Board of Directors
2024–2025
Thank you to our Board of Directors for your dedication and leadership. Your contributions make a profound difference in the lives of the families we serve.
Heather Mack – President
Heather Mack joined The Second Step’s Board of Directors in 2020 and was appointed as Board President this March. Heather has a background in fundraising and spent more than 20 years in the MassGeneral Brigham healthcare system building and implementing strategic philanthropic programs. Heather worked for many years in the Mass General Development Office and finished up her career as the Vice President of Development at Newton-Wellesley Hospital.
Heather received her undergraduate degree at Goucher College in Towson, MD and her Masters of Business Administration from Loyola University in Baltimore, MD. She resides in Newton with her family.
Lesley Colognesi – Vice President
With over 25 years of experience spanning from preschool to adult education, Lesley has dedicated her career to promoting literacy and empowering individuals to find their voice. Currently serving as the Director of Academic Services at Beaver Country Day School, she is deeply committed to helping students recognize their strengths and reaching their full potential.
Beyond the classroom, she is actively involved in community outreach initiatives. Lesley’s relationship with The Second Step spans over 15 years. From volunteering for outdoor and indoor maintenance to supporting programming initiatives, and is committed to contributing to the well-being of others.
April Stein – Treasurer
April Stein has extensive experience in finance for non-profits, having set up several 501©3s and acting as Treasurer. With an MBA from Harvard Business School and a BA in Economics from Harvard College, April has spent time in retail banking and strategy consulting for financial services companies. But of all experiences, the most fulfilling has been April’s involvement with the Massachusetts Department of Children and Family Services as a foster and adoptive parent. The combination of non-profit financial experience with personal, lived experience with children in crisis, gives April a great background to help The Second Step maintain a strong bank account and balance sheet to allow for maximum impact on its stated goals.
Glenn Rosen – Clerk/Secretary
Glenn Rosen has been honored to serve on the board of The Second Step since 2019, and has been its Clerk/Secretary since 2020. A neuroscientist by training, he had a laboratory at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center for 35 years before retirement. He and his wife, Anndy Dannenberg, live in Newton and have 2 grown children and 4 objectively adorable grandchildren. His hobbies include golf, cycling, playing music, and programming
Katia Canenguez
Dr. Canenguez is a Pediatric Psychologist in the Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry at Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)/MassGeneral for Children and an Instructor in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School. Additionally, she conducts innovative Disparities Research at the Harvard/MGH Center on Genomics, Vulnerable Populations, and Health Disparities. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Boston College, her EdM from Harvard University, and her PhD from the University of Massachusetts, Boston.
Lauren Clausen
Lauren has more than 15 years of experience driving transformational initiatives in public companies including The J.M Smucker Company (SJM), Iron Mountain (IRM), and currently Toast (TOST). She has held leadership roles across product management, communications, human resources, and customer success. Currently, Lauren serves as co-chair on the Women’s Advisory Network for the Eastern Massachusetts Chapter of Girls Scouts and is on the Marketing Committee with The Boston Club. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Marketing from Marymount Manhattan College and a Master of Science in HR Management from Strayer University.
Krista McCabe Cruz
Krista McCabe Cruz is a development professional with over 20 years of fundraising experience, most recently at Mass General Hospital, where she oversees a fundraising team of development professionals. She lives in Newton with her husband Steven Cruz and their dog, a West Highland Terrier named, Wes Newton Cruz. Krista has been a proud member of The Second Step for over ten years and serving in various board and volunteer positions both as an advisor in philanthropy and as a survivor. The Second Step has been a huge part of Krista’s healing process. Krista earned her BA from Bucknell University and her MA from Emerson College.
Patricia Evans
Patricia brings a wealth of sales and marketing expertise to the board. In her current role as Director of Non-Profit Sales at Givinga, Patricia leverages her skills to help non-profits spark innovation, drive meaningful brand engagement, and unify business and societal impact. Patricia previously worked for the Boston Business Journal, Boston Logic Technology Partners, and Boston Globe Media. She earned her Bachelor of Science from Northeastern University.
Lana Lee
Lana has over 25 years of experience driving strategies, product and brand innovations, and customer experiences, leveraging data analysis, market research, and consumer insight. She currently leads the Market Research and Segmentation function at Cambridge Savings Bank, prior to which she led similar initiatives at United Parcel Service (UPS), Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, and Tufts Health Plan. She holds a master’s degree in integrated marketing communications from Northwestern University. Many Sundays, she welcomes families and children at Highrock Church in Arlington as part of the church’s “Kidsrock” team.
Susan McMurry
Susan has 25 years of work experience solving complex problems, building global teams, and developing and coaching talent. She has worked as a management consultant and an executive in the financial services industry, mostly recently as a Chief Operating Officer and Head of Marketing and Communications. Susan has a BA from Princeton University, an MPhil from University of Oxford, and a Certificate in Executive Coaching from William James University. She is a proud single parent and mother to two adult children.
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