Our Staff


Steve Telesmanick

Steve Telesmanick 
Chief executive officer    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Steve received a Bachelor of Science in Business and an MBA in Organizational Leadership from Johnson & Wales University in Providence, RI. He began his career at Marriott International Hospitality Company, where he became principled in the foundations of leadership through a number of management roles.  There Steve became actively engaged with Marriott’s volunteer initiatives, most notably with the local YMCA.   

Volunteering at the YMCA led Steve to transition to the nonprofit sector.  He became the Executive Director of Boston’s Charlestown YMCA.   One chief responsibility was overseeing the Dennis McLaughlin House, a shelter for women and families experiencing homelessness. Steve and his leadership team developed and implemented successful wraparound services designed to foster independence and self-sufficiency for the women & families in the shelter.

Steve later became the Chief Operating Officer at YMCA Cape Cod, where he was part of their growth strategy that opened new youth serving programs, including early education centers, school-aged after school programs, summer camps and college preparation programs for at-risk youth.   

Steve lives in Whitman with his wife Mary (an educator) and their two school-aged sons, Mason & Michael.  Steve & his family have a Shih Tzu named Remy and enjoy participating in local youth sports, going on bike rides, and volunteering in the community.

 

cheryl opper

Cheryl Opper    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Founder

Cheryl founded SOWMA in 2004. She has a BS degree in Early Childhood and Family Life Development from Indiana State University. Cheryl taught preschool and kindergarten for many years. She has been an educator and child advocate for 30 years. Cheryl has grown SOWMA from a grassroots organization based in her home in Easton to a highly respected leader in the effort to provide educational support services for students impacted by homelessness. She has received many awards during her time at School on Wheels including: Community Service MVP Award from the New England Patriots, the Bank of America Local Heroes Award,  Service Above Self Award from the Brockton Rotary, Distinguished Service Award from Bridgewater State University, Wainwright Distinguished Service Award from the Brockton Day Nursery, and she was named a Champion of the City by the Brockton Youth Council.

 

Jonathan Vincent   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Education Director

Jonathan Vincent joined School on Wheels of Massachusetts in March, 2018 as a Site Coordinator and soon began overseeing three tutoring site locations.  He became Director of our Bridge Program (mentoring students from high school through college) in October, 2019, and Director of Education in April, 2021.  Jonathan holds a Masters of Education, with a specific focus on elementary literacy. He also holds a Masters in Public Administration with a concentration in non-profit management, and has been a tutor, educator and administrator in several inner-city school districts. He is the former state compliance coordinator for No Child Left Behind Supplemental Educational Services in Rhode Island.  Before joining School on Wheels full-time, Jonathan was a middle school teacher in Fall River, Massachusetts. In his spare time, he enjoys foreign languages, film, and spending time with his wife and son.
                              

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.KATIE YOUNG    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

  Bridge Mentoring Director 

 Katie joined us in August, 2022 to oversee the Bridge Mentoring Program.  She is a former volunteer tutor for SOWMA and holds a Master's in  Education from Bridgewater State University; with a focus on Student Affairs Counseling.  Her undergraduate degree, also from Bridgewater, is  Elementary Education.  Prior to joining SOWMA, Katie was an Educational / College Consultant with Anew College Consulting in Easton, MA.   Previously she worked in the Gateway to College Program and Early College Access Department at Massasoit Community College.   She's an avid basketball and football fan, both professional and her children's teams.  She enjoys writing poetry and attending concerts.  She lives in Easton, MA with her husband and two sets of twins. 

Barbara Fox

Barbara Fox   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Community Outreach Director

Barbara Fox joined SOWMA as the Program Assistant in 2016, and became the Community Outreach Director in 2017. She has a BA in Education from Suffolk University and an MBA from Northeastern University.  Barbara's career spans 15 years of software development, which included leading projects and personnel management.   Barbara, who has two children, is currently serving on the Superintendent Advisory Committee and the Oliver Ames HS Advisory Council in her hometown.  She has worked and led numerous committees within the school system, including developing the Go Green Board.  Barbara has been a tutor at SOWMA since 2017 and has enjoyed mentoring the children she has met.  As Community Outreach Director, she hopes to      spread the word about how one act of kindness can make a difference in the life of a child impacted by homelessness. 

 

cheryl opper

Sarah Coldwell    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Foundations and Grants 

Sarah Coldwell is a grant writer and consultant with 10+ years experience helping nonprofit organizations access corporate, foundation and other funding resources to gain capacity for program growth and development. Sarah consults with SOWMA on grant writing and proposals, letters of inquiry, funding overview, prospecting and management.  Her clients have included Father Bill’s and Mainspring, The Boston Symphony Orchestra and Urban Improv, among others.  Sarah received her Bachelor’s of Arts in English from the University of Virginia.

 

Tammie heinrichs    This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Development Director 

Tammie comes to SOWMA from the McCourt Foundation, where she served as Director of Development responsible for raising funds for medical research that supports treatment for Alzheimer's, ALS, Parkinson's, MS and other neurological diseases.  At McCourt, Tammie was responsible for establishing new corporate relations and building upon an existing Partnership program to generate new and expanded giving opportunities.  Previously, Tammie worked for several years with the South Shore Chamber of Commerce, where she created new programs for membership recruitment, engagement and retention.  Tammie attended Wheelock College, with concentrations in the Child Life Specialist and Early Education teaching programs.  In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with family and at her favorite destination, Block Island. 

 

Mal Stanton McCunney

Mal Stanton McCunney   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Marketing & Events Director 

Mal joined School on Wheels in 2016 to develop marketing strategy and generate visibility for SOWMA through external public communications, including website, social media, events, newsletters and partnerships.  She has a bachelor's degree in marketing and master's degree in communications from Emerson College.  Mal comes to the organization with more than 20 years of public relations, market research and marketing experience, serving as a research director for Cahners Publishing and for ten years as public affairs director for the MSPCA/Angell Memorial Animal Hospital in Boston.  She has served as a board and marketing team member for an array of non-profit and educational organizations, currently serving on the Board for the Cohasset Rotary Club and local watershed association.  Mal is a certified English as a Second Language (ESL) instructor and has taught at Rosie's Place Boston.  She's orchestrated fundraisers for a variety of notable nonproits, including Children's Hospital Boston, where she also visited patients and families as part of the Child Life program. She and her late mixed-breed dog Manny were a certified Pet Therapy Team. 

 

Alicia Isleib

Alicia Isleib   This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Finance and Administration Director

Alicia joined SOWMA in January, 2019. A graduate of Merrimack College with a Bachelor of Science in Finance, Alicia has an extensive professional background in finance and investment management, having overseen the operations, payroll and management systems for a variety of businesses. Alicia began her career in investment management, where she practiced for more than 10 years. She is currently the treasurer and board member for a non-profit in her hometown of Easton, MA. Alicia oversees the financial well-being of SOWMA, along with administrative processes, systems and human resources.  Alicia works closely with the Executive Director and Finance Committee to prepare and monitor budgets, coordinate audits and ensure compliance with grants, accounting policies and procedures.

 

Sharon Ellis  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Regional Education Manager, Boston and Lowell 

Sharon joined School on Wheels in 2021 and served as a Tutoring Site Coordinator overseeing volunteers, students and partners in our Plymouth, Kingston and Rockland communities.  She was appointed Regional Manager of our Boston sites in the summer of 2023; and will spearhead efforts as we expand into the Lowell, Massachusetts region.  Sharon is a certified life coach specializing in helping clients manage personal, professional and spiritual growth and wellbeing.  She is a Merrimack College Bachelor of Arts degree candidate in Applied Arts and Sciences, with concentrations in psychology and leadership. She is excited to be supporting children in their academic, social and emotional growth.  Sharon and her husband Ryun have three daughters, ages 24, 21 and 17.  In her free time Sharon enjoys reading, gardening, and spending time with her family.  

  

Michael lombo  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Community and Development Manager 

Michael Lombo joined School on Wheels in April, 2019 as SOWMA’s Community Outreach and Database Coordinator.  In that role, Michael helped manage SOWMA’s backpack inventory, collections and distribution as well as donor tracking and acknowledgments.  In April, 2021, Michael became Director of our Bridge Mentoring Program.  He paired high school, college and vocational school students with mentors, who helped guide students toward educational and career goals.  In July, 2022 Michael became the Community and Development Manager to help streamline SOWMA's inventory, IT, development and donor databases.  A graduate of Rowan University, Michael has a Bachelor’s of Arts in Vocal Music, Theater and Dance.  He has taught dance with the Fred Astaire Dance Studios and is a Drama, Music and Color Guard Director for several Massachusetts high schools.  He is a former member of the Canadian Actor’s Equity Alliance in Toronto, ON. You can see him on stage regularly with the Boston Gay Men’s Chorus.

  

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United Way of Greater Plymouth County

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School on Wheels - MA
100 Laurel Street
Suite 121
East Bridgewater, Massachusetts 02333

508.587.9091

Federal Tax ID 20-1020880
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