Meet Our Staff

Executive Director

  • Sarah brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success. Sarah has held various leadership positions at large non-profit organizations. Most recently, she was the Development and Outreach Manager for Ann’s Place, Inc in Danbury, responsible for all of their large-scale annual fundraising events. Prior to that she was the Campaign Development Specialist for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society in Austin, Texas where she oversaw logistics, timelines, budgets and other operational elements for their fundraising campaigns.

    “I look forward to working alongside the Board of Directors to continue the important work of empowering young women of color through education and mentorship. Together, we will build on the strong foundation already in place, and I am eager to contribute to the growth and success of RABC's mission.”

    Sarah has a Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas in Austin and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Colorado in Boulder, Colorado.

Resident Director

  • As Interim Resident Director, Lauren supervises the daily operation of the house and all aspects of student life. She provides social guidance and support to the RABC Scholars by establishing and maintaining high standards of conduct and achievement in accordance with the RABC Board of Directors.

    Lauren was an educator and child development professional with more than 30 years of experience in early childhood education, special education, program leadership, family support, and student supervision. She was also Head Teacher & Supervisor of Speech and Language Graduate Students at Emerson College.

Resident Academic Director

  • Lashawnna works with the Resident Director to ensure the highest academic standards, oversees evening study hall and assists with the everyday life of the scholars. She also maintains relationships with the RABC Academic Advisor Co-Chairs, Ridgefield High School staff, scholar’s families, and the RABC Board.

    As an 2021 RABC alumna, she is truly coming home, bringing with her a deep understanding of our mission and the life-changing impact of the program.

    Lashawnna earned a Bachelor of Arts in English, with a minor in Management and Leadership, from Boston College. Most recently, she served as a DEI Program Coordinator for the Massachusetts Attorney General's Office in Boston, where she supported diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives.

Social Worker

  • Nehemie visits the RABC house monthly, enjoying dinner with the girls and then engaging with the scholars through group discussions and activities, and also providing one-on-one support. She also provides all adult volunteers and staff with DEI training, highlighting our commitment to building an inclusive and supportive community. 

    Nehemie is the Co-Founder, Chief Creative Officer, and Psychotherapist of North Star Partners. She has over a decade of experience working with nonprofits that focus on the intersection of racial equity, academia, and the social-emotional well-being of youth and families of color. Nehemie has a Master’s in Social Work from New York University,  and BA in Psychology from University of Vermont.

Cook

  • Hello!  I’m Sherry Tyrrell and I’ve been holding down the kitchen at Veterans Park for the past 15 years, keeping my littles laughing and well-fed. In the summer, I cook for the Danbury Westerners, a collegiate summer baseball league—so I’m no stranger to long days, big appetites, and fast-paced kitchens. 

    I’m a single mom to my 28-year-old son and share my home with a 9-year-old pittie who firmly believes she is the boss! When I’m not cooking, I love getting lost in a good book, watching my guilty pleasure Murder She Wrote, hiking with Blüe, soaking up the sun at the beach, or catching concerts and baseball games. Let’s go Yankees and Westerners!

    I’m beyond excited to cook for the girls and get them in the kitchen with me—sharing laughs, learning new skills, and making great food together.

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors brings diverse professional and personal experiences together in service of our mission. They provide financial oversight, strategic planning, volunteer leadership, and deep community connection — all to ensure the success and wellbeing of our scholars.

Executive Board Officers

Jessica Brooks- President

Layne McCarthy, 1st Vice President

Meredith Renda, 1st Vice President

Ira Gerard, Treasurer

Susan Ferguson, Recording Secretary

Michelle DiMicelli- Corresponding Secretary

Board of Directors

Nancy Brandon

Divya Dorairajan

Karen Gerard

Joanna Hils

Kathleen Murdock

Lisa Miraglia

Janie Nneji

Marlena Stout

We are currently accepting applications for new members of our Board of Directors.

Please email our Board President, Jessica Brooks, for more information.

Get in Touch

Interested in volunteering on a committee or learning more about Board service?