Our Leadership
The people guiding The REAL Program's mission to build a cradle-to-career literacy pathway in Lynn.
Executive Leadership
Executive Director
Jan Plourde
Founder and Executive Director, has over 40 years of experience as an educator, non-profit and business leader. As founder of First Friends Daycare, The Learning Tree Store, Fulton Publishing/Developmental Teaching, LLC and early childhood professor at North Shore Community College Jan employs a community-based approach to improving the lives of children and young adults. This community-based approach is a basic tenet of The REAL Program.
Board Executives
Board President
Walter Stone
Dr. Walter Stone serves as President of the Board of The REAL Program. He is the Dean of Postsecondary Transition Programs at North Shore Community College, where he leads efforts in Early College, dual enrollment, and college readiness programming. A longtime advocate for educational access on the North Shore, Walter holds a B.A. from Boston College, an M.S. from the University of New Hampshire, and an Ed.D. from Boston University. His deep partnership between NSCC and The REAL Program reflects his commitment to building pathways from literacy to higher education for the communities they both serve.
Board Treasurer
Kate Greehan
Kate Greehan serves as Treasurer of the Board of The REAL Program. A finance professional and longtime Swampscott resident, Kate brings her expertise in financial management to help ensure The REAL Program's resources create maximum impact for Lynn's children and families. Active in North Shore civic life, Kate is dedicated to strengthening the communities she calls home — and to making sure every dollar donated goes further in building a city of readers.
Board Secretary
Gerda Pasquarello
Gerda Pasquarello serves as Secretary of the Board of The REAL Program. A Salem State University graduate and longtime North Shore educator, Gerda spent years teaching Spanish at St. John's Prep, where she received the Martin Luther King, Jr. Justice and Equity Award for her commitment to students. Now retired from the classroom, she continues to serve The REAL Program as both a board member and hands-on mentor, bringing her passion for education and equity to everything from fundraising events to daily tutoring sessions.
Board Members
Director
Victor Ferreira
Victor Ferreira serves on the Board of The REAL Program. As Vice President of Business Development at Community Credit Union, Victor works every day to strengthen financial access for families and businesses on the North Shore. His commitment to community-centered banking aligns naturally with REAL's mission — both organizations believe that when you invest in local people, the whole community benefits. Victor brings a business development perspective to the board, helping The REAL Program grow its partnerships and expand its reach across Lynn.
Director
Susan Cronin
Susan Cronin serves on the Board of The REAL Program. As Head of the Children's Department at the Lynn Public Library — the city's only public library serving over 100,000 residents — Susan knows firsthand the critical need for literacy access in Lynn. Her work putting books into children's hands every day at the library makes her a natural partner for REAL's mission, and she brings invaluable insight into the reading needs of Lynn's youngest learners and their families.
Director
Raisa Ferreras
Raisa M Ferreras, M. Ed. , a native of Dominican Republic, is a multilingual educator. Raisa has experience in teaching English to children and adults. Presently, Raisa teaches in Salem Public Schools at Collins Middle School. She is singing director of St. John’s the Baptist Church of Peabody. She loves musicals, singing, dancing, and travel.
Director
Michelle Winslow
Michelle Winslow serves as Assistant Director of ELA/Reading at Lynn Public Schools, where she supports literacy instruction across one of Massachusetts' largest and most diverse school districts. Her role places her at the intersection of curriculum, teaching practice, and student outcomes — work that aligns directly with The REAL Program's mission to strengthen literacy at every stage of life.
Michelle joined The REAL Program's board in 2026, bringing a public education perspective that deepens the connection between REAL's community-based programs and the classrooms Lynn's children learn in every day.
Director
Rachel Schwartz
Rachel Schwartz holds a BA from UMass Amherst's School of Education with a concentration in Early Childhood Education. She served as Director of Magic Years Parent Cooperative Nursery School for 21 years before stepping into her current role as a Development Specialist for Aspire Developmental Services Early Intervention in Lynn.
With more than two decades of experience in early childhood education and developmental services, Rachel brings deep expertise in nurturing young learners and supporting families — values that align naturally with The REAL Program's cradle-to-career mission.
Rachel and her husband enjoy traveling to visit family and friends — especially their nieces and nephews — going to the beach, and, of course, volunteering.
Director
Mary Barthelmes
Mary Barthelmes serves on the Board of The REAL Program. A marketing consultant with a passion for purpose-driven storytelling, Mary helps organizations sharpen their message and reach the audiences that matter most. She brings that same strategic lens to REAL, supporting the organization's efforts to amplify its cradle-to-career literacy mission across the North Shore and beyond.
Director
Joseph DiPietro
Joseph DiPietro brings more than 25 years of experience in business and IT advisory to The REAL Program, with a career dedicated to helping organizations use technology responsibly and sustainably to advance their missions. He has partnered with Fortune 500 companies, educational institutions, and state, local, and federal government agencies to strengthen operational effectiveness, guide complex initiatives, and build resilient, scalable technology.
Joseph has held senior leadership roles at Lima Consulting Group, Adobe, Microsoft, SAP, and KPMG, where he led enterprise sales, consulting, and client advisory organizations. His experience spans industries including banking, financial services, healthcare, life sciences, consumer products, retail, and the public sector — bringing a broad, cross-industry perspective to strategic decision-making and technology-enabled transformation.
Joseph holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Massachusetts (Lowell) and an MBA from Bentley University's McCallum School of Business. He and his wife, Kathryn, live in Beverly, Massachusetts, and are the proud parents of two daughters, Sophia and Olivia. Outside of his professional work, Joseph enjoys home restoration, auto mechanics, skiing, and paddleboarding.
Our Staff
Administrative Support
Kiara Robles
I’m Kiara Robles, a lifelong learner and educator committed to supporting and empowering young learners. After earning my Associate’s degree from North Shore Community College, I’m continuing my journey at Salem State University, where I will graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. I’m passionate about working with our REAL students and believe that growth is something we build together through connection, patience, and curiosity. I’m dedicated to creating inclusive, nurturing learning environments where every child has the opportunity to thrive.
Lead Teacher
Autumn Kane
Autumn holds a degree in Early Childhood Education with a specialty in Science Education from Merrimack College, where she graduated Summa Cum Laude. She is Lead Teacher and Director 1 certified, bringing a strong foundation in child development and classroom leadership to Starting Small every day. Her passion for working with preschoolers is rooted in a simple belief: the earliest years shape everything that comes after. When she's not fostering curiosity and creativity in the classroom, you'll likely find her cheering on the Boston Bruins or sharing her favorite Shel Silverstein book with anyone who will listen.
Staff Intern
Yorvit Baez
Yorvit Baez has been involved with The REAL Program since he was in first grade at the Brickett School. Yorvit is a senior at Lynn English High school and he works as a teaching intern and part of The REAL Little Free Library Team at The REAL Program. Yorvit plans to study business at North Shore Community College. He enjoys listening to music. He likes to cook; work out at the gym, and spend time with his friends and family.
Mentor
Chris Merida
Christopher Merida earned a B.S. in Criminal Justice from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and plans to pursue a second bachelor’s degree in Biology. He is driven, adaptable, and focused on expanding his knowledge across both justice and scientific fields.
Starting Small Teacher
Alexis Rodriguez
I am a graduate of Salem State University with a degree in Elementary Education with a minor in psychology.
I am passionate about science and enjoy exploring new ideas and perspectives.
Outside of that I enjoy expressing my creativity through photography and capturing meaningful moments. I love to swim and I bring a fun, positive energy to everything I do and value connections.
Art Director
Gary White
Gary White is a retired art teacher and sand sculptor based in Nahant, Massachusetts. Known for his intricate, ephemeral creations on Nahant Beach — from dolphins and astronauts to abstract forms — Gary works with nothing more than sand, saltwater, and simple tools to bring unexpected moments of wonder to beachgoers. His work celebrates the philosophy that creativity belongs to everyone: that art doesn't have to be precious, and that the willingness to try, make mistakes, and let go is at the heart of any creative life.
Gary brings that same spirit to The REAL Program, where his passion for hands-on, fearless making connects naturally with REAL's mission of inspiring a love of learning in Lynn's children and families.