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 in March 2024. Heather, who has a background in fundraising, dedicated more than two decades building and implementing strategic philanthropic programs in the Mass General Brigham healthcare system. She also served as Vice President of Development at Newton-Wellesley Hospital. Heather has an undergraduate degree from Goucher College in Towson, MD and her Master of Business Administration from Loyola University in Baltimore, MD. She resides in Newton, MA with her family. “I am honored to serve on the TSS board and to be given the opportunity to participate in the lifesaving work that gives survivors a pathway for escape, healing and a new life.”
Lesley Colognesi – Vice President
Lesley Colognesi has more than 25 years of academia experience, ranging 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. Lesley’s relationship with The Second Step spans over 15 years. “I serve on the Board because I know, through personal experience and the stories of those I care about, that domestic violence affects not only survivors, but their families and communities. With the proper support, healing is possible. This role allows me to turn that personal connection into action, standing with survivors, honoring their strength, and working to end domestic violence through education, advocacy, and legal support.”
April Stein – Treasurer
April Stein has extensive experience in finance for non-profits, having set up several 501(c)(3)s 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. “I have been a foster and adoptive mom for 10 years. Serving on the Board of The Second Step allows me to further my commitment to making sure children have a safe and loving place to grow up.”
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. “As a long-time donor of The Second Step, I was well aware of the breadth and depth of services that they provide to survivors of domestic violence, so increasing my commitment to the organization by joining the board was an easy decision.”
Katia Canenguez
Dr. Katia 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 Clausen has more than 15 years of experience driving transformational initiatives in public companies including The J.M Smucker Company (SJM), Iron Mountain (IRM), Toast (TOST), and currently RATP Dev USA. 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. “I serve on the board of The Second Step because I’m a survivor who knows the power of support and safety in rebuilding a life. I am passionate about promoting healthy relationships and breaking the cycle of abuse.”
Krista McCabe Cruz
Krista McCabe Cruz has been a proud member of The Second Step for more than ten years, 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 is a development professional with more than 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 earned her Bachelor of Arts from Bucknell University and her Master of Arts from Emerson College. “I serve on the Board because as a survivor I feel I have a responsibility to give back to a cause that is so important not only to me personally but to so many who are still finding their way to the other side to understanding. Your story deserves to be heard, seen, and believed.”
Patricia Evans
Patricia Evans is the Director of Non-Profit Sales at Giving, leveraging 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. Patricia brings that wealth of sales and marketing expertise to The Second Step board.
Mai Hanlon
Mai Hanlon is the Chief Financial Officer and the Director of Acquisitions at PhilMor Real Estate Investments LLC. PhilMor was established in 2012 to acquire, develop and manage commercial real estate with a focus on the multi-family and self-storage sectors. Prior to joining PhilMor, Mai has more than 18 years of experience as an institutional public equities’ investor at Wellington Management, Salomon Brothers Asset Management, Saranac Capital, Lehman Brothers and Sanford Bernstein. Mai earned a Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Chicago and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton Graduate School of Business. “I am passionate about supporting The Second Step because everyone deserves to be in a relationship without fear. Unfortunately, domestic violence victims face so many barriers to safety and justice. Organizations like The Second Step provide the help and support that victims need.”
Lana Lee
Lana Lee has more than 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. “I was first drawn to The Second Step by the passion, care, and hope I felt in every interaction with its leadership and staff—hallmarks of its survivor-centered approach. I am honored to join its mission and excited to help expand its impact in supporting survivors and promoting community education and prevention.”
Susan McMurry
Susan has more than 25 years of leadership and business experience as a global executive in financial services across marketing, operations, client strategy, product management, and communications. She recently retired as a partner at Wellington Management and also worked as a consultant at McKinsey. Susan has a Bachelor of Arts from Princeton University, a MPhil from the University of Oxford, and a Certificate in Executive Coaching from William James University. Susan raised her now adult children as a single parent and is passionate about and committed to supporting families and especially single mothers navigating challenging situations. “I’ve learned so much from The Second Step about domestic violence and am honored to support the meaningful work of this unique organization.”
Joan Sapir
Joan Sapir is Executive in Residence at Massachusetts General Hospital/MGPO, providing mentoring and executive coaching to clinicians and staff and working closely with the MGH Development Office and other departments on a wide range of initiatives. Joan graduated from Yale University with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, completed an EdM. in Administration, Organizational Behavior, and Social Policy at the Harvard School of Education, and received a Master of Business Administration with honors from the Harvard Business School (HBS). “Two things motivate me to serve on The Second Step board: the mission and the leadership. I am angered that so many women feel unsafe in their own homes due to domestic violence. The Second Step partners with women to achieve both physical and psychological safety. And the organization’s outstanding leadership team ensures that we stay true to our mission, provide high-quality services, and steward our resources effectively.”
Our Services
Our tailored services guide survivors on their unique path to safety, stability, healing, and hope. Together, we empower survivors to build a brighter, more secure future.
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Call us at 617-965-2538