We recently placed executive directors at the following nonprofits. Congratulations to the organizations, new leaders and the transition consultants who led the process.
Robb Zarges
Bridge Over Troubled Waters
Robb Zarges, the newly appointed executive director for Boston-based Bridge Over Troubled Waters, has a distinguished career in organizational leadership and work with at-risk youth populations. After completing studies at Houghton College in Houghton, N.Y., and earning a Master of Arts in Counseling at Gordon-Crowell Theological Seminary, in 1992 Robb served as assistant pastor of Christian Education for Calvary Baptist Church in Meriden, Conn.
In 1998, Robb began working with the Meriden Juvenile Justice Center, and during 2001-2002, he served as program director for the town of Wallingford where he worked exclusively with at-risk youth. During this period Mr. Zarges served as the New England director for Straight Ahead Ministries Inc. of Worcester, Mass., to develop faith-based programs and services for juvenile offenders and at-risk youth.
Among his credits is the establishment of a new nonprofit agency to serve juvenile offenders in Connecticut, including creating reliable funding streams, founding and directing aftercare home care for high risk youth, and instituting programs that recruited, trained and supported leaders and mentors for this population in major Connecticut cities.
Since 2002 Robb has served as executive director of Straight Ahead Ministries, a national nonprofit organization with 12 affiliates in 16 states. He expanded individual donations and foundation support by nearly 300 percent to an annual operating budget of $2.6 million. He has worked extensively with the Federal Department of Labor, launched self-sustaining start up residential programs and increased service to clients by over 200 percent.
Eva Millona
Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition
Eva Millona, the newly appointed executive director for the Massachusetts Immigrant and Refugee Advocacy Coalition (MIRA), joined the organization in 1999 and most recently served as the policy and advocacy director, deputy director, and the acting executive director for the last six months. Eva is a nationally recognized expert and advocate on immigration law and policy.
As an immigrant from Albania, Eva came to this country in 1993 and has long been a significant contributor to the immigrant rights movement. As Sarah Ignatius, PAIR project director and MIRA member states, “her deep dedication and concern, her patience and professionalism, her consistent advocacy for immigrants and others in detention are inspiring to all of us. She has truly made a difference in many people’s lives.”
She has worked closely with national partners to push for comprehensive immigration legislation and administrative reforms. Her analysis has guided advocacy groups across the country and has particularly pointed out the need for the reform of immigration laws. For the last eight years, she has served as the co-chair of the Governor’s Advisory Council on Refugees and Immigrants.
Before coming to MIRA, Eva directed a refugee resettlement program in central Massachusetts. She built positive, working relationships in order to secure access for community-based organizations, service providers and legal services groups with state and federal agencies. In fact, these relationships are a model for how to engage communities and policy-makers. In her tenure at MIRA, she has taken on challenges such as advocating for implementation of detention standards for all detainees, to securing passage of pro-immigrant legislation and necessary funds for MIRA members and partners in the state budget.
Eva holds a master’s degree from Clark University and a law degree from Tirana University School of Law.
Rhonda Cohen-Boyar
Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Massachusetts Affiliate
Rhonda Cohen-Boyar joined Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Massachusetts Affiliate (Komen MA) as executive director on November 3, 2008. Ronni’s background includes 25 years in the banking industry. After studying sociology at the University of Michigan and completing a management training program, Ronni began her professional career as a mortgage banker designing affordable home ownership programs with the Massachusetts Housing Finance Agency.
Later she joined MHFA as development officer where, for several years, she worked with federal, state and local governmental offices, rating agencies, local nonprofits, statewide grassroots organizations as well as large real estate developers and banks. Promoting the program, building relationships among multiple constituencies, procuring funding and developing staff were among her achievements.
With Fleet Bank, and later as a vice president at Bank of America, Ronni held various positions that utilized her strengths in employee development and training, customer relations and performance management. Ms. Cohen-Boyar is currently on the board of Boston’s Jewish Community Day School serving on the finance and fundraising committees.
Emilio Dorcely
The City School
Emilio Dorcely has been appointed executive director of The City School, a youth leadership development and social justice education program headquartered in Dorchester, Mass. Mr. Dorcely has a wide range of professional experience having worked in philanthropic, government and nonprofit organizations.
Most recently he was consultant to Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors and was director of programs & administration, coordinator of the ABFE/HIP Initiative for the Association of Black Foundation Executives (ABFE). He served as director of the Youth Advisory Council and Youth Initiatives in the Executive Office of the Mayor of Washington, D.C., and was a program officer at the Rhode Island Foundation. Mr. Dorcely previously was with the United Way of New York City and other public and private institutions. Mr. Dorcely was a Thurgood Marshall fellow at the University of Iowa College of Law where he earned a J.D.
In announcing the appointment, Christine Williams and Allain Cherenfant, co-chairs of the organization’s board of directors, said: “we are delighted that Mr. Dorcely is bringing his substantial experience to The City School and believe that his leadership will deepen the organization’s reach and impact, helping hundreds of teenagers in greater Boston discover ways to bring about positive change in our community.”
Candida Flores
Family Life Education
Candida Flores is the new executive director of Family Life Education in Hartford. She succeeds Chet Brodnicki, who had served as interim executive director through the Executive Transitions Program since December.
Flores brings more than 20 years of relevant experience in the human services, government and corporate sectors in Connecticut and Puerto Rico. In the state, she has worked for the Connecticut Council of Family Service Agencies and the Hispanic Health Council. She served as the chief of staff for New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. and as special assistant to Connecticut Governor Lowell Weicker.
Family Life Education, a grassroots, community-based nonprofit organization, recently celebrated 20 years of providing services to at-risk youth and young parents and their children in Hartford. The organization’s mission is to build a healthy community, strengthen families and promote the well-being of children and youth through education, outreach and support services. Programs include the Parkville Family Center, Nurturing Families Program, and Teen and Young Parent Support Program.
Supported by a grant from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Family Life Education’s board of directors worked with transition consultant Ann E. Thomas.
Maria C. Sheehan
Waltham Community Access Corporation
Maria C. Sheehan becomes the new executive director of Waltham public access station WCAC-TV this month. Sheehan has 25 years of experience in broadcasting, most recently as general manager for Westborough, Mass., TV. During her tenure there, Sheehan helped local residents, nonprofits, community groups and government officials create a diverse portfolio of local programs for their community. She previously worked at Shrewsbury Media Connection as the government access coordinator and won several local and national awards for shows she produced.
An article about Sheehan’s arrival at WCAC has appeared in the Waltham Daily News Tribune.
The Waltham Community Access Corporation produces public and government access programming to provide the opportunity for the free exchange of information and ideas, and to represent the talents, skills, interests, concerns and diversity of the Waltham community.
The WCAC board and search committee worked closely with transition consultant Margo Kelly.
Barbara Walzer
Worcester Center for Crafts
Barbara Walzer is joining the Worcester Center for Crafts as its new executive director. She succeeds Kathy Jellison, who served as an interim executive director.
Walzer comes most recently from New Mexico where she was a consultant to nonprofits, and executive director of the Santa Fe Indian Market, which she helped through a dramatic recovery. Walzer is also well-known in Providence, R.I., where she launched a nonprofit to revitalize the distressed Southside/Broad Street multi-ethnic neighborhood by promoting arts, culture and business.
The Worcester Center for Crafts dates back to 1856 when it was established as the Worcester Employment Society to teach immigrants how to create and sell crafts. Today, WCC provides quality craft education and promotes an appreciation for fine craft among all ages and abilities through classes, camps, exhibitions, a retail store, and an annual craft fair and pottery show.
Supported by a grant from the Greater Worcester Community Foundation, WCC worked with transition consultant Nancy Jackson.
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