1,400 members of the International Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT), dedicated to upholding a standard for quality training in facilitating behavior change. As a member of MINT, she has taught in Germany, Canada, Ireland, and across the United States.
In her work at BCBSMA, she has presented her programs to professionals in major hospitals, physician groups, and community organizations supporting clinical, behavioral health and business leaders develop advanced communication skills.
Throughout her career, she has provided strategies and training to solve communication issues and develop employee programs to advance corporate cultures, manage change, and improve operations.
Katherine has a Masters' degree in Leadership and Management, a BS in Speech, Communication and Business Organization, and is a certified Instructor/Facilitator and Master Trainer. She is also an Alumni of Brian Tracy's Speaker Program. Most recently earned recognition in her MI Training from MINT.

Marianne Gilmore

Workforce Development Specialist, Carroll Center for the Blind

Marianne supervises all the vocational programs, including Employment Now Initiative. This Project Leadership includes assisting people to obtain and maintain competitive work, internships, and volunteer jobs that will lead them towards independence. She works closely with the Business Liaison at the Cambridge Health Alliance, host of ENI, employers of many different sectors, community service providers, state agencies, and other collaborations like Work Without Limits. Working with sector industries in Massachusetts and other states affords opportunities for all our job seekers. Marianne believes most strongly in employment for all.

Cindy Joyce

CEO, Pillar Executive Search & HR Consulting

Cindy Joyce is the founder of Pillar Search & HR Consulting, a boutique firm that specializes in executive search and recruitment expertise and human resources consulting for exceptional nonprofits, foundations, associations, and socially-responsible for-profit organizations with an emphasis on improving employee productivity and promoting a strong organizational culture.

With over 25 years of experience in recruiting and human resources, Cindy was an Executive Search Director with a search firm focused on advancement and development professionals. Prior, she was an Executive Search Consultant with City Year and managed all recruiting for Harvard Law School. Her career prior to entering the nonprofit arena was in the investment management space, including Director of Human Resources with FundQuest, a division of BNP Paribas Bank, and Senior Human Resources Generalist with State Street Research and Management.

Cindy holds a master’s degree in Organizational Development from Lesley University and a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Regis College. In 2020, she completed her certificate in Diversity and Inclusion from Cornell University.

Theresa E. Kane, Ph.D

Executive Director, U.S. Programs, Polus Center for Social and Economic Development, Inc.

Theresa E. Kane, Ph.D., is the Executive Director for U.S. Programs at the Polus Center for Social and Economic Development, Inc., a 501(c)3 non-profit organization whose mission is to support people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups in Massachusetts and around the world. Polus has been working with the MA Commission for the Blind since 2015, providing internships and employment supports for adult job seekers and pre-employment transition services for youth and young adults with visual impairments. Theresa spent more than ten years as a manager and OD consultant in a large multinational before founding the Academy of Professional Skills Development, a multinational corporate training and consulting firm. After serving as consultant and board member for the Polus Center for many years, Theresa joined the senior leadership team in 2005. She holds Ph.D. and Masters' degrees in Human & Organizational Systems from Fielding Institute, Masters' and Bachelors' degrees in Organization Behavior from Lesley University, and a Certificate in Non-Profit Administration from Suffolk University.

Melissa Lucius

Program Manager, Human Resources, Harvard University

Having spent her entire career in IT, she now works in Harvard University Human Resources as a Program Manager supporting the IT group in Central Administration, where she designs and delivers programs around leadership development and employee engagement. She loves foreign languages -- she speaks several and is currently learning Russian. Melissa lives in Arlington, MA with her husband Richard. They have 2 daughters, Amanda (20) and Veronica (17).

Mayanne MacDonald Briggs, M.Ed

Transition Counselor, Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB)

Mayanne is currently the MCB Transition Counselor for Metro West, South Shore, North Shore and Merrimack Valley.  Mayanne was formerly an itinerant Teacher of Students with Visual Impairments for 16 years and Assistant Director of Education Services  for four years at the Carroll Center for the Blind.  Mayanne earned her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology at University of Lowell, a Master’s in Education at Boston College and then returned for the TVI program there.  She has been in the field of visual impairment as a teacher of students with visual impairments for 30 years and lectures and presents locally on topics relating to visual impairment and transition. Mayanne has served on her local school committee for nine years and has presented at the Massachusetts Association for School Committees on student learning and engagement.

Erich Manser

Digital Accessibility Consultant, Harvard University Information Technology

Erich works at Harvard University as a Digital Accessibility Consultant, where he helps ensure Harvard websites are inclusive and can be accessed by people of all abilities. He is an avid runner and triathlete, and has completed 20 marathons and 3 Ironman races, including the 2018 Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. He has been keeping active during COVID-19 by participating in online virtual running events. He lives in Littleton, MA with his wife Lisa and daughters Ellie (14) and Grace (11).

Colleen Moran

Director, Workforce Programs, Spaulding Rehabilitation Network

Colleen Moran serves as the Director of Workforce and Inclusion Programs at Spaulding Rehabilitation Network (SRN), part of the post-acute care services division of Mass General Brigham.  SRN provides a spectrum of post-acute care including rehabilitation hospitals, long term care, skilled nursing facilities and multiple outpatient centers.  Colleen also works with Mass General Brigham Talent Acquisition in the areas of diversity, inclusion and community outreach.

Colleen joined Mass General Brigham in 2001 and has over 25 years of experience in Human Resources in healthcare, high-tech manufacturing and financial services.  She holds Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts degrees from Boston College.

Colleen has a long-standing interest in advocating for the employment for people with disabilities and participates in a variety of related boards, committees and activities.  She has presented both locally and nationally on disability and workforce development issues.   Colleen leads several initiatives including Project SEARCH, Working Partners and JobLab, a vibrant space for community organizations, government departments, businesses to convene with and train job candidates with barriers to entry into the workforce.

Billy O'Neill

Rehabilitation Teacher, Massachusetts Commission for the Blind (MCB)

Billy O’Neill is currently the a rehabilitation teacher with MCB's Western MA region.  Up until June, he was the MCB Transition Counselor for Western MA, and the greater Worcester area. Billy has worked for MCB since January 2013, after having received his bachelor’s degree in Human Services and M.A. in Rehabilitation Counseling at Assumption College.

In addition to his work at MCB, Billy has been an adjunct professor at Assumption in the Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies department, and is an organist and choir director in West Springfield, Ma.

Steve Slowinski

National Inclusion Manager & IT Quality Administrator, Partners for Youth with Disabilities

Steve Slowinski has been working at PYD since early 2012. He has a B.A. from Gettysburg College in a self-created major focusing on child development and disability, and a Masters in Nonprofit Leadership from the Questrom School of Business at Boston University.

Steve had a form of cancer while growing up, and that experience having a temporary disability instilled in him the desire to be an advocate and ally to the disability community. He has worked with people with disabilities for the past 13+ years.

In college, he spent a semester in Denmark studying their child care practices for children with disabilities. He has also interned with the child life team at Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, and has volunteered for many years as a camp counselor and mentor to youth with disabilities.

Meghan Steinberg

President, SteinbergHR, LLC

Marrying the core fundamentals of human relations to the uniqueness of the business is critical to the success of Meghan's clients. Being a successful human resources professional is both art and skill; when appropriately executed there is great impact on the business, culture and ROI. She has her PHR, SHRM-CP and Six Sigma Green Belt.

Starting her career as an operations professional in the hospitality industry, this taught her the importance of business ownership, fast pace, unpredictability and customer service based products and services. Keeping a finger on the organization's heart beat and ensuring that your people have a strong foundation and path are key to the success of the culture and business.

Meghan partners with businesses of all types and sizes to support them in the quest to be the best.  This is done through project base HR work, engagements with in-house HR professionals and interim or part-time partnerships. She delivers by tapping into her operations background, strong Human Resources foundation, experience and creativity.