Meet Our Board
GREG NADEAUPresident/FounderGreg wanted to help create an education foundation for Somerville because young people are the poorest, most vulnerable members of our community, and I want to work with others to help meet their needs. By partnering deeply with the City and the school district, we have identified three strategic priorities to focus our work. By convening stakeholders, raising/distributing funds, we make a real impact on children’s lives.
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WILBERT PINEDAVice PresidentWilbert has made his life work to being the champion of the people. His work spans on the local, state, and federal level helping to provide everyone life changing opportunities and resources to ensure individuals have all the basic needs in order to obtain true prosperity.
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MARIAN BERKOWITZBoard MemberI am a Somerville parent and work in the Somerville Public Schools to coordinate volunteer and after school tutoring for elementary children. I believe every community should have an education foundation to help support the work that schools do to prepare children for the future, and worked with fellow parents in 2017 to create the Somerville Education Foundation.
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BARRY RAFKINDBoard MemberWith a daughter in the 7th grade at the West Somerville Neighborhood School and two young boys to follow in their sister’s footsteps, I am deeply committed to the success of Somerville’s schools and see the potential impact that SEF can make in students’ lives. I grew up in Kingston, NY, where I attended public school. I now work from home on Hamilton Rd as a software engineer. In my spare time, I advocate for voting reform with a method called Approval Voting where you can vote for one or more candidates - see MassApproves.org.
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MICHAEL CHIUBoard Member/FounderI am a parent of three Somerville students. I've been involved with many school and civic organizations that could expand their impact with just a bit of support; often financial and sometimes organizational. I help with SEF because it provides a structure to gather resources from across the community and leverage the efforts of others to help build a better Somerville for all. For me, the focus should be on public education as it is the "great equalizer" of society.
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SALADIN ISLAMBoard MemberSal is a long time supporter of the City of Somerville and the various organizations that have shaped this city I grew up in. I’ve been involved with Groundwork Somerville, a local non-profit organization, since I was a teenager. Somerville is important to me because of its diverse population and its commitment to equity. I support SEF in its mission because the youth of this city are important to me. Having been a youth mentor in various positions during my career, I know that I can make a significant impact in the lives of young people. Being on the Board of SEF enables me to provide my network, connection to my non-profit, and expertise to SEF with the goal of creating strong partnerships within the city and benefiting the lives of its residents.
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VLADIMIR BENOITBoard MemberVladimir grew up in Somerville and has deep roots in the community. He has dedicated numerous years to volunteer work. He actively contributed as an assistant varsity basketball coach at the local high school and served as a mentor to a young brother in Somerville through the esteemed Big Brothers Big Sisters Program. In addition to his community involvement, Vladimir is the CEO at a local nonprofit organization that has a strong focus on youth development. In his spare time, he finds joy in spending quality time with his spouse and their two children.
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ANNE TATEBoard Member |