Board

Bettye Anderson-Frederic is the former Deputy Director of the Springfield Department of Health and Human Services (SDHHS) and a career nurse clinician. After pursuing her undergraduate degree at Dillard University, a Historical Black College, she obtained a graduate degree from Boston University. Her ensuing work has centered on social justice, health equity and disparities in health care and health outcomes. She has practiced in acute care settings, taught at the college level, and worked to promote community health. In her current position at SDHHS, she oversees population based health services for the residents of Springfield. In this role, she has developed a population-based nursing service, created and structured the Maternal Child Health Commission, secured CLIA certification for population based health screening and integrated all health units into a cooperative force for health prevention. She has been involved in the following projects, many of which required community engagement: Mason Square Neighborhoods Assessment of Community Participation and Health Needs, Health Updates on Springfield HIV/AIDS, Substance Abuse Treatment Among Springfield Residents, Profile of the AIDS Epidemic In the City of Springfield, Health Profiles of Springfield Pregnancies and Births, working with faculty from the University of Massachusetts on cultural/racial diversity in the field of nursing, The Public Health Network Project: Rural Public Health, served on design team for the Baystate CHNA, and served as faculty for a community health and capacity building grant and on the Advisory Board of a Health Communications in Cancer Control Project.

Matt is First Vice President, Marketing and Corporate Responsibility for PeoplesBank, the largest mutually chartered bank in Western Massachusetts and a leader in green values, sustainable energy financing, and charitable giving.   Matt joined PeoplesBank in 2015, and manages the corporate philanthropy program and budget through the allocation of grants, events, sponsorships, and in-kind contributions in the region, focusing on key areas including academics, innovation, economic growth and community vibrancy.  He also plans and directs corporate marketing and public relations programs, and represents the bank in public, social and business events to maintain and improve community relations and corporate goodwill.

Prior to joining PeoplesBank, Matt was Executive Vice President, Corporate Communications and Brand Content for the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association.  Here, he led all advertising, design, media relations, content marketing, internal communications, crisis management and media advocacy for the $750M non-profit, managing a staff of 45 and supporting fundraising, education, advocacy and research for the largest health non-profit in the country.  He spent 15 years at the AHA/ASA, including 9 years in the Northeast region and 6 years at the National Center in Dallas, TX.

Immediately prior to the AHA/ASA, Matt was Vice President, Group Account Director at Arnold Worldwide, based in Boston, and managing integrated marketing campaigns, with a focus on anti-tobacco marketing efforts for clients that included the Mass Department of Public Health, the FDA, and the American Legacy Foundation.  Other clients during his 9-year tenure at Arnold included Volkswagen, Ocean Spray, Puma, Verizon and EMC.  Matt has also managed media relations for Major League Baseball’s “Old-Timers” games for sponsor Upper Deck, and, while at Hill Holliday advertising in Boston, managed public relations, advertising and event marketing campaigns for John Hancock, Puma and others.

Matt resides in Hadley, MA, with his wife Sharon, and has three children who also still reside in the area, Julia, Davis and Sarah.

Nikki Burnett is the Regional Vice President for Collective Impact and Multicultural Initiatives for the New England Region for the American Heart Association American has been with the AHA/ASA for 15 years.

Born in Springfield, MA, Nikki received her A.S. in Arts and Science from Holyoke Community College and went on to complete her B.S. in Biology at American International College in Springfield.  In May 2018 she completed a B.S. in Organizational Leadership at Bay Path University.  She is currently an MBA candidate in Entrepreneurial Thinking and Innovative Practices which she will complete in the Fall of 2019, also at Bay Path.

Before coming to the AHA, Nikki worked in the Cardiopulmonary Division at Baystate Medical Center for 11 years.  For five (5) of those eleven years, she was a volunteer for the AHA and helped to raise over $50,000 for several Heart Walks and Heart Galas. 

During her time at BMC, she worked in many different capacities, ranging from EKG, non-invasive cardiology and cardiac rehab.  For her last 3 years of employment at BMC, she was the Education Coordinator of Cardiopulmonary Services and Assistant to the Chief of Cardiology. 

Another passion of Nikki’s is teaching and encouraging communities to be strong advocates for the issues that impact them the most.  Nikki loves and is very active in her church (Progressive Community Baptist Church) and serves on the Progressive Community Development Corporation, Guide Ministry, Angel Tree Ministry, and Pastor’s Aides. Most importantly, Nikki is the mother of a wonderful 18-year-old daughter who is a Biology major/Chemistry minor at Howard University in Washington, DC.

Soloe Dennis is the Deputy Public Health Commissioner for The Department of Health and Human Services in the City of Springfield.  Soloe oversees several programs which include the Substance Abuse, Tobacco, Nursing, Environmental Health, Men of Color Program and the Public Health Preparedness and Response initiatives within the department. He also provides leadership and support to other offices that are part of the Commissioner’s Cabinet as requested by the Commissioner.

Before Joining the City of Springfield, Soloe worked for the MA Department of Public Health, serving as the Director of Local and Public Health Initiatives. He led workforce development initiatives to ensure all 351 local boards of health within the Commonwealth had the appropriate skill set and training needed to carry out the 10 essential services of core public health functions. Soloe also led the effort in working with all academic institutions within the Commonwealth in strengthening and engaging them in partnership around research and workforce development efforts.  Prior to that role, Soloe served as Regional Director for the Western MA region. He oversaw the Northampton Regional Office, supporting the MA Department of Public Health priority areas and staff communications across bureaus. Lastly, Soloe worked at Pioneer Valley Planning Commission as the Senior Public Health Planner developing systems, plans, and programs to enhance health department’s capacity to address health priorities in Western Massachusetts.

Soloe has had a long career and is very passionate about Public Health and sits on many boards. He currently is a board member of the Massachusetts Public Health Association, University of Massachusetts School of Public Health and Health Sciences Dean Advisory Board, Western Massachusetts Training Institute and University of Massachusetts School of Nursing.

Soloe has Master of Science in Environmental Health from the University of Massachusetts, School of Public Health and Health Sciences; He is also a graduate from the Commonwealth Senior Leadership Program and is a Master Exercise Practitioner Certified from the Department of Homeland Security.

Joshua A. Garcia, an MPA graduate of Westfield State University and a 2015 BusinessWest Forty Under 40 recipient, is a practicing Public Administrator with a focus on community development, public management, and good governance. From his professional capacity beginning at the Holyoke Housing Authority as its Property Manager to becoming a Project Manager in the Community Development Section of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission (PVPC), to now as the Town Administrator at the Town of Blandford, Josh is dedicated to improving the quality-of-life for all residents. As the PVPC Municipal Services Manager, Joshua's key responsibility was to identify opportunities for municipal service efficiency and economy-of-scale, and to recent state program policies and resources encouraging and incentivizing municipalities to pursue collaboration, partnerships, and shared service opportunities. He had been responsible for coordinating the Commonwealth's District Local Technical Assistance (DLTA) program within the 43 PVPC membership municipalities of the Hampden and Hampshire region and provided support for the Governor's Community Compact Cabinet Initiative by working with municipalities to prioritize 'best practice' efforts to advance local government priorities. Joshua has transferred these skills to his current position leading a small town of 1,200+ residents as Town Administrator. When he is not working, he contributes his professional experience to the development of his hometown, the City of Holyoke. He served as an elected representative on the Holyoke School Committee, he serves on local and regional community development boards, initiatives, and committees, and he is also a mayoral-appointed member of the Fire Commission for the Holyoke Fire Department. Joshua is a local and regional leader constantly looking for ways to bridge gaps, encourage collaboration, and proactively addressing quality-of-life concerns. When he is not working, he contributes his professional experience to the development of his hometown, the City of Holyoke. He served as an elected representative on the Holyoke School Committee, he serves on local and regional community development boards, initiatives, and committees, and he is also a mayoral appointed member of the Fire Commission for the Holyoke Fire Department. Joshua is a local and regional leader constantly looking for ways to bridge gaps, encourage collaboration, and proactively addressing issues of institutional racism when planning and making decisions by leading with the awareness of social determinants of health.

Jennifer Lee currently serves as the Systems Advocate for Stavros. As the Systems Advocate she assists the agency in promoting and protecting the civil rights of  persons   with   disabilities.   Her   major responsibilities include advocating for policy and serving as a community organizer. Jennifer has a commitment to bringing a disability perspective to various dialogues, including that of housing, healthcare, transportation, and policy. For years, she has served as an advocate for persons with disabilities.

Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s degree in Health, Science, Society, and Policy, as well as a Bachelor’s degree in American Studies from Brandeis University. She also possesses a Master’s Degree in Disability Studies from the City University of New York. Jennifer is a former intern for the American Association of Persons with Disabilities where she advocated for the national rights of persons with disabilities. As an advocate and individual with a disability she remains committed to bringing visibility to the issues that impact persons with disabilities. Jennifer currently serves as Chair for the Massachusetts Statewide Independent Living Council, a board member for the Disability Policy Consortium, and a Policy Council Member for the Massachusetts Public Health Association. All in all, Jennifer is a passionate advocate who remains committed to addressing the social determinants of health that impact access and quality of health for persons with disabilities.

Frances Gomes Marthone, PhD, RN, serves as the Chief Nursing Officer (Vice President of Patient Care Services) for Mercy Medical Center.  Frances is responsible for ensuring compliance with patient care quality standards and ensuring that clinical and staffing standards are met, promoting best practices in nursing and patient care, and serving as a liaison for communication between leadership and the nursing staff.

With more than 25 years of nursing leadership experience, Frances most recently served as Chief Nursing Officer and Vice President of Patient Care Services at Piedmont Henry Hospital, a 215-bed facility in Stockbridge, Georgia, where she was responsible for the coordination and monitoring of all nursing standards. Prior to her role at Piedmont Henry Hospital, Frances served as Vice President of Medical Services at Phoebe Putney Memorial Hospital in Albany, Georgia, where she provided leadership in the recruitment, retention, development and continuing education for all units within the medical division. She also has experience as an administrative supervisor, as well as a background in the management of oncology nursing services.

Frances holds a PhD in Nursing Philosophy from Georgia State University in Atlanta, a Master of Science in Nursing Administration from Albany State University in Albany, Georgia, and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Simmons College in Boston. She also holds a Quality and Process Improvement Certification in Black Belt from the Stetson School of Business and Economics at Mercer University in Georgia. Frances is also a member the American Organization of Nurse Executives, American Nurses Association, Georgia Nurses Association, and the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Kevin Maynard is a partner in the Springfield law firm of Bulkley Richardson and Gelinas, and is a member of the firm's Litigation/ADR Department. Kevin focuses his practice on resolving commercial disputes for businesses and individuals through advice, negotiation, litigation, arbitration and mediation. He has been selected by his peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America® each year since 2008. In addition to his service on the PHC board, Kevin is board president of World is Our Classroom, Inc., a board member of Leadership Pioneer Valley, and a member of the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission Coordinating Council. He is a former board member and a past board president of the United Way of Pioneer Valley and of Square One, formerly Springfield Day Nursery, Inc. Kevin lives in Belchertown, Massachusetts.

Lora joined Leadership Pioneer Valley in 2011 after serving as the founding Executive Director of the Massachusetts League of Environmental Voters (MLEV) for 5 1/2 years.  She was involved in all aspects of building MLEV into a successful, well-respected organization including administration, fundraising, management, board development, coalition-building, and strategic planning.  Her political acumen and strategy has earned the organization strong support with members of Congress, the Governor, members of the legislature and the mayor of Boston.  Prior to her work with MLEV, she worked for the League of Conservation Voters Education Fund and National Audubon Society in DC.  While at LCVEF and Audubon, she launched and organized several successful programs and training programs.  She has nearly 20 years of experience with grassroots organizing and community outreach.  Ms. Wondolowski holds a BS from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana and a MS from Bard College.  She serves on the boards of the Connecticut River Watershed Council, Partners for a Healthier Community, and the United Way of Pioneer Valley.