SHRUTI BANSAL
Shruti is a seasoned investment professional with over two decades of experience in asset management, portfolio construction, and strategic financial oversight. She is committed to ethical leadership, governance excellence, and fostering financial growth to support long-term organizational impact.
Kate Carpenter Bernier
Kate has served as a school administrator in district and charter schools and worked for Education Resource Strategies and Citizen Schools. She is a co-founder of the Newton Youth Success Collaborative and the I’m Amazing program, which expand connections and programs to Black, Latinx, and low income NPS students. She is an NPS parent, active in FORJ, and a mentor for the Transitioning Together program.
Kathleen Carter Colantonio
Clerk. Kathleen holds interest and expertise in the areas of special education, literacy, and recreation. She was raised in Newton and returned here to raise her own children.
carline M. durocher
Carline leverages her background in law and nonprofit sectors to support Pomroy’s mission. She is an active member of the Newton community and serves on other boards.
Mary-Ellen Efferen
Mary-Ellen is a retired special education evaluator, program consultant and educator with a special interest in creating inclusive school and community environments designed to welcome all people, those with and without disabilities. She has been involved with Newton’s award-winning disabilities awareness program, Understanding Our Differences, as curriculum writer, reviewer and board member for over 35 years.
Chip Franklin
Chip is an advisor to institutional leaders across the education sector, supporting colleges and schools as they clarify and execute strategic priorities. He brings a passion for helping organizations expand and sustain impact, and is an active contributor to the institutions at the heart of Newton’s community fabric.
JOSHUA HERZIG-MARX
Joshua is an experienced leader of technology companies, in roles involving marketing, operations, and finance. Joshua currently works as an independent Product & Management Coach. As a parent of two daughters, Joshua is especially enthusiastic about Pomroy’s mission of helping girls and young women in need. Joshua currently serves as a board member of Newton for Everyone, a housing advocacy group.
balraj kalsi
Balraj is a committed leader with over 20 years of experience in the Education Technology field. He currently serves as the CEO of CORE Higher Education Group. Originally from the UK, Balraj and his family relocated to West Newton, where he is passionate about helping build a great community for his two young children. Balraj also enjoys giving back to the community through his role on the board of the Network of Jewish Human Services (NJHSA).
Jenny Klein-Sosa
Jenny is a clinical child psychologist with expertise in mental health evaluation and treatment. She also has experience in educational policy analysis and advisory at the state and local levels. She has two children in Newton Public Schools and works as a Special Ed Decision-Maker for children in DCF custody. In leadership roles with Newton nonprofits, she advocates for special education, youth socioemotional/behavioral health, and connecting neighbors in need with resources.
Anita Lichtblau
Anita is an attorney at a Boston law firm, representing nonprofits that provide human services to seniors, people with disabilities, women and children, and low-income families. She was previously General Counsel at Action for Boston Community Development, an organization serving low-income families. She has lived in West Newton for over 30 years, and her two children attended NPS. Through Pomroy, Anita seeks to support Newton residents in need.
TAYLOR LIES
Taylor has a professional background as a Design Consultant. His work has included strategic planning and innovation, consumer research, facilitating workshops and employee training. Currently Taylor has a small practice as a Life & Leadership Coach. Eight years ago, Taylor moved to Newton, where now he is raising two children. Taylor currently serves as president of the board for the Centre Street Food Pantry, and volunteers for a number of local youth sports leagues.
Michele Morris
Michele is an elementary public school educator who brings her interests in education, child development and equity to the Pomroy board. She is actively involved in various Newton Public School committees and youth activities.
BradLEY K. Sharp
Treasurer. Brad joined the Pomroy Board in 2012 and now serves as the foundation’s treasurer. He is a Certified Financial Planner™ who works as a financial adviser to high net worth individuals and small businesses. Brad enjoys helping people meet their personal and financial goals. His work with Pomroy has provided the opportunity to learn about the various nonprofits in Newton that provide that same passion and commitment to the families they serve.
Gayle Smalley
Gayle is an attorney who also serves as justice of the peace. She worked as an attorney for the City of Newton for more than two decades, and had the opportunity to learn about the important role local nonprofit agencies serve in our community. A west coast transplant, Gayle moved to Newton in the early 1980’s and has a keen interest in Newton history. Her interests also extend to visual art, primarily printmaking.
Laura Towvim
Vice-President. Laura is a public health professional with expertise in project design and management, research, and grant writing. Her career has focused on school violence prevention, adolescent sexual health, and college drinking/smoking prevention. She served on Temple Shalom’s Board and is co-founder of the Newton Gun Violence Prevention Collaborative. She has two children in Newton Public Schools.
Amy Worth
President. Amy teaches teens in high school who have arrived recently from another country and are starting, or continuing, to learn English. She brings to Pomroy her experience with supporting recent immigrant students and their families, and an understanding of the various challenges and successes they encounter as they build their lives here. She has lived in Newton for over 30 years and has been active as a leader in the community, including on her synagogue board.
the rebecca pomroy FOUNDATION 