Board of Directors

Gary embraces the idea that growing older is an asset to be leveraged to promote kindness, caring, and knowledge transfer. He is a dedicated advocate of intergenerational collaboration and of the concept that social connection is the foundation of our mental and physical health.

Gary has been actively involved with intergenerational coaching and youth mentoring programs for the past two decades and currently mentors boys in the West Hartford, CT public school system.

Gary has worked as a systems, software & sales engineer and as a product/marketing manager in the aerospace, digital printing and bio-medical industries. He earned his Master of Science degree in Management from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute after graduating cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Connecticut.

  As a part-time caregiver of her parents - one of whom suffers from dementia - Susan has seen first hand the impact of loneliness and isolation on older adults. She believes that maintaining friendships and remaining socially involved are vital to the physical and mental well-being of all, especially as we get into our older adult years.

Susan successfully served in a variety of finance and accounting roles for many years in the insurance industry and has been involved in several other nonprofit organizations for many years. 

Susan earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration/Accounting from the University of Saint Joseph. 

Serena is excited to be the Program Manager for our Tea @ 3 Community. 

Serena is a senior at the University of Saint Joseph in West Hartford, CT. She has been a program participant and has served as the USJ Campus Connector, spreading awareness of the Tea @ 3 program and facilitating the participation by fellow students. 

Serena is a social work major who has a passion for working with older adults. The Tea @ 3 Community's mission to reduce loneliness and improve social health for both older and young adults through intergenerational friendship aligns perfectly with Serena's interests.

Nita has a wealth of experience and a passion for creating community,. She is happy to be leading our annual year-end initiative to reduce loneliness through the written word. 

Nita uses her experience to encourage businesses, colleges, and other organizations to engage employees, students, and volunteers to create cards for isolated adults during what is the loneliest time of the year for many. 

Nita works in partnership with our Joyful Notes Project Manager Vandna, who delivers the cards to those living in assisted living and memory care facilities and veterans across the state.  

Vandna is bringing her interest in tackling loneliness and isolation experienced by older adults to lead our efforts to bring joy to isolated older adults through the delivery of cards crafted by our joy-creators of all ages. 

Vandna collects and organizes donated Joyful Notes Project cards, contacts adult living communities and senior centers to schedule deliveries, and delivers cards. She also loves to craft cards herself!

Vandna is Director, Quality Assurance at ebbo.

Emily is helping to lead statewide listening sessions to amplify voices and experiences, exploring the power of friendship and tackling the barriers that stand in the way of connection for adults with developmental disabilities. 

With a rich background in the field, and as the founder of her own charcuterie business, Emily's Eats, she brings both passion and entrepreneurial spirit to our mission. 

Patty is blending her extensive Information Technology experience with her interest in intergenerational connection to manage our relationships with our growing network of donors. 

Patty is implementing our structured donor database and is responsible for ongoing communication with individual and institutional donors.

Patty earned her Bachelor's Degree in Computer Science from the State University of New York at Oswego.