Staff
Jennifer Lawrence, Executive Director (jllawrence@groundworksomerville.org)
Jennifer came to Groundwork in 2006, after completing a graduate degree from the Urban and Environmental Planning and Policy Program at Tufts University. Jen is driven by her love for the Somerville community and her desire to give back to that community. As Executive Director, she is motivated each and every day because working for a small community-based non-profit allows her to see the positive change that we are enacting in our city.
Brad Arndt, Mystic River Coordinator
(brad@groundworksomerville.org)
Brad joined the Groundwork staff in 2009, serving as the grant administrator for the Somerville Community Corridor Planning Project (CCP), as well as the coordinator for GWS’ Mystic River Corridor projects. He brings to his work a personal and professional interest in natural resources conservation and land-use planning, with a particular emphasis on urban forestry and green-infrastructure initiatives.
Joey Baldassari, Mystic River Green Team Supervisor (joseph@groundworksomerville.org)
Maura Schorr Beaufait, Youth Employment Coordinator (maura@groundworksomerville.org)
Maura’s work with GWS began in 2008 during her graduate studies at Tufts University’s Agriculture, Food, and Environment Program. She serves as the point person for various green jobs training programs of Groundwork Somerville including the Green Team and SoilCycle. This position allows her the opportunity to further her long-standing commitment to youth development, urban agriculture, and the health and vibrancy of whole communities.
Tai Dinnan, Gardens Coordinator
(tai@groundworksomerville.org)
Tai joined Groundwork in 2008. She coordinates GWS’ gardens programming, Garden Youth Crew, and the Maple Syrup Project. She also assists with farm-to-school initiatives and consults with community groups hoping to start gardens in their neighborhoods, churches, and backyards. Her interests in urban agriculture, community health, and child development match perfectly with GWS’ active school-yard gardens programs.
Leanne Darrigo, Gardens Teacher
(leanne@groundworksomerville.org)
Leanne Darrigo has been a Community Garden Coordinator in her East Somerville neighborhood for over 12 years. She loves seeing the diversity a neighborhood garden cultivates. Professionally, her background is in Advertising Design. As a community activist, she participates in a variety of local groups from youth athletics to environmental justice. Leanne highly recommends volunteering for a local non-profit such as Groundwork Somerville. It makes you grow as a person.
Clayton Fountain, National Park Coordinator (clayton@groundworksomerville.org)
Clayton is a supervisor for the newly-created National Park Preservers team and has previously led after-school Garden Clubs for GWS. He sees great value in teaching garden science and stewardship of the land. His hope is to bring knowledge and passion to gardening and a better understanding of the land on which we live.
Lisa Gimbel, Community Organizer
(lgimbel@somervillecdc.org)
Lisa is an organizer with Community Corridor Planning Project. She feels strongly that when the people impacted by a system are a legitimate part of the planning and implementation, not only do they benefit, but the system works better overall. She also teaches English as a Second Language with adults in Somerville. She’s grateful for the inspiring and richly creative community of Somervillians she connects with on a daily basis through her work and beyond.
Sal Islam, Community Organizer
(sal@groundworksomerville.org)
Sal is a past participant of the Green Team, GWS’ high school youth employment program. Now in his first year at Bunker Hill Community College, Sal has risen from the Green Team and is a part-time member of the GWS staff. Inspired by his work with GWS, Sal began to develop a passion for sustainable design which he is now pursuing in college.
Green Team
Anthony Lorenzo, Chris Dewing, Enxhi Popa, Iva Popa, Livi Huval, Mirna Lizama, Sheina Joseph, Santiago Herrera, Tania Ahmed
Staff and Volunteers at GWS Boil Down
Supervisors: Nadler Ducasse, Gunter Vital and Jonathan Reis
Team members:
Bryant Parsons, Antoine Vital, Melissa Masello, Arjealy Wisseh, Jules Stevens, Claudy Jean-Louis, Gelrick Phanor, Romeo Thermidor, Ronald Leaks
