Alex joined The Guilford Foundation in 2019, has been a member of the Community Investment Committee and the Governance Committee, and currently serves as Board Chair. He is also Executive Vice President and Client Experience Officer at Guilford Savings Bank. With a background in political science and public policy, Alex has volunteered with several organizations and boards of directors, including the New Haven Free Public Library, the New Haven Free Library Foundation, and Collab New Haven, a support system for entrepreneurs.

Having grown up in the Greater New Haven area, Alex began working in Guilford in 2017 and immediately felt that he had found his place. After a two-year search, he and his wife bought a home for their growing family in 2020. They enjoy watching a myriad of wildlife traipse through their yard and love to visit the beach. His favorite thing about TGF is its profound community impact, which ranges from thousands of people to a small number of individuals.

John is currently the Vice Chair and serves on the Finance and Nominating & Governance Committees after serving as Treasurer. His career in the financial services industry spans nearly 40 years. Today, he is a Partner and Director of Investment Management for Cerity Partners, a New York-based investment advisory firm managing over $100 billion in assets.

John grew up in the New Haven area and remembers trekking out to Whitey’s (now The Place) before they got the comfortable stumps. He introduced his New York-born and raised wife to Guilford with a few summer rentals before they settled here more than 20 years ago. He joined the board of TGF because he wanted to do more than write a check and has been equally moved by both the significant need and the depth of the generosity he finds in the community.

Kristin and her husband grew up in Guilford and own two small businesses in town. For more than 20 years, her company, Livable Solutions Professional Organizing, has been helping individuals, families, and small businesses thrive as they become more orderly and efficient. Before returning to her shoreline roots, Kristin lived in Washington, D.C., and worked on Capitol Hill as a congressional staffer specializing in judiciary, labor, and education issues. For the TGF Board, Kristin currently serves as Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee.  She brings additional volunteer experience as a board member of the Chamber of Commerce and volunteer with Scouts BSA as a den leader and with her children’s school.

Kristin loves to see the connection between her childhood in Guilford and the families who have established charitable funds that have been helping people and organizations throughout her life. As someone who left and returned to the small-town Connecticut shoreline, she loves to see thriving small businesses, especially Three Girls Vegan Creamery with its amazing dairy-free soft serve. Her family lives in Madison with their cat Eleanor Rigby, and she is torn about whether to root for Guilford or Madison sports teams.

A lifelong resident of Guilford, Ashley is a second-generation board member of The Guilford Foundation, who was inspired to continue her father’s work by seeing the direct impact on organizations and individuals. She serves on the Community Investment and Development Committees and is Secretary of the Executive Committee. Ashley has worked in marketing and communications for the biopharmaceutical company Merck for more than 20 years, most recently in the area of cancer treatments. She is also an adjunct professor of public health at Southern Connecticut State University.

Ashley and her husband, Sal, a retired New Haven firefighter, are raising two active children in Guilford. She has been involved in the Melissa Jones School PTO and is a coach for the Soccer Club of Guilford. When they aren’t cheering on their children at soccer, football, lacrosse, or gymnastics, they enjoy cheering on the Guilford High teams. And they are self-proclaimed Disney fanatics, traveling there annually for family vacations.

Born and raised in New Haven, Sarah has always been passionate about social justice. She has spent more than 20 years working for nonprofits, including Achievement First Charter Schools, and more recently as CEO of 4-CT, an organization founded by Governor Lamont and a group of philanthropists in 2020 to address gaps in federal and state Covid relief funding. Under Sarah’s leadership, it has evolved to provide emergency assistance through unrestricted cash aid to individuals state-wide, grants to front-line organizations, and guaranteed income pilot projects addressing systemic inequities.

Sarah is on the board of several organizations, including Horizons at the Foote School, the Brother Carl Hardrick Institute, Elevate Charter Schools, and the New Haven Age Group Track Club. Additionally, she serves on the Community Investment Committee for The Guilford Foundation. 

She and her family have lived in the historic district of Guilford for more than ten years and were recognized by the Guilford Preservation Alliance for the meticulous renovation of their 19th-century Federal home. 

Sarah appreciates TGF’s impact on the community, addressing needs and enhancing the quality of life for all residents. She looks forward to helping foster strong community connections.

Stacy currently serves as General Counsel for Central Connecticut State University and has nearly 20 years of experience in litigation, transactional and administrative law. She has been a member of the board of directors of the New Haven County Bar Association and the Foundation of the New Haven County Bar. She was named a Distinguished Leader in the Law by the Connecticut Law Tribune and has been nominated and recognized each year in Super Lawyers Magazine. 

 In her spare time, Stacy likes to run outdoors and run around with her kids, watching them do the things they love. Raising her kids in Guilford is a dream come true with their tight-knit neighborhood, their growth and involvement in Guilford youth sports, and the incredible sense of community that comes with the town green and all it has to offer. Serving on the Development Committee of The Guilford Foundation, Stacy is grateful to be a part of such a dynamic and energized group dedicated to providing these opportunities to others.

Linda recently joined The Guilford Foundation and serves on the Development Committee. She is an assistant professor of medicine, Chief of the Section of Gynecology, and Director of the Gynecologic Quality and Safety Committee at Yale New Haven Hospital and Yale School of Medicine. She serves on a number of committees within the hospital and medical communities, where she brings a passion for quality and safety, inter-departmental collaboration, transparency, just culture, and health equity — truly working toward the best outcomes for all patients.

Outside of work, she enjoys watching her sons play soccer and using international travel to expand their global awareness Linda’s family enjoys water sports, hiking, mountain biking, and skiing in their downtime.

Betsy has been a member of The Guilford Foundation’s Board of Directors since 2019 and serves on the Development Committee. A family friend introduced her to TGF in its infancy, and she has enjoyed watching it grow with the town. After marrying a native, Betsy has made her home in Guilford for nearly five decades and declares it a wonderful place to raise children.

As a jewelry designer, Betsy has long been a supporter of the arts in all forms in Guilford. She also started two small businesses with partners – Investment Designs, creating jewelry from found objects, and Mix Design Store, the whimsical contemporary gift shop on the Guilford Green.

Stephen recently joined The Guilford Foundation. He moved to Guilford with his wife and three children in 2014, when he was named Dean of the College of Education at Southern Connecticut State University. In his role at SCSU, Stephen serves on the Connecticut Legislative Taskforce for Early Childhood Workforce Development and the Lieutenant Governor’s Commission on Closing the Achievement Gap, and he spearheaded Minority Educator Initiative to encourage students of color to pursue degrees in education.

Throughout his career, Stephen has shown a passion for community engagement and social justice, as evidenced by his countless connections with schools and school districts in the Greater New Haven area. He successfully advocated for a $2 million grant from the Connecticut State Department of Education to fund students’ external assessment fees and helped foster relationships with countless local school districts to help meet local needs. He is working to establish an autism research center at SCSU.

Chris joined The Guilford Foundation three years ago and has served on the Community Impact and Governance Committees. He is a senior partner with Berchem Moses, P.C., where he practices labor and employment law. He has been named one of the Best Lawyers in America® since 2010. Chris serves on the executive committee of the Bridgeport Regional Business Council. He is a former president of the Yale Youth Hockey Association and the Choate Rosemary Hall Alumni Association, as well as a former trustee of Choate Rosemary Hall.

Chris and his wife have lived and raised three children in Guilford since moving here in 1998. He counts the people as the town’s greatest asset and believes TGF is a critical part of the town, supporting people in need as well as promoting a positive culture and sense of community

Born and raised in Guilford, Stephanie left as a young adult and never planned to return. But the lure of the water and the comfort of the family brought her and her husband back in 2016. She joined The Guilford Foundation in 2021, bringing decades of experience as an executive assistant in hospitality, marketing, government, and nonprofit organizations, and, most recently, higher education. 

Across all those industries, Stephanie has found joy and purpose in recognizing and celebrating different cultures and backgrounds to strengthen collaboration and work relations. Stephanie serves on the Community Investment Committee and as TGF’s Youth Advisory Group liaison. While she sees her presence as a way to open doors for others, she is equally inspired by the teenagers working to bring about positive change in their community.  

A graduate of Choate Rosemary Hall, Stephanie has degrees in film & video production, media studies, and business administration. Previously, she served as a Guilford Human Rights Commission member and on the Board of Witness Stones Project. Currently, her plate remains full as a member of First Congregational Church, a Board member of GreenStage Guilford, and is organizing a townwide cultural celebration called Guilford Culture Fest. Outside of volunteering, Stephanie teaches hula hoop and belly dancing classes for fun and fitness.

Judith moved to Guilford in 2016 and was immediately attracted to the community spirit. She joined The Guilford Foundation in 2020 and has served on the Strategic Planning Committee and, more recently, the Community Investment Committee. A licensed clinical psychologist, Judith has a background in behavioral health and healthcare administration and years of experience in philanthropy. For 18 years, she was president and CEO of the Children’s Fund of Connecticut, a public charitable foundation, and its subsidiary, the Child Health and Development Institute of Connecticut, whose mission is to improve the behavioral health and well-being of children and families. 

Additionally, Judith is currently in her second term as chair of the board of directors of the United Way of Greater New Haven and a trustee of The Grossman Family Foundation. She also serves on the advisory committee of the Center for Excellence on Autism Spectrum Disorders at Southern Connecticut State University, the Tow Youth Justice Institute at the University of New Haven, and the Governor’s Council on Women and Girls.

When not bicycling, kayaking, or sailing, Judith enjoys taking piano lessons, traveling, and reading. Her favorite spot in Guilford is the Green, where, among other things, she can indulge in chocolate-dipped macaroons at Cilantro’s or the dark chocolate pretzels at Village Chocolatiers and visit the Guilford Free Library.

Maggie joined The Guilford Foundation in 2012. She sits on the Development and Governance Committees. As Chief Advancement Officer at Fair Haven Community Health Care, Maggie fundraises for the organization to support it’s impactful mission. Previously, she owned the well known icon of style, Mix Design Store and worked in government relations while living in Washington D. C., supporting clients through advocacy, political strategy, program design, and fundraising. Growing up, she spent summers in Stony Creek and has always loved the Connecticut Shoreline’s restaurants, shops, museums, and beaches.

Since moving to Guilford in 2010, Maggie has been involved with Guilford Center for Children, Raise the Roof/Habitat for Humanity, and other local organizations. With four active children, her life is never dull. Her family loves to travel, often around busy hockey schedules. Still, in the summertime, Maggie can be found boating in the Sound or enjoying music, dancing, and drinks with friends at Bishop’s Little Red Barn as often as possible.

Nathan values The Guilford Foundation’s commitment to serving a broad spectrum of meaningful organizations in the community and welcomes the opportunity as a Board Member to have a positive local impact across so many issues. He brings tremendous leadership experience through an extensive career as a healthcare-focused entrepreneur and investor, emphasizing businesses that expand access to care for seniors and injured workers nationwide.

In 2012, Nathan and his wife Jen moved to Guilford, seeking a great place to raise their children. The town hasn’t disappointed. Along with their two children and dog, the family loves being on, in, or around the water, as well as playing golf and tennis. When they’re not in Guilford, they are probably exploring new destinations.

Liza has served as Executive Director of The Guilford Foundation since 2011, after a half dozen years as the Executive Director of the Women & Family Life Center. With a bachelor’s degree from Wellesley College and a master’s degree from the University of Pennsylvania, Liza has spent her career working with nonprofits, and she loves the opportunity to connect people with the means and desire to help with the opportunities to do so. Being an inductee of the New England Basketball Hall of Fame is just one of the numerous awards Liza received for leadership and community service.

She and her husband raised their two children to value service and engage with every gift Guilford offers – youth sports, Pilgrim Fellowship, the public school system, and the water. One is now planning to work in human services, and the other serves his country. Lately, Liza’s admittedly slow jogs around the center of Guilford connect her with things she loves about the town: the Green, the Fairgrounds, the library, and the town dock. And don’t even get her started talking about the birds!

Jennifer worked as a city planner in New London before starting a family and moving to Guilford, where she volunteered with Girl Scouts, Guilford First Church, and various school organizations and activities. She joined The Guilford Foundation as Foundation Coordinator in 2015. She finds working with TGF to be wholly inspiring during an era where negative news is all too prevalent. Jennifer is grateful to be surrounded by people who care about and love their community and want the best for their neighbors. 

An outdoor enthusiast, Jennifer enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, and paddle boarding at Lake Quonnipaug or Chaffinch Island. When she isn’t outdoors, Jennifer enjoys trying a variety of crafts – knitting, sewing, drawing, painting – and is always looking for a new creative outlet. Her favorite spot in Guilford is the newly re-discovered memorial to Guilford native Sophia Fowler Gallaudet, who helped to establish Gallaudet University, the nation’s leading institution of higher learning for deaf students, and her brother’s alma mater.

Pam joined the staff in 2022, bringing decades of experience in marketing communications in the forest products industry to help expand awareness and understanding of the mission of The Guilford Foundation. Before joining TGF, she volunteered with the Community Nursery School, Girl Scouts, and Calving Leete PTO. Currently, Pam serves on the all-girls Shoreline Sharks Hockey Association board, helping with their marketing and Learn to Play Clinic. At the Foundation, she loves learning about the many nonprofit groups in town and the incredible generosity of neighbors, friends, and business owners. The history and personal meaning of the charitable funds TGF manages inspire her.

The annual Guilford Fair, with its rides, games, music, and traditional agricultural competitions and activities, is one of Pam’s many favorite things about living here. After moving closer to the water, she and her husband, Doug, are exploring lobstering and clamming in Joshua Cove.

Amy joined the staff of The Guilford Foundation in 2023. After several years working as a social worker for the New Haven School-Based Health Centers and the Branford Counseling Center, Amy took time to raise her daughters and volunteered extensively in the community. Over more than two decades living in Guilford, she has been involved with almost everything from elementary school festivals and field days to Girls Coach Girls Run, from middle school volunteer coordinator to eighth-grade dance and picnic organizer, and from high school volleyball booster to a leader of GHS Theatre Arts and Project Graduation. 

In her spare time, Amy enjoys gardening, trying new recipes, and spending time with family and friends. She and her husband, Tim, first moved to Guilford for the schools, recreational activities, and picturesque shoreline. They stay for Harvey’s pumpkins and marmalade candles at Strawberry Hollow Farm.

Laima brings more than 20 years of bookkeeping experience and a quiet resolution to help people to her role at The Guilford Foundation. She has been a member of the North Branford Rotary Club, involved in local and global projects for 14 years, and is a dedicated congregant and part of the leadership team of the open and affirming Zion Episcopal Church in North Branford. At another job, she also serves on the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion steering committee. 

Laima enjoys working in and visiting Guilford, with its strong sense of community and its focus on diverse education and raising thoughtful citizens. She has worn a path between the Village Chocolatier and Breakwater Books. But when she isn’t in Guilford, she can be found at home, most likely in the garden, with her family and her chickens, cats, bees, and fish.