Foundation Senior Staff
Tom McNaught
Executive Director
Tom McNaught was appointed Executive Director of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation in January 2011 by Board Chairman Kenneth R. Feinberg. Tom joined the Foundation in October 1996 as director of communications. Appointed Deputy Director of the Foundation in January 2001, he reported directly to the Chief Executive Officer and was responsible for overseeing a $2.3 million annual budget and managing the Foundation's public programs and external affairs including all communications and marketing programs, the Profile in Courage and New Frontier Award Programs, and the design and development of the Kennedy Presidential Library's new web site and online digital archives. From 1991 to 1996, he served as director of communications for the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts, New England's oldest and largest AIDS service and advocacy organization. Prior to entering the non-profit field, Mr. McNaught served as deputy press secretary to Massachusetts Attorney General James Shannon, as press secretary to Congressman Gerry Studds (D-MA) and as a policy analyst for Boston Mayor Kevin H. White. He is a graduate of Marquette University from which he also received a graduate degree in Political Science.
Doris Drummond
Chief Financial Officer
Doris Drummond, CPA, is controller and Chief Financial Officer for the Kennedy Library Foundation. Prior to joining the staff in January 1997, Ms. Drummond worked at Clean Harbors in Braintree, where she held various positions including manager of financial reporting and analysis, and manager of corporate accounting. She was previously employed at Aldrich, Eastman & Waltch as a team accountant (1989-1990) and spent five years with the big six accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand (1984-1989). Ms. Drummond is a graduate of Providence College.
Ariadne Valsamis
Vice President for Development
Ariadne Valsamis joined the Foundation staff in March 2002 with responsibility for developing and maintaining philanthropic relationships, overseeing corporate and foundation relations, supervising the Annual May Dinner, and managing development operations. In December 2010 she became Vice President for Development responsible for advancing private philanthropic support for the Library's mission and programs among individuals, foundations, and corporations and for providing overall direction for fundraising. From 1991-2002, Ms. Valsamis served in various positions at Harvard University, including Director of Communications for the Graduate School of Education. She has also served the American Civil Liberties Union, first as Public Affairs Director for the ACLU of Pennsylvania and later as Staff Liaison for the National ACLU's Free Speech and Association Committee. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master's Degree in Education Policy from Harvard University's Graduate School of Education.
Foundation Staff
Anne Aaron
Director of the Profile in Courage and New Frontier Award Programs
Anne Aaron joined the Foundation in October 2002 as Director of the Profile in Courage Award program, and in 2004 she oversaw the creation of the Foundation's New Frontier Awards to recognize the next generation of public leaders. Previously, she had been Director of Outreach and Communications at Harvard University's Institute of Politics, where she established the Institute's landmark survey of college students' attitudes toward politics and public service. From 1995 until 1999, she served as the Institute's Director of Student Programs, where she developed programs on all aspects of elective politics and public policy, including campaign workshops, policy seminars, conferences, and publications. She holds an M.P.A. from the John F. Kennedy School of Government and a B.A. in public policy from Duke University.
Kristin Bonelli
Manager of Member & Donor Services
Kristin Bonelli re-joined the Kennedy Library Foundation staff in August 2007. She is responsible for overseeing the Membership & Appeals Program and all Donor Information and Gift Records. Ms. Bonelli originally joined the Foundation in September 2004 as the Education Department's Program Assistant. She then pursued a graduate degree and now holds a Masters of Education in Arts-in-Education from Harvard University's Graduate School of Education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art History and a Bachelor of Science in Human Development from Binghamton University, State University of New York.
Rachel Day Flor
Director of Communications
Rachel Day Flor joined the Foundation staff in December 2006. In April 2007 she was named spokesperson for the Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and is responsible for promoting and publicizing new initiatives and programs through the media. Previously she worked in the Foundation's Development Department. Before joining the Foundation, she worked at the Robert F. Kennedy Memorial where she directed the RFK Book and Journalism Awards program and the annual RFK Memorial Golf Tournament. She holds a M.A. in Modern English Literature from University College London and a B.A. in English Literature from George Washington University.
Michelle Gobbi
Administrative and Accounting Assistant
Michelle Gobbi joined the Kennedy Library Foundation in January 2009 as the Administrative and Accounting Assistant. Prior to joining the finance staff at the Foundation, Ms. Gobbi was a Business Manager in the Partners Neonatology Group at Partners Healthcare. From 1995-2000 Ms. Gobbi was the Division Manager in the Division of Infectious Diseases at Children's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts. She received a Bachelors of Science Degree from Framingham State College.
Amy Goldman
Planned Giving Advisor
Amy Goldman joined the Foundation staff in January 2007 to develop and promote the Foundation's planned giving program. Prior to joining the Foundation staff, Ms. Goldman served as Deputy Director of University Planned Giving at Harvard to promote corporate and individual giving, plan and execute special events for donors, and coordinate donor stewardship, and has worked on annual, major and planned gift fundraising at the Harvard Business School. She was formerly Director of Development at Hebrew Senior Life. A graduate of Penn State University, Ms. Goldman attended graduate programs at the College of William and Mary and the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study.
Maura Hammer
Director of Development
Maura Hammer joined the Foundation in 2011, with responsibility overseeing individual, corporate, and foundation development efforts as well as board development activities. Working closely with the Vice President of Development and the Board of Directors, Maura identifies and secures funding sources to advance the major initiatives of the JFK Library and Museum including Library forums, education programs and special events. Prior to joining the Foundation staff, Maura spent six years at Community Rowing, Inc., where she led a $16 million capital campaign to build the first boathouse on the Charles River dedicated to public access. She’s also held key development positions at several well-known Boston area nonprofits and community organizations, including The West End House Boys & Girls Club and The Home for Little Wanderers. She holds a Political Science degree from Boston College.
Sara Kanawati
Senior Major Gifts Officer
Sara Kanawati joined the Foundation staff in May 2011. She brings more than seven years of finance and development experience to our team, having directed successful fundraising efforts for political campaigns, non-profit organizations and advocacy groups throughout the Midwest. Sara is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin – but as a Brookline High School alum, she is excited to be back home in Massachusetts.
Peter Lubershane
Development Assistant
Peter Lubershane joined the Foundation staff as the Development Assistant in December 2010 after working as a contract researcher at the Chedd-Angier-Lewis Production Company, where he helped design museum media exhibits. Peter graduated from Wesleyan University with a BA in History, concentrating in United States history. As an active member of the Wesleyan Men's Ultimate Frisbee team, Peter worked to organize and coordinate tournament play throughout the United States. Peter's background is in academic research, but he has also volunteered at the Harvard Museum of Natural History and interned at the Peabody Essex Museum.
Claire McGregor
Development Associate
Claire McGregor joined the Foundation staff in 2009, first as an intern, and then becoming full-time in April as the Development Assistant. Claire graduated from Boston University with a BA in History. While a student at BU, she served as an organizing and fundraising force for her collegiate dance group, and studied abroad in Geneva, Switzerland. In Geneva, Claire interned in the World Organization of the Scout Movement's external relations department, helping to coordinate UN Agencies' participation in the 21st World Scout Jamboree. Prior to joining the Foundation, Claire worked in guest services at the Hotel Commonwealth.
Karen Mullen
Executive Assistant
Karen Mullen joined the Foundation in April 2000 as Executive Assistant to the Executive Director. She previously held positions at Scudder Financial Services and Fidelity Investments in their brokerage service departments. Prior to joining Fidelity Investments in 1996, Ms. Mullen served as Office Manager for Boston's Chart House restaurant for nine years.
Edie Muller
Staff Accountant
Edie Muller joined the Kennedy Library Foundation staff in May 2008 as the Staff Accountant. Prior to joining the Foundation, Ms. Muller was a team accountant at Airgas East, Inc. In 2006, She graduated cum laude from Bryant University with a bachelor's degree in Accounting.
Megan Piccirillo
Media Associate
Megan Piccirillo joined the Foundation’s full-time staff in September 2011 after serving as the Communications intern during the 2009-2010 academic year. She is responsible for helping to develop and execute the communications strategy for the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum and the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. Previously, Ms. Piccirillo was an account executive at Newman Communications, where she helped publicize authors around the country. She also worked as a public relations assistant at Crawford Strategies and interned with the Massachusetts Democratic Party and Dana Farber Cancer Institute. She received a BA in Public Communication and Political Science from Northeastern University.
Christopher Reichert
Director of Web Technology
Christopher Reichert joined the Foundation staff in January 2010 as part of the new website development team. He is currently the Director of Web Technology for the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation. Mr. Reichert has more than 20 years of strategic IT consulting and business management experience. Earlier in his career, he co-founded a consultancy that provided IT integration services in Australia. His role ranges from application development and infrastructure leadership to vendor management and strategic sourcing. In addition, Mr. Reichert serves on the MIT Sloan Alumni Board and was the Executive Chair of the MIT Sloan CIO Symposium from 2006-2010. He received Masters' degrees from MIT's Sloan School of Management and the Harvard Kennedy School of Government.
Lee Statham
Director of Marketing and Sales
Lee Statham joined the Foundation in September 1999 as Director of Marketing and Sales. Ms. Statham is responsible for promoting the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum as a national and international tourist destination and attraction, and serving as the Library's representative to the travel and tourism industry. Ms. Statham also coordinates all advertising design and placement. Prior to joining the Kennedy Library, Ms. Statham worked as Sales Manager at Batterymarch Conference Center and, from 1991 – 1998, as Group Sales and Event Manager for Boston's Chart House restaurant. Prior to her employment in Boston, Ms. Statham worked for Sheraton Corporation in sales, catering and restaurant management. She holds a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management from Northern Arizona University.
Amy Forman
Consultant - Museum Exhibits and Collections
Amy Forman is an exhibition and interior designer who has advised the Library and Foundation since 1989. Projects include the redesign of the new museum, which opened in 1993, the exhibits on Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy, the ongoing redesign of permanent and changing exhibits in the museum, as well as the design of the administrative offices, research room and cafe. She was the design consultant representing the Library and Foundation for the exhibition "Jacqueline Kennedy: The White House Years -- Selections from the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum," jointly produced by the John F. Kennedy Library and Museum and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Prior to moving to the United States from Toronto, Ms. Forman designed and coordinated major exhibitions for the Royal Ontario Museum and the Art Gallery of Ontario. Her design for "Treasures of the Holy Land, Ancient Art from the Israel Museum" at the Royal Ontario Museum was published in Print Casebook 8: The Best in Exhibition Design. Ms. Forman is a graduate of the University of Toronto.
Archives
These positions are funded by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, but report to the Chief Archivist of The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
William Bjelf
Assistant Digital Archivist for Audiovisual Collections
Digital Archives
William Bjelf joined the Kennedy Library Foundation in November 2008 as an Audiovisual Metadata Cataloger for the Digital Archives Initiative. In 2011 he became Assistant Digital Archivist for Audiovisual Collections. Prior to joining the Foundation, he earned a Masters degree in Library and Information Studies from the University of Rhode Island and held an internship in the Center for Digital Initiatives at Brown University. He has also worked as a technical writer and engineer, and holds a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from Northeastern University.
Lindsay Closterman
Metadata Cataloguer
Digital Archives
Lindsay Closterman joined the Foundation in September 2010 as a Metatdata Cataloguer in the Digital Archives. Lindsay graduated in May 2010 from Northeastern University with an MA in History and a Certificate in Public History, as well as a Certificate in Women's Studies. She received her BA in Modern Language from Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. Lindsay starting working as an intern in AV in August 2009, doing both digitization and reference work. She has also served as a volunteer and/or intern at Schelsinger Library, the USS Constitution Museum, and the Ellis County Historical Society in Hays, Kansas.
Colleen Cooney
AV Digital Coordinator
Digital Archives
Colleen Cooney joined the Kennedy Library Foundation in July 2009 as the Audiovisual Digital Coordinator. She works with the AV Archives staff to determine and implement digital standards for moving images and oversees the digitization of the White House Photograph Collection and White House Audio Collection. Prior to joining the Foundation staff Ms. Cooney worked in the JFK Library's Audiovisual Archives as a reference archivist. Ms. Cooney previously worked at WCVB-TV, Boston as an Electronic News Gathering (ENG) Producer. She has a Bachelor's degree in English with a concentration in Communications from the University of Massachusetts at Boston and a Masters in Library Science with a concentration in archives from Simmons College in Boston.
Kelly Francis
Metadata Cataloger
Digital Archives
Kelly Francis joined the Kennedy Library Foundation in June 2008 as a Metadata Cataloger for the Digital Archives Initiative. Prior to joining the Foundation, she held an internship in the Archives Processing Unit of the JFK Library. Ms. Francis is a graduate of Simmons College where she earned a Masters degree in Archival Management and Ohio University where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature.
Nicola Mantzaris
AV Metadata Cataloger
Digital Archives
Nicola joined the foundation’s full-time staff in November 2011, after serving as an intern in the Library’s Digitization Unit from July 2008 until August 2011. Previously, Ms. Mantzaris served as a Library/Staff Assistant at the Harvard College Library and an Audiovisual Archives Intern for FRONTLINE at the WGBH Educational Foundation. She also worked as a Records Management Intern at the Bunker Hill Community College Library and an Archival Processing Intern at the Harvard University Herbaria. Nicola earned her MLS with an Archives Management concentration from Simmons College in January 2011. She also holds an MA in Cinema Studies from New York University-Tisch School of the Arts and a BA from Stonehill College.
Susan Wrynn
Curator, Hemingway Collection
Susan Wrynn joined the Foundation staff in April 2004. Ms. Wrynn previously served as a Director at the Northeast Document Conservation Center from 1994 to 2003 where she had responsibility for the preservation of collections using various reprographic techniques. Ms. Wrynn was also responsible for teaching preservation classes at the graduate level. As curator of the Hemingway Collection her duties include planning, scheduling, and budgeting for the preservation of the collection. Ms. Wrynn is a graduate of Simmons College where she earned a MLS in Library Science and Mount Saint Vincent College where she earned a BA in Sociology.
Education Department
These positions are funded by the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, but report to the Director of Education for The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
Katherine Farrior
Docent Coordinator
Katherine Farrior joined the Kennedy Library Foundation in October 2005 as the docent coordinator responsible for recruiting, training and supervising volunteer museum docents. Prior to moving to Boston, Ms. Farrior worked for Americorp VISTA in St. Paul, Minnesota. Ms. Farrior earned a Masters in art history and museum studies at Tufts University. She holds a Bachelor's in art history from Carleton College in Minnesota.
Esther Kohn
Education Specialist
Esther Kohn, Education Specialist, joined the Foundation in September 2003. In addition to coordinating the Profile in Courage Essay Contest, she develops and implements elementary school programs at the Library. Prior to joining the Library and Foundation, she was an elementary school classroom teacher at the Cambridge Friends School and the Atrium School in Watertown. Before becoming a classroom teacher, Ms. Kohn developed exhibit programs at the Children's Museum in Boston. She has a Bachelor's degree in French from Washington University in St. Louis and a Master of Education from Lesley University in Creative Arts in Learning.
Amy MacDonald
Forum Coordinator
Amy Macdonald joined the Foundation in August 2003 as the Forum Coordinator. Previously, she had been the Forum Producer at the Mary Baker Eddy Library and from 1998 to 2001 was a producer for WBUR's The Connection under the helm of Christopher Lydon. During the 1990s she taught English Literature at Boston University while earning her Masters and working toward a PhD in English Literature. She holds a Masters in Communication from Stanford and an undergraduate degree from Smith College.
Shawn Paulling
Education Outreach Coordinator/ Celebrate Producer
Shawn Paulling joined the Foundation staff in August 2009 as the Education Outreach Coordinator/ Celebrate Producer, responsible for coordinating outreach for education programs and workshops, and producing the Celebrate! series. Prior to joining the Foundation, he helped launch a Summer Theatre Enrichment Program at the Prospect Hill Academy Charter School; introduced youth to Roxbury history as the Director of Education at Discover Roxbury; and served as an Americorps Teaching Fellow for Citizen Schools Boston at the W.B. Rogers Middle School in Hyde Park, MA. Mr. Paulling holds an M.Ed in Curriculum & Instruction with a Specialization in Out-of-School Time from Lesley University, and a Bachelor's in Theatre Studies from Duke University.
Jamie Richardson
Program Assistant
Jamie Richardson joined the Foundation in August 2008 as Education Program Assistant. Prior to joining the Foundation Jamie worked in fund development for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts. Jamie is a graduate of Smith College and while attending school, worked as a researcher and education assistant at the Northampton Public Library on exhibits and programs relating to the Library's Calvin Coolidge presidential collections. She is certified to teach English as a second language, and in 2007 taught English in Madrid, Spain. Prior to teaching overseas, Jamie worked with the development staff of the Kennedy Library Foundation.