MCSW is composed of women from diverse backgrounds, representing counties and municipalities from across the state. Their commitment to improving the status of women in society is evident within their professional endeavors, and their contributions to MCSW stand true to its underlying mission. Their biographies highlighting some of their notable work within and outside of MCSW are linked below.
All Commissioners are appointed by one of the four appointing authorities: Five Commissioners are appointed by the Governor, four by the Senate President, four by Speaker of the House, and six by the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators. The Commissioners are sworn in by the Secretary of State or another authorized designee and serve for up-to 3 terms (renewable).
Interested in becoming appointed as a Commissioner? Contact one of the appointing authorities to find out their respective policies and timelines for appointments. Prospective Commissioners may also contact Executive Director, Shaitia Spruell (Shaitia.Spruell@mass.gov), for additional information regarding the nomination process and expected responsibilities.
As a Commission, we are empowered to:
- Study, review and report on the status of women in the Commonwealth
- Advise executive and legislative bodies on the effect of proposed legislation on women
- Inform leaders of business, education, health care, state and local governments and the communications media of issues pertaining to women
- Provide referrals and serve as a resource of information on issues pertaining to women
- Identify and recommend qualified women for positions at all levels of government
- Promote and facilitate collaboration among local women's commissions and among women’s organizations in the state
- Serve as a liaison between government and private interest groups concerned with issues affecting women
- Assess programs and practices in all state agencies as they affect women
Commissioner Bios
Dr. Sarah Glenn-Smith, Holliston
MCSW Chairwoman
Dr. Sarah Glenn-Smith was appointed to the Commission by Senate President Karen Spilka in November 2020. She has worked as a professional in the healthcare, education, technology and nonprofit arenas for more than 20 years. She is currently the President and CEO for The Learning Center for the Deaf in Framingham. Prior to joining TLC, Dr. Glenn-Smith worked for Kaleida Health, the largest healthcare system in Western New York, as both a CEO for their joint radiology venture, and, later, as President of Ambulatory Services. Applying her passion for education, she worked for six years at PLS 3rd Learning, an international education technology company, as Chief Operating Officer, and brings extensive experience in the conception, development and execution of strategic and tactical financial, organization and development initiatives. Dr. Glenn-Smith has also held the roles of Chief Administrative Officer for the healthcare management group, Exigence, and Executive Director of Deaf Adult Services, in Buffalo, New York. She is currently serving on the board of The Center for the Assessment of Sign Language Interpreters in the role of Treasurer. Dr. Glenn-Smith earned her Executive Master's Degree in Business Administration at State University of New York at Buffalo, and both a Masters and Doctorate in Conflict Analysis and Resolution at Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She grew up in Southern California, and currently resides in Holliston, Massachusetts.
Mary-dith Tuitt, Boston
MCSW Vice-Chairwoman
Legislative and Public Policy Committee Chair
Mary-dith Tuitt, Boston resident and a Community and Peer Veteran Specialist, was appointed to the Commission by the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators in 2011. Mary-dith was born on the Island of Montserrat in the British West Indies to Henrietta and Michael Tuitt. Tuitt presently serves as President of the National Association of Commissions for Women and has served as Chief of Staff for State Representative Gloria L. Fox, where she worked for the Constituents of Boston, providing support to the underserved communities of Boston, and has worked on various political campaigns. Over the years, Mary has always been involved and invested in enriching, enhancing and empowering her community. She served as a volunteer with Boston Public schools, various community youth groups, and with her church, St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Columbia Road in Dorchester, MA. An alumnus of the Boston Public School system, Mary-dith graduated from Boston Technical High School in 1985. Shortly after graduation, Mary-dith entered the United States Navy, where she served fourteen years as a Navy Aviation Machinist's Mate, first on active duty and then in the active & inactive Reserves. Mary-dith runs her own special events coordination business that specializes in design, planning, decoration and assisting her clients in making their dreams reality.
Tanisha Arena, Springfield
MCSW Treasurer
Finance Committee Chair
Tanisha Arena was appointed to the Commission by the MA Caucus of Women Legislators in November 2021. Tanisha Arena is a black woman in community leadership as the executive director of ARISE for Social Justice, occupying the world’s messiest intersection, the space where race, gender, culture, identity, politics, and the law all collide. She has a passion for social justice and transparent, authentic leadership. She is the host of the award-winning podcast, Unapologetic, bringing the hard truths of our social issues to the forefront. She is a guest commentator on Vaya Con Munoz, a weekly radio show airing on 101.5 WHMP that focuses on local and national political issues. She is also a consultant for Growing A New Heart, training on Holding Space: holding affinity, anti-racism, self-education, support groups and on Dialogues Across Differences of social location, including race and ethnicity. She has deep roots in the field of anti-violence work. Prior to that, Tanisha worked in the private sector, during which time she was a mentor at True Colors, a support and advocacy organization for sexual minority youth in Hartford, CT. Tanisha holds a bachelor’s degree from Central Connecticut State University and a Master’s Degree in Non Profit Management from Bay Path University and recently completed a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Certificate Program through the University of South Florida. She is a published author, public speaker, and freelance writer.
Christine Monska, Auburndale
MCSW Secretary
Christine Monska was appointed to the MCSW by the Caucus of Women Legislators in 2020. She is originally from Easthampton, but currently lives in Auburndale. Christine is the Executive Director of the Women’s Fund SouthCoast in New Bedford where she increases opportunities for women and girls to become economically independent, access education, and advocate for issues in the region. Christine brings over fourteen years of experience in public policy, international relations and leadership development with a strong focus on women and girls’ empowerment. Christine worked across Western MA on various initiatives for women and girls. She designed and led the Young Women’s Initiative, a policy advocacy and leadership development program for young women, often systematically pushed to the margins, in Springfield. This program was a local implementation of a national program stemming from the White House Council on Women and Girls. Christine was also the District Director for former Senator Ben Downing in Pittsfield where she also sat on the Berkshire County Commission on the Status of Women and served as a Board Member for Berkshire County Action Council and Shout Out Loud, a small nonprofit addressing human trafficking across MA. In addition, she taught at Bard Microcollege in Holyoke, one of the nation’s first free associate degree programs for mothers whose education was disrupted by parenting and poverty. Christine also worked at The Clubhouse Network, The Department of Justice - Office of Legislative Affairs, International Center for Transitional Justice’s Gender Justice Program, Bean Group Global LLC, and the Bill of Rights Defense Committee. Her publications, speaking engagements and workshops center on girl empowerment and policy advocacy, women in leadership across sectors and other global gender justice issues. Christine holds a B.A. in Government from Smith College, a M.S. in Global Affairs with a concentration in International Law and Human Rights from New York University, and holds Certificates in Financial Accounting, Economics for Managers and Business Statistics from Harvard Business School, a Paralegal Certificate from Boston University as well as a Certificate in Transformative Leadership in Disruptive Times from George Washington University where she currently sits on the Advisory Council.
Rebecca Bact, Auburndale
Rebecca Bact, Newton resident and attorney, has been elected as Program & Planning Committee Chair. Bact was appointed to the Commission in 2017 by Governor Charlie Baker. From 2018-2020, Rebecca served as Secretary of MCSW and Vice-Chair of the Program and Planning Committee, and served as Vice Chair of the Commission from 2020-2021. Rebecca is committed to advancing the interests of all women, girls, and non-binary people, and is particularly committed to hearing from and including the voices of communities of color, immigrant communities, and the LGBTQ community as to their particular needs. Outside of the Commission, Rebecca works as an attorney at Robins Kaplan LLP, where she represents clients in business litigation and appellate matters. She is also dedicated to her pro bono practice, which focuses on LGBTQ rights.
Carol Campbell, Amherst
Carol is the President /CEO and Founder of Chicopee Industrial Contractor (1992) and is certified by the Commonwealth (SDO) and WBENC as a WBE. With a degree from UMASS/Amherst in Organizational Leadership, Carol has developed a corporate culture in which all employees are stakeholders with a current leadership team of all women. In addition to her work at Chicopee Industrial Contractors, Carol has been recognized as a Woman of Impact, Business West 2021 and Woman of the Year, Professional Woman Association 2014. Carol has served on numerous boards in Western Mass with a mission to serve women and girls. Carol’s personal mission is to pay it forward to allow all women and girls a voice and a seat at the table.
Divya Chaturvedi, Wilmington
Finance Committee Vice-Chair
Divya Chaturvedi is currently the Executive Director of Found in Translation, Inc, an organization committed to reducing racial, ethnic, and linguistic disparities in health care by unleashing bilingual talent into the workforce and to give low-income bilingual women an opportunity to achieve economic security through the use of their language skills. She was formerly Saheli’s Co-Executive Director since 2018. She brings more than 15+ years of international development and global non-profit management experience passionately working on a range of gender issues from microfinance, domestic violence and gender research, to leadership development for women. She has worked at a number of world’s leading international organizations and academic institutions like UNDP, UNIFEM, Ford Foundation, and Center for Creative Leadership (CCL). Divya has a long-term commitment to the cause of reducing domestic violence and the economic empowerment of women. She holds an MPA degree from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) and Nonprofit Management Certificate from the Institute for Nonprofit Practice (INP) at Tufts University.
Denella J. Clark, Hyde Park
Immediate Past Chairwoman
Denella Clark, Hyde Park resident and President and CEO of Boston Arts Academy (BAA) Foundation, was first appointed to the Commission in 2015 and reappointed in 2018 by Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker. She was elected to Chair in 2020, and again in 2021, by her fellow Commissioners, and is the first Woman of Color to lead the Commission. Clark’s past roles include serving as Vice Chair and Treasurer.
Chairwoman Clark shares, “The Commission is ever grateful to our partners and colleagues, including the members of state administration and the legislature, who collaborated with us during this challenging time in order to listen to the voices of women and advocate for legislation that uplifts our voices. We look forward to expanding our research and efforts in line with our mission to advance the status of women and girls in Massachusetts.”
A nonprofit executive, mother, and philanthropist, Chairwoman Clark is passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion. Chairwoman Clark states, “As the first Black woman to chair the Commission, one of my goals is to amplify legislation that will directly benefit and improve the lives of women of color.”
Guimel DeCarvalho, Natick
Legislative & Public Policy Committee Vice-Chair
Guimel DeCarvalho was appointed to the Commission by Senate President Karen E. Spilka in November 2021. Guimel speaks fluent Portuguese and lives in Natick with her wife and son. She is Wayside Youth & Family Support Network’s first Vice President of People and Culture and Chief Diversity Officer. Before her current role, Guimel was the Program Director for Wayside’s Framingham Family Networks and worked for the Department of Children and Family Services in Compton, California. In 2020 she was named to the 50 Most Influential Business People of the Color list by Newton-Needham Metrowest Regional Chamber. Guimel cofounded Natick Is United, a community antiracist organization, and recently launched the Wayside Equity Training Center to provide antiracist trainings and strategic planning support for non-profits and community organizations.
Marianne Fleckner, Westford
Marianne is currently the Director of Human Resources for the Town of Acton, since 2008. Before joining Acton, Marianne worked for the Commonwealth for over 20 years in various administrative capacities for 11 State Agencies, specializing in mergers from a Human Resources standpoint. She worked directly for 5 different Governors serving in such capacities as Chief Secretary and Deputy Commissioner. She is appointed to the Commission by the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Previous to joining the Commonwealth, Marianne worked in private industry. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management from Westfield State University and possesses a graduate-level Human Resources Certificate from Bentley University and an MBA certificate from UMASS Lowell. Marianne is involved with a number of organizations such as the Domestic Violence Services Network, the Center for Hope and Healing, Acton/Boxborough Rotary Club and the Westford J.V. Fletcher Library. In 1997, she received a certificate of completion for the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program, from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Executive Education. Marianne also volunteers her time to the family’s bagel business, Bagel Alley, and at various Farmer’s Markets.
Jean Fox, Freetown
Jean Fox is the Director of Outreach for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority’s South Coast Rail project. Fox was appointed to the Commission by MA Speaker of the House, Robert DeLeo, in 2017. Heading up the public engagement and outreach effort for a major commuter rail expansion project, Fox led the South Coast Rail project through MassDOT’s environmental review and permitting process, ushering the project to construction. Jean is active in her hometown of Freetown as well as the South Coast, most recently spearheading the effort to launch and implement the Freetown Regional Food Pantry. A former Freetown Selectman, Jean has participated on numerous educational boards and committees in the South Coast. She is Chair of the Freetown-Lakeville Regional School Committee and Secretary of the Global Learning Charter Public School Board of Trustees. Fox has been active in bringing much-needed attention to the transportation needs of the region, working on a Transit Development Plan in New Bedford as well as advocating for reliable transportation for women and students to get to and from work, jobs, education, healthcare, and childcare. Fox was named a Woman of Distinction by the YWCA of Southeastern Massachusetts in 2013, and received the Lifelong Achievement Award from the Massachusetts Association of School Committees in 2010.
Liz Friedman, Northampton
Liz Friedman MFA has served as a Commissioner since 2017, appointed by Speaker Robert DeLeo because of her ongoing commitment to perinatal women’s health and her effective advocacy on behalf of the MA Pregnant Workers Fairness amongst other critical bills. Commissioner Friedman brings more than 30 years of expertise in advocacy including serving on the MA PPD Commission since its inception in 2011 and launching a national coalition for perinatal mental health. She is currently on the Advisory Boards of MA PPD Fund and It Takes A Village and is an associate at Effie’s Grace, focused on maternal-child health policy. She Co-founded MotherWoman, a reproductive justice organization in Western MA and is currently Co-Founder and Co-President, with Annette Cycon, of GPS Group Peer Support, a national organization leading communities, non-profits and state-entities in implementation of trauma-responsive and culturally co-created support groups across a spectrum of lived experiences including parenthood, incarceration, addiction/recovery, and those targeted by immigration discrimination. Currently she is launching the COVID-19 Emergency Support Program across the U.S. and internationally. In 2010, she received the Ted Women’s Award for her outstanding work on behalf of mothers and was highlighted in two award-winning documentaries on perinatal mental health, "Dark Side of the Full Moon” (2016) and “Not Carol” (2019). Commissioner Friedman has never been more excited than in her work on the MCSW. She says, “ We have the opportunity to unite ALL women in the Commonwealth towards a collective voice as we share our experiences and partner with legislators in advocating for equity for each one of us. Now is the time. Come join us!”
Allison Goldberg, Marblehead
Appointed by Governor Charlie Baker in Fall 2018 and reappointed in 2022, Allison Goldberg serves MCSW as the Chairwoman of the Marketing and Communications Committee, formed in 2020 to develop the voice and strategic communication plans to further the mission and goals of the Commission. She serves on and contributes to the Legislative, Finance, and Program & Planning standing committees as well as MCSW's Covid Task Force with Staff & Commissioners to bring vital civic, educational and outreach programming to women and girls across the Commonwealth. A food and beverage entrepreneur and business owner, Commissioner Goldberg is passionate about educating women and girls about money: understanding finances, savings, and building a long term path to self-reliance and independence. Commissioner Goldberg lives in Marblehead with her husband and two children.
Audrey Hall, Framingham
Finance Committee Secretary
Audrey Hall was appointed to the Commission in 2018 by Senate President Karen E. Spilka. She served as Vice Chair of the MCSW’s Legislative and Public Policy Committee from 2019 to 2020 and as Chair of the MCSW’s Budget and Personnel Committee from 2020 to 2021. In March of 2020 after Governor Baker declared a state of emergency for the COVID-19 pandemic, Hall was elected to serve as Chair of the MCSW’s COVID-19 Action Committee. Hall is a Strategic Communications Consultant with 35 years of Executive Leadership in Marketing and Operations in the private and public sectors. She is the President of the Board of Directors of Framingham Public Access Television and the Executive Producer and Host of The Audrey Hall Show on YouTube, RCN, Verizon and Comcast. Hall is a Mayoral appointee to the Framingham Council on Aging, serving as Clerk. Hall served as an elected town meeting member in Framingham for 19 years and 12 years as Chair of the Ways and Means Committee.
Speaking about her most recent role as Vice Chair for program year 2021-2022, Hall said, “I am relentlessly passionate about justice, equality, and integrity in government. It’s an honor and a privilege to put that passion to work in this leadership role at the MCSW on behalf of all women and girls in the Commonwealth.”
Nina Liang, Quincy
Nina Liang was appointed to the Commission by the Speaker of the House Ronald Mariano in 2021. Nina Liang is the first and only Chinese-American City Councilor elected in her hometown of Quincy and served as the city’s first minority City Council President. Born in Quincy and raised by immigrant parents, she has experienced first-hand the challenges minority children and families face. As City Councilor, Nina has worked to open the doors of government to every resident, ensuring that their voices and concerns are heard. She had previously served on the boards of D.O.V.E, Maria Droste Counseling Services, Quincy Catholic Academy, Thomas Crane Public Library Foundation, and currently on the State’s Asian American Pacific Islander Commission. Working alongside community leaders, she co-founded the Quincy Women’s Network and currently serves as the Executive Director for Emerge, Massachusetts – a nonprofit organization that trains Democratic self-identifying women to run for political office across all levels of government.
Leslie-Ann McGee, Kingston
Legislative & Public Policy Committee Secretary
Leslie-Ann S. McGee is the Director of Special Projects for Marine Facilities and Operations at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. At WHOI, she is responsible for developing strategic vision and leadership, managing external relations and partnerships and retaining primary responsibility for organizational and program management. Leslie-Ann is responsible for the large-scale waterfront planning associated with the future WHOI dock and associated facilities that serves two global class vessels, the iconic deep-sea submersible Alvin, a coastal research vessel, a robust robotics and non-vessel research program, mechanical shops, research labs and a leading dive program. Ms. McGee served as the Director of Coastal Zone Management for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, the Director of Programs for the World Ocean Council, Director of Ocean and Coastal Solutions at Battelle Memorial Institute. She has held state and federal positions with NOAA, the New England Fishery Management Council and the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game. Ms. McGee is a graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder and Duke University’s Nicholas School of the Environment. She conducted her graduate research on Bluefin Tuna at the New England Aquarium. She serves as an elected member of the Silver Lake Regional School Committee and serves on various professional boards.
Dr. Aisha Miller, Mattapan
Program & Planning Committee Chair
Dr. Aisha Miller is the Vice President of Permitting, Community, and Corporate Engagement for Related Beal. Previously, U.S. Labor Secretary and former Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh appointed Dr. Miller to the Chief of the Civic Engagement Cabinet for the City of Boston. Dr. Miller served as the Director of Constituent Services for the Boston Inspectional Service Department (ISD) and then transitioned to Assistant Commissioner of Constituent Services. In addition, she worked as a Suffolk County Probation Officer for Boston Municipal Court-Dorchester Division. She served as the Regional Steward for Suffolk County Probation Officers, a Litigation Paralegal for McCarthy & Barrett, and former aide to Senator Dianne Wilkerson and Representative Shirley Owens-Hicks, Rtd.
Dr. Miller has been recognized for her leadership and community service through the Prince Hall Order of the Eastern Star, “Women of Color Award,” Bay State Grand Chapter, “Community and Leadership Award,” and leadership award from the Dorchester Eagles Pop Warner Association. She served as the Clerk of the Board for the Center for Health and Development. Currently serves as a board member of the Vietnamese American Initiative for Development, Secretary for UP Academy Boston and Dorchester Board of Trustees, board member of the Urban League of Eastern Massachusetts, and serves as a Commissioner on the Massachusetts Commission for the Status of Women.
Dr. Miller is a certified Paralegal. She graduated from the University of Hartford in 1999, earning her Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Sociology. In 2008, Dr. Miller graduated from the University of Phoenix-Braintree Campus, earning her Masters of Business Administration. In 2022, she received her Doctoral Degree in Management. She received a certificate of completion for the Senior Executives in State and Local Government Program, June 2018, from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, Executive Education. In 2019, she received a certificate of completion for the Women’s Leadership, Leading Teams, and Negotiations at Simmons College, Institute of Inclusive Leadership.
In her spare time, she spends time with her fraternal family and is a proud member of the Order of Eastern Star, Inc. Dr. Miller lives in Mattapan with her husband Ernie, one son Nasir and one grandson Braylon.
Sonia Shah, Natick
Sonia Shah was appointed to the Commission by Senate President Karen Spilka in April 2022. Sonia is currently the Executive Director of The Sudbury Foundation, a private foundation working to transform lives and strengthen communities through grant making and scholarship programs in Sudbury, MA and surrounding communities. She previously worked as the Director of Development and Outreach at the Natick Service Council, Senior Program Officer at The Health Foundation of Central Massachusetts, Director of Development at MetroWest Legal Services and the Manager of Foundation and Public Service Programs at the Boston Bar Association/Foundation. Sonia holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Michigan and a Juris Doctorate from Northeastern University School of Law. She lives in Natick with her husband, daughter, son, two dogs, two cats and four chickens.
Dr. Kimberly Shea, Winchendon
Legislative and Public Policy Committee Secretary
Kim Shea is the Dean of Nursing at Mount Wachusett Community College, as well as an adjunct faculty member at several area Colleges. As a registered nurse and higher education professional, Kim represents two of the professional skill sets that the Commission itself identified as missing in its current composition. Kim lives in Winchendon, MA, which is also an under-represented geographic area. Representing a rural community and these professions, Kim brings a unique perspective to the Commission, as well as her life experience raising a family in the area and as an active community member.
Staff Bios
Shaitia Spruell, Lancaster
Executive Director
Shaitia Spruell is the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, where she directs, plans, and coordinates the implementation of programs and activities developed by the MCSW Commissioners and supervises all employees and vendors.
Before joining the MCSW, Shaitia served as a State Commissioner appointed by the Massachusetts Caucus of Women Legislators and worked as a Program Manager for the Massachusetts State Treasurer’s Office of Economic Empowerment (OEE), primarily overseeing Women’s Economic Empowerment Programming and supporting virtual financial education programming. During her time at OEE she was proud to spearhead their Money Talk Tuesday Program, EqualPayMA Roundtable Series, and the Worth & Wealth (Valor y Dinero) Seminars. Shaitia also served as a Regional Commissioner on the Hampden County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls and is a member of the Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition, where she focuses on economic justice and education.
Shaitia’s passions include advocating for the advancement and elevation of women and girls of the Commonwealth, promoting financial literacy, and increasing economic prosperity for women and girls of color. Earning her A.A. from Holyoke Community College and B.S. from Bay Path University, Shaitia is now enrolled at Fitchburg State University pursuing her MBA in Business Management.
She is originally from Springfield but now lives in Lancaster, MA, with her partner and two boys. When she has time, she enjoys couponing and watching movies with her sons, Aaden and Lorenzo.
Marjorie C. Bernadeau-Alexandre, Roslindale
Administration & Finance Director
Marjorie Bernadeau-Alexandre is a Strategic Manager with over twenty years of experience in utilizing Data Analytics to determine organizational needs and provide recommendations for effective outcomes. She earned a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in Strategic Management with Social Responsibility from Bentley University and a Bachelor from Northeastern University. She is also a Board Certified Researcher on Human Subjects, Department of Public Health Certified Batterer Intervention Counselor, and Northeastern University Law School DV Institute: Domestic Violence Victim Advocate. Her career has expended across various industries, served as the Senior Data Specialist for the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department leading the Research Office in proving strategic planning using statistical analysis for informed decisions to reduce recidivism. Senior Analyst for Boston University Corporate Relations Office, managing the CRM system and analyzing financial and non-financial metrics for effectiveness of continuous engagement. Majority of her career has been with the Boston Police Department for over 19 years, worked under the Commissioner’s Office providing statistical analysis, best practices research, and ensuring legislative reporting requirements are met. As a community researcher, she is on the front line in assisting to decrease the impact of the various issues plaguing the State of Mass. She is a member of MA-JCOIN (Justice Community Opioid Innovation Network) on a groundbreaking initiative to study the Criminal Justice System response to the opioid epidemic. She has served as the Evaluator for the Boston Judicial Oversight Demonstration Project with the National Institute of Justice, board member for the MA Violent Death Reporting Advisory Group, the Urban Institute and the National Institute of Justice to develop a comprehensive community response to domestic violence. She led the Boston Police Department Racial Profiling Initiative and various policy-impactful projects. As an active member of the Boston Community, she has volunteered countless hours in providing assistance to empowering the community. For the past ten years, she has voluntarily served as the Director for the BMBC Community Center, a non-profit organization that provides low-income families in Greater Boston with educational, vocational training, accessing social assistance and provides food through their pantry. During the CV19 Pandemic, she collaborated with the Massachusetts Parent Union conducting information sessions to assist parents in understanding their options and new policy mandates. She is also an executive member of HAU (Haitian-Americans United, Inc.) striving to unite all Haitians and Haitian-Americans for community development for the common good. Marjorie has received numerous awards and recognitions over the years. She enjoys working to empowerment the community toward a more equitable future and spending time with her family. Her moto is “People first, everything else: fillers”.
Tina Games, Harwich
Regional Commissions Director
Tina Games joined MCSW as the Regional Commissions Director in January 2022. Having served almost six years as a Regional Commissioner on the Cape Cod and Islands Commission, two years as Chair, she brings a strong understanding and appreciation for the work of our 11 Regional Commissions. Prior to joining MCSW, Tina worked as a creative consultant for women looking to make their mark in the world through artistic and literary endeavors. She is the author of two books, Journaling by the Moonlight: A Mother's Path to Self-Discovery (2010) and Journaling by the Moonlight: Unearthing Your Creative Calling in Midlife (2023). Tina has a background in public relations, communications, development, and advocacy - and has worked as a consultant to several nonprofit organizations serving women, girls, education, and the arts. She has also served in leadership positions on a number of boards and commissions, both regionally and nationally, and currently serves on the Monomoy Regional School Committee and as a division officer for the Massachusetts Association of School Committees. Tina has lived on Cape Cod with her family for almost a decade, after relocating from Alexandria, Virginia where she served on the Commission for Women for six years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Speech-Communication from North Carolina State University.
Ellen Moorhouse, Springfield
Communications and Marketing Director
As the Communications and Marketing Director, Ellen’s primary role is to strengthen the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women’s (MCSW) brand, outreach efforts, and positioning with stakeholders, government officials, and media. Ellen was also an inaugural commissioner during the formation of the regional Hampden County Commission on the Status of Women and Girls (HCCSWG), and cares deeply about advocating uplifting local and regional issues that improve access to opportunities and equality for women across the Commonwealth.
Previously, as the Communications Director for the Women’s Funding Network (WFN), Ellen was responsible for the leadership, direction, and administration of WFN’s communications strategies and programs. She directed these efforts alongside staff, consultants, and coalition partners to provide strategies, research, and resources that supported the critical agency and influence of women’s foundations and gender justice funders across the globe. In addition, as the former Program Officer for the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts (WFWN), Ellen also directed the Leadership Institute for Political and Public Impact (LIPPI), a women’s leadership course designed to encourage women to run for office.
Born and raised in Springfield, MA, Ellen graduated from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a Bachelor’s in Political Science and an Honors International Relations Certificate from the Five Colleges. In 2018, she was honored to be recognized as a 40 under 40 awardee from BusinessWest. In 2020, she received her Master’s of Business Administration (MBA) with a concentration on executive leadership management and was inducted into the Sigma Beta Delta honors society.
Shalaya West, Boston
Program and Research Director
Shalaya’s role as the Program and Research Director is to support and develop diverse and wide-range opportunities to gather data on the status, challenges, and needs of women and girls in the Commonwealth.
Shalaya is a Dorchester, MA native, advocate, and leader. She knows first-hand the value of empowerment programming for youth through her 15-years of experience with supporting students in higher education and youth-serving organizations. She graduated from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth with a Bachelor’s in English focusing on Writing, Rhetoric and Communications and completed her Master’s Degree in Public Policy from Simmons University.
Shalaya has since held various roles in youth development, higher education, and the Boston Community with GRLZradio, the Boston Public Health Commission, MIT’s Violence Prevention Program, Simmons University and recently served the Program Director for Girls’ LEAP Self-Defense. She is passionate about education, violence prevention, youth empowerment, research & evaluation, and entrepreneurship.
Darlene Kelter, Lynnfield
Administrative Assistant
As the Administrative Assistant for the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women, Darlene Kelter ensures the day-to-day operation of the office run smoothly and efficiently. Darlene is responsible for a wide variety of tasks including data management, bookkeeping, maintaining office protocols and compliance, and more.
Darlene has a long history of supporting the MCSW, and previously worked for the organization from 2004-2009 as a former Administrative Assistant. Darlene truly enjoys being a part of the MCSW team and is committed to the mission of advancing women and girls toward full equity in all areas of life and to provide a permanent, effective voice for women and girls across Massachusetts.
A married mother of four – two sets of twins – Darlene lives in Lynnfield, MA. She is dedicated to supporting school activities for children to thrive, is active with her local PTO, and supports fundraising initiatives on behalf of the school. As the parent representative for all sporting clubs, she organizes fundraisers, travel accommodations, team social activities, and more. In her spare time, she enjoys gardening and spending time with her family.
Paola Felicia Pendoue
Finance and Administrative Assistant
Paola Felicia Pendoue is a proud Cameroonian, currently on a contracted position as a Finance and Administrative Assistant at MCSW. As a citizen of a third world country, she has seen her fair share of injustice and experience divide socio economic problems. Paola holds an MBA with a concentration in Management, and truly believes that being part of MCSW team is not only a great opportunity to share the knowledge and creativity she has achieved over the years for our common goal of equity and equality, but also as an opportunity to have the tools and knowledge to improve the lives of women and girls across the Commonwealth and beyond. Her hobbies are pet sitting and traveling, which has increased her love of diverse cultural experiences that allow her to adapt to anything that might come her way.
Raven Harris
MCSW Clerk & Executive Assistant
Raven Harris is an entrepreneur and native of Springfield, MA, who has dedicated her adult years to empowering children and young women in the community. She attended Westfield State University, majoring in Business Management and began her professional career early. Raven has coached cheerleading for ten years, starting at her high school alma mater, leading them to multiple championships. In addition to being a business owner, Raven is TEFL certified and has used her philanthropic skills to have an impact on children overseas in Ghana. She lives by the Shirley Chisholm quote, “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair.” She has received several community awards, including the CHD Game Changer Award for her dedication to uplifting others in the community. Raven brings many areas of expertise to the commission and is excited to join the MCSW team and impact women across the Commonwealth.
Commissioners Emeritae
Penny Blaisdell
Victoria Budson
Kathy Casavant
Linda Cavaioli
Chris Chanyasulkit
Maureen Curley
Joanne Fitzgerald McCrea
Elizabeth Hart
Clare Higgins
Denise Hurst
Nina Kimball
Ruth Nemzoff
Margot Parrot
Susana Segat