Executive Director
Donna Sharff, MA, LMHC has been on The Children’s Room staff since 2003 and was Program Director for five years before assuming the role of Executive Director in May 2010. Donna has been inspired by her direct work with children and families in our program and brings that inspiration to her organizational leadership role. Her previous clinical work included individual therapy and group facilitation with children, adolescents and adults through Strattus Mental Health Centre and Housing Families. Prior to working in the mental health field, Donna worked as a small business manager in the training industry. Donna holds a Bachelors in Commerce from the University of Virginia and a Masters in Counseling from Lesley University.
Program Director
Colleen Shannon, MSW, LCSW. Colleen joined the program staff in August 2006. As program director, Colleen is responsible for planning, supervising and managing all aspects of our child, teen, adult and family programs at The Children’s Room. Colleen is a strong advocate for both supporting grieving families and increasing public awareness about the impact of grief and loss on children and their families. Prior to coming to The Children’s Room, Colleen worked with children and families impacted by illness and loss at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s Jimmy Fund Clinic, Franciscan Children’s Hospital and Camp Sunshine, a retreat for children with life threatening illnesses. Colleen holds a bachelors degree from Lesley University in art therapy and psychology and a masters degree in social work from Salem State University.
See Colleen’s bio on Linkedin.
Director of Education & Training
Deborah Rivlin, MA. Deborah has over 30 years experience helping grieving children, teens, and families. She was an integral part of Boston Medical Center’s Good Grief program from 1988 until 2007. Deborah is well known as an engaging educator who draws on her wealth of first-hand experience working with illness and grief to share memorable stories and convey important information. Deborah provides trainings, workshops, and consultations to individuals, families, and organizations.
See Deborah’s bio on Linkedin.
Director of Development
Nancy Simpson-Banker, MA, FAHP joined The Children’s Room as Director of Development in October of 2011 after serving as a fundraising volunteer for 18 months. Nancy has worked in development for thirty years. Before joining The Children’s Room, Nancy served as Director of Recruitment and Training in the Boston College (BC) Advancement Office supporting the university’s $1.5 billion capital campaign. Prior to BC, she was a fundraising consultant for seven years where she provided counsel to clients in healthcare, human service organizations and higher education. Nancy worked as a healthcare development professional for fourteen years in New England and eight years in higher education in Indiana and Pennsylvania. Most recently she served as Vice President for Philanthropy at Faulkner Hospital in Boston. She holds a BA from Boston College and an MA from Indiana University. She earned the designation of Fellow in the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (FAHP) in 2003.
Program Staff
Laurie Moskowitz-Corrois, MA, ET, Expressive Arts Program Coordinator. Laurie has an abundance of work related experience as an entrepreneur in art, business, design and space planning. She holds a Masters Degree in Expressive Therapy as a Mental Health Counselor from Lesley University. Laurie’s responsibilities at The Children’s Room include coordinating three of our evening bereavement groups and developing and supervising the undergraduate internship program. Laurie is the staff person supporting volunteers and youth involved in the Teen Troupe, our treasured performance arts group here at The Children’s Room. In addition to her role at The Children’s Room, Laurie is adjunct faculty in the undergraduate Expressive Therapy Department at Lesley University.
Nadine Kraman, LMHC, Bereavement Program Coordinator & Volunteer Organizer. Nadine joined The Children’s Room in 2011 as a member of our program staff. Nadine has worked as a psychotherapist for over 20 years in inpatient hospital, partial hospital and outpatient clinic settings. She co-founded the Hurst Gallery of antiquities and tribal art in the heart of Harvard Square, Cambridge. Formerly a dancer, potter and writer, Nadine brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in the expressive arts to her work around healing from loss. Nadine graduated from Boston University with a Bachelors degree in Fine Arts, cum laude and received her Master of Counseling Psychology, with a minor in expressive therapy from Antioch New England, Keene, N.H.
Development Staff
Kim Cayer, Development Associate. Kim joined The Children’s Room in 2004 as a volunteer facilitator. Since that time, she has expanded her role as a volunteer, working on various projects and special events as a member of our development team. She joined the staff in 2010 as Development Coordinator, responsible for managing our individual donor programs and events. She spent 10 years in Human Resources in various roles including employee relations and recruiting. Kim holds a BA from Connecticut College.
Cheryl Kerr, Development Assistant. Cheryl joined The Children’s Room in 2010 after working in Arlington Public Schools. After serving as Administrative Assistant, she joined our development team, where she manages incoming donations and helps with special events. Cheryl holds an Associates degree in Business from Middlesex Community College.
Administrative Staff
Sarah Sherman, Communications & Administrative Coordinator. Sarah joined The Children’s Room staff in 2011. She previously served as an Emerson Hunger Fellow, one of 20 in a competitive national fellowship hosted by the Congressional Hunger Center, where she was responsible for several publications related to domestic anti-hunger and anti-poverty programs and policies. Her advocacy work includes supporting survivors of domestic violence through a residential DV program and facilitating support groups for both women and children. Sarah holds a Bachelors degree from Illinois Wesleyan University in Women’s Studies and English Literature.
Liz Cavano, Program & Administrative Assistant. Liz joined The Children’s Room staff in 2012 after working in Higher Education and nonprofits; including Simmons, Harvard School of Public Health, The Environmental Careers Organization, and WGBH’s The Caption Center (closed captioning for the hearing impaired). She has a Masters in Education from Columbia Teachers College.