Newton, Mass – The Room to Dream Foundation, a Boston-based non-profit organization dedicated to creating healing environments for children and adolescents suffering from chronic illnesses, is pleased to announce the appointment of Kevin Sullivan (Easton, MA), James “JR” Richardson (Waltham, MA), Nessan Bermingham (Boston, MA), and Susan Mackiewicz (Sudbury, MA), to their Board of Directors.
Kevin Sullivan is the Vice President of Shawmut Design and Construction (Boston, MA) where he began as an Assistant Project Manager 18 years ago. Kevin brings years of experience to Room to Dream working with local colleges and universities, leading on construction projects such as administrative offices, fast track dining renovations, and historic/preservation projects. He has worked with Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Tufts University, and other colleges and universities.
James “JR” Richardson is a consultant with the Bostonian Group (Boston, MA) where he is responsible for delivering benefit solutions to companies and organizations throughout New England. Before starting at the Bostonian Group, JR worked as a retirement counselor for Fidelity Investments. He brings over 10 years of experience to The Room to Dream Foundation focusing on building strong, long lasting relationships with a wide variety of clients.
Nessan Bermingham is the founding CEO of Meltemi BioTherapeutics (Cambridge, MA). Nessan has extensive experience in healthcare investing and managing companies’ investments as a partner at Omega Funds and Atlas Venture. He received his PhD in molecular biology from Imperial College London and later became a Howard Hughes Associate Fellow at Baylor College of Medicine.
Susan Mackiewicz is a vice president in Human Resources with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts. An experienced HR executive having served at the VP and Sr. VP levels focusing in the areas of compensation, benefits and HR systems, Susan has worked in a number of industries including high tech, biopharmaceutical and healthcare, and is a graduate of UMass Dartmouth.
In response to his appointment JR Richardson states that, “The Room to Dream Foundation touched a personal cord for me because I have seen the effect a child’s illness can have on a family. I strongly believe in the mission of our organization and consider it both an honor and a privilege to be elected as a new member of the board.”
Kevin Sullivan expressed similar feelings, “As the father of two, The Room to Dream Foundation’s mission is just so natural to get behind and support. As a member of the Shawmut Design and Construction family, I’m also proud to continue the partnership our company has had with this excellent organization.”
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to join such an exciting and impactful board. It is rare to be able to participate in a foundation like The Room to Dream Foundation, that has had such a profound impact on the quality of life for sick children through a simple concept”, stated Nessan Bermingham.
Susan Mackiewicz notes, “I am so pleased to be part of a team that creates uplifting environments for children with chronic illnesses. A positive environment can power the minds of children and give them that much more strength for their journey.”
Chairman of the board, Stefan M. Nathanson is thrilled to have Richardson, Sullivan, Bermingham and Mackiewicz join the board, stating “JR, Kevin, Nessan, and Susan will give a fresh breath of life to the board with their combined years of experience in networking, development and planning. Their passion and dedication will help us bring joy to the lives of the chronically ill children we work with.”
The Room to Dream Foundation focuses its services on children and families living in low- and moderate-income urban and suburban areas. The foundation raises funds to purchase furnishings and supplies tailored to the specific needs of the child and family. It then relies on the caring generosity of professional and amateur artists, interior designers, builders and others who volunteer their time to transform living spaces to give children and adolescents room to dream of a healthier future. As they recuperate and recover, the hope is that their renovated spaces will improve their quality of life, promote strength, imagination, self-worth, and aid in their recovery processes. The foundation typically undertakes six to eight projects a year relying entirely on donations and volunteer work.