Gladys Franco
Chair of the BoardGladys Natalia Franco Rodriguez is a community organizer and educational leader. Gladys is Clerk of the Migration Advocacy Committee and has previously served as the vice-chair of the Board of Directors for the Puerto Rican Cultural Center in Springfield. She has 19 years of experience in the education field and has served as a history teacher, Supervisor of Leadership Development, and Assistant Principal in the Springfield and Holyoke Public Schools. She is currently a Special Education Coordinator in the Department of Youth Services and the County Houses of Correction in the Western, Central, and Northeast regions of the State through the Collaborative for Educational Services.
Bruce Hawkins
TreasurerAn activist and supporter of activists since the middle 1950's and in Northampton since 1961, Bruce (and his wife, Ruth Hawkins) have played a role in making Northampton as progressive as it is today. Bruce is a physicist with a sideline in computing, still active in research. His hobbies include hiking and landscape photography.
Avery J
SecretaryMyra Lam
Board MemberMyra Lam began as an undergraduate intern with the AFSC of Western Massachusetts in 2011. She is a founding member of the TRC Board of Directors, and she currently serves as chair of TRC's Youth Committee. She teaches elementary school in South Hadley, and skates for Western Massachusetts Roller Derby.
Jenni Manfredi
Board MemberVolunteering is in Jenni's core. This part of her mission took hold in high school through service clubs. As an AmeriCorps member for two years through Springfield College, she strengthened these roots. Her service was in two high schools in Springfield, where, after graduating, she moved into an 18 year career as a counselor, classroom teacher and administrator. She was a club advisor for several clubs in the schools she was honored to call her community. Student leaders have been a constant source of inspiration. For two years she also served on the board of Keep Springfield Beautiful, through which she was able to make real service connections for and with her students. Now, in her second year as an administrator in the Northampton Public Schools, she has met and worked with many passionate social-activism-and-volunteering driven students. The connection to TRC and the Youth Engagement Committee is quite fitting and congruous to the work of activists and yet another real-world network to connect students as they journey through discovering their values and passions, use their voices, and learn from (and be of service to) others.
Ivette Fernandez
Board MemberIvette is a stay-at-home mom and caretaker who lives in Springfield, MA with her two school-age sons. She attended Holyoke Community College and Lehman College where she completed a child care certification program. She volunteers for the Springfield Housing Authority’s “Talk.Read.Succeed.” program, advocates for residents, provides translation services, and coordinates the community garden. She’s passionate about helping others and organizing gatherings. Migrant Advocacy work touches her on a personal level and enables her to connect with those in our community that are most in need. She’s committed to ensuring that our migrant neighbors feel welcomed and are safe.
Madeleine Neiman
Board MemberMadeleine is an aspiring arts administrator, passionate about community engagement and activating public spaces. She is a graduate of Indiana University with a major in Arts Management and minors in Urban Development and Studio Art. She is now back in her native Massachusetts, and is excited to help the TRC with their mission of creating a more just and safe 413.
Elise Ghitman
Board MemberElise is a substitute teacher at Veritas Prep in Holyoke, MA interested in pursuing a career in education. She is a former TRC intern, a lover of books, and an ice cream enthusiast.
