Mason Wright Staff
Mary Beth Dowd
Executive Director of Mason Wright Senior Living & Colony Care at Home
mdowd@masonwright.org
Mary Beth Dowd joined Mason Wright in September 2025 as Executive Director and also serves as the Director of Colony Care at Home. With more than 35 years of experience in eldercare, Mary Beth has dedicated her career to ensuring that individuals and their families have the resources, information, and support needed to navigate aging with confidence. A strong advocate for self-determination, she believes that everyone—regardless of age—deserves the right to make informed decisions about their care and future. Prior to her leadership roles, Mary Beth served on the Mason Wright Foundation Board of Trustees and has supported its mission for over 30 years. In her role as Executive Director, Mary Beth oversees operations, marketing, and family and resident support at Mason Wright. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social and Rehabilitation Services from Assumption College and a Certification in Gerontology from the Worcester Consortium of Colleges.
Rubmod Thorpe-Bailey, LPN, BS, CDP
Assistant Executive Director
Rbailey@masonwright.org
Ruby Bailey serves as Assistant Executive Director at Mason Wright, working closely with Mary Beth to ensure smooth operations and strong support for staff across the organization. Ruby has been a dedicated member of the Mason Wright team for more than 17 years ago and brings over 20 years of experience in the health field, roles in assisted living, skilled nursing, and hospice care. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Administration from Southern New Hampshire University and is a Certified Dementia Practitioner. Ruby’s leadership is marked by passion, dedication, and compassion, qualities she brings to every aspect of her work with residents, families and staff.
Loren Bermudez
Business Office Manager
loren@masonwright.org
Loren Bermudez, Business Office Manager, came to Mason Wright in 2022 as an Administrative Assistant with 4 years of administration experience. Prior to coming to Mason Wright, Loren worked for the Hatfield and Orange public school district managing a team of 4 testers while administering covid testing to children in efforts to control the spread of covid-19.
In 2011, she received a Medical Assistant Certificate from Brandford Hall Career Institue and worked for a private family practice. In 2014, Loren received a Medical Office Certificate from Manchester Community College.
Loren finds joy and a sense of satisfaction in helping others around her. She loves to travel and enjoys spending quality time with her family and 3 incredible children- oldest son Dimonie, middle son Liam and only daughter Alina. On Loren’s free time, she supports her kids in recreational and school sport activities while planning her next travel destination. Her main goal is to return to school to achieve a degree in business management as well as a license in real estate brokerage so that she can open her own real estate business in the future.
Daniel Torres
Maintenance & Housekeeping Director
dtorres@masonwright.org
Daniel Torres, Maintenance and Housekeeping Director, joined Mason Wright in April of 2025.
Daniel possesses over 30 years of experience with expertise in the building/maintenance field.
Daniel has spent the past 10 years in the senior living and multi-family circle.
He enjoys spending time on long drives with his wife Myrna and their granddaughter Galilea.
Mariah Peets, ADC, CDP
Life Enrichment Director
mpeets@masonwright.org
Mariah joined the Mason Wright Team in 2022 starting as a Life Enrichment Assistant, and now serves as the Life Enrichment Director. She previously worked at Mont Marie Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center as an Activity Assistant where she facilitated and managed a variety of programming for the residents.
Mariah enjoys spending time with her family, especially her husband and son. She also enjoys traveling, kayaking, playing basketball and tennis, as well as scrapbooking and reading historical fiction.
Mariah is very passionate, energetic, and enthusiastic about applying a person-centered care approach with all her residents here at Mason Wright. Enriching one life at a time, by providing meaningful and purposeful activities.
Suzanne J. Laporte, MS, SHRM-CP, PHR
Corporate Director, Human Resources
suzanne@masonwright.org
Suzanne has been with Mason Wright Foundation since 2019 and supports Mason Wright Senior Living, Colony Care at Home and Bright Futures Early Learning Center. She has over 25 years’ experience in all aspects of human resources and has worked in the banking, healthcare, manufacturing, utility, restaurant, and transportation industries.
She is a current board member for the Human Resource Management Association (HRMA) of Western New England and serves as the board’s secretary and government affairs chair. Suzanne is a Certified Professional (SHRM-CP) and member of the Society of Human Resources (SHRM). She also is a Professional in Human Resources (PHR) and a member of the HR Certification Institute (HRCI). Suzanne holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from American International College, a Master of Science degree in Industrial/Organization Psychology and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Counseling Services from Springfield College.
William Hawkins, MBA
Chief Financial Officer
Bill@masonwright.org
Bill comes to the Mason Wright Foundation with over 25 years of experience in not-for-profit finance. Bill has extensive experience in leading financial operations teams, budgeting, project financing and financial reporting. He has found it personally rewarding to serve in institutions with strong commitments to their missions. His previous experience includes serving as Vice President for Finance and Administration at Albertus Magnus College and Associate Vice President for Finance at the University of Saint Joseph.
Bill enjoys spending time with his wife and family, including a daughter and 3 stepdaughters, as well as participating in outdoor activities.
Bill has a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting with a Minor in History from the University of Delaware and a Master’s of Business Administration from the University of Hartford.
Alan T. Popp, MS
Chief Executive Officer
Mason Wright Foundation
413-733-1517 x2011
alan@masonwright.org
Alan joined Mason Wright in 2008 when the Foundation trustees created the position of Chief Executive Officer. His previous experience includes Head of School/CEO at White Mountain School, a college preparatory school; and Chief Operating Officer at Pine River Institute, a residential treatment center. He has also served as a consultant to more than 200 New England nonprofits, many of them providers of services to seniors, and as a caregiver to a mother-in-law with Alzheimer’s.
He serves on the boards of LeadingAge/Massachusetts, Salvation Army-Citadel Corps, the Regional Employment Board of Hampden County, OnBoard, Inc., and on the Leadership Council of the Alzheimer’s Association of Massachusetts/New Hampshire. He also serves as a trustee of Antioch University New England and is a member of the Rotary Club of Springfield. Previously he served on the campaign cabinet for the United Way of Pioneer Valley.
Board of Trustees
The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization, governed by a Board of Trustees comprised of volunteer members and the Chief Executive Officer.
Allison Ebner, Chair
President, Employers Association of the Northeast
John Morse, Chair Emeritus
President & Publisher, Merriam-Webster (Retired)
Alan Popp, M.S., President & CEO
President & CEO, Mason Wright Foundation
Susan McCoy, J.D., Vice President
Partner, Halloran Sage
Emily Leonczyk, Secretary
Executive VP & COO The Markens Group
Jeff Sattler, Treasurer
Senior VP, Liberty Bank
Kathi Donahue
Senior VP, Polish National Credit Union
Paul Marchese
Executive Vice President, St. Germain Investments
Carlton Pickron
Vice President Student Affairs, Westfield State University (Retired)
Board of Corporators
Our Board of Corporators is responsible for helping to preserve and promote the mission of our sponsor organization, Mason Wright Foundation. Corporators fulfill their responsibilities through advocacy, electing trustees, and voting on proposed changes to the bylaws. Many Corporators also serve on Board committees.
We are proud to have the following business, professional and community leaders on the Board of Corporators:
Michelle Abdow – Principal, Market Mentors
Judge William Abrashkin – Executive Director, Springfield Housing Authority
Grace Barone – President, ERC5 Chamber
Maura Brennan, MD – Director Geriatrics Consultation, Baystate Geriatric Medicine
Charles Casartello, Jr., Esq. – Attorney, Pellegrini, Seeley, Ryan & Blakesley
Helen Caulton-Harris – Director, Division of Health & Human Services, Springfield
Tony Cignoli – President, A. L. Cignoli Company
Bob Clarke – President, Chase, Clarke, Stewart & Fontana (Ret.)
Mark Cress – Attorney, Bulkley Richardson
Lisa Crinella – Vice President/Area Director, Hilton Garden Inn
Hyman Darling, Esq. – Attorney, Bacon & Wilson
Naren Dhamodharan – President, GDA Assisted Living Consultants
John Discenza, LLM – Attorney, Martinelli & Discenza
Russell Denver – HR Client Advisor, FieldEddy
Brenda Doherty, J.D., LL.M. – Attorney, Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury & Murphy
Allison Ebner – President, Employers Association the Northeast
Melvin Edwards – City Councilor, City of Springfield
Michael Epaul – Owner, Michael Epaul Photography
Michele Feinstein, J.D., LLM – Attorney, Shatz, Schwartz & Fentin
Michael Fenton, Esq. – City Councilor
John J. Ferriter, Esq. – Attorney, Ferriter & Ferriter
James Ferry, MSW, LICSW – President, Coaching Caregivers
Jeff Fialky, Esq. – Attorney, Bacon & Wilson
Brooks Fitch – Retired
Mark E. Flowers – Pastor, Mount Calvary Baptist Church
Thomas P. Frodema – President, The Appraisal Group
Ken Furst – President, Momentum Group
Debbie Gardner – Editor, Prime Magazine
Pat Grenier – Principal, BRR/Grenier Financial Advisors
Mickey E. Harris, Esq. – Attorney
Whiting Houston – Vice President, Bank of America
Frederick Hurst, Esq. – Publisher, African-American Point of View
Denise R. Jordan – Executive Director, Springfield Housing Authority
David Kalicka, CPA – Partner, Meyers Brothers Kalicka
Kate Kane – Managing Director, Northwestern Mutual
Thea Katsounakis – Vice President, Bank of America (Retired)
Emily Leonczyk – Executive Vice President, The Markens Group
Kathleen Lingenberg – Consultant, Community Outcomes
Paul Marchese – Senior Vice President, St. Germain Investments
Judith Matt – President, Spirit of Springfield
Sue McCoy, Esq. – Partner, Halloran & Sage
John M. Morse – President & Publisher, Merriam-Webster (Retired)
Adrienne Osborn – Program Manager, Women’s Correctional Center
Nora Burke Patton – Executive Director, World Is Our Classroom
Archbishop Timothy Paul – Holy Communion of Churches
Carlton Pickron, Ed. D. – Vice President, Student Affairs, Westfield State University
Alan Popp, M.S. – CEO, Mason Wright Foundation
Laurie Rosner, PhD – Chair, Undergraduate Business Programs, Bay Path University
Jeff Sattler – Senior Vice President, Liberty Bank
Ben Scranton, RCE, e-Pro – Executive Vice President, REALTOR® Association of Pioneer Valley (Retired)
Cheryl Stanley, Ed.D. – Dean, Department of Education, Westfield State University (Retired)
Paul Stelzer – President, Appleton Corporation (Retired)
Marc Sternick – Principal, MS Architects
Eileen Sullivan, SSJ – Outreach Minister, St. Michael’s Cathedral
Michael Tarby – President, PIP Printing & Marketing Services
James Tourtelotte, Esq. – Managing Partner, Robinson, Donovan (Retired)
Robin Lyn Treger – Singer/Songwriter
Victor Woolridge – Independent Director, Cornerstone Real Estate Advisers LLC
Tyler F. Young – CEO, W.F. Young
Robin Dowd Zatony – Broker/Owner, Dowd Realty Group
Professional Advisors
Members of our Professional Advisors Board are selected for their accomplishments and reputation in one or more of the following professions: CPA, elder law attorney, estate planning attorney and financial advisor.
We are proud to have the following professionals serve on this Board:
Elder Law Attorneys
Gina Barry – Bacon Wilson, Springfield
David G. Carlson – Law Office of David Carlson, East Longmeadow
Carol Cloe Klyman, Attorney – Shatz, Schwartz & Fentin, Springfield
Karen Jackson – Jackson & Torrone, Holyoke
Sue McCoy, Partner – Halloran & Sage, Springfield
Estate Planning Attorneys
Brenda Doherty – Doherty, Wallace, Pillsbury & Murphy, Springfield
Hyman Darling – Bacon & Wilson, Springfield
John Discenza – Martinelli & Discenza, Longmeadow
Michele Feinstein – Shatz, Schwartz & Fentin, Springfield
John Ferriter – Ferriter & Ferriter, Holyoke
Richard Kos, Attorney – Egan, Flanagan & Cohen, Springfield
Todd Ratner – Bacon Wilson, Springfield
Financial Advisors
Pat Grenier – BRP/Grenier Financial Advisors, Springfield
Timberly Grout – Trust Company of Vermont
Kate Kane – Northwestern Mutual, Springfield
David Lusteg, CFP, Sr. Director – Merrill Lynch, Springfield
Paul Marchese, Sr VP – St. Germain Investments, Hartford/Springfield
Geriatric Care Managers
Kathleen Bowen, MEd, GCM – Geriatric Solutions & Management, Holyoke
Joanne Craven Dunn,RN, C BSN – Geriatric Solutions & Management, Holyoke
Jim Ferry – Coaching Caregivers, Northampton
Liz Kapitulik, MSW – Clinical Case Management, Northampton
Architects
Marc Sternick, Principal – MSArchitects, LLC, Florence
Family Photographers
Michael Epaul – Michael Epaul Photography, Springfield
Reverse Mortgages
Mark Harrington – Horizon Home Mortgages, Windsor