ENVISIONING ACCESS - Key Persons
Alex is a Postdoctoral Researcher at MIT, where he has studied neuroscience for five years. His research investigates how different brain regions communicate using neurotransmitters and brain rhythms.
Alison has had a lifelong interest in animals, especially primates. In the third grade, she decided that she would work with monkeys or apes someday. Throughout her education, she volunteered at pet clinics, an avian nursery, and Zoo New England, and has always loved learning more about different animals. At Boston University, where Alison received her bachelor's degree, she focused her studies in cognitive and learning psychology and animal behavior. During her senior year, Alison began volunteering at Envisioning Access and was thrilled to begin a full-time job upon graduation.
As Director of Monkey Care, Alison oversees the health and well-being of each monkey in the Envisioning Access program. She considers the monkeys to be part of her family and strives to give them love and support. Outside of work, Alison enjoys attending the opera, indoor gardening, and spending time with her human family.
Allyson received her bachelor's degree in veterinary technology from University of Massachusetts/Mount Ida College in 2008. She always knew she wanted to work with exotic animals and was thrilled when she was offered a position at Envisioning Access in 2009. Allyson enjoys spending time with the monkeys in their play spaces and ensuring they receive the best medical care for optimal health. In her spare time, she likes to travel and hang out with family.
Job Titles:
- Business Development Manager
Amir is a dedicated advocate for positive change, with a rich and diverse background that showcases his versatility and commitment to making a difference. Holding a Masters in Global Public Policy from Suffolk University, Amir possesses a profound understanding of global issues and the capacity to tackle intricate challenges on a global scale.
Daniel is the founder and principal of DGS/a Architecture, a Massachusetts design firm dedicated to custom residential design and construction services.
He holds a Master of Architecture from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and is a registered architect in Massachusetts and a member of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). He is dedicated to architectural education and has held the position of adjunct faculty at the Boston Architectural College since 2004. Additionally, he is the co-chair of the Boston Society of Architects' Residential Design Committee.
Daniel became involved with Envisioning Access when he was fresh out of graduate school by working with the original architecture team renovating the current Cambridge Street facility. Most recently, he participated on the Building Committee for the organization. He is dedicated to service to others as witnessed through his 8-year association with the Massachusetts Big Brother Big Sisters mentoring program.
Originally from rural Wisconsin, Daniel now resides in West Roxbury.
Diane S. Nahabedian joined Envisioning Access as the executive director in August 2020. As a senior-level nonprofit management professional, she has spent over thirty years working with organizations to enhance their stature through outreach that includes development, marketing and communications, and strategic partnership recruitment efforts, all to ensure organizational financial security. Her advancement and marketing/communications successes are based on her ability to brand or rebrand an organization for capital, major gift, and annual campaigns. She works with teams including boards and staff to plan and execute revenue-generating events and programs. resulting in significant financial and strategic relationship returns.
She comes to Envisioning Access after spending four years at the Rhode Island Zoological Society/Roger Williams Park Zoo as director of marketing and public relations. In that role, Diane created comprehensive marketing and public relations strategies to increase awareness of the Zoo's complex systems. Using innovative public relations, marketing, and special events strategy, she substantially increased press stories, the number of visitors, and outreach to legislators; expanded revenues from corporate sponsorship and special events; and also combated animal rights activists' attacks on the organization. As founder of Carrnab Associates, Diane implemented fundraising and public relations programs for a regional theater in the United Kingdom; trained CEOs, senior staff, and board members on American fundraising techniques and appropriate speaking style to raise money; and created and implemented marketing communications and retention campaigns for a Massachusetts-based YMCA.
In her career, Diane has worked for two YMCA systems, including the YMCA of Greater Boston and the YMCA of Greater Providence, forging disparate groups of multiple YMCA branches and satellite locations into cohesive, productive, and high-functioning results-driven teams. At both systems, she trained and led new teams on appropriate strategies for crisis communication, fundraising, messaging, and effective uses of social media. She has also spent time in the social service and health care arena, raising funds and developing public and media relations campaigns for Jewish Family & Children's Service of Boston and Central New England Health Alliance.
One of her most rewarding positions was that of homeschool educator of her son Alex, who is now an actor/screenwriter/singer. He was her toughest client ever!
She received her bachelor of arts from Brandeis University and her master of science from the College of Communication at Boston University. She lives with her husband Paul Carroll, and in their free time they are avid hikers, travelers and explorers.
Diane S. Nahabedian joined Envisioning Access as the executive director in August 2020. As a senior level non-profit management professional, Diane S. Nahabedian has spent over thirty years working with organizations to enhance their stature through outreach to ensure organizational financial security.
Dr. Sarah Davis has been providing direct patient care as a dentist in Lexington for over 20 years. She is a member of the ADA and the MDS. Originally from Iowa, Sarah lives in Chelmsford, MA, where she serves as an elected town representative.
Job Titles:
- Director of Marketing and Communications
An Envisioning Access staff member from 2011-2018, Erica returned to the team in 2020 as the Director of Marketing and Communications. After graduating from Bennington College with a degree in photography and music, she moved to Boston in 1999 to begin a career in the nonprofit world. She spent nine years in the development and communications department at Facing History and Ourselves before taking over as Executive Director of the New England String Orchestra. In 2018, Erica became the Communications Manager at the Foundation for MetroWest. She is well-versed in the rebranding of organizations, having overseen three different rebranding efforts, and assisted with the redesign and optimization of four organizational websites.
Even though she left the organization, Erica never forgot her friends at the Monkey College. When the opportunity to return arose, she was ready and eager to bring her seventeen years of fundraising, communication, event planning, and graphic design experience back to Envisioning Access.
Erica loves to photograph the monkeys as often as possible. Outside of the office, she enjoys baking, roasting (and drinking) coffee, and spending time with her family, friends, and cats.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Technology and Innovation Leader
Glenn is a Technology and Innovation leader with over 20 years of experience building products and services that customers love. He is currently an independent consultant advising startups on their product and business strategies.
Previously, he was VP of Product & Design at SimpliSafe-a rapidly-growing home security company based in Boston-where he led the introduction of innovative new cameras and security services.
Before this, Glenn held various Product Management and R&D roles at Bose Corporation. Among his accomplishments there, he formed an internal incubator to explore and enter new lines of business by leveraging Bose's unique technology and engineering resources.
Glenn has an MBA from Columbia Business School and an undergraduate degree in Physics from Princeton University.
Jenni-Rose graduated from Suffolk University with her Masters in Crime and Justice Studies in 2022, after also earning her Bachelor's degree in Sociology with a minor in Government from Suffolk University.
Jenni-Rose played collegiate women's basketball throughout her years at Suffolk and holds several records in the Suffolk University record books.
With her background in restorative justice, nonprofits, and athletics Jenni-Rose was thrilled to join the team at Envisioning Access because of her passion for helping others. She is enthusiastic about assisting the organization in making the transition from its past mission to its future goals.
Outside of the office, she enjoys playing sports, being outside, and spending time with her family.
Judi joined the Board after more than 20 years of involvement with Envisioning Access, including providing a special care home for monkey Katie for many years.Judi has served as a clinical social worker for the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health and at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, MA.
Job Titles:
- Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Akamai Technologies
Keith is Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Akamai Technologies, where he leads the vision, definition, and execution of Akamai's innovation by creating the future state technology vision and overseeing the development of relevant multi-year strategies and roadmaps for the company.
Khristine currently holds the position of Vice President and General Manager at Electrochem Solutions, Inc, an Integer Company. Formerly she was Vice President of Business Development at Forum Plastics and also held the position of Executive Vice President-Commercial Operations for AdvanSource Biomaterials Corporation.
Job Titles:
- Founder and President of Animal Research Consulting LLC
Michele is the founder and president of Animal Research Consulting LLC, a life sciences consulting firm specializing in animal care programs. Prior to starting the consulting business, she was the Associate Director of Pre-Clinical Biology at Genzyme Corporation.
Job Titles:
- Portfolio Manager at Woodstock Corporation
With more than 30 years of investment, analytical and financial management experience, Robert serves as a portfolio manager at Woodstock Corporation for individuals and families in addition to having investment research responsibilities.
Job Titles:
- Co - Owner of Keyes North Atlantic, Inc
Susan Keyes is the co-owner of Keyes North Atlantic, Inc., a leading provider of green technology and electro-mechanical systems design, installation, repair, and maintenance in eastern Massachusetts.