Shaheer Mustafa, LICSW, CCDP joined HopeWell in 2016 as the organization was re-envisioning itself for the 21st century. Bringing a mix of private nonprofit and public service experience to his role, Shaheer is guiding the organization’s renewed energy, program growth, and emphasis on creating positive, measurable outcomes. He oversees HopeWell’s programs and partnerships, manages its resources, and nurtures a positive, inclusive, and transparent organizational culture.

Prior to joining HopeWell Shaheer served as Director of Areas for the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families Arlington and Coastal Area Offices. While managing child protective services across 31 cities and towns he developed a strong reputation for leadership in improved permanency for children, reducing disproportionality in the foster care system, and leading creative efforts to respond to the opiate crisis.

Shaheer previously served as Director of the Knight’s Children’s Center, a residential school and treatment program of the Home for Little Wanderers, was a faculty member at Simmons College Graduate School of Social Work, Urban Leadership program and is currently a Core Instructor for the Institute for Nonprofit Practice in affiliation with the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University. Shaheer’s work has been highlighted in numerous publications and he is widely recognized as a leader in the sector.

Shaheer began his career as a therapist assisting children and families to overcome the impact of complex stress using empowerment and strengths-based models of practice. He received a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and a Master’s in Clinical Social Work from Boston College and is certified as a Diversity Practitioner from Cornell’s School of Industrial Labor Relations. Shaheer also holds a certificate in nonprofit management and leadership from the Institute for Nonprofit Practice.

Leah Janey joined HopeWell in 2017, bringing over 15 years of human resources experience specializing in mid-size nonprofit organizations providing guidance and leadership to senior and executive managers. She has extensive hands-on experience leading HR initiatives including policy design, compensation planning, performance management, recruiting, compliance reporting, HR strategy, learning and development, career pathing, succession planning and culture management.

Prior to joining HopeWell, Leah supported both established nonprofit organizations and corporate startups providing best practices in human resources management in their different stages of growth. Leah’s most recent position has been as the Vice President for Human Resources for YouthBuild USA. Prior to joining YouthBuild USA in 2007, Leah worked at several organizations including, Harvard University, Ethos, Center Focus International, and JaneyCo.

Leah is most proud of her ability to successfully build relationships, build systems and programs and link people strategies to business strategies.

Leah studied Human Resources Management at Northeastern University, minoring in psychology. Her ongoing studies have provided her the skillset needed to be a well-rounded and grounded HR practitioner in the nonprofit sector. She holds certifications in facilitative leadership, diversity & inclusion and human resources management and strategy.

She has an unwavering passion for people and makes it her goal to provide a platform for staff to be heard, respected and treated fairly in all matters. Leah enjoys mentoring young professional woman to help them see their own potential and realize their career goals.

Lisa Rowan-Gillis has more than 30 years of experience in nonprofit development, donor engagement, and community philanthropic initiatives and brings strategic vision, creativity, and innovation to her work. As HopeWell’s Chief Development Officer, Lisa oversees a development and engagement strategy that is responsive to the fast-moving landscape of social impact giving and inclusive of donors from all giving levels and ages. She stewards community partnerships to cultivate the resources necessary to build out new and existing community-integrated programs and supports that address the needs of foster youth and people living with disabilities at varying life stages

Prior to joining HopeWell, Lisa served as Chief Development Officer for United Way of Mass Bay and Merrimack Valley, where she led fundraising initiatives totaling an annual average of $30 million, including workplace giving, major gifts, planned giving, and annual giving. Prior to the United Way, Lisa was Executive Director of Advancement Marketing & Communications at Boston College where she supported all fundraising efforts including the $1.5 billion “Light the World” campaign. Lisa also served as Vice President for Development and Communications at The Home for Little Wanderers, where she led a capital campaign to build a new school and residences for children in The Home’s care.

Lisa holds a Master of Social Work degree and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Boston College.

Amy Schneider, LICSW joined HopeWell in 2017, bringing over 15 years of experience in social service and education. As HopeWell’s Vice President, Program Impact and Strategy, Amy is guiding the organization in its overall approach to strategy, leading efforts to increase HopeWell’s impact through innovation and managing to outcomes.

Prior to joining HopeWell, Amy served as the Associate Director at Summer Search Boston, a local branch of a national college success organization, serving students who face systemic inequities that can impact their journey to higher education. Previously, Amy held program leadership roles at Horizons for Homeless Children and The Home for Little Wanderers, overseeing programming that provided a range of supports to children, youth, and families. She has also worked as a consultant and process coach, helping groups and organizations engage in dialogue and implement change. Additionally, Amy’s work is informed by 10 years of extensive experience in direct service, ranging from crisis intervention to classroom teaching. As an educator, community-based therapist, and leader, she has devoted her career to supporting learning and development.

Amy holds a Certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from the Institute for Nonprofit Practice at Boston University, a Master of Social Work from Washington University in St. Louis, and a Bachelor of Arts in Physics from Wesleyan University. In 1999, she received a Fulbright Fellowship for a year of research and study.

A dedicated lifelong learner, Amy is also trained in community-based mediation and outdoor leadership. An avid swimmer, runner, and hiker, she heads into the White Mountains every chance she gets.

Julie’s professional efforts are focused squarely on improving policies, enhancing support infrastructure, encouraging stakeholder collaboration, and multiplying opportunities for children and youth experiencing foster care. Upon aging out of foster care herself, Julie experienced many barriers on the path to self-sufficient young adulthood and cares deeply about removing those barriers for future generations of impacted youth through innovative and equitable policy and practice changes. She unequivocally and unapologetically believes that people with lived experience in foster care should be meaningfully involved in all child welfare decision-making processes. In 2023 she launched the Lived Experience Professional Network, the goal of which is to provide a safe space for building an international community of adults navigating the intersection of lived foster care/child welfare experience and a professional role in the foster care/child welfare field.

Julie holds a B.A. from the University of Massachusetts-Boston, with a double major in English and Psychology and an M.S. in Speech & Language Pathology from the MGH Institute of Health Professions. Her work has been published in multiple peer-reviewed academic journals and she serves on the Board of Directors for multiple foster care-related organizations. Julie was named a 2021 Re-Envisioning Foster Care in America Champion by the Treehouse Foundation and a 2023 Changemaker of the Year by the Institute for Nonprofit Practice. In 2024, she earned her PhD in Child Study & Human Development from Tufts University.

Imani Seunarine joined HopeWell in 2022, bringing more than 20 years of experience in mental and behavioral health, clinical work, and child and family programming.  As VP of Child and Family Programs, Imani leads HopeWell’s foster care and family support programs, including supporting new program innovations and implementing evidence-based practice frameworks.

Prior to joining HopeWell, Imani served as VP of Behavioral Health and Outpatient Services at The Home for Little Wanderers, where she oversaw outpatient clinic work, state contracts for the Family Resource Center and Early Childhood programming, and The Home’s portfolio of child and family programs. Previously, Imani worked at Bay State Community Services as a Site Director, where she supported two different family resource centers and the spectrum of the Children’s Behavioral Health Initiative. She then served as Bay State’s first-ever Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer, where she led efforts to closely examine organizational policies and sponsor important conversations about anti-racist and anti-oppressive practices. She has also worked as a family home-based community clinician and supervisor.

Imani is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Eastern Nazarene College and a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology from Northeastern University, with concentrations in Health Psychology and Gender, Culture, and Political Psychology. She also holds a clinical certificate in multi-contextual and relational trauma from Simmons College and has completed Boston University’s Nonprofit Management and Leadership certificate program.

Rich has 30 years of professional experience in nonprofit finance leadership — having supported accounting, information technology, human resources, and facilities functions in several nonprofit organizations. At HopeWell’s Chief Financial Officer, Rich oversees financial operations, supervises the finance team, and plays a lead role in supporting and advising the CEO and Board of Directors on all issues related to accounting and finance, budgeting and reporting, forecasting and financial analysis, investment management, contracts and administration, and new business analysis. Rich also engages the Board’s finance, audit, and investment committees around issues, trends, and current best practices.

Prior to joining HopeWell in 2023, Rich served as CFO at three agencies supporting adults and children with developmental and behavioral health challenges: the ARC of Northern Bristol County in Attleboro, Massachusetts; the James L. Maher Center in Middletown, Rhode Island; and most recently, the Baker Center for Children and Families in Waltham, Massachusetts. Rich also has experience leading financial and administrative operations at two local United Ways over 15 years: as the Executive Vice President and CFO at the United Way of Rhode Island, and as the Chief Administrative Officer at the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley. Rich supported and led several United Way Worldwide financial committees in their work developing best practices for financial operations that are used by more than 1,200 local United Ways. He also served as an instructor for new executive finance leaders in the national United Way network.

Rich has an energetic personality and a passion for bringing people together in support of HopeWell’s mission and culture. He brings a pragmatic approach to identifying and resolving fiscal or operational issues, with an emphasis on including colleagues and other stakeholders in finding the solutions.

Rich is an alum of Providence College, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Management and his master’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Finance.

Jim McDaniel is Chair of HopeWell’s Board of Directors and has served on the Board since 1986. Jim is senior counsel at the law firm of Choate, Hall & Stewart in Boston, where he has practiced for more than 40 years in the areas of corporate finance, securities law and corporate governance. A graduate of Stanford University and Harvard Law School, Jim is a member (past Chair) of the Board of Advisors of MassGeneral Hospital for Children and has served as a Warden and member of the Vestry of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Weston.

Charles “Chip” Cabot is an entrepreneur with an over thirty-year career building technology-based companies. He was Vice President of Human Resources and Operations at 170 Systems, a leader in document management and workflow software. Prior to that, Chip was Vice President of Human Resources and Operations at SilverStream Software, a leading developer of web services. A graduate of Harvard University where he received his Bachelor of Arts in English and American Literature, Chip is currently an independent cabinet maker. Chip has served on the HopeWell Board of Directors since 2011 following in his father’s legacy who was as a long time HopeWell Director.

Casey is a Vice President and Senior Family Office Relationship Manager with PNC Private Bank Hawthorn. Casey leads or supports management activities with clients and prospective clients, is responsible for the development and execution of a relationship management plan to acquire and retain clients, and is accountable for ongoing exceptional client experience with the family office business. Casey is responsible for a book of business that typically consists of the largest and/or most complex and sophisticated client relationships. Before joining PNC Private Bank Hawthorn, Casey was a Director with the Global Family Office group at BNY Mellon Wealth Management. She has served on the HopeWell board since 2016. Casey holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Boston College and attended Emory University, where she graduated as a Certified Trust and Financial Advisor. Casey completed her Certified Financial Planning designation through Boston University and has held the CFP® since 2006.

Nehia Al-Shanniek has more than 10 years of experience in teaching, staff recruitment, management, and professional development and coaching for educators in the secondary school context. She joined our board in 2021. Currently, she works as an educational consultant for TNTP (formerly The New Teacher Project), a New York-based nonprofit that works with school systems and coaches teachers at all stages of their careers to improve program quality and teaching practice. Nehia holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Boston College and a Master of Science in Education from Long Island University.

Adam Benjamin is a real estate professional with more than 10 years of experience in all aspects of property development, including investment, pre-construction, operations, and executive management. He is currently a Development Manager at Mark Development, which develops retail, commercial and mixed-use properties in Boston and New York City. He joined our board in 2021.

Adam is passionate about community service and has volunteered with a number of local charitable organizations including the Red & Blue Foundation, the Cory Griffin Foundation, and The Home for Little Wanderers Young Professionals Organization. He has also shared his expertise as a CREST (Commercial Real Estate Success Training) Annual Panelist in addition to other community-oriented volunteer activities. Adam holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Williams College and an MBA from the Carroll School of Management at Boston College.

Anthony Britt is a Program Officer at Fidelity Foundations, where he is responsible for developing, managing, and evaluating a growing portfolio of philanthropic investments to education-focused organizations. Previously, Anthony was Director of Sector Strategies at Commonwealth Corporation, where he partnered with the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development and other public and private organizations to advance the design and implementation of job skills training and placement programs funded through the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund, Employment Program for Young Adults with Disabilities, and other initiatives. Anthony has also been an instructional coach and program manager at City Year and worked as a middle school teacher through Teach for America.

As a person with lived foster care experience, Anthony values mentorship and is driven to improve educational, economic, and civic opportunities for people who experience barriers to success such as young people from systemically under-resourced communities. Anthony holds a BA from Harvard University and an MPP from Tufts University. He is also an alumnus of the Institute for Nonprofit Practice. Anthony joined our board in 2018.

Beverley Doherty is the Senior Managing Director of FX Connect and the North American Head of Currenex, State Street’s suite of foreign exchange e-trading platforms for institutional investors. A native of the United Kingdom, Beverley came to the U.S. in 2016 as part of her employment with State Street. She joined the HopeWell board in 2021. While in the U.K, Beverley served as an elected member of the Leigh Parish Council and chaired the Governing Body of Leigh Primary School in Kent. She also served as a trustee and management committee member for Women’s Link, which provides support and services for women experiencing homelessness. Beverley holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and Politics from the University of Exeter and an Advance Certificate in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.

Shay Edmond is an experienced education professional with extensive knowledge of public K-12 and higher education systems. She is the Vice President, Northeast Region at TNTP.

Prior to joining TNTP, Shay served as the Senior Associate Commissioner for the Center for Strategic Initiatives at the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), where she led coordination and partnership with both internal and external stakeholders to identify, design, pilot, and elevate strategies that advance educational equity for Massachusetts students ― particularly those traditionally or currently underserved. Shay was also responsible for leading DESE’s diverse and culturally responsive Massachusetts educator workforce priority; diversity, equity, and inclusion policies and practices; and district-level programs to promote equitable student access to opportunities and outcomes.

Shay’s lived experience with foster care and homelessness have provided her with a unique understanding of the needs of marginalized young people. Shay looks forward to bringing her perspective and unwavering commitment to young people experiencing foster care to HopeWell. Shay currently sits on the Board of Directors for The Teachers’ Lounge. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Curry College and a Master of Education from Boston University.

Melanie Foley is Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of Liberty Mutual Insurance, the sixth-largest global property and casualty insurer. In this role, Melanie leads the company’s talent, procurement, brand and communications, real estate, community investments, sustainability, and workplace services functions. Since joining Liberty Mutual in 1996, she has held several leadership positions and been responsible for driving successful organizational transformations and talent and enterprise strategies that have enhanced the employee experience and enabled the business to thrive. Melanie joined our board in 2021 and is a member of the Board of Trustees at Boston Medical Center and Bentley University. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Boston College and an MBA from Bentley University.

Heather Mack is a development leader with more than 20 years of experience building and implementing strategic philanthropic programs on both the front line and in management. She served as Vice-President for Development at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, where she led a major restructuring of the hospital’s development and philanthropic operations, and more than tripled annual fundraising totals over the course of three years. Prior to that, Heather spent 17 years on the development team at Massachusetts General Hospital, most recently as Senior Managing Director of Development.

Heather holds a Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Goucher College and an MBA from Loyola University. She lives in Newton with her family.

Shaheer Mustafa, LICSW, CCDP joined HopeWell in 2016 as the organization was re-envisioning itself for the 21st century. Bringing a mix of private nonprofit and public service experience to his role, Shaheer is guiding the organization’s renewed energy, program growth, and emphasis on creating positive, measurable outcomes. He oversees HopeWell’s programs and partnerships, manages its resources, and nurtures a positive, inclusive, and transparent organizational culture.

Prior to joining HopeWell Shaheer served as Director of Areas for the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families Arlington and Coastal Area Offices. While managing child protective services across 31 cities and towns he developed a strong reputation for leadership in improved permanency for children, reducing disproportionality in the foster care system, and leading creative efforts to respond to the opiate crisis.

Shaheer previously served as Director of the Knight’s Children’s Center, a residential school and treatment program of the Home for Little Wanderers, was a faculty member at Simmons College Graduate School of Social Work, Urban Leadership program and is currently a Core Instructor for the Institute for Nonprofit Practice in affiliation with the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University. Shaheer’s work has been highlighted in numerous publications and he is widely recognized as a leader in the sector.

Shaheer began his career as a therapist assisting children and families to overcome the impact of complex stress using empowerment and strengths-based models of practice. He received a Bachelor of Science in Sociology and a Master’s in Clinical Social Work from Boston College and is certified as a Diversity Practitioner from Cornell’s School of Industrial Labor Relations. Shaheer also holds a certificate in nonprofit management and leadership from the Institute for Nonprofit Practice.

Quinn Phillips is a J.D. Candidate and ASPIRE (Antiracist Scholar for Progress, Innovation, and Racial Equity) fellow at Boston University School of Law.

She is an instructor for the Tufts University Prison Initiative of the Tisch College of Civic Life and a guest lecturer for the Tufts Experimental College. Quinn also volunteers as a facilitator for a Massachusetts-based restorative justice organization. In this role, she supports transformative approaches to resolving conflict and addressing harm in justice systems and communities.

Having spent time in foster care herself, Quinn is deeply committed to building pathways toward wellbeing, belonging, and success for youth experiencing foster care.

Quinn holds a Bachelor of Arts from Amherst College and a Master’s in Diversity and Inclusion Leadership from Tufts University. She lives in Jamaica Plain, where she enjoys walking around the pond with her dog and older sister.

Alison Quinan is a graduate of Wellesley College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Language Studies and worked as as a Benefits Manager in Boston for several years. A HopeWell Board member since 2011, Alison has also been very active volunteering for the Holliston Music and Arts Parents Association serving as a past President of the organization. Alison was formerly the Musical Director of the Copley Cats, a women’s acapella singing group.  Most recently Alison has turned her focus to the care of three daughters who are following her footsteps in pursuing their education and passion for music.

Adriano Varano is the President and CEO of The Varano Realty Group. He was born in Newton to immigrant parents moving to Calabria, Italy at four years old. Growing up in Italy, Adriano had various jobs where he learned many skills ultimately returning to Boston at 17. Adriano launched a successful real estate business and since its beginning in 2003, The Varano Realty Group is in the top 1% nationwide due to Adriano’s strong work ethic, dedication and networking. Adriano has served on numerous Boards, most recently Beth Israel Deaconess in Needham. Adriano resides in Needham with his wife Kelly and two sons Dante and Luca. Adriano joined the Board of HopeWell in 2020.