Who We Are
Meet the BASEC Board of Directors
BASEC is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. The BASEC Board of Directors has fiduciary responsibility for the organization and governs all decisions regarding finances and vision.

Sandi McKinley

Karine Stanislaus

Maria Tricca

Helen Marrow

Manami Shizuka

Andrew Mountford

President / Chair
Sandi McKinley
Sandi McKinley is the President of SectorWind, a consulting practice that works with social-sector organizations and their funders to build financial health and strategic resilience. She is a parent to two sons who attend Belmont High school and first became involved with BASEC when her older son attended Kindergarten at Burbank.

Treasurer
Karine Stanislaus
Karine is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA). Karine got involved with BASEC after she witnessed first hand the commitment and dedication of the entire BASEC team and how she found the services provided by BASEC invaluable, especially for working parents to fill the after school gap that exists till the end of the business day.
All BASEC Board meetings are open to all program families. BASEC Board meetings are usually held once a month. Minutes of meetings are available upon request. Individual sites also occasionally conduct informal meetings, open houses, or discussion groups focused on program-related issues and/or opportunities, at which current and prospective program participants and their parents or guardians are welcome and encouraged to attend.
BASEC is a family governed, non-profit collaborative. Family participation on all levels is expected and encouraged. If you’re interested in serving on the BASEC Board or getting involved at your BASEC Site, please contact us.
Meet the BASEC Team
BASEC’s team is dedicated to developing creative, resilient, resourceful and responsible youth.

Andrew Mountford

Annie Gladfelter

Amanda Burke

Sarah Houtmeyers

Michael Clark

Brandon Heisler

Ellen McEllin

Viviana Sanchez

Clare McGladrigan

Blake Stensland

Felisia Sainz

Alex DeMaris

Ola Jachtorowicz

Vana Keledjian

Sam Taber

Karen Shea

Vicky O’Regan

Gaelen McGrail

Jamie Meditz

James Burke

Trevor Donahue

Carter Eichenberg

Andrea Grant

Elaine Arvantis

Donna “Mrs.G” Goguen

Alba Gomez

Fran Indelicato

Hanna Bacus

Isabella Brody Magid

Jeremy Conlin

Kayla Sylvia

Nick Peladeau

Tricia Cerqua

Valerie Warren

Alex Mattos

Josh Camara

Andrew McLean

Lindsey Shea

Adela Talentino

Ashley Smith

Brandon Fink

Jaime Chernoch

Ban Almahfodh-Graime

Ashleigh Lauren

Director of Impact
Annie Gladfelter
Annie G. is in her fifth year at BASEC. Before coming to BASEC, she taught for 5 years in the Cambridge Public Schools and worked in after school programming for over 10 years. Annie G. also has her M.Ed in Out-of-School Time Program Development and Improvement. Her work passions include science with kids and professional development.

Site Director, BASEC @ Chenery
Amanda Burke
Amanda has been with BASEC since 2015. She completed her undergraduate degree from UNH with a bachelors in Sociology and received her Masters of Education in School Counseling from Cambridge College. Amanda enjoys making connections and supporting students and she is passionate about providing a program for families that allows students to learn, play and grow!

Site Director, BASEC @ Fowler / Green Meadow
Michael Clark
Michael has previously worked with BASEC as an educator at BASEC @ Chenery and took over as site director for Maynard programs BASEC @ Fowler and BASEC @ Green Meadow in 2021. Michael enjoys working with kids to build strong positive relationships. He has previous experience working with youth in AmeriCorps NCCC and Amnesty International USA. Michael holds graduate degrees from Brandeis University’s Heller School of Social Policy and Management, an MBA in Social Impact and an MA in Sustainable International Development. He also earned a BA from the College of William & Mary.

Site Director, BASEC @ BHS
Brandon Heisler
Brandon has been an educator for 14 years. He started his career in Special Education in the Brookline Public Schools, in the Pathways Program. While there, he started and grew an after school program for at-risk youth called Steps To Success. This is where he learned about the importance of after school programming and how integral it can be for development for all ages. He has been with BASEC for seven years and is dedicated to providing quality after school educational opportunities for high school aged youth.

Director of Student Programming, BASEC @ Burbank
Ellen McEllin
Ellen has been with BASEC and BBASP (its predecessor) since 1999. She is also a classroom aid in 3rd and 4th grade at the Burbank. Ellen is the main point of contact for BASEC @ Burbank Workshops and tutoring and begins her role as Director of Student Programming in 2019!

Operations Director
Viviana Sanchez
Viviana joined the BASEC team in 2019 after working 4 years at a Therapeutic Foster Care Agency. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work and human development with a focus in psychology. Her passion for nonprofit work began after working for Jumpstart and AmeriCorps NCCC where she saw first hand how nonprofit organizations positively impact the lives of children and families involved. Viviana is excited for this new chapter at BASEC!

Assistant Director
Clare McGladrigan

Assistant Director, BASEC @ Chenery
Blake Stensland
Blake joined the BASEC @ Chenery team in 2019 as their Family Engagement Specialist. Blake graduated from Stonehill College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and a Minor in Criminology. She is excited to be part of the team and to get to know the children and parents of the BASEC @ Chenery after school program!

Visual Arts Specialist
Felisia Sainz
Felisia has been with BASEC since 2017. She got her BFA in Illustration at Massachusetts College of Arts and Design. Since college she has been working on her own artwork and comics, curating for gallery spaces, and doing freelance illustration.

Sports Specialist
Alex DeMaris
Alex joined the BASEC team in 2020 after completing the Boston Teacher Residency program and obtaining a Masters in Education from UMass Boston. He received a Bachelors in Human Development & Family Science from Oregon State and has always wanted to make a positive impact in children’s lives. Alex is thrilled to be a part of BASEC and the Belmont community.

STEM Specialist
Ola Jachtorowicz
Ola joined the BASEC team in 2018. She has a B.A. in Biology from Boston College. Since then, she has pursued her dual interests in science communication and instructional design. Her experience includes managing the Life Sciences editorial team at the Journal of Visualized Experiments and developing adult learning workshops for RAIN Group. She leads BASEC students in hands-on, inquiry-based enrichment activities — from making slime to engineering rockets!

Kindergarten Educator
Vana Keledjian
Vana, a Belmont native, has been with BASEC since 2018. She holds a bachelors degree in psychology and has over 15 years of experience in childcare. Vana also teaches art workshops.

Educator
Sam Taber
Since 2015, Sam has played the dual role as piano teacher and educator with BASEC. He is proud to be part of the arts team and contribute musically to the program throughout the school year, during vacation camp, and for special productions. Sam is a local freelance musician who plays regularly around New England. He has a B.A. in History from Boston University.

Educator
Karen Shea
Karen has been with BASEC since 2011. She works at before school and after school. Karen also is a professional aide at Burbank which she began in September 2007.

Educator
Vicky O’Regan
Vicky has been with BASEC since 2003. During the school day, she is the Reading Specialist at the Burbank School. Vicky is also one of our before school teachers.

Educator
Gaelen McGrail
Gaelen joined BASEC in 2018. His previous experience includes coaching, tutoring, and working as a classroom assistant. He attended UMass Boston, where he played on the basketball team.

Visual Arts Specialist
Jamie Meditz
Jamie received her Bachelors Degree in Art Education from Molloy College and her Masters of Education in Community Arts from Lesley University. She has been with BASEC since 2016, and feels incredibly lucky that she gets to spend her days creating art with enthusiastic children!

Sports Specialist
James Burke
James has been the Sports Specialist for BASEC @ Chenery since 2010. He has a degree in Psychology from UMass Boston.

STEM Specialist
Trevor Donahue
Trevor, a Belmont Native, graduated from Hartwick in upstate NY with a B.A. in Sociology. Instrumental in founding the Branch program for BASEC, Trevor has been with BASEC since 2012.

Academic Specialist
Carter Eichenberg
Carter is in his third year with BASEC. He has a degree from UMass Amherst in Psychology. He leads our Model UN programming, Outing Club, as well as many other favorites!

Educator
Andrea Grant
Andrea, or Ms. Grant as the students call her, has been with BASEC and its predecessor since 2002. She has her graduate degree in Education from Cambridge College.

Educator
Elaine Arvantis
Elaine has been with BASEC since 2014. During the school day, she is a classroom aide at the Winn Brook School. Elaine is also one of our before school teachers.

Kindergarten Educator
Donna “Mrs.G” Goguen

Kindergarten Educator
Alba Gomez
Alba joined BASEC in 2021. She is a Former Excel Program Educator. Alba has over 18 years of experience working in Early Childhood Education and Elementary Age students of which she has throughout enjoyed. She is EEC accredited and attended Ellis University for classes in Early Childhood Growth and Development.

Educator
Fran Indelicato
Fran joined BASEC in 2021. She is proud to have worked for the Maynard EXCEL program for over 20 years prior to joing the BASEC team. Fran enjoys crafting, creating games and challenges, and helping kids shine!

Educator
Hanna Bacus
Hanna joined the BASEC team in 2021, after 5 years working for the former program known as EXCEL. As a third generation Maynard resident, she takes great pride working for her community. Working alongside the teachers that taught her as a student taught her the importance of positive learning experiences. She is currently following her passion by taking classes at Framingham State.

Assistant Educator
Isabella Brody Magid
Bella is one of BASEC’s assistant educators. She is graduating from BHS in 2024.

Educator
Jeremy Conlin
Jeremy has worked for BASEC since 2013. He grew up in Belmont and received a degree in American History from Boston University. He also worked as a Professional Aide in 8th grade classrooms at Chenery during the 2016-2017 school year.

Visual Arts Specialist
Kayla Sylvia
Kayla joined BASEC in 2021 as the Visual Arts Specialist for our Maynard programs at Green Meadow and Fowler. She received a Bachelor’s degree in English Literature with a specialized concentration in Museum Education from Smith College. Kayla has previously worked as a Children’s and Youth Services library assistant and has worked with various art museums. Kayla is a life long lover of art, and she looks forward to inspiring young minds and seeing their beautiful creations!

Educator
Nick Peladeau
Nick joined the BASEC Chenery team in 2021. They received their BFA in Art Education from MassArt and have prior experience working with middle and high school. They want to help create a safe space for all students that focuses on diversity, respect, acceptance, and growth!

Educator
Tricia Cerqua
Tricia joined BASEC in 2021. She is excited to be part of the team at Fowler Middle School. She has previously worked as an ESP in the Maynard School System for twenty years. She was also a staff member for the EXCEL/FASC after school program for 10 years. She holds certification in Northeast Foundation for Children Responsive Classroom, Scott Foresman E.R.I. Reading Program, and Wilsons Language Foundation Reading Program. She looks forward to continuing to provide a positive, safe, nurturing environment to encourage the children to be the best version of themselves and have fun!

Educator
Valerie Warren
Valerie joined BASEC in 2021 after previously working for EXCEL FASC Program as a third grade head teacher. Valerie holds a degree in Classical Arts from Rhode Island School of Design. Valerie has taken endless courses in Art History from Harvard University and many trainings in all forms of Art over her life. Valerie loves many mediums, living an Artist’s life that builds on various art experiences. She especially loves to see free flow art from children.

Kindergarten Educator
Alex Mattos
Alex, a Belmont native, has been with BASEC since 2008. She is working on her undergraduate degree at Middlesex Community College.

Educator
Josh Camara
Josh joined the BASEC @ Chenery team in 2021. He is from Cambridge and earned his Bachelors degree in journalism from Salem State University.

Educator
Andrew McLean
Andrew joined BASEC in 2021. He has degrees in sociology and teaching from Haverford College, UCLA and Tufts University. Having taught in middle and high schools, he is especially interested in supporting the growth and learning of the whole child.

Educator
Lindsey Shea
Lindsey rejoined the BASEC @ Chenery in 2022!

Educator
Adela Talentino
Adela Talentino is a multimedia artist, filmmaker, and educator who has been residing in Maynard for several years. She studied Creative Writing for Performance and Art Education at Goddard College and received an MFA in Experimental Animation/ Integrated Media from CalArts. Adela has showcased performance and film projects internationally, particularly with experimental and LGBTQ+ venues and festivals. As an educator, she has worked with non-profit programs for the past 15 years in Boston and Philadelphia instructing in visual and theater arts. In her free time, she enjoys bicycles, video games, vegan cooking, and dogs.

Family Engagement Specialist, BASEC @ Chenery
Ashley Smith
Ashley joined the BASEC @ Chenery team in 2022. She graduated from the University of Rochester with a Bachelor’s Degree in Neuroscience and a Minor in Psychology. Ashley is eager to meet and connect with the students and families of the BASEC community throughout the school year.

Educator
Brandon Fink

Educator
Jaime Chernoch
Jaime has been working with BASEC since 2021. She got her MFA in poetry and education at UMass Boston. Jaime enjoys hearing about the individual interests of all the students at Burbank and encouraging them to try new things.

Educator
Ban Almahfodh-Graime
Ban A-G is an Educator who holds an MA in (international) youth development and an Med. in Education Administration. Ban believes and advocates for the joy of learning for all students with all abilities, as well as fostering curiosity and critical-thinking.

Inclusion Specialist
Ashleigh Lauren
Ashleigh joined BASEC in 2022 after working as a therapist and extreme interventionist with children suffering from mood disorders, cognitive delays and learning disabilities in Miami, FL., Manhattan, NY., and Laguna, California. She is a Massachusetts native and is thrilled to serve the Belmont and Maynard community! She hopes to bring an organic and compassionate approach towards BASEC as the Inclusion Specialist.
Interested in joining our team? Check the Careers page for current openings.
Other after school programs interested in learning more about BASEC can contact our executive director or the BASEC Board.