About

After suffering her first bout with cancer in 2002, Pam Washek decided to turn her pain into purpose by helping others experiencing similar crises. She and her friend and fellow cancer survivor Jean Seiden first established the Wayland Angels to “pay forward” the acts of kindness they received from their own neighbors during their cancer treatments. In 2010, Pam transitioned Wayland Angels into the formally incorporated nonprofit Neighbor Brigade, a vehicle to give people in communities beyond Wayland a means to support their fellow neighbors when serious illness or other tragedy strikes.

Pam understood our shared human need for community and our need to care for and be cared by one another. She believed it was imperative not only for those who need the assistance, but for volunteers’ benefit as well.

Pam lost her battle with cancer in 2012, but her legacy lives on in Neighbor Brigade.

Colin Coleman– President
Partner, Partridge, Snow & Hahn Law Firm

Heather Rafey – Treasurer
International Development Consultant

Sandy Staiti – Director

Polly Mendoza

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Polly is a native of Weston, Massachusetts and a graduate of Concord Academy and Boston College with a BA in Secondary Education and Spanish. Her degree in Spanish allowed her to travel many parts of the world including Costa Rica where her nonprofit career launched as executive director of the Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center. While there she managed a variety of programs that strengthened the organizational capacity of local communities and gave youth the necessary tools and resources to succeed. Deeply and continuously inspired by her brother’s life experiences as a young man with Down Syndrome she used her development and management skills to found her own nonprofit organization, HILLS, Inc. based in Denver, Colorado where Polly was the executive director for 8 years. In 2018 HILLS merged with the nonprofit agency FRIENDS of Broomfield where the HILLS programs continue to be a top resource for people with developmental disabilities while providing much needed respite care for families. Polly currently resides in Maynard, MA where she continues her passion for nonprofit organizations that have a strong and meaningful impact on our diverse communities in Massachusetts. Polly may be reached at polly@neighborbrigade.org.

Mark Murphy

DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT

Mark proudly joined the Neighbor Brigade staff in January 2019 and has over 6 years of experience in non-profit fundraising. A native of Burlington, Massachusetts, Mark graduated from St. Charles Seminary College with a Bachelor’s degree and earned a Master of Arts degree from St. John’s Seminary. Mark is also a military veteran, having served for 10 years as an Officer and Captain in the Massachusetts Army National Guard. He was recognized for his outstanding service by being awarded two Massachusetts Service Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon and two Army Reserve Component Achievement Medals. Mark works to develop the fundraising goals and programs of Neighbor Brigade so that the organization can flourish, grow, and reach all those in need of its services. Mark can be reached at mark@neighborbrigade.org

Rose Cornet

PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Rose is originally from Haiti and grew up in the city of Cambridge, MA.  She holds a Master’s degree in Management from Emmanuel College and has a Bachelor’s degree from Simmons College.  She has extensive experience in government contracting and grants management from various foundations and government sponsors.  She believes in the importance of giving back to her community. She currently resides on the South Shore with her family. In her spare time, she enjoys reading and doing DIY projects. Rose can be contacted at rose@neighborbrigade.org.

Jenny Stewart

DIRECTOR OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Jenny holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and worked in biomedical research before starting a family. Jenny has been involved in website development, database management and hands on service with many community, volunteer and non-profit organizations for the past few decades. She fully embraces, recognizes and encourages Pam’s mission to “pay it forward” and has been a member of Neighbor Brigade since 2011. She contributes to her community through coaching, volunteering in her church and kids’ schools, and baking cookies for neighbors. Jenny lives with her husband and three kids in Bedford, MA. Jenny can be contacted at jennifer@neighborbrigade.org.

Carolyn Heinen

OFFICE ADMINISTRATOR

Carolyn joined the Neighbor Brigade in October 2019 as office administrator after starting as a volunteer for the organization. She holds a B.A. in French from Colby College and a Certificate in Meeting Management from Bentley College. She has a passion for organizing, and an extensive background of event planning for both for profit and non-profit organizations, in the United States and abroad. She believes strongly in helping others, and as such has volunteered in many ways at her kids’ schools and in the communities where she has lived. She is also proud to be a blood donor for the American Red Cross. At the Neighbor Brigade, she is responsible for all things administrative. Carolyn resides in Sudbury with her husband and two children and can be contacted at office@neighborbrigade.org.