Meet Rise Above's Leadership
Sarah Baldiga
Co-founder & Executive Director
Wade Sulzman
Co-founder & Board President
Wade has worked in the field of social work for 15 years. His experience ranges from working at the Department of Children and Families, where Wade is currently an adolescent social worker, to promoting and mentoring musicians. Since a teenager in New Jersey, Wade has been drawn to helping people succeed and overcome adversity. Wade's approach to social work is forward-thinking, using music as a conduit for adolescents to experience their emotions and express themselves without losing focus on areas of need. Wade has a bachelor's degree in Sociology from the University of Southern Colorado.
Brianna Owen
Staff: Director of Community Engagement & Impact
Brianna joined Rise Above in July 2021. Most recently she was the Program Director of FOCUS, a program of Friends of Children, which supports young adults who have experienced foster care navigate adulthood. Brianna was responsible for youth recruitment, community outreach, program data, events and volunteer training and outreach. Brianna was also a co-creator of Massachusetts' very first civilian unarmed public safety service, the Community Responders for Equity Safety and Service (CRESS) which is an alternative to the police whose mission is rooted in antiracism and trauma informed care. Brianna has a BA from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in Legal Studies. She is a foster care alum herself.
Julie Stanwood-Higgins
Staff: Program Manager
Julie has extensive experience in the nonprofit world, most recently serving as the Executive Director of Friends of Families in Transition, which provided direct care to families facing crisis and homelessness. Previously, she was the Central Massachusetts coordinator for Birthday Wishes. Julie has been a long-time advocate for children in state care and the source of practical, hands-on support for biological and foster families navigating special education, trauma and healthcare. She and her family have been fostering for more than 6 years, and she also serves on the Framingham DCF Area Board and as a Foster Parent Liaison. Julie and her family live in Northboro and enjoy spending time together playing and watching sports being outdoors.
Nichole Moccia
Staff: Smiles Coordinator
Coming soon
Marcela Blue, MSW
Board Member
Marcela has extensive experience working with children and families. She spent ten years with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, where she worked closely with children in foster care and their foster parents. During that time she also worked as a Child-At-Risk Hotline worker, initiating after-hours emergency responses for children at imminent risk of abuse or neglect. Through social work, Marcela has been able to help strengthen families while offering protective services for children. Marcela earned a Masters in Social Work from Salem State University and her undergraduate degree from the College of the Holy Cross.
Rachel Berry, MSW
Board Member
Rachel is committed to improving the lives of youth in the child welfare system and has spent her entire career in residential care where she has been the President and Chief Executive Officer at the Brandon Residential Treatment Center since May 2017. Her previous roles include Chief Operations Officer, in which she oversaw program operations of the school and residences, and Case Management Coordinator, in which she worked with youth with problem sexual behaviors in a self-contained program with educational and residential services. Rachel holds a Masters in Social Work from Boston College and a Bachelors in Science in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Rhode Island. She is committed to serving youth in her program who present with emotional and behavioral challenges in their homes, communities and schools. In her free time Rachel enjoys and active lifestyle with her family which includes, country music concerts, hiking, spending time riding quads, skiing or enjoying fun on the lake. Rachel and her family live in Framingham.
Jessica Coolidge, MSW, LCSW
Board Member
Jessica is a licensed social worker and has worked with at risk children and families in Massachusetts for 19+ years. She is currently a medical social worker with the Health and Medical Services Team at the MA Department of Children and Families. Her current work combines both her healthcare and child welfare background and involves statewide consultation within a multidisciplinary healthcare team, working on interagency public sector projects and healthcare coordination for youth in foster care. Jessica developed a first of its kind, care coordination program within DCF in 2015, which has led to both state and national recognition for its demonstrated success in building relationships with healthcare providers and improving access to healthcare for youth in foster care. Jessica holds a BS from Lesley University, a Master of Social Work from Bridgewater State University, and is currently completing her Master of Public Administration at Suffolk University. She currently resides on the South Shore and in her free time enjoys travel, participating in triathlons, spending time with friends, and relaxing in coffee shops.
Michelle Cunha
Board Member
Michelle is currently working as a data manager at Sage Therapeutics, a Boston-based pharmaceutical company specializing in central nervous system disorders. Outside of data management, she previously worked as a residential counselor for children diagnosed with Autism or other similar learning and behavioral issues and as a data coordinator for a non-profit working in collaboration with DCF. Michelle is 2007 graduate in psychology from Saint Anselm College. In her spare time she enjoys volunteering at a dog shelter, cooking, and doing yoga.
Leo Ferrante
Board Member
Leo works for Facebook as the Head of Global Music Partner Operations. Prior to this, he served as Director of Royalties for SoundCloud Ltd and the Vice President of Copyright for Universal Music Group. He has been consulted on royalties and audits for several independent musicians and bands, and was the Director of Licensing and Royalties for Warner Music Group prior to his role at Universal. A California native and a former resident of New York City as well as Berlin, Germany, Leo currently lives in New Jersey with his wife and two daughters (and their puppy). Leo is a graduate of California State University, Northridge.
Joshua Halterman
Board Member
Josh is the owner and lead designer of Joshua Allen Design, a Sterling, Massachusetts-based interior design firm, focusing on commercial and residential design for all of New England. Josh has 12+ years of experience in the corporate sector, specializing in team leadership, mentoring, and event planning. His experience in both the corporate world and within his own business has added a great deal of exposure and proficiency in business management, marketing, and operations. He is a graduate of Southern New Hampshire University with a BS in Graphic Design. Since the inception of Joshua Allen Design, Josh has made philanthropy a core value of his business, giving back to multiple organizations through the years. In his free time, Josh enjoys spending time outdoors, traveling, going to concerts, and most importantly, spending time with his family and friends.
Grant Hamilton
Board Member
Grant is an Assistant Vice President of Human Resources at TJX. Grant has held various human resource roles within TJX over the past 27 years. Over the last two years Grant along with his wife Julie have been foster parents. Grant is the Treasurer of the Monson Youth Lacrosse Association. Grant earned his Masters in Human Resources from Lesley University and his undergraduate degree from Mount Ida College. In Grant’s free time he enjoys gardening, traveling and spending time with his family.
Michael Hanscom, MSW, LCSW
Board Member
Mike has been working with children and families in Western Massachusetts for 15 years. He has worked with the Springfield Juvenile Court and The Children’s Study Home, and is currently a social worker with Hopewell (formerly Dare Family Services). Mike earned his undergraduate degree and Master’s in Social Work at Westfield State University. Mike also been a professional disc jockey for 25 years, owning and operating a mobile business as well as doing club and radio DJ work. In his spare time Mike enjoys attending concerts, sporting events and art shows. He also has to make time for his dog Nino, who’s a social media celebrity of sorts. Together they spend time as volunteers for the French Bulldog Rescue Network, and working with local dog rescues and shelters.
Stephen Knox
Board Member
Stephen serves as Chief Operating Officer at Reliant Medical Group (RMG), a role he has held for 5 years. He has been with RMG for 21 years, starting out in finance and serving in various capacities both within finance and administration. In this role, Steve is responsible for all clinical operations, facilities & real estate, and information technology. Steve is a graduate of the University of Connecticut with a BS in Health Care Management and an MBA from the University of Hartford. Steve is also a Board member of the Worcester Research Bureau and a participant on the MBA Advisory Committee for Assumption College. He is an Eagle Scout and in his free time, Steve enjoys an active lifestyle (exercise, hiking, kayaking, snorkeling), cooking, traveling, reading, sports, and spending time with his extended family. Stephen lives in Worcester with his wife and stepson, and has two adult children.
Mark Maney
Board Member
Mark Maney is Head of Customer Success at Arnica. In this capacity he works with internal stakeholders and with partners to drive value, ensure successful implementation of the Arnica solution, and improve the end user’s experience. Mark studied economics and computer information systems at Bentley University and has years of experience in organizing large scale improvement and process automation. Mark has worked in both engineering and technology, holding positions in multiple tech companies with responsibilities spanning product management, project management, analytics automation, and 3rd party implementation consulting with multiple S&P 500 companies.
Lorimar Mateo, MSW, LCSW
Board Member
Lorimar is a licensed social worker who has worked in the field of domestic violence since 2009. She is currently employed as a Domestic Violence Specialist with the MA Department of Transitional Assistance. Previous to her current role, she worked for the MA Department of Children and Families in that same capacity, providing consultation and training to DCF staff. Lorimar earned her Bachelors in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College in 2009 and her Masters in Social Worker from Westfield State University in 2020. Lorimar is a big fan of sports and represents teams such as the New England Patriots and Boston Celtics.
Anthony Mansfield, MSW
Board Member
Anthony "Tony" earned his Masters in Social Work from Boston University School of Social Work in 1993 and his Juris Doctor from CUNY School of Law in 1996. Tony has spent the past 30+ years working with children and families as an in-home therapist, adolescent group leader and attorney. Since graduating from law school, Tony has worked at the Department of Children and Families for over 20 years as a Regional Counsel and has spent the last three as a Deputy Regional Counsel. Prior to that, Tony was a staff attorney with the Children and Family Law Program representing parents and children in Care and Protection matters.
Ashley Newhall
Board Member
Ashley is a Customer Success Manager for Zebra Technologies. Ashley has experience in project planning, analytics, planning and executing events, budget management and operational excellence. She is a Graduate of Framingham State University, Alumni of the Metrowest Leadership Academy and recipient of the Massachusetts Hospitality Award. In her free time, Ashley enjoys the beach, traveling, live music and spending time with friends and family.
Nick Pelletier
Board Member
Nick graduated from Worcester Polytechnic Institute in 2009 and is currently the President and CEO of Pelletier Properties LLC based in Northern Worcester County. In this role Nick manages a portfolio of real estate investments as well as helping clients buy and sell both residential and commercial properties. Nick strives to improve and revitalize the areas and communities in which he invests. In his free time Nick supports and advises a number of youth and educational based organizations. In addition, Nick enjoys the outdoors and spending time on the lake where he lives.
Dan Satchwell
Board Member
Dan is currently working as an Operations Manager at the Boston Athletic Association. Prior to this, he worked as a Director of Cultural Exchange Through Soccer in Worcester and as Director of Event Development at New York Road Runners. He has been in the nonprofit sector for 13 years, where he has been part of the management team for BAA Boston Marathon, TCS NYC Marathon, and the Worcester World Cup. Dan is a graduate of the Universidad Nacional de Costa Rica with a BS in Physical Education, Sports, and Recreation. He currently lives in Worcester and enjoys playing soccer, cycling, and surfing..
Kay Takinami
Board Member