Laurie Sweet, President
I am thrilled to be serving on the WCNS Board for a fourth year. Before the birth of my daughter, Olivia, I was an adjunct professor of Art History. For the last six years, I have been working as a birth doula. When my daughter visited WCNS, we couldn't get her to leave the open house. Our family has watched her blossom here, under the careful guidance and love of the teachers, and we are thankful every day that we are part of this wonderfully supportive community. Now, we are enjoying having our son attend WCNS, too!
I am thrilled to be serving on the WCNS Board for a fourth year. Before the birth of my daughter, Olivia, I was an adjunct professor of Art History. For the last six years, I have been working as a birth doula. When my daughter visited WCNS, we couldn't get her to leave the open house. Our family has watched her blossom here, under the careful guidance and love of the teachers, and we are thankful every day that we are part of this wonderfully supportive community. Now, we are enjoying having our son attend WCNS, too!
Jes Mack, Vice President
I grew up on Alden Street, here in Westville, and am so happy to have returned with my family to call Westville home again! WCNS is an amazing place that fosters the kinds of exploration, kindness and play that have been invaluable to our family. We have three kids, Jasper (6), Otto (4) & Nero (8 months) and as a parent to littles I always hoped to find other parents that were like minded to both commiserate & celebrate the moments that make up these hectic-but-worth-it early years. At WCNS we have found both ‘our people’ and a place that our kids can thrive, take risks & be fully supported by an amazing staff! Apart from my work with WCNS, I manage the Yale Baroque Opera Project, am a freelance teaching artist and core-member of A Broken Umbrella Theatre.
Lisa Desfosses, Treasurer
My husband, Matt, and I love raising our family in Westville -- we moved here almost seven years ago. Today, we have three kiddos -- Meghan (5), Allie (3), and Tyler (he's brand new). WCNS has been nothing short of incredible. Both the director and the teachers are friendly, loving, thoughtful, and incredibly committed to each child's success in the program. They take the time to get to know each family and really come to love each child for the person that they are. The program is thoughtfully structured, developmentally appropriate, and - best of all - fun! And the school does a wonderful job of fostering a strong, positive community spirit in the neighborhood. We feel lucky to have such a great group of neighborhood families as friends. It's fun to see everyone at preschool, at the farmer's market, at a local cafe, or waving hi from each others' front stoops. On the professional front, I handle real estate, construction and capital financing for a charter school network.
Ann Finateri-Laist, Secretary
Hi, I am Ann Finateri-Laist and I am excited to be serving on the WCNS board. My husband, Randy, and I are long-time New Haven residents. Our son, Tony, is finishing up two years at WCNS, and our daughter, Sharilyn, will be there soon. I have lived and traveled extensively in both West Africa and Latin America, and I’ve loved being able to come in and share stories and songs from around the world with the children. The WCNS program is amazing, the teachers are loving and dedicated, and the school really does feel like a family. We feel so fortunate to be a part of the WCNS community. Prior to having children, I worked for several years as a public school teacher. I currently work part-time as an adjunct instructor of art history for Goodwin College, and in my spare time I like to play trivia, sing in a women’s choir, and strum a few chords on the ukulele.
Christina Amato, Fundraising
I have lived in Westville my whole life and I'm super excited that my children get to be part of such a great community. The older I get the more I appreciate all that New Haven and Westville have to offer. It is truly a unique city. My husband and I have two children. Our oldest, Juliana is 3 and our youngest, Nico just turned 1. Juliana started WCNS this past February and we have loved watching her grow and mature under the guidance of such loving and nurturing teachers. The teachers and direct truly take the time to get to know each family and to make every child feel special. As a second grade teacher myself, I know the hard work and time that goes into truly getting to know each child, and I feel so lucky that my daughter and all the children of WCNS get to experience this. In my spare time I enjoy taking long walks with my family and dog.
Lesley Frame, Technical Support
We moved to Westville when Coby was a year old and his big brother, Sam, was four. My husband, Steve, and I love the community of Westville, and WCNS is a wonderful embodiment of the Westville spirit. We have had our kids attend five different nurseries and pre-schools, and WCNS is truly unique in the way that parents are drawn into the classroom and pre-school family. When I am not doing IT for WCNS, I am an Associate Professor in the School of Engineering at the University of Bridgeport, but you can also find me gardening, baking, sewing, or building kid play structures in the backyard.
Ana Henriques Flis, Family Activities
Hi there! I moved to New Haven with my husband Nathan and son Jonah two and a half years ago, from Ontario, Canada. We welcomed Izzy into this world shortly after arriving. A once-upon-a-time highschool art teacher, I now work from home and continue to make art and teach. It wasn't until Jonah started attending WCNS that we really felt a part of a community. There is great warmth and kindness at the school and always wonderful conversation. I so look forward to welcoming new families the way we have been welcomed. On the weekends, you can find my brood adventuring, combing the beaches for treasures and antiquing. When I have a quiet minute, I love to craft and bake and endeavor to make all the things!
Keith Wallman, Publicity
I am a senior editor at Lyons Press in nearby Guilford, where I publish books in American history and sports. My wife Sarah and I are raising two boys in New Haven. Our oldest is in his second year at WCNS, and our youngest will be there soon. We are so thankful to be part of the nurturing and always fun WCNS community.
Kim Davies, Community Representative
This coming year will be my 7th year serving on the Board! My loving husband and I live on Alden Ave with our twin boys, Paul and Eric and our daughter, Julia. Julia had the pleasure of attending WCNS for two years and loved every minute of it! She still insists on visiting, and is currently attending Edgewood Magnet School. Before becoming a Community Representative, I served as the Family Activities Chair; it gives me great pleasure to continue to serve on the Board.
Carroll Possick, Community Representative
My husband, Stan, and I have lived in Westville for 44 years. Our two sons, now in their 40’s, attended Westville Community Nursery School in “the old days”, and I served on the WCNS Board for some of those years. I am a retired Director (and formerly a teacher) of The Children’s Preschool. My retirement life is busy with grandmother duties and serving as the Early Childhood Consultant to 4 New Haven early childhood programs. I also enjoy being active in the New Haven Association for the Education of Young Children. It is wonderful to see how WCNS has continued to flourish.
