Why we love our Board members
Our Board members are a large part of the backbone that makes up The Front Door Agency. They make sure that the mission of the Agency is carried out as smoothly as possible, such as by setting the proper policies, offering expertise from their respective fields, and approving the budget. They are trusted with ensuring care and loyalty in all aspects of their work, especially when overseeing the actions and decisions of The Front Door. This is just scratching the surface of what they dedicate their volunteered time to, as they are involved in the agency in so many other ways.
As we warmly welcome our new Board members to the Front Door Agency Team, we approached them with a few questions to learn about their own lives along with their hopes for the community:
Dave Almeda
About Dave:
Recently retired from his role of Chief People Officer at UKG (previously known as Kronos and Ultimate Software), Dave crafted a workforce that optimized employee experience while enabling individual and company success. He has been recognized as a leading Chief Human Resources Officer by multiple organizations in the past including, but not limited to, HRO Today, Mass TLC, HR Executive Magazine, the New England Human Resource Association, and The World HRD Congress. Having completed a PHD at University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School, he is sought after as an expert of HR and will bring his experience of working on UKG’s Executive Committee to The Front Door to help boost its praised humanitarianism.
Q: What about The Front Door Agency and its mission made you feel like you wanted to help? What was your primary motivator to join the Board of Directors?
A: “The services and support that The Front Door Agency provides fills a critical need in our community. Over the years, thousands of families and individuals have been able to obtain housing, get a better education, begin the journey to recovery from negative life events, and have access to basics like food and clothing – all because the agency is there to help. Having been raised by a single mother myself in a low-income environment, I have some sense of how needed these services are. It’s an honor to play some small part in helping the agency do this important work,”
Q: What issues facing the community are you most concerned about?
A: “Housing and education. Housing costs are higher than ever. Securing an affordable and safe place to live is the foundation for everything else in life. Post-high school education is also becoming unaffordable for a material percentage of the population. More and more good jobs are requiring advanced skills and training. This dynamic is likely to continue to increase in the future. Without assistance, this type of education will be unobtainable for far too many people,”
Q: What is your favorite part about the community of southern New Hampshire?
A: “Nashua and the surrounding area has always felt like a big small town to me. You always seem to run into people you know when you go downtown, to the grocery store, etc. For me, there seems to be a palpable feeling of shared commitment to taking care of those that live and work in our community. It’s a special place that will continue to evolve and thrive if we continue to take care of each other,”
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies?
A: “Travel, golf, and CrossFit are the top three right now: travel is on the list because I recently retired, CrossFit is a necessity at my age, and golf is a recent addition and definitely still a work in progress,”
Cheryl Baldassaro
About Cheryl:
Currently working as a Customer Service Manager/Warranty Administrator at Lovering Auto Group for 20 years, Cheryl knows the ins and outs of the southern New Hampshire community. Before the passing of her husband in 2018, they were both extremely involved in the city sports teams of their three children where they also coached. They are all grown up now, and Cheryl is looking to use both her positive and negative life experiences to begin her next chapter in community involvement at the Front Door Agency.
Q: What about The Front Door Agency and its mission made you feel like you wanted to help? What was your primary motivator to join the Board of Directors?
A: “I am very familiar with the Front Door Agency as I was introduced to them through my current employer. I feel that my many life experiences both positive and negative could have a positive impact on this organization in helping others get them to where they are looking to be,”
Q: What issues facing the community are you most concerned about?
A: “I find Homelessness/Affordable Housing and Mental Illness very concerning issues that face not only this community but communities all over the country,”
Q: What is your favorite part about the community of southern New Hampshire?
A: “I have lived in this community for over 30 years, and I like the small town feel the proximity to Metro Boston, along with the organizations, business, and the people who help make it a great community,”
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies?
A: “Some of my favorite hobbies include skeet shooting, antiquing, crafting, and seasonal decorating,”
Ferol Groves
About Ferol:
After working 40+ years at BAE systems in Financial Management, Ferol developed a broad range of disciplines revolving around finances and has led many cost saving initiatives. She has served on various boards during her time there including that of Bishop Guertin High School in Nashua. Currently a member on the Financial Opportunity Center Committee (FOC), Ferol has also devoted time in her retirement to Home, Health & Hospice facilitating Spousal Loss Bereavement groups as a volunteer, the experience from which she is also bringing to the Board.
Q: What about The Front Door Agency and its mission made you feel like you wanted to help? What was your primary motivator to join the Board of Directors?
A: “The Front Door Agency provides a “path to self-sufficiency” which is, in my mind, a compelling core value for a non-profit. My motivation to join the Board of Directors was encouraged by other BAE Systems retirees who have introduced me to the Agency and who are also involved with the Agency,”
Q: What issues facing the community are you most concerned about?
A: “I am concerned for members of our community who are struggling and who both need and desire mentoring in how to create a better life for themselves and their family,”
Q: What is your favorite part about the community of southern New Hampshire?
A: “The southern New Hampshire community offers a great environment not only for raising children, but for adults as well. It is ideally located near Boston, the mountains and the ocean and has developed many quality services in the local area over the year,”
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies?
A: “In my spare time I lap swim, hike, read, travel and spend time with family and friends,”
Christine Malloy
About Christine:
As a member of the banking world for 40 years, Christine has stepped into many different roles and has even started her own mortgage company out of Windham, MA. Her most recent position is that of a Senior Commercial Loan Officer at Triangle Credit Union for the last 8 years. She has served on many boards in her career of commercial banking including Merrimack Chamber of Commerce, High Hopes Foundation, and Board for The Greater Derry Londonderry Chamber of Commerce, where she was the Chair in 2017. She lives in Nashua with her husband of 39 years, Ed, and their two pets.
Q: What about The Front Door Agency and its mission made you feel like you wanted to help? What was your primary motivator to join the Board of Directors?
A: “I learned about the Agency roughly 8 years ago when I started working for Triangle CU. My boss, John Ziemba was on the Board and his description of the mission piqued my interest immediately. Being a woman who raised 2 children, I understand the challenges, expenses and childcare issues that young mothers and fathers face. To add any safety issues into that mix must be overwhelming and my heart goes out to any parent or child in that situation. I told John Ziemba that when he eventually retires from the Board, I would welcome the opportunity to take his place to serve and do what I can to help the mission,”
Q: What issues facing the community are you most concerned about?
A: “The Nashua Community has much to offer young families however the cost of housing and rents, starting wages and daycare costs have increased making it quite difficult to survive which may cause heavy stress on families,”
Q: What is your favorite part about the community of southern New Hampshire?
A: “My favorite part of living and working in this community is having easy access to all resources. Between medical facilities, multiple shopping areas, education facilities, churches, etc., there is everything available within a minute or two of driving. And of course, Nashua and the surrounding communities can reach the seacoast, Boston and the lakes & mountains within an hour or so. It truly is a great location to live,”
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies?
A: “I have a few hobbies which include vegetable and flower gardening, reading, and I enjoy spending time with my Cavalier King Charles, Honey. Recently I took up golf and am having a great time being coached by my husband. We are looking forward to retirement together and playing many courses,”
Susan Santana
About Susan:
As a member of the executive leadership team at Southern New Hampshire Health Systems (SNHS), Susan is responsible for molding a culture that is focused on employee and patient health, safety, and happiness. She has 40 years of healthcare experience under her belt from nursing at Tufts Medicine and Lowell General Hospital. With a PHD in Nursing Practice and a master’s degree in Business Administration, she is practiced with developing relationships and forming a workplace that is a recipe for successful change.
Q: What about The Front Door Agency and its mission made you feel like you wanted to help? What was your primary motivator to join the Board of Directors?
A: “I have been a nurse for several years and have a strong passion in caring for individuals who are in need. I’m specifically passionate about helping young mothers and their children reach their full potential. During my nursing career, I have spent time as a pediatric and maternity nurse in the hospital and home setting. These experiences have left a lasting impression and desire to help this population be the best they can be,”
Q: What issues facing the community are you most concerned about?
A: “I’m most concerned about the cost of living and the challenges facing families who can’t afford to make it on their own. This issue has increased dramatically post Covid, and the needs are greater than ever,”
Q: What is your favorite part about the community of southern New Hampshire?
A: “I recently moved to the southern New Hampshire area and instantly felt connected to the community. Shortly after moving, I joined Southern New Hampshire Health System as their Senior Vice President of Patient Care Services and Chief Nursing Officer. It was there that I learned about the impact that the Front Door Agency had on the community, and I knew I wanted to be involved and help make a difference,”
Q: What are some of your favorite hobbies?
A: “I enjoy traveling with my friends and family and spending time outdoors,”
A Bittersweet Goodbye to Our Departing Board Members…
Janet Ackerman (2020)
Erin Almeda (2008)
Maria Botcheva (2018)
Carol Connor (2017)
Thank you for your relentless passion and drive during your years of service. We wish you good fortune as you continue onwards and give you all of our best.
