Chris Berk is a retired early childhood educator who taught prekindergarten for more than 20 years. Since retiring, Chris focused on raising her family while expanding her philanthropy efforts fundraising for nonprofit organizations. Chris is a member of the Boston Medical CenterPhilanthropic Trust Board and Cochair of the Strategic Engagement Committee of The College of NewJersey. Her past endeavors have included Board and Development Committee membership at Princeton Academy of the Sacred Heart in Princeton, NJ, and Thayer Academy in Braintree, MA. Chris has also served as the Cochair of Greater Boston PFLAG Gala in 2019. Chris obtained her BS in Speech Pathology and Audiology in 1989 from the College of New Jersey.

Robert A. N. Cudd is a retired tax lawyer who received a classical education at Exeter and Trinity College in Hartford, CT. After college he served for four years as an intelligence officer in the US Army in Korea. He graduated from University of Pennsylvania Law School with a JD and NYU Law School with a LLM in Taxation. He spent his career practicing tax law with three large law firms in New York City and San Francisco. He continues to follow his interest in Classics, philosophy, and religion.

Karolina Latronica retired in 2020 from Seniorcare, a social serves agency in Gloucester, MA, that serves people age 60 and older. She was a supervisor in Adult Protective Services, where she investigated reports of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, as well as self-neglect, caregiver neglect, and financial exploration. 

Patricia Vesey-McGrew is a Jungian psychoanalyst with offices in Cambridge, MA, and Rockport, MA. As faculty member of The C.G. Jung Institute New England, she is also currently on their Executive Board. For the past 11 years, Patricia has served on the editorial board of The Journal of Analytical Psychology, London. Other past board positions have included the National Association for the Advancement of Psychoanalysis and the American Board for Accreditation in Psychoanalysis. Patricia is deeply interested the ongoing process of dying, of which we all partake.

Yvonne Smikle, MD, is a family physician practicing in Gloucester and Woburn, MA, specializing in substance abuse treatment for over 18 years. She and her husband Errol live in Gloucester. As a strong supporter in the autonomy of the individual, Yvonne believes that every person should be treated withdignity, especially in vulnerable situations.

Melissa Palladino is a multi-talented artist and creative professional currently focusing on painting, writing, and reiki practitioner training.
Previously, Melissa worked in healthcare technology, where she held roles of increasing responsibility since 2009, including as Associate Vice President in Client Success at mPulse.
A graduate of Colby College with a BA in Psychology and Maine College of Art with a BFA in Sculpture, Melissa has explored a variety of industries throughout her career, including real estate, service, education, and tourism. Her unique blend of creativity, curiosity, and adaptability defines her dynamic professional journey.

As director within the Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services, Evan Ott oversees the operation of a 59-bed residential care unit. With a clinical background in speech and language pathology, he is a fundamental contributor to numerous interdisciplinary teams, committees, and initiatives designed to improve the lives of individuals. Supporting a diverse population with intellectual and developmental disabilities, Evan champions a person-centered care approach. In addition to his current role, Evan is a coordinator for the department’s Urban Youth Collaborative Program, which exposes high school and college students to the healthcare field. He is also a founding member of the Parent Advisory Committee which develops strategies and solutions that inspire hope, promote growth, and help individuals achieve their highest level of physical and emotional well-being.

Geraldine Commrade recently retired after a 46-years career in the computer hardware and software industry. She earned a BS in Applied Mathematics from NYU Engineering and an MS in ComputerEngineering from Carnegie Mellon University. For the past eight years, Geraldine has been caring for her 88-year-old mother who has Parkinson’s disease, bringing to light the numerous issues associated with keeping her in her home.

Steven Law holds degrees from Campbell University and Colgate Divinity School, where he specialized in Christian Ethics and Social Policy. He has served rural and urban churches and continues to lead worship upon request. His greatest accomplishment has been his relationship with William “Donald” Stroud, the love of his life, a 45-year conversation between faith and science that inspired the creation of the Law Stroud Foundation.  Steven describes Donald as “his fellow traveler in appreciating the beauty of the world, with whom he related to family and friends, ran an inn, explored a writing life and created Découvert Fine Art, an art gallery specializing in European works on paper. For Donald, every stage of life was a blessing and filled with possibility, and death was a natural process, nothing to fear.”  Steven believes that love is the greatest gift we can receive and give as humans: it and knowledge best encourage us toward maximizing our potential on earth.

Don is a private practitioner of tax preparation, accounting, and consulting services based in Mashpee, MA. As Assistant State Coordinator for the AARP Foundation Tax-Aide Program in MA, he directly oversees some 90 volunteers for this free tax preparation service.

After graduating in 1969 from Colorado State University in Pueblo, CO, Thomas (Tom) Eck moved toMassachusetts to work for Raytheon Technologies in Sudbury, MA. While subsequent opportunities at Zayer Corporation, Data General, and Stratus Computer proved rewarding, Tom eventually decided to chart an entrepreneurial course. Tom founded Upton Tea Imports in 1989 and sold the company to The Republic of Tea in 2016, after which he retired and moved to Rockport, MA.