Tim Allen is a four year member of the Public Health Council in Springfield and has been Chair of that organization for over three years.  Tim is a former 27-year employee of MassMutual Financial Group where he managed several information technology departments.  Prior to that he was a special education teacher in the Springfield Public Schools, and since then he has managed two different non-profits, most recently, Step Up Springfield.  Tim currently works at the United Way of Pioneer Valley and is the City Councilor for Ward 7 in Springfield.  Tim believes in the people of Springfield and is happy to work on behalf of all of them in making Springfield a great place for all of its residents.

Anne Awad is the President/CEO of Caring Health Center which has two sites, one on Main Street and one on Sumner Avenue at the “X” in Forest Park.  Anne has worked for the state Department of Public Health and as a community public health consultant.  At Caring Health Center, Anne received a small amount of state funding to implement a Wellness Center that serves patients, the community and staff.  It is open, with limited hours, to provide nutrition, activity, and personal wellness planning.  The goal of Caring Health Center is to expand the capacity of this center so it truly becomes a community center that is known and trusted by residents.

Helen R. Caulton-Harris was appointed in 1996 as the Director of the Department of Health and Human Services of Springfield, the third largest city in Massachusetts. As Director, she oversees the delivery of public health services to Springfield’s more than 150,000 residents.  Her leadership supports programs that promote the physical, social and economic well-being of the community including, the Pioneer Valley Area Health Education Center, the Health Services for the Homeless, the Springfield Department of Veterans Affairs, the Springfield Department of Elder Affairs; the Springfield Public Library System and Thomas J O’Connor Animal Control Shelter.  In addition to serving Springfield, she continues to advocate for policies addressing the health and human services needs of underserved populations on the state and federal level.  Ms. Caulton-Harris was appointed by Governor Deval Patrick to the Public Health Council of Massachusetts. She also serves on the board of directors of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of Massachusetts and is a Trustee of Holyoke Community College.

Janet Rodriguez Denney is the Director of Elder Affairs for the City of Springfield. She is responsible for supporting and providing emotional support, social, recreational and health activities throughout the city of Springfield for the senior residents of the city. Rodriguez Denney determines and formulates policies and provides overall direction in implementing these activities in a variety of avenues. These avenues include 7 senior centers, SHINE program (a program that helps seniors navigate the health insurance options), Senior Net (computer education program), Mature Worker (retraining and employment placement program for older workers), and Social Service Outreach Program. She oversees federal, state and local government funding, as well as plans, directs and coordinates these funding streams at the highest level of management. Rodriguez Denney advocates and works collaboratively with public and private agencies on issues affecting the quality of life needs facing the senior population. Rodriguez Denney serves on the Board of Partners for a Healthier Community, Springfield Food Policy Council, Regional Employment Board, Y.W.C.A, Incorporated Emerson Wright Foundation Greater Senior Services, Inc., and the Springfield College Board. Rodriguez Denney holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Early Childhood Education from University of Massachusetts and a Master’s Degree in Human Resources Development from American International College. She resides in Springfield.

In December of 2003, Joan Kagan joined Square One as the organization’s President and CEO.  Although new to the field of early education and care, Joan has been a recognized leader in the provision of child welfare and mental health services since 1976.  Prior to assuming her position at Square One, Joan served as the Western Massachusetts Director for the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and for 17 years was with Brightside for Families and Children, leaving as Vice President of Community Programs.   Joan received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington University in St. Louis and her Master’s degree in social work from Columbia University in New York.  She is a licensed clinical social worker in Massachusetts, New York and Connecticut.  She is a member of the Elms College and Springfield College Social Work Advisory Boards and on the Western New England College Social Work Training committee.  She is also a member of the Early Education for All Advisory Committee and the Cherish Every Child Advisory Board. Joan serves on the Springfield Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and is a member and past president of the Holyoke Rotary Club.

Andrew Morehouse is the Executive Director of The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, a position he has held since 2005. As Executive Director, Andrew is responsible for overseeing the management of the organization, building partnerships with individuals, organizations, businesses, and government entities at all levels, carrying out public education, and working with the Board of Directors to advance the mission of The Food Bank.  He is committed to advancing the organization’s role in finding long-term solutions to the challenge of hunger in Western Massachusetts, and increasing access to affordable and nutritious foods for all residents in our communities. Prior to joining The Food Bank, Andrew directed Solutions Community Development Corporation in Holyoke, Massachusetts, which he founded in 1995.  Previously, he was director of the Greater Holyoke Community Development Corporation and was director of Casa del Pueblo in Washington, DC.  Andrew serves on the Board of Partners for a Healthier Community and Community Action of the Franklin, Hampshire and North Quabbin Regions. He is also a member of the Western Massachusetts Network to End homelessness.  Andrew has a Master’s degree in Economics and is currently enrolled in a Professional MBA program at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst.

Is the Dean of the School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at Springfield College, which includes majors in Exercise Science, Health and Physical Education Teacher Preparation, and Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. Prior to this position he was the Chair of the Exercise Science and Sport Studies Department at Springfield College and has been at Springfield College for over 40 years. Academic interests include athletic health care and the role of psychosocial factors and injury in exercise and sport.  He is a licensed athletic trainer and physical therapist in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Frank Robinson is a public health professional with 20+ years of public health experiences in a variety of home, community, work, and school settings.  For the past 12 years, Dr. Robinson has served as the Director of Community Health Planning, Baystate Health and the Executive Director of Partners for a Healthier Community, Inc.  In this broad-based role he has convened several multi-sector initiatives, all with the same agenda; to improve the health and well-being of children, youth and their families.

Dr. Scavron is the Medical Director for Brightwood Health Center/Centro de Salud. Dr. Scavron graduated from medical school in 1967 and spent the next 9 years in post graduate training in the Navy, and in studying community medicine and the community health center movement. Dr. Scavron has lived in Springfield since 1976- originally living in the North End and now living in the McKnight neighborhood. He and his wife have had eight children. Dr. Scavron has been a member of Springfield's Public Health Council for about 16 of the last 25 years.

Coleen Walsh is the Director of Health, Physical Education and Family and Consumer Sciences for the Springfield Public Schools.  She began her career in Springfield as a Junior High Physical Education Teacher in 1977. Since then she has served as a Resource Teacher, Supervisor and now Director.  She has taught or supervised all grades Pre-K through graduate school. Over the years, she has served on numerous boards and committees in Springfield.  She and her husband grew up in Springfield and chose to make this their home. She has three children.

Pam Wells serves as the Resident Service Manager for the Springfield Housing Authority.  In this capacity, she is responsible for implementation and management of programming and services for the 2,000 residents of the Springfield Housing Authority.  Ms. Wells has had an extensive career in the field of human services over the past 25 years.  She received her degree in social work from Elms College.  Ms. Wells is a life-long resident of Springfield.

Ed Whitley serves as the Deputy Director of Neighborhood Services for the city of Springfield.  In this capacity, Mr. Whitley serves as the City’s liaison to Neighborhood Organizations and is presently involved in implementing ongoing initiatives and priorities of the many areas of the city.  Ed is directly involved with the monitoring of Community Development Block Grant funds.  Prior to this position, he worked with many communities as a member of the Committee for Public Counsel Services and was a member of various neighborhood organizations.  The majority of his occupational experience has been in the insurance industry which gives him an advantage in understanding and interpreting complex rules, regulations and mandates imposed by HUD and other inter-and–non–governmental organizations on federal, state and local funding. 

Dr Wittcopp is the medical director for Baystate Children's Hospital Pediatric Weight Management Program and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, Tufts University School of Medicine. She earned her medical degree from the University of Rochester School of Medicine in 1995 and went on to complete a residency in Combined Internal Medicine and Pediatrics at the University of Rochester.  In 2002 she joined the medical staff at Baystate Children's Hospital and developed the Pediatric Weight Management Program aimed at the treatment and prevention of childhood obesity.  She is actively involved in several Springfield community based coalitions targeting healthy eating and physical activity including Live Well Springfield and the Families Improving Together Advisory Board.