Staff

Who We Are Staff

LBFE Boston is a community-based nonprofit committed to preventing social isolation among older Bostonians.

Cynthia Wilkerson

Executive Director

Cynthia brings more than 20 years of nonprofit experience to the Executive Director role. Since joining LBFE Boston in 2015, Cynthia has led the organization’s program design and evaluation efforts and its embrace of intergenerational programs.

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Cynthia is currently an inaugural Eisner Prize Fellow, developing Gen2GenQ, an LGBTQIA+ intergenerational network. She received a Masters of Divinity from Harvard Divinity School, a Nonprofit Management and Leadership Certificate from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business. In her free time, Cynthia is an avid movie and museum goer.

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cwilkerson@lbfeboston.org

Stephenie Hisman-Hou, LSW

Program Director

Stephenie joined the LBFE Boston team in February 2018 to manage our CitySites program. She earned her BS in Social Work at Bridgewater State University.

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After graduating college, Stephenie served two years as an AmeriCorps Massachusetts Promise Fellow and helped youth grades 8-12 on college and career readiness as well as volunteer and community engagement. She then went on to work as a bilingual SCO Case Manager at Somerville-Cambridge Elder Services and was later given the opportunity to have her dream job working with intergenerational programs at LBFE.

Stephenie enjoys painting handmade watercolor cards, doing arts and crafts, playing tennis, volleyball, hiking and kayaking.

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shou@lbfeboston.org

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Jean DeMayo

Director of Development & Marketing

Jean joined LBFE Boston in May 2022. Prior to this, she was a B2B/B2C marketing consultant for more than 20 years in 10+ industries.

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Jean’s early career includes time as an early childhood teacher, corporate marketing manager for an educational publishing company and business development manager for an educational software company. She earned her BAs in Early Childhood Education, Elementary Education, and Human Development from Boston College.

Jean enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, music, and serving as a community volunteer in multiple organizations on the North Shore. She lives in Middleton, MA with her husband, Greg, three children, Emma, Max & Ruby, and black goldendoodle, Rockie.

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jdemayo@lbfeboston.org

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Zachary Roy

Operations Manager

Zachary joined LBFE Boston in January 2024. He graduated with his degree in psychology and is pursuing his Master of Public Administration at Suffolk University.

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Zachary’s professional career has focused on working with youth as an Assistant Director for Girls Inc. of Worcester and working in career education for Suffolk University. He is eager to focus his career on working with nonprofit organizations to provide support and resources for the people of our communities.

He is also a Big Brother with Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Mass/MetroWest. Zachary finds his purpose in community and collaboration.

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zroy@lbfeboston.org

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Madison Amaral

CitySites Program Manager

Madison joined LBFE in January of 2025 as a CitySites Program Manager. She graduated from Suffolk University with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology, and a minor in Youth and Community Studies. 

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In her professional experience, Madison has worked in numerous roles. She has spent time in the field of marketing and sales as a Territorial Sales Associate. Additionally, she has experience working with older adults and children from her previous roles at Coaching4Change and Brookdale Senior Living.  

Madison is very excited about her new position and continuing her work in the nonprofit field. When she’s not focusing her efforts on bettering the community, Madison enjoys reading, crocheting, and cooking.  

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mamaral@lbfeboston.org

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Bricen Boudreault

CitySites Program Manager

Bricen joined LBFE in January of 2025 as a CitySites Program Manager.  He graduated with his degree in both psychology and political science from Suffolk University and prior to this position, has been working within the nonprofit field for about three years.

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In terms of previous positions, Bricen has worked as a Residential Assistant for Seven Hills Foundation, as a Case Manager for Central Boston Elderly Services and a Peer Wellness Coach for Digital Ready. He aspires to continue working in the nonprofit sector to provide ailment, counseling and/or providing resources to those who want to better one’s own mental health.

Bricen is excited to engage with population groups he has worked with previously but is thrilled to implement further implications of community building and providing face to face services. Through personal experience and further research, he also is very passionate about the ties between physical activity and its mental health benefits. Some interests he enjoys includes going to the gym, exploring new areas, spending time with family/friends and reading.

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bboudreault@lbfeboston.org

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Chisom Nnajiofor

Digital Dividends Program Manager

Chisom’s journey with LBFE began in April 2024, marking a significant step in her career trajectory. With a Master of Arts in Global Public Policy from Suffolk University and a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Nigeria, she brings a wealth of academic knowledge and practical experience to her role.

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Originally from Nigeria, Chisom’s professional background primarily involves governmental organizations, showcasing her dedication to public service. Noteworthy experiences include serving as a program assistant for the Center for Learning and Academic Success at Suffolk University and working as a congressional intern at Senator Edward Markey’s office.

In addition to her formal positions, Chisom is actively engaged in volunteer work with the American Red Cross Association and a youth ambassador for World Literacy Organization, demonstrating her spirit of altruism. Her decision to join LBFE reflects her strong desire to explore the nonprofit sector. Her passion for addressing disparities in access to resources and technology highlights her commitment to promoting digital equity and literacy while empowering communities.

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cnnajiofor@lbfeboston.org

Joesha Edmorin

Digital Dividends Program Manager

Joesha joined the LBFE Boston team in September 2024 as a Digital Dividends program manager. She received her bachelor’s degree in Political Science and Sociology and her master’s degree in Global Public Policy from Suffolk University.

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In previous roles, Joesha has been an advocate for her peers as a class senator drafting bills and resolutions based on student needs at Florida Atlantic University. She has also held other outreach and development roles, working alongside the MBTA, MassDOT and different cities around Massachusetts.

Joesha is thrilled about her new position and is excited to joined LBFE and serve Boston’s many neighborhoods. She enjoys engaging with others and serving her community. Her favorite activities include going to the beach, spending time with her family, reading and nice long walks.

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jedmorin@lbfeboston.org

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Sofia Gillespie

Creative Connections Program Assistant

Sofia joined the LBFE team in January 2025 while also working as a teaching fellow at the Boston Outdoor Preschool Network (BOPN). At BOPN, she brings outdoor education to preschoolers at the Arnold Arboretum in Jamaica Plain. She graduated from Boston College in the spring of 2024 with a B.A. in Psychology with minors in Hispanic Studies and Studio Arts.  

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Sofia is interested in the intersections of art, community, the outdoors, and education, and these interests have brought her into working for LBFE’s Creative Connections program. She has previous experience at Addison Gilbert Hosptial where she provided art and social enrichment for older folks who were staying in the hospital. Sofia really valued this time in being able to learn from intergenerational experiences. She hopes that working at a preschool and LBFE will allow for her to learn from interactions with people of a spectrum of ages! 

Outside of work, Sofia loves to spend time with family and friends, create art, cook, dance, and be outside.  

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sgillespie@lbfeboston.org

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Juliet Hopkins

Program Coordinator, Northeastern University Co-Op

Hello! My name is Juliet Hopkins. I am a 2nd year student at Northeastern University, studying behavioral neuroscience with a minor in philosophy. I am working for LBFE Boston through Northeastern’s co-op program, where I have the opportunity to work full time for a 6-month period.

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Before college, I was born and raised in Houston, Texas. I chose to take this co-op position with LBFE because I wanted an opportunity where I could interact with people and engage with different communities around Boston. I am excited by the opportunity of getting to work with older adults. I hope our interactions will bring them joy, and I cannot wait to get to hear their stories and their perspectives. Everyone deserves a community where they feel heard and appreciated, and I am highly motivated to foster that community through my interactions with others.

Over these six months, I hope to maintain a creative outlook on how to best interact with the communities of older adults. The activities performed during visits should bring the participants joy and be a source of pride in their capabilities. Everyone deserves to feel proud in the things they can accomplish. I love to do arts and crafts. A few of my favorite activities include painting, journaling, and jewelry making. I also love to play games. I love word games, puzzle games, and card games. I am always happy to learn a new game or teach others how to play one of my own personal favorites, such as Skull, Sudoku, and Catan. 

I appreciate the value of interactions with those who have lived different experiences to my own, and I cannot wait to share these perspectives with the older adults I will get to meet during my time here at LBFE.   

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jhopkins@lbfeboston.org

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Avery LeVangie

Program Coordinator, Northeastern University Co-Op

Hello! My name is Avery LeVangie, and I’m currently a fourth-year student at Northeastern University, set to graduate in the Spring of 2026 with a major in Psychology and a minor in Marketing.

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A little bit more about me is that I recently wrapped up my college soccer career at Northeastern, which was an incredible experience that taught me valuable lessons in teamwork, resilience, and leadership. Outside of academics and sports, I enjoy cooking, yoga and spending time with friends and family. I’m originally from East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, a small town located south of Boston.

At LBFE Boston, my role as Program Coordinator will allow me to gain hands-on experience in a non-profit setting. I’m particularly looking forward to contributing to the design and execution of programs that meet the needs of older adults. With my creativity and willingness to receive feedback, I’m excited to work with my team effectively to create engaging and impactful activities tailored to the participants’ preferences. 

This opportunity will also allow me to connect with and learn from diverse communities, which is something I am deeply passionate about. I’m eager to understand unique differences and strengths of intergenerational relationships and contribute to the growth and well-being of older adults. I look forward to learning and growing both personally and professionally, and I can’t wait to hope to make a meaningful impact during my time here!  

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alevangie@lbfeboston.org

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Ruohan Qiu

Program Coordinator, Northeastern University Co-Op

Hello! My name is Ruohan Qiu. I am a 20-year-old junior at Northeastern University, studying a combined major in Psychology and Music. I’m originally from Hangzhou, China.

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I love singing and often record and post songs on music platforms. Through this, I have gained hands-on experience with media communication, like writing short blogs to promote my videos and songs. This experience has also helped me connect with a community of fellow music lovers, many of whom have become close friends.

I chose to work with LBFE because I am inspired by its mission of fostering meaningful connections between people. I believe in the power of shared experiences to create understanding and joy, and I want to contribute to support LBFE’s programs. During my time at LBFE, I hope to make a positive impact by organizing events that bring people together. Moreover, I also want to learn more about community engagement and improve my communication and planning skills.

I am most excited about the opportunity to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and learn from their unique stories and perspectives. I look forward to using my creativity and other skills to help design programs that foster connections among participants!  

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rqiu@lbfeboston.org

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Elysia Wossen

Program Coordinator, Northeastern University Co-Op

Hello! My name is Elysia Wossen, and I am a second-year student at Northeastern University pursuing an International Affairs and International Business degree. I am a Program Coordinator at LBFE through Northeastern‘s Co-op program.

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I was born in Alexandria, Virginia but was raised in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia before coming to the United States to acquire higher education. In my free time, I enjoy knitting, playing tennis and exploring new arts and crafts! I am always looking for a new knitting project to start.

LBFE’s mission to alleviate loneliness among older adults is what drew me to the organization. I was able to experience firsthand how impactful LBFE is through a Northeastern Service-Learning class in partnership with LBFE where I met with an older adult virtually every week and reflected on her life experiences; connecting and sharing stories with older adults filled a void I did not know was empty During my time at LBFE, I hope to explore the inner workings of a non-profit, build meaningful, strong relationships, and continue to learn!  

This experience will prepare me for a career dedicated to creating sustainable solutions and improving the well-being of underserved communities around the globe. I am beyond excited at the opportunity to contribute to and learn from the LBFE team and the older adults we serve. I see this experience as a two-way street—while I hope to make a meaningful impact through my work, I am equally eager to be shaped by the wisdom, resilience, and stories of those I interact with.   

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ewossen@lbfeboston.org