Meet the Team
Click on a team member to learn more
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Amisha Desai
Vice President, Partnerships & Growth
Amisha supports the Partnerships and Growth initiatives at Building Impact. She is responsible for fostering new corporate partnerships on a national scale while also cultivating our existing partners.
Prior to Building Impact, Amisha spent 5 years at GE Healthcare in various sales and service operations roles. She graduated from Boston College with concentrations in Marketing and Business Analytics as well as a minor in Philosophy.
During her free time, Amisha loves spending time in nature with her family, experimenting with new crafts, and deepening her meditation practice.
James Fry
SVP of Corporate Partnerships & Marketing
James joined Building Impact in March 2025 as SVP of Corporate Partnerships and Marketing. In this role, James is responsible for the GTM strategy for the organization including strategic revenue growth, marketing and corporate partnerships.
Prior to Building Impact, James has worked at a variety of early stage tech start-ups where he focused on GTM Strategy, product development, business development and partnerships. He also spent a decade at Earthwatch Institute - the largest environmental volunteer NGO in the US. James was responsible for digital marketing and cultivating corporate, higher Ed and non-profit partnerships to scale the global volunteer program in support of its environmental scientific research mission.
James has an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Marketing from F.W Olin School of Business at Babson College. James is a proud father of three. During his free time, James loves to spend time with his family, traveling, playing cricket and soccer or relaxing at the beach on Cape Cod with a good book.
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Annabeth Gausepohl
Senior Program Manager
Annabeth is a member of the Building Impact Program Team, where she supports the creation, management, and implementation of program development while working closely with Building Impact's extensive roster of nonprofit partners.
Prior to joining BI, Annabeth served as Director of Programming and later as Interim Executive Director at E inc. She is passionate about education, equity, and environmental sustainability, with a particular interest in the intersection of all three. Outside of work, Annabeth enjoys hiking, reading, and spending time with her loved ones.
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Emily Helm
Strategic Advisor
Having worked in entrepreneurial and growing organizations for more than 25 years, Emily's talents lie in leveraging the diverse skills and expertise of team members toward deeper impact, greater productivity and authentic growth. As President, CEO and COO of several organizations, Emily has managed and led through periods of transition in support of organizational growth and positive change.
Emily has an undergraduate degree from Hamilton College, a Master of Education degree from The University of Vermont, and is also a graduate of the Executive Program for Nonprofit Leaders at the Stanford University Graduate School of Business, as well as the Advanced Executive Program at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Emily is currently serving as Building Impact's Strategic Advisor.
Marcia Jordan (MJ)
Director, Facilitations & Training
MJ is the Director of Facilitation and Training at Building Impact, where she leads volunteer experiences and equips teams to feel confident and prepared to deliver meaningful service.
She holds a BA in Business Management from Southern New Hampshire University and is a proud Year Up United alumna, where she later served as Associate Director of Employment Placement. With over 10 years of experience in customer service, public speaking, and facilitation, MJ is passionate about creating inclusive spaces where people feel connected and empowered.
Outside of work, she enjoys tending to her houseplants and experimenting with new recipes.
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Kate Kerrigan
Senior Vice President of Programs
Kate leads the program team at Building Impact, overseeing the development, design, and delivery of Building Impact's national social impact programming. She manages the organization's largest corporate accounts, driving successful employee volunteer engagement initiatives that create meaningful, measurable community impact.
Previously she worked at United Way. She has a Master of Arts in International Studies and has lived in Africa, India, and South America while working for various NGOs. She loves being a mom of two, coaching youth sports and running.
Rory Kelly
Assistant Manager of Graphic Design and Programs
Rory supports the creation of visual storytelling and day to day coordination of our programs. She designs print and digital materials including flyers, reports, presentations, signage, and event collateral for partners. She also maintains organized and up-to-date inventory of program supplies and event materials.
With a strong belief in the power of storytelling, Rory likes to use graphic design to elevate the voices of nonprofit partners and educate others about the important work being done in their communities.
Outside of work, Rory enjoys trying new restaurants around Boston, watching reality TV, and listening to music.
Emily Karafelis
Senior Program Manager
Emily manages day-to-day program operations to deliver high-impact volunteer experiences of all kinds. In addition to program design and implementation, She leads the development of Building Impact's diverse network of nonprofit partners. She is passionate about creating community among volunteers and collaborating with community-based organizations.
Outside of work, Emily enjoys aerial arts, painting and creative writing.
Anthony Luti
Digital Marketing Manager
Anthony leads digital marketing at Building Impact, where he crafts and executes strategies that elevate the organization's mission across web, email, and social platforms.
With nearly a decade of experience in marketing, particularly in the nonprofit and media sectors, he brings a keen understanding of how to drive engagement and build meaningful connections.
Prior to joining Building Impact, Anthony spent six years at Merrimack College, where he earned both a bachelor's degree in Communication & Media and a master's in Business Management & Marketing.
When he's not building digital campaigns, you can find Anthony on the water, boating and spending time with his family.
Kristina Woodward
Program Manager
Kristina manages, plans, and implements meaningful volunteer projects with the Program Team while also supporting client engagement. With over 3 years in nonprofit communications and a BA in Advertising & Public Relations (plus a Marine Biology Minor), Kristina is passionate about making a positive difference for people and the planet through her work and beyond.
Outside of work Kristina spends her free time enjoying the outdoors with her friends, family & dog, SCUBA diving, and advocating for environmental awareness.
Sandra Seru
CEO
Sandra Seru is the CEO of Building Impact, where she leads the organization's work bringing the private and nonprofit sectors together in meaningful partnership.
Throughout her career, Sandra has tackled complex social and environmental challenges through collaboration and collective action, with a focus on advancing the positive role of business in society. She previously served as Managing Director of Forum for the Future Americas, which works to cultivate cross-sector collaboration and systems change, and has held other leadership roles within nonprofits and businesses, including The B Team, Diageo, and Business for Social Responsibility (BSR).
In her free time, Sandra enjoys playing piano and tennis, but can usually be found cheering on elementary school sports teams.
Sandra holds an MBA from Columbia Business School and a BA from Harvard University.
Dr. Marshaun R. Hymon, SHRM-SCP
Dr. Marshaun R. Hymon is a talent management consultant with experience in various industries and an arts in education advocate. Notable projects include the development of Disney Advertising's learning strategy and the design of Delta Airlines' Skills-First Hiring talent develop program. Recent conference presentations include the 2023 National Association for Music Education Forum, ATD's 2024 International Conference and Expo, and SHRM's 2026 Talent Conference.
Dr. Hymon earned a Bachelor of Music Education from FSU, a Master of Educational Leadership from UWF, and a Doctor of Educational Leadership from UCLA.
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David Simpson
Originally from New York City, Dave works on the venture team at Arup, a global engineering firm. He has dedicated his career to social impact, including three years helping Building Impact expand nationally. Dave is passionate about equal access to education, financial literacy, housing, and social justice. Outside of work, he enjoys fitness, exploring new restaurants, and traveling.
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Larry Bruce
Larry Bruce, a skilled civil engineer with a bachelor's degree in business logistics, blending technical knowledge with strong organizational and planning abilities. He is passionate about designing and developing infrastructure that supports growing communities.
Beyond his professional career, Larry has a deep love for basketball, valuing the teamwork, discipline, and energy the sport brings to his life. He is equally dedicated to making a positive impact, consistently finding ways to support and uplift communities. His commitment to service, combined with his professional expertise and personal interests, reflects a well-rounded individual focused on growth, teamwork, and meaningful contributions to society.
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Lisa Markland
Lisa has worked with the Center for the Study of Sport in Society, where she served as a facilitator, consultant, and Director of Training. The Center uses sport as a platform to advance social justice, challenge perceptions, and promote bystander education.
Through her leadership, Lisa worked with major professional sports organizations, including Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Football League (NFL), and the National Basketball Association (NBA), and traveled nationally and internationally delivering training on social justice awareness and leadership development.
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Winston Daley
Winston Daley was born in Jamaica and emigrated to Boston at 10 years old. He received his BSBA in Business and Entrepreneurial Studies from Suffolk University and his master's degree from Northeastern University. Winston began his career in financial services but made a mid-career change and becoming a Lead Facilitator at the Center for Sport in Society, leading workshops on relationship violence and social justice.
Winston also became a nonprofit leader, concentrating on the issues of youth employment, environmental justice, and community empowerment. He is most recently a technology startup founder and angel investor.
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Gabrielle (Gabby) King
Gabrielle "Gabby" King is a learning and development professional dedicated to creating engaging experiences that connect people to purpose and deepen awareness of social issues. She serves as a Senior Specialist in Organizational Development and Effectiveness at Boston Medical Center Health System, where she designs and delivers large-scale training initiatives focused on leadership, equity, and employee engagement.
Her work is grounded in human-centered design and data-driven strategy, supporting a workforce of over 20,000 employees. Gabby is especially passionate about equitable access to education and fostering inclusive environments that drive meaningful, lasting impact across organizations and communities.
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Maren Rojas
Maren Rojas is a leader in trauma-informed sports and youth development, currently working with Edgework Consulting to build staff capacity across organizations globally. With over two decades of experience coaching women's soccer at collegiate and professional levels, she brings deep expertise in leadership development through sport.
Maren has partnered with organizations such as Up2Us Sports, Boys and Girls Clubs of Canada, and the UN Office on Sport for Development and Peace. She holds a USSF "A" License and has worked with U.S. Youth National teams. Maren is passionate about advancing youth development, mental health, and equitable access to opportunity.
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Evans Erlius
Evans Erilus is a higher education leader with over 15 years of experience advancing equity-centered student success initiatives. As Assistant Dean of Academic Support and College Pathway Programs at Bunker Hill Community College, he leads strategy, operations, and cross-campus collaboration to improve student persistence and belonging.
Evans specializes in designing and scaling student-centered programs that support historically underserved populations, particularly Black, Latino, and Indigenous students. Known for his collaborative and culturally responsive leadership style, he also facilitates trainings on leadership, equity, and social impact for higher education, nonprofit, and corporate partners.
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Lauren Bard
Lauren Bard is an experienced facilitator, non-clinical social worker, and youth development professional committed to advancing social and racial justice. She currently serves as a senior training manager for a public health consultancy in Boston, where she develops and delivers training on youth development, racial equity, and overdose prevention in both English and Spanish.
Lauren brings expertise in trauma, mental health, restorative justice, and violence prevention. Her work is grounded in a trauma-informed, strengths-based approach shaped by years of experience across education, juvenile justice, and community-based programs. She is dedicated to creating supportive, healing-centered environments for youth and communities
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Kedra Dawkins
Kedra Dawkins is a facilitator with a background in film production, experiential design, and community organizing. She is passionate about social impact work, particularly supporting communities affected by disaster, drawing from her own lived experience. Kedra brings a creative and purpose-driven approach to her work, helping groups connect meaningfully while contributing to impactful initiatives.
She is also a community builder, having organized a network of over 150 Black art department filmmakers during the pandemic and contributing to the early development of Ava DuVernay's ARRAY Crew. Kedra is committed to fostering connection, creativity, and collective impact.
Alexis Scranton
Alexis Scranton is an educator and facilitator experienced at building capacity at all levels of an organization. She is passionate about education, particularly literacy and financial literacy. Although born and raised in Atlanta, GA she has spent her career teaching, training, and coaching across the U.S. and throughout Asia. Her experience spans both traditional and nontraditional learning environments.
The organizations Alexis works with are united by a common mission: creating lasting impact and driving change in their communities. Outside of work she is a mother of a teenage son, enjoys experiencing new cultures and being out in nature.
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Daniel Luppino
Daniel Luppino brings over a decade of experience in hospitality, with a strong focus on creating inclusive, engaging environments. He combines his background in facilitation and coaching with a Communication degree from Emerson College, where he concentrated on diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
Daniel is deeply committed to advancing causes such as education equity, housing stability, food access, mental health, and workforce development. He believes that small, authentic interactions can drive meaningful impact. Whether leading workshops or organizing community-centered experiences, Daniel is passionate about building spaces where people feel seen, connected, and empowered to contribute.
Nickole Best
Nickole Best is a youth and workforce development professional with extensive experience facilitating programs for both youth and adults. As coordinator for a service-based learning program, she fostered critical thinking, identity development, and community engagement across diverse communities. Nickole has managed workforce development programs supporting 100+ young professionals annually, leading career development initiatives and organizing large-scale community events.
Passionate about creating a culture of equity and empowerment, she builds meaningful learning environments that equip diverse populations with the skills to drive their personal and community development. Nickole holds a Bachelor's in Anthropology and a Master's in Business Administration.
Lark Joya
Lark Joya is a coach, educator, and helper with over a decade of experience in talent development and performance management within the nonprofit sector. They are passionate about using nonviolent communication and curiosity to transform organizational conflict into growth.
Throughout their career, Lark has focused on fostering psychological safety and building inclusive, feedback-rich environments. Currently a Donovan Urban Scholar pursuing an M.A. in Mental Health Counseling at Boston College, Lark integrates high emotional intelligence and a deep commitment to equity into every initiative.
John Ballesteros
For the past 10 years, I've helped teams unlock their best thinking. As a facilitator for consulting firms, Fortune 500s, and tech startups, I design collaborative sessions that drive innovation, solve complex problems, and power technology transformations.
Outside of work, I love traveling and immersing myself in local cultures around the world. My favorite forms of entertainment closer to home are catching an NBA game, listening to Bruno Mars, and soaking in a classic DJ set on vinyl.
Angelys Cazes
Angelys is based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and joins Building Impact most recently from her role as a Quality Assurance Engineer at Warner Bros. Discovery, where she collaborated with cross-functional teams to support the quality and performance of digital products through test strategy development, defect tracking, and release support. Prior to this, she served as a Program Manager at Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, supporting youth development programs and community initiatives that created meaningful experiences for students and families.
Angelys enjoys actively engaging with her alumni community, demonstrating a strong commitment to leadership and service. She served as Chair of the South Florida Alumni Board from 2022 to 2024, where she helped drive local engagement and community initiatives. In addition, she has participated in donor speaking engagements, sharing her journey and impact through the program. In 2025, she expanded her involvement nationally by joining the Events Committee, contributing to the planning and execution of the National Alumni Summit. During her free time, she enjoys exploring new restaurants and local spots with her family, taking her four dogs on outdoor adventures, staying active, and making lasting memories with loved ones.
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Dr. Daniel Almeida
Dr. Danny Almeida, PhD - known as The Strengths Professor - is a professor of Higher Education Counseling/Student Affairs at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Gallup Certified Strengths Coach and facilitator with experience leading strengths-based workshops, coaching, and leadership development for universities, nonprofits, public agencies, and corporate teams.
He is the creator of the Culturally Informed Strengths Approach, which explores how strengths, identity, culture, and context shape how people lead, collaborate, and create impact. Notable projects include leading and co-leading more than $10 million in National Science Foundation-funded initiatives that apply culturally informed strengths approaches to faculty and student success.
Dr. Almeida earned his AB in Psychology from Dartmouth College, MA in Higher Education Administration from Boston College, and PhD in Education from the University of Southern California. Originally from New Bedford, Massachusetts, he currently lives in Los Angeles and enjoys playing the cello, cooking, and bowling.
Monica Shea
Monica Shea is a social impact professional with experience leading large-and small-scale events, service projects and initiatives. Currently, as Director of Partnership Integration at ZeroMils, she leads national and regional programs supporting Veterans and military spouses, and is passionate about bringing people together for events that build connection and a sense of community.
She holds an MBA in Public and Nonprofit Management from Boston University’s Graduate School of Management and a BA in Psychology from Holy Cross. Outside of work, she enjoys hanging out with her awesome kids, discovering new local bands, and volunteering at parkrun and other community events.