Megan TalbertExecutive DirectorMegan 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 Officer 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. |
Andrea RothfelderDirector of Development and CommunicationAndrea 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. |
Alison PayneDirector of TrainingAnimals, 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. |
Jennifer DowdyPlacement Trainer
|
Noelle LafascianoDevelopment CoordinatorNoelle has always had a lifelong dream to work with animals, particularly primates. After receiving her degree in Zoology from University of New Hampshire in May 2007, she joined our team as a summer intern. She then began training in August, while pursuing another degree in Community Service and Leadership. After training the monkeys for over a year, Noelle has since made the switch to Development Coordinator. This position allows her to combine her two passions; working with animals, and helping others. Though she misses training the monkeys, she knows that development is a huge part of what keeps a program like Helping Hands running. She hopes to eventually continue to pursue her degree in Community Service and Leadership. When not at work, Noelle loves to spend her free time with family and friends. |
Allyson MigneaultPlacement Trainer/ Veterinary Technician
As a certified Vet Tech, Allyson always wanted to explore working with other animals besides dogs and cats and was thrilled when she was offered a position with Helping Hands. As a 2008 graduate from Mount Ida College, Allyson has a Bachelors degree in Veterinary Technology. She enjoys both aspects of her position: one-on-one training in addition to providing great health and medical care to the HH monkeys. Allyson loves coming to work everyday and spending time with these special animals. Outside of work, Allyson loves playing with her two dogs, shopping and watching movies. |
Jill SiebekingOccupational Therapist/Placement SpecialistJill 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. |
Jennifer EvansPlacement TrainerJen has always had a love for animals and a particular interest in caring for them. She graduated from Connecticut College in 2006 with a BA in Biology and a focus in pre-veterinary medicine. During college she also received hands-on experience with a variety of animals. While taking a break from the sciences to teach in several Boston schools, Jen realized just how much she missed working with animals. After seeing a news clip on TV about Helping Hands, she knew that training monkeys for people with disabilities was her dream job. Jen became involved with HH as a volunteer in April 2008 and later joined staff as a placement trainer in October 2008. When she isn't spending time with her monkeys, Jen also enjoys dancing, running, traveling, and exploring new parts of Boston with friends. |
Natalie SheltonPlacement TrainerNatalie has worked with animals in a variety of capacities before joining Helping Hands. Since graduating from Wheaton College in 2005 with a BA in Psychobiology, Natalie has worked as a zookeeper, a bird show presenter, a lab animal technician, a veterinary technician, and a manager of a primate psychology research lab. She learned about the opportunity to volunteer at Helping Hands through a chance meeting with a former trainer, and joined their volunteer staff in February of 2008. She was thrilled to join the staff as a placement trainer in June 2009. Natalie loves coming to work each day and spending time with the monkeys, who never fail to put a smile on her face. Outside of monkey-training, Natalie enjoys traveling, reading, hanging out with friends, and rocking on the drums. |
Skott Alfred WadeOffice ManagerBorn 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 WaitkevichAssociate Director of Healthcare, Veterinary TechnicianMarie, 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 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 DirectorsRobert Stern, Co-Chair |
