Jennifer Dowdy
Placement Trainer
Manager of Husbandry Staff and Volunteer Development
Jennifer started at Helping Hands in 2002 as a work-study student during her freshman year at Boston University. She served as an apprentice trainer throughout her college career until she received her BA in Political Science with a minor in Public Health. Upon graduation, Jennifer eagerly accepted a full-time Placement Trainer position. In addition to training, she also oversees the Volunteer and Work-Study Program, assists in monkey placements, and contributes to the Spinal Cord Injury Prevention Program presentations. Originally from San Diego, she is thrilled to have Boston as her new home! In addition to her love for animals, she also enjoys running, reading, sports, and camping on the beach.
Noelle Lafasciano
Placement Trainer
Noelle has always had a lifelong dream to work with animals, particularly monkeys. As a recent graduate from the University of New Hampshire with a BA in Zoology, she is currently pursuing another degree (also at UNH) in Community Service and Leadership. Noelle was inspired by her work at the Humane Society to continue in the field of animal rescue. She is also interested in animal therapy, particularly related to children with chronic illnesses, as she has benefited from this herself. Noelle looks forward to spending time with her monkeys at Helping Hands everyday, and cannot believe her childhood dream has come true!
Leah Morgan
Placement Trainer
Leah started as a work-study student at Helping Hands in Sept 2005. She accepted an internship for the summer, and joined the staff as a placement trainer in Sept 2006. Originally from New Jersey, she traveled to Massachusetts to attend Boston University, College of Fine Arts, receiving her BFA with a major in Sculpture in May 2006. In her spare time, Leah enjoys making art, biking, horror movies, wining and dining, and visiting family and friends in New Jersey.
Alison Payne
Director of Training
Animals, especially primates, have been a lifelong interest of Alison Payne, Director of Training at Helping Hands. In the third grade, she decided that someday she would work with monkeys or apes. She has volunteered at pet clinics, an avian nursery, and Zoo New England and has always loved gaining knowledge about different animals. At Boston University, Alison received her B.A. and focused her studies in cognitive and learning psychology and animal behavior. During her senior year, Alison began volunteering at Helping Hands and was thrilled to begin a full-time job upon graduation in 2000. As Director of Training, Alison follows the progress of each trainer and the monkeys in school. She considers the monkeys at Helping Hands to be part of her family and strives to give them love and support during their school years.
Andrea Rothfelder
Director of Development and Communication
Andrea Rothfelder comes to Helping Hands Monkey: Helpers for the Disabled with over 10 years of experience in fundraising and non profit management, most recently serving the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America as the Executive Director for the State of Ohio. Andrea was born and raised in Munich Germany and since moving to the US has lived in Ohio, South Carolina and now returns back to Boston, where she lived from 2003-2005. In her free time Andrea loves to travel, visit with family and friends, volunteer, hike, go camping, try out new wines and restaurants and of course cheer on the Red Sox or Pats whenever possible.
Jill Siebeking
Occupational Therapist/Placement Specialist
Jill was hired in July of 2006 as a part time placement specialist for Helping Hands. As an occupational therapist, Jill is motivated to help her clients regain their independence. Prior to starting at Helping Hands, Jill worked at Wingate at Andover and Shaughnessy Kaplan Rehab. She received her B.S. in OT from the University of New Hampshire and has recently received her Doctorate of Occupational Therapy from Tufts University. During her recent studies, Jill focused on long-term quality of life and community integration for individuals with traumatic brain and spinal cord injuries. Jill has always had an interest in assistive technology and is looking forward to exploring this avenue of career during each monkey placement.
Kit Stanton
Placement Trainer
Kit started her Helping Hands career in February 2006 as a volunteer and was hired as full time staff in June 2006. Born in Bogota, Colombia and raised in Medford, MA, Kit did not travel far for college, attending Tufts University and graduating with a major in military history in 2004. When not training monkeys, Kit enjoys playing the banjo, running around with her dog, hiking, cycling, and just about anything outdoors.
Megan Talbert
Chief Operating Officer
Megan became involved with Helping Hands in 1998 as a work-study student from Boston University. Throughout most of her college career, Megan was very involved with the care and training of Helping Hands monkeys. After a short hiatus from HH, during which she worked in public relations and marketing for a major PR firm in Cambridge, MA, Megan returned to Helping Hands as a Placement Specialist. Eventually promoted to Director of Placements, Megan has traveled across the country bringing Helping Hands' special companions and helpers to deserving recipients. Megan assumed the role of Chief Operating Office in December 2006 and continues to direct the Placement team at Helping Hands. In her free time, Megan enjoys camping, hiking, home improvement work, and most importantly, spending time with family, friends and her eternally devoted dog, Escher.
Skott Alfred Wade
Office Manager
Born and raised in the Boston area, Skott joined Helping Hands in the spring of 2001. He is the current office manager and handles most of the day-to-day Human Resources, general office support, and finances. When not at Helping Hands, Skott makes music with his band Capital Radio and is taking the occasional course at Harvard.
Marie Waitkevich
Associate Director of Healthcare, Veterinary Technician
Marie, a certified veterinary technician, began her affiliation with Helping Hands while working as a Veterinary Technician and Veterinary Practice Manager in 2000 as a volunteer. In 2004 Marie joined the staff at Helping Hands as the Veterinary Specialist. To date, she has cared for dozens of monkeys and provides intensive nursing care. A licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator, Marie ran Destination Wild Again, a wildlife rehabilitation center caring for 300-500 injured orphaned and sick wildlife annually. In the 1980's Marie earned a degree in Early Childhood Education and ran her own childcare business for 13 years. Marie enjoys gardening, football, soccer, and spending time with her husband Mark, 19-year-old son Joel, 17-year-old son Jason, 13-year-old son Joshua, and 11-year-old daughter Katie. Two of Marie's sons have suffered moderate to severe disabilities in their lives, thus giving Marie a personal perspective to HH's mission.
Helping Hands Board of Directors
Robert Stern, Chairman
Susan Keyes, Secretary/Treasurer
Craig Cook
Michele Cunneen
David O'Leary
Kathleen Porter
Harold Potter, Jr.
Alan Solarz
Gary Starr
Lynn Trimby
Jane Yusen