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Leadership

Our Leadership Team

Tapestry’s leadership team operates out of our Administrative office in Springfield, MA. If you would like more information about our leadership or staff, please email us at [email protected] or call our Administrative Office at 413-586-2016. 

Mavis Nimoh, Chief Executive Officer (CEO)

Mavis Nimoh joins Tapestry after serving as the Executive Director of the Center for Health and Justice Transformation in Providence, RI, where she led a dedicated team of content experts in public health, physical and behavioral health, and the criminal legal system. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a deep commitment to health equity and community well-being. Mavis brings extensive experience in the public health sector including programs that support those who are uninsured and underinsured, HIV early intervention, testing and counseling, as well as prevention services with a focus on supporting those who are impacted by systemic health inequalities. 

Mavis’s impressive professional journey includes her role as an Associate Professor at Brown University School of Public Health, and her tenure at the Pennsylvania Board of Pardons and her leadership as the Executive Director of the Dauphin County Department of Drug and Alcohol Services. Her background in harm reduction and health equity aligns perfectly with Tapestry’s mission to provide non-judgmental, quality care for all. 

Damaris Jones, Chief Operating Officer (COO)

Damaris Jones is Tapestry’s Chief Operating Officer. Prior to Tapestry, she worked for the Georgia State Board of Workers Compensations as Director of Process and Improvement. In this capacity, she led a project to implement an Integrated Claims Management System. Damaris also worked for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for many years as a Courtroom Clerk. She enjoys meeting people and loves to motivate and make people smile. Her passion is to help motivate at least one person a day. 

Liz Whynott, Director of Harm Reduction

Liz Whynott is the Director of Harm Reduction Programs at Tapestry and joined the agency in 2008. She oversees agency and community efforts throughout Western MA to provide needed services to people who inject drugs and people who engage in high-risk sexual behaviors. Liz received her Master’s in Public Health from the University of Massachusetts Amherst in 2009 and she is a member of several local and state wide coalitions related to syringe access, overdose preven-tion, access to Hepatitis C treatment and decreasing the stigma of drug use in health care settings.

Marie Dokoupil, Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Marie Dokoupil is the Chief Financial Officer. She earned an MA in Slavic Linguistics from Brown University in Providence, RI, and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University in Manchester, NH. Marie’s most relevant professional experience has been primarily in the non-profit healthcare environment. Marie likes to read, swim and walk with her dog.

Barbara Brown, Director of Quality Assurance

Barbara Brown has been the Director of Quality Assurance for Tapestry since December 2016 and previously worked with the organization from 1985-1997 (it was then the Family Planning Council of Western Massachusetts). She has worked in health care administration and organization development in this region for over 25 years. She is a Licensed Certified Social Worker and holds an M.Ed. in Organization Development from UMASS Amherst.

Lisa Andrews, Director of Development and Engagement

Lisa Andrews is the Director of Development and Engagement for Tapestry. Lisa formally Co-founded/Co-directed the Prison Birth Project to grow from a small group of volunteers to a nationally recognized Reproductive Justice organization that passed one of the most comprehensive anti-shackling laws in the nation. She has over 10 years of experience passionately fundraising for social justice.

Rebecca Ramah, Chief Human Resource Officer (CHRO)

Rebecca Ramah is Tapestry’s Chief Human Resource Officer, bringing over 20 years of HR Experience to the agency. At Tapestry, she focuses on employee relations, diversity, ethics and compliance, recruiting, and employee development. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts, and serves on the board at Womenshelter/Compañeras in Holyoke.

Kerri Jenkins, Director for the Springfield North WIC Program

Kerri Jenkins is the Director for the Springfield North WIC Program. Kerri brings 15 years’ experience as the Senior Nutritionist prior to the Director roll. Kerri graduated from the University of Connecticut with a degree in Nutritional Science.  Her WIC journey began right after that as Nutritionist for the Connecticut WIC program before she came to Massachusetts. Kerri serves on the Health Advisory Committe for the local Head Start as well as The Equity Team for the Family Life Center at Mercy Medical Center. She’s actively involved in the local birthing hospitals where she represents WIC & offers services to patients. Kerri has 3 young boys & describes herself as a “sports mama” & loves every minute of it. 

Lakayla Harris, Sexual & Reproductive Health Director of Training, Education, & Strategic Opportunities (SRH Director of TESO)

Lakayla Harris is originally from the Midwest where she was born and raised in Omaha, NE. Her career in reproductive healthcare began back in 2007 working in varies offices, clinics, and hospitals in the states of Nebraska, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. She has held many titles in this field such as Certified Medical Assistant (CMA), Lead Educator, Phlebotomist, Community Liaison, Venipuncture Instructor, and Outreach Coordinator to name a few. 
 
Lakayla has obtained an Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Assisting, a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Information Management, and a Master of Science degree in Organizational Management in Leadership. She joined Tapestry’s Sexual & Reproductive Health team in May 2017 as the Health Services Manager for Hampden county. Lakayla continues to demonstrate her passion for leading by accepting the role of Sexual and Reproductive Health Director of Training, Education, & Strategic Opportunities where she will oversee the program’s training/education initiatives and professional development. She brings forth a wealth of knowledge, passion, experience, and educational attributes to her new director role.

Pedro Alvarez, Director of Harm Reduction Operations

Pedro Alvarez is the Director of Harm Reduction Operations. A graduate from Boston University, holding a bachelor’s degree in Sociology, Pedro is committed to leveraging his lived experience and education to advocate, support, and create positive change within our communities.

Pedro began his career at Tapestry as a Harm Reduction Counselor in 2016 working out of the Holyoke Syringe Access Program. Since then, he has held various Supervisor roles across Tapestry’s Harm Reduction Programs.

At the helm of The Consortium, as Board of Director’s President, Pedro champions inclusive decision-making processes for those with lived experience. Pedro’s commitment extends to currently serving on local, statewide, and national advisory boards, coalitions, and councils that are dedicated to bridging gaps, fostering community engagement, and advocating for harm reduction principles that make a lasting impact on individuals and their communities.

Our Board of Directors

Jeremy W. Melton, Chair

Jeremy Melton is currently the Director of Operations and Risk Management for Florence Bank in Florence, MA. Originally from Missouri, he earned his BFA in Painting and Printmaking from Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville Missouri before going on to earn his MFA in Painting from the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence, Rhode Island. Jeremy moved to Holyoke MA in 2012 and began serving on the Tapestry Board in 2014. When he isn’t working, volunteering, or spending time in the studio Jeremy enjoys cooking for friends and family whenever he can.   

Khama Ennis MD, MPH, FACEP, Vice-Chair

Khama Ennis, MD, MPH, is an Emergency Medicine Physician with a longstanding interest in public health and health equity. Those seeds were planted during time spent volunteering at a shelter as well as at a syringe exchange program during medical school in New York City. She is the Immediate Past President of the Medical Staff at Cooley Dickinson Hospital and is starting a private practice focusing on Lifestyle Medicine and Integrative Health. She created Faces of Medicine, a project focusing on the journeys of Black female physicians, which will result in a docseries and collection of mini-memoirs. Dr. Ennis has been honored by the Massachusetts Medical Society as the 2023 recipient of the Woman Physician Leadership Award. 

Robert Rovella, Treasurer

Robert Rovella works as the Director of Financial Planning and Reimbursement at Cooley Dickinson Health Care. Robert has devoted his career to the support and development of rural and community health care systems with a focus on fiscal stewardship and successful execution of strategic initiatives. Robert earned his BA in Accounting from Central Connecticut State University and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts Isenberg School of Management. 

 

Tess Andrekus, Secretary/Clerk

Tess Andrekus is a Springfield, MA native, and has been working in Information Technology at MassMutual Financial Group for eight years. She earned a BA from College of the Holy Cross in Sociology and Latin American Studies and is currently pursuing her MA in Information Management and Communications. In addition to Tess’ work at Tapestry Health, she had volunteered with the Miss Peru Organization in Lima, Peru, facilitating their partnerships with NGOs, and served as a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County. 

Brad Riley, Ed.M, MPPA

Brad Riley is an intergovernmental relations researcher working with the National Academy of Public Administration’s Center for Intergovernmental Partnerships. He is also a City Councilor At-Large for the City of Easthampton and serves on the Massachusetts Municipal Association Board of Directors as Western Massachusetts’ representative on Governor Healey’s Local Government Advisory Commission. His graduate studies focused on the social epidemiology of congregate housing, structural violence, and respiratory disease synergies. He graduated from the University of Massachusetts with an MPPA, and is currently studying tribal governance through the University of Arizona’s Native Nations Institute.

Christy O'Brien, MSW, LICSW

Christy O’Brien, MSW, LICSW is the Senior Division Director for the Center for Human Development’s Homelessness service line. Prior to this work, she spent a number of years at Friends of the Homeless in Springfield as the Clinical Director, and most recently built a new regional Community Behavioral Health Center and crisis services program for in Chicopee region’s catchment. Though she hails from the San Francisco Bay Area, she transitioned East for education, obtaining her Undergraduate degree from Mount Holyoke College and Master’s degree in Social Work from Smith College. She has passionately adopted western Massachusetts as her home, since and espouses a personal and professional mission of embedding herself and her career at the heart of service and advocacy work for populations in the communities of Western MA who are most underserved; a mission aligns perfectly with the value orientation of Tapestry’s foundations of care.

Megan Ward Harvey, Ph.D.

Megan W Harvey, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Health Science at Springfield College in Springfield, Massachusetts. She received her degree in epidemiology and biostatistics from the University of Massachusetts with a focus on women’s health. Her primary research agenda includes women’s health, harm reduction, body image, and stress. She served as a translational scientist (including creating data visualization and interpretation) during the COVID-19 pandemic and public health emergencies. She lives in Easthampton with her family and enjoys gardening and attempting “do-it-yourself” projects in her spare time.

Rebecca Walsh, DHSc

Rebecca has worked in healthcare administration for over 20 years, specifically in the fields of anesthesia, surgery, and pain management. Currently, she is the Chief Operating Officer for Springfield Anesthesia Service where her practice serves patients within western Massachusetts. Rebecca holds a bachelor of science in healthcare management, a masters of science in healthcare administration, and a doctorate in health science. She also works with several universities as an adjunct instructor including Springfield College, Hampshire College, and Delaware Valley University. 

Cas Rego-Martin, MPPA

Cas Ford Rego-Martin is a trans and queer activist, educator, and nonprofit professional. He is the Engagement Coordinator at the UMass Amherst Office of Equity & Inclusion. In his “spare time,” Cas delivers trainings and technical assistance to educators and caregivers of trans youth in Massachusetts. Cas is also the Founder of the Paula Ford-Martin Memorial Fund, a nonprofit scholarship organization for LGBTQIA youth advocates. Cas holds a master’s degree in public policy & administration from UMass Amherst, and a bachelor’s degree in music from Smith College. A proud resident of Hampshire County and a firm believer in access to quality healthcare without stigma, Cas has long admired Tapestry’s critical work in the community: he is honored to serve as a Board member. 

Allison Furkey

Allison Furkey is a Senior Account Executive & Account Operations Manager at Marketing Doctor in Northampton. She has a BA in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Elmira College, an MS in Advertising from Boston University, and an MBA from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. In addition to her work with the Tapestry Board, Allison is also a member of the Alumni Board of Directors at Elmira College and an Event Coordinator with international non-profit Random Acts. When not working or volunteering, Allison can be found taking and teaching dance classes, enjoying the local restaurant and music scene with friends, and traveling the world. She’s honored to help support and represent Tapestry and the incredible work the organization does. 

Katie Neill

Katie Neill is a registered nurse, working in Labor and Delivery for 13 years before moving to Western Mass for Nurse Midwifery School.  After receiving her Certificate as a CNM, she took some time off to raise her four children. Katie has been working as an R.N. at the Women’s Correctional Center in Chicopee, MA, since 2012. Katie’s passion is women’s health care and in a past life she was a dancer and continues to love to move. Katie is honored to have recently joined the Tapestry Board.  

 Manny Alcantara

Manny Alcantara works as the Manager for Decision Support at Cooley Dickinson Health Care, a member hospital of Mass General BrighamManny has more than 20 years of experience in finance and business operations ranging from strategic planning, management accounting and decision support functions from various sectorsManny has a Master’s degree in Business Administration with focus in Healthcare Administration from Ohio University and is a Certified Healthcare Financial Professional. 

 Susan Krause, MSN, CNM

Susan (Sukey) Krause is the current Director of the Midwifery Education Program at Baystate Medical Center in Springfield, where she has been on faculty since 1992She has been in full scope clinical practice since graduating from the University of Pennsylvania in 1990She is active locally and nationally on initiatives to increase and diversify the midwifery workforceShe is invested in efforts to address maternal mortality, racial disparities and health equityShe is a partner in Midwifery Education Design and Development, founded in 2017 to provide consultation services that support alternative program designs for midwifery educationShe is excited to join the Board of Tapestry. 

 Michaela Schwartz

Michaela Schwartz is the Vice President of Strategy and Operations and Marketing Doctor in Northampton, MA. She has a BA in Sexuality Studies (self-designed) from Mount Holyoke College, and a background in health education. In her day job, Michaela works with business stakeholders across industries, serving as a strategic partner and high-stakes problem solver while ensuring that her team delivers best-in-class service. In her free time, Michaela is the artist behind a local polymer clay jewelry company. She is passionate about service to the local community and is thrilled to join the Tapestry board!  

Wheatly Gulmi-Landy

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