Board of Directors

Meet the Falmouth VIPS Board of Directors

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, Falmouth VIPS has a Board of Directors. The board meets monthly throughout the school year. The role of the Board of Directors is to help fulfill the organization mission, which is: To enrich the lives of students by promoting volunteerism, creating impactful programs, and forging community partnerships. The VIPS Board is made up of individuals from the community with an interest in education, youth, and community service. Membership includes a liaison from the school committee and the faculty. Member terms are three years and members may serve two consecutive terms. Members of the executive committee serve one-year terms and can be re-appointed for the duration of their term.

Falmouth VIPS Board Members (L to R): Liz Lerner, Pauline Peters, Carrie Shanahan, Drawde Geishecker, Tracey Crago, Claudia Nimar, Terri Medeiros, Susan Roman, Kristian Andrade, Beth Thompson, Akku Patel. Back row: Todd Bidwell, Kitty Muse. Not pictured: Megan English Braga, Kevin Klauer, Carolyn Woods

VIPS Board of Directors Executive Committee, 2022-23

Carrie Shanahan

President

Carrie is in her 24th year as Physical Education Teacher at Teaticket Elementary. She earned her B.A. in Education and Coaching at Bridgewater State College and her M.S. from Lesley University. Carrie is co-director for the Falmouth Education Foundation's 5K Race, head coach for the FHS Spring Golf Team, and assists with several Teaticket PTO committees. Carrie volunteers for the After Prom Party, numerous sports and school fundraisers. She has received many grants and awards for health, wellness and safety projects.

Kevin Klauer

Vice-President

Kevin is an attorney with Ament Klauer LLP in Falmouth. He earned his B.A. in political science from University of New Hampshire and his J.D. from Suffolk University Law School. He is married to Meghan Klauer and they are parents of three sons and a daughter. Kevin is a past board member of Falmouth Historical Society and Cape Cod Center for Women. Kevin says his favorite teacher was J. Michael Parker, who taught him AP History in his junior year.

Immediate Past-President

Todd is General Manager of the Island Queen Ferry. He is a town meeting member, past VP of Falmouth Chamber of Commerce, past president for Wings for Falmouth Families; past president of Meeting Professionals International NE Chapter. He is a board member for the Falmouth Preservation Alliance and Cape Cod Apartments; a member of the strategic planning committees for Historic Highfield, Falmouth Museums on the Green, and a member of Friends of Andrews Farm. He is a corporator for Martha's Vineyard Bank.

Susan Roman

Treasurer

Susan grew up in Falmouth and earned a B.A. in Economics from Boston College and a law degree from Boston College Law School. Susan worked for Price Waterhouse Coopers in Boston and Philadelphia before returning to Falmouth. Susan practiced law for 12 years before returning to the financial industry. She earned her Certified Financial Planner™ marks and is a licensed Investment Advisor Representative. Susan owns Roman Retirement Planning, LLC. She serves on the Board for the Falmouth Housing Trust, is a member of the Mashpee Chamber of Commerce and Falmouth Rotary Club.

Liz Lerner

Secretary

Liz is a Producer/Announcer for WCAI, local NPR, Cape Coast and Islands and a producer for community television. Liz earned her B.A. from Stonehill College and her master's in journalism from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Liz and her husband have two children in Falmouth schools. She is active in the Mullen-Hall Elementary PTO, volunteers for several school programs and events including Arts Alive and the Outdoor Learning committee. She coaches rec soccer. Liz served on the board for Falmouth STEM Boosters, West Falmouth Preschool (recording secretary), and was a juror for the Woods Hole Film Festival.

VIPS Board of Directors, 2022-23

"I enjoy the overwhelming willingness that community members show by investing in the future of our youth."

Kristian Andrade

Kristian is Vice President of Longfellow Design Build. He has a B.S. in business administration from Southern New Hampshire University. He was born and raised in Falmouth and is married to Stephanie Andrade. He has three daughters who all attend Falmouth Public Schools. Kristian's favorite teacher was Mr. Kelleher who he had for 8th grade history. He credits Mr. VonHentschel, his industrial arts teacher at FHS, for motivating and encouraging him, and going 'above and beyond' for his students. Kristian received the 2019 Prism Award for Most Valuable Team Member for a builder or remodeler.

"VIPS sees the potential in every student."

Megan English Braga

Megan is a private practice attorney in Falmouth. She earned her B.S. from Wellesley College, her Ed.M. from Harvard University, and her J.D. from Suffolk University Law School. Prior to practicing law, Megan was an educator, after-school program coordinator, and special needs advocate. Megan worked as a student support counselor in Boston Public Schools, collaborating with Mass General Hospital and Harvard University to promote positive development and implement intervention services for low-income students and their families. Megan is married with a college bound senior and a soon to be first grader. Megan is a member of the Falmouth Select Board and previous member of Falmouth Finance Committee. In addition to VIPS, Megan is a member of the Falmouth Academy Board of Trustees and the Portuguese American Association of Falmouth. Megan's favorite teacher was Otis Porter who taught 7th grade history at Lawrence School.

Terri Medeiros

Terri grew up in Falmouth and after graduating from Lawrence High School, she attended UMass where she received both a B.A. and M.Ed. in French and Education. After college, she moved to Germany and was hired to work for Rosenthal China Company. She enjoyed living in Europe but she missed Falmouth and returned and married her high school sweetheart. Terri went on to teach French and German in Falmouth Public Schools. Upon retirement from the FEA, she taught for ten more years at a local Catholic High School. Terri can't imagine not being involved with education, so she is currently a member of the Falmouth School Committee. She is also a Town Meeting Member in Falmouth.

VIPS Volunteer 'a-ha' moment: "The day I realized that my ability to listen was what my mentee needed most from me."

Kitty Muse

Kitty is an aide at North Falmouth Elementary School and a realtor. A Falmouth native, Kitty graduated from FHS and has a B.S. in Nutrition. In addition to her volunteer work with VIPS, served as a teaching assistant and coach for field hockey, basketball and softball. She is currently hosting a foreign exchange student. She is married to Peter Muse and they have three sons and one very adorable granddaughter. Kitty and her husband are frequent Disney vacationers. They love to travel, doing road trips around New England and short flights to Bermuda. They also collect cars, with six in the current collection ranging from new to antique. Kitty says her favorite professor was Tom Richards at Keene State, who taught nutrition and was responsible for changing her course of study. Kitty's favorite VIPS experience is mentoring.

"VIPS provides the support so doors will not be closed, and dreams are made possible."

Claudia Nimar

Claudia is a community organizer. She retired to Falmouth from Concord, MA with her husband. They have two grown children. Claudia earned her B.S. from the University of Rhode Island. She volunteers with Cape Cod Theatre Project and Highfield Hall and serves on the Nobska Light Advisory Board, the Falmouth Associates Advisory Board, and the board of The Boston Club. Claudia's favorite VIPS program is the College Mentoring Program because it supports college bound students, many of whom will be the first in their family to go to college.

Akku Patel

Akku is the owner of Jack in the Beanstalk. He is married to Denisha Patel; they have a daughter Anya, who is at Lawrence School, and an Australian labradoodle named Peanut. Akku has lived in Falmouth since 2003 when he purchased the Main Street 711. He says he fell in love with the town when he first visited in 2002 and enjoys the “tight knit community where a lot of people help each other out.” Akku is a member of the Falmouth Rod & Gun Club where he also serves as security chair, and the Masonic Lodge. Akku received the Retailers Initiative Award from 711. He attended NJCU for computer science and is certified in both MCSE and UNIX admin. His favorite teacher was Mrs. Hennessey at Dickinson High School in Jersey City, NJ.

Pauline Peters

Pauline is a native Cape Codder; she was born in Hyannis but moved to Falmouth at the age of two. She says she loves the small town feel that Falmouth has. Growing up in Falmouth, Pauline enjoys having lots of family close by and can’t see herself living anywhere else. Pauline is the owner of a local business, Falmouth Dog Grooming. She is certified groomer and was honored as top groomer for the Upper Cape by Cape Cod Magazine. She has two sons who attended Falmouth schools, Kevin and Nathan. Pauline volunteers with the Harbor Kids program and faith family kitchen at Harbor Church. She helps serve Thanksgiving meals through Falmouth Service Center and was an Arts Alive volunteer in Falmouth schools. Thinking back to her time as a student in Falmouth, Pauline says her favorite teacher was Ellen Barol, who she credits with encouraging her and serving as a positive influence. “She always believed in me and was there to cheer me on. I appreciate her so much,” she says.

Beth Thompson

Beth is a Wealth Management Officer at Cape Cod Five Bank. She is a Certified Trust Financial Advisor and an Accredited Fiduciary Investment Manager. Beth is involved with the Housing Assistance Corporation and the Credit for Life Fair. She is a member of the Estate Planning Council of Cape Cod.

"VIPS gives children opportunities and tools to build self-esteem and helps guide them to be successful young adults."

Carolyn Woods

Carolyn was born and raised in Falmouth. She is retired from her role as owner of Ideal Floor and Decor. She serves as president of the Falmouth Fireworks and serves on the board of Cape Cod Apartments. While her three children were young, she was a regular volunteer at Teaticket Elementary School and now helps out with her grandchildren, who attend North Falmouth and Morse Pond. Carolyn's favorite teacher at FHS was Mr. Watson, her business teacher.