As the Executive Director since 2022, Bridget brings a wealth of clinical expertise, leadership excellence, and a rich organizational history to her role. With over two decades in human services, child welfare, and non-profit leadership, Bridget sets new standards of excellence through a strategic, data-driven approach in the programs she oversees. She holds a B.A. from Boston College, a master’s degree in social work, and a Certificate in Non-Profit Management and Leadership from Boston University. 

Bridget's journey with MARE began in 2010, and she served in various leadership roles, managing the organization's child services, family support, and communications teams. As a licensed clinical social worker, she has seamlessly navigated both clinical and macro settings in adoption and foster care, championing the well-being of children, families, and communities. 

Ricardo is a licensed and bilingual social worker whose unwavering dedication has made him an integral part of the MARE team since 2010. Throughout the years, Ricardo has seamlessly transitioned between various roles at MARE, showcasing his versatility and commitment to the mission. 

Ricardo's journey at MARE has seen him serve in pivotal roles, including Director of Family Support Services, Family Support Services Coordinator, Latino Child and Family Services Coordinator, and as a liaison for faith-based initiatives. In his current role as Associate Director, Ricardo oversees daily operations, leads four departments, and represents the organization in programs, emphasizing innovation and collaboration. Beyond his impactful work with MARE, Ricardo extends his advocacy into the community. He serves as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) with the Boston Juvenile Court, sharing his expertise to support vulnerable youth.  

Outside of work, Ricardo finds joy in building with Lego bricks and has a musical side, expressing his creativity through playing the guitar. 

Sacha joined MARE in May 2024, driven by a passion for improving outcomes for youth, particularly those facing significant barriers to permanency. This commitment led her to shift her focus from foster care to adoption services.

As the Director of Child Services, she oversees the Child Services Coordinators, who work directly with adoption units to ensure that children achieve permanency through various forms, including permanent connections and full adoption.

With over eight years of experience in management, she has gained extensive expertise working directly with youth, providing support, coordinating services, and managing programs.

Outside of work, Sacha enjoys spending time with her husband and two children, as well as engaging in event planning and designing decor for various social events.

Maurine, an integral part of MARE since 2001, boasts a diverse background in social services and human resource management, having held notable positions at the Milton Bradley Company. As an adoptive parent of two children, she brings a personal touch to her role.  

Currently serving as the Child Services Coordinator for the Western Region, Maurine collaborates closely with the Department of Children and Families and the contracted agency 18 Degrees (formerly Berkshire Children and Families). In this capacity, she is dedicated to providing comprehensive recruitment services for waiting children in her region. 

Outside of work, Maurine enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends. 

Before joining MARE in January 2021, Deborah dedicated over 25 years to the field of social work, focusing on mental health, substance abuse, developmental disabilities, and geriatrics. She holds a B.A. from Brandeis University and an master’s degree in social work from Tulane School of Social Work, maintaining licensure as an LICSW. Additionally, Deborah holds a Masters in Jewish Education from Hebrew College. 

A passionate advocate for adoption, Deborah is not only a seasoned professional but also a proud mom of an adopted child. Her commitment to MARE's mission began long before she joined the team, actively participating in MARE/Jordan’s Adoption Walks. As the Child Services Coordinator for the Northern Region, Deborah collaborates with DCF staff to secure permanent, loving homes for waiting children in that region.  

Beyond her role at MARE, Deborah is involved with Second Nurture, a non-profit dedicated to supporting foster and adoptive families within communities. In her leisure time, she finds joy in reading, taking walks, and cherishing moments with dear friends. 

Prior to beginning at MARE in 2020, Chelsea worked as both an Ongoing and Adolescent Social Worker for the Department of Children and Families. She has also worked as a Family Support Specialist, working with families and children placed in foster care or group homes and providing support to reunify these families.

Janet's journey in youth advocacy began as the Program Coordinator of The Legal Resource Center at English High School, evolving into the role of Teen Advocate/Outreach Director at the Boys and Girls Club. Before joining MARE in March 2020, Janet served as a Paralegal for local private attorneys, bringing a diverse legal background to her impactful role. A proud alumna of UMass-Boston, Janet holds a B.A. in Criminal Justice with a focus on Legal Procedures and earned her Paralegal Certificate from Northeastern University. 

In her current capacity as the Child Services Coordinator for the Boston Region and Contract Agencies, Janet utilizes her expertise to connect children with loving families. Beyond her professional commitments, she, along with her husband, is the proud parent of two beautiful girls, one adopted from foster care. 

Janet's dedication extends to community leadership as she and her husband lead the Pathways to Parenthood Infertility Ministry at Grace Chapel. When not immersed in her advocacy work, Janet finds joy in spending quality time with her family.  

Hannah started her professional career as an adoption social worker for families pursuing a domestic infant adoption. With a passion for family creation and development, Hannah has also serviced families who have a finalized adoption as well as families who have entered a surrogacy journey.  

Hannah began working with MARE in 2023. Currently serving as a Child Services Coordinator, her role is to provide comprehensive recruitment services for children in the Central Region.  

In her free-time, Hannah enjoys cooking/baking, yoga, and traveling.

Liz joined MARE in 2019, bringing a wealth of personal and professional experience to her role. Growing up in a foster family that cared for over 100 children and teens, Liz, alongside her husband Paul, became adoptive parents to an older child in 2017. Currently serving as foster parents, their journey reflects a profound commitment to the well-being of children in the foster care system. 

In her role at MARE, Liz oversees all family support services, guiding families through the adoption process and facilitating the family mentor-mentee program. She also conducts transracial parenting and trauma-informed trainings, leveraging her extensive background to provide valuable insights. Liz holds a master's degree in social work from Boston University and a master's degree in religion from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a trained practitioner in Trust-Based Relational Intervention, Liz brings a holistic approach to her work.  

Beyond working at MARE, Liz is actively involved in fostering community support. She serves as a Board Member for the MA Alliance for Foster Families and leads a foster care support ministry at her church. Her passion extends to sports, where she enjoys running, playing soccer, and cheering on Boston and Worcester teams. 

With over eight years of experience working with adults with intellectual/developmental disabilities, Mary Liz has a deep understanding of the child welfare system's complexities. Currently pursuing her education at the University of Massachusetts, she joined MARE in 2022, bringing a wealth of expertise to her role. 

In her capacity as Outreach & Support Coordinator for Black & Latino Families, she is dedicated to supporting families within the Black and Latino communities who are considering adoption from foster care. Mary Liz draws inspiration from her personal journey of adopting two brothers from foster care and serving as a foster mom to two other boys and also has two biological children.  

Outside of her professional commitments, she finds joy in exploring new places, savoring diverse cuisines, and expressing her creativity as the owner of a paint-your-own-pottery studio. She is also the founder of the Gifted Crate, a nonprofit providing birthday boxes to kids and teens in foster care. She actively contributes to the Seven Hills Community Service Human Rights Committee and serves as a Special Education Surrogate Parent. 

With over two decades of experience in working with children and families, Emily brings a wealth of expertise to her role at MARE. She holds a B.A. in America/United States Studies and master’s degree in social work from Boston College. She joined the MARE staff in 2017 as the Child Services Coordinator for the Central and Boston regions, and in 2020 became the Director of Child Services. In 2024, Emily transitioned to a new role as Family Support Services Coordinator.  

In her current position, Emily is responsible for supporting families throughout the adoption from foster care process by communicating with interested families and helping them understand the process, answering specific questions, and directing them to next steps by providing contact information for DCF and contracted agencies. 

Beyond her professional endeavors, Emily is a loving mom to two young daughters, making family time a cherished hobby.  

With a master’s degree in social work from Springfield College and over 20 years in the child welfare and mental health field, Lindsey's extensive background positions her as a seasoned professional dedicated to supporting vulnerable populations. Lindsey's personal connection to foster care and adoption, having a half-sister adopted from the system and her own experience as a foster parent, adds a profound layer to her compassionate advocacy. 

In her role at MARE since 2007 and returning in 2019, Lindsey serves as the Director of Specialized Programs, overseeing initiatives that break down barriers and create networks for older kids and teens in foster care. Her focus is on creating supportive connections, especially for children waiting for adoptive homes the longest, fostering legal permanency within established and created networks. 

Beyond her impactful work, Lindsey finds joy in kickboxing, nature activities like hiking and kayaking, and small carpentry projects. Her commitment extends to volunteering as part of a rescue dog transport team and contributing her time to a farm sanctuary in Central MA.  

Kristina joined MARE in 2020 as the Child Services Coordinator for Central Massachusetts with the goal of finding pre-adoptive homes for the children and teens in the region . In 2023, she transitioned into the role of Specialized Recruitment Coordinator with the new goal of finding pre-adoptive homes for children with disabilities in the state. Moreso than just finding pre-adoptive homes, it is important to Kristina that she provides children with permanent connections that will sustain them for life.

Prior to working with MARE, Kristina taught in a variety of educational settings, including public, private, and 766 residential schools. She has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education, a master’s degree in special education (moderate and severe), and master certificates in applied behavior analysis and transition leadership. Her passion is working with children, families, and the community to create opportunities for connection and success.

In her personal life, Kristina  is co-guardian to a young man that has been in her life for approximately 17 years and is a visiting resource for another young man that she has been spending time with for approximately 3 years. Eventually, she hopes to become full guardian for both men, as they have become family to her. A great deal of her time outside of work is spent with them, as their bonds are the most important aspect of her life.

Before joining MARE in 2019, Deidra accumulated valuable experience as an Outpatient Therapist, Case Manager for children in intensive foster care placement, and a 15-year tenure with the MA Department of Children and Families as a social worker technician. 

In her current role as a Wendy’s Wonderful Kids Recruiter, Deidra carries a small caseload of children and teens who have been waiting the longest. Her focus is on establishing permanent connections within their existing networks while simultaneously recruiting unknown resources capable of providing permanency and honoring/maintaining those connections. Deidra emphasizes a tailored approach based on each child's unique needs, steering away from a one-size-fits-all approach. 

Outside of work, Deidra enjoys indulging her creative side through sewing and arts & crafts, and cherishes time spent with her grandchildren and family. 

With over 5 years at Plummer Youth Promise, Scott progressed from a direct care counselor to the Program Manager of the group home, overseeing daily operations for 12 boys aged 13 to 18. Scott's academic background includes a B.A. from Lesley University and as well as a master's degree in education and mental health counseling from Cambridge College. 

Outside of his professional roles, Scott enjoys music, both attending concerts and playing the guitar. A culinary enthusiast, he enjoys cooking and exploring diverse cuisines. In his leisure time, Scott values relaxing with a comforting espresso and taking walks with his bulldog, Bobby Weir.

Joining MARE in 2017, Jeremy brings his experiences as a leader, marketer, and social media manager to his role. As the Director of Operations, Jeremy is in charge of designing and maintaining operational systems, monitoring strategic goals, and overseeing communications and marketing iniatitives. He holds a bachelor's degree in Humanities from Florida Christian College and a master's degree in divinity/ministry from Lincoln University.  

Beyond his professional contributions, Jeremy and his wife Abby have been fostering since 2020 and are privileged to be pre-adoptive parents to a daughter. Their family extends to proud puppy parents of two dogs. 

In his leisure time, Jeremy finds joy in running on New England trails and crafting stories with friends through table-top roleplaying games.  

Disa joined MARE in February 2022 and brings over five years of experience as a graphic designer and freelance artist. They graduated from Fitchburg State University in 2021 with a B.S. in Communications. With a deep personal connection to MARE’s mission—having family members who were adopted or have experienced the foster care system—Disa is passionate about using design to support meaningful change.

As MARE’s graphic designer, Disa oversees the organization’s visual identity, managing social media content, designing print and digital collateral for events, and developing the front-end design of the website. They use their creative expertise to enhance MARE’s outreach and engagement efforts, ensuring that the organization’s message reaches families and youth in impactful ways.

Outside of work, Disa is a self-proclaimed nerd with a love for Lord of the Rings, Star Wars, and a variety of cartoons. They are also an avid concertgoer, writer, and illustrator, frequently selling their artwork at comic conventions across New England. When not creating, they enjoy spending time with their cat, Ms. Maki.

Zoe Perkins is the Community Engagement Manager at MARE, where she facilitates the connection between MARE and the community by leading key community programs, building relationships with supporters, and creating impactful communications to further MARE’s mission. As a transracial adoptee herself, Zoe has a passion for uplifting adoptee voices and ensuring that they are heard and respected in conversations about adoption policy, community support, and cultural identity.

Before joining MARE, Zoe served as the Programs Coordinator at The Park Adoption Community Center, where she implemented programs for adoptees and their families that promote and reinforce healthy connections, youth empowerment and resilience, cultural competency, and community engagement. 

Zoe’s passion for youth advocacy also took her abroad as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) to Latvia from 2022 to 2024. As an ETA, she designed lesson plans for over 500 students across grades 3 to 12 and collaborated with more than 20 educators to deliver dynamic English lessons tailored to diverse learning styles and proficiency levels. Beyond teaching, Zoe initiated weekly English language clubs and book clubs, engaged with the local community through speaking engagements hosted by the U.S. Embassy, and participated in Active Rainbow, an NGO supporting LGBTQ+ initiatives in Latvia.

A strong believer in inclusive leadership and equity advancement, Zoe continues to promote cross-cultural dialogue as a Fulbright Alumni Ambassador and Transatlantic Inclusion Leaders Network fellow. She holds bachelor’s degrees in both Psychology and Music from Florida Southern College.

In her free time, you can find Zoe curled up with a book, catching up with a friend (new and old!) over coffee, adding more stamps to her passport, cooking up savory dishes and sweet treats, and creating carefully curated Spotify playlists that she likes to listen to on her daily walks.