Board of Directors for 2019

Grace Murphy-McAuliffe is a financial services executive who spent 25 plus years in the world of commercial banking, and she has strong connections to the City of Quincy. She is currently the Director of Finance, Administration and Leased Housing for the Quincy Housing Authority, a position she has held for the past five years and which serves over 3,000 households with an annual operating/subsidy budget of $37 million. She is also the President of Quincy Parks Conservancy, a private not-for-profit organization that advocates for Quincy’s parks and open space. In addition to her background in finance, Grace has more than 15 years of experience in health care administration and governance, having served on the board of Quincy Medical Center for 10 years, with the last three years as its chairperson. Her past board experience also includes the Massachusetts Hospital Association and Bay State Community Services. Grace serves on the Manet Board’s QIPI, Philanthropy and Executive Committees.

Lawrence “Larry” Flanagan, now retired, was a senior information technology professional with experience including managing information system teams supporting business operations for BJ’s Wholesale Clubs, Stop & Shop, Hills Department Stores, the CCS companies, through Alliance Consulting – Gateway and PC Connection. He is a graduate of Quincy College with a degree in Computer Science. Larry serves as the Chair for the Board’s QI/PI Committee and also sits on the Human Resources Committee.

Stephen Keches joined the Manet Board in January 2017. He is a senior operations executive with global experience in manufacturing and supply chain operations. He currently serves as General Manager at ATI Flowform Products and has experience as an independent management consultant helping small and mid-sized companies to identify, prioritize and implement operational improvements during periods of growth and transition. In addition to serving on the Executive Committee, Steve is the Finance Committee Chair.

Ivan Wong first got to know Manet Community Health Center through his Cantonese-speaking grandparents, accompanying them to appointments and serving as translator. As a result, Wong became a Manet patient himself at the North Quincy practice site. “I was impressed with the high level of services my grandparents received. The Manet staff was always so kind and amazing.“
Wong earned his Bachelors of Arts in Political Science from Syracuse University in New York and his law degree at the New England Law Boston, Class of 2016. Wong served as an Administrative Aide to MA State Senator Michael W. Morrissey and moved with him when he became Norfolk County District Attorney, serving as a Victim Witness/Advocate. He now is a criminal defense attorney. His interest in community development extends to the Manet Board of Directors, which he joined in 2009. Wong is the Chair of the Bylaws Committee and sits on the Executive and Board Development Committees.

A resident of Fall River, Anne is a graduate of Taunton High School. She holds Bachelor of Arts in psychology from Southeastern Massachusetts University (now UMass Dartmouth), a Master of Arts in agency counseling from Rhode Island College and a Master of Science in managerial technology from Johnson and Wales University. Now enjoying retirement, Anne formerly served as the Director of Department of Human Services and Council on Aging for the City of Taunton and as such was active on numerous community task forces and advisory committees, including the Taunton Safe Neighborhood Initiative, Taunton Opiate and Substance Use Task Force, the Elder Community Crisis Intervention Team, Bristol Elder Services Advisory Council, South Coast Regional Network to End Homelessness Leadership Council, Taunton Emergency Task Force, South East Regional Coordinating Council on Transportation, TRIAD, Massachusetts Councils on Aging and Senior Centers, Massachusetts Municipal Association Human Services Council and many others. Anne serves on the Human Resources and Strategic Planning Committees of the Board.

John Brothers believes in bringing people together to build a stronger community. “What I find most rewarding, what drives my passion, is connecting and engaging people,” he says. A member of the Manet Board of Directors since 2000, he has made a career of community development. John moved to Massachusetts in 1997 after earning a degree in International Relations and working with the YMCA in Washington, D.C. He is Senior Director of Workforce Development Strategy for the MA Biotechnology Education Foundation and has served as Executive Director of the Education and Training Branch at YMCA of Greater Boston, Executive Director of Quincy Asian Resources, Inc. (QARI), and Associate Executive Director of the South Shore YMCA in Quincy. John is the Chair of the Board Development Committee, helping to recruit new members who reflect the diverse South Shore community.

Samantha holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Boston University and currently works as a business analyst for healthcare systems at NTT DATA Services. She joined the Manet Board of Directors in 2019 and serves on the Board’s Quality Improvement/Process Improvement Committee.

Quincy resident Zachary Eaton uses the business and finance skills he honed at Bentley University in the automotive industry, currently serving as general manager for Newton Automotive. He also uses these considerable skills in volunteer pursuits. He tutors students at Quincy College in Micro/Macro Economics, Business Ethics, International Business and Intro to Business and at his alma mater Quincy High School, he started the “Academic Development Award” scholarship for students who struggled their first year or two in high school and then turned things around. Zach serves on the Board Finance Committee.

John Galluzzo is the grant manager for Codman Square Health Center. An experienced naturalist who documents the beauty and history of the South Shore region, John is the author of more than 35 books on history and nature, including Half An Hour A Day Across Massachusetts, for which he took a half an hour nature walk in each of Massachusetts’ 351 towns within one calendar year. He is a member of the federally-appointed Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council, a freelance contributor to various publications, including the Hull Times and South Shore Living magazine, and is heard regularly on 95.9 WATD FM. A resident of Hanover, John has been a member of the Manet Board of Directors since January 2011 and serves as the Strategic Planning Chair and on the Finance Committee. He is a patient at Manet’s Hull practice site.

Robert J. Griffin joined Boston-based Krokidas & Bluestein LLP in 1985 and served as managing partner until his retirement in 2021. His legal practice concentrated on health care, non-profit, administrative and corporate law. His clients include teaching and community hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, community health centers, senior living communities, community-based human service organizations, physicians and allied health professionals. Earlier in his career, Bob held several positions in Massachusetts state government, including Chairman of the Massachusetts Rate Setting Commission. He has been recognized by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health for his work protecting residents of troubled nursing facilities and he was recognized in the 2014 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America.

“Health care law is ultimately about attorneys helping people,” says Bob, who joined the Manet Board in 2011. He serves on the boards of several non-profit and community institutions, including Marian Manor, St. Patrick’s Manor, and S Bank. A graduate of Trinity College. Bob earned a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Massachusetts and his Juris Doctor degree from Suffolk Law School. In addition to serving on the Executive Committee, Bob is the Chair of the Compliance Committee.

A member of the Manet of Directors since 2019, Dr. Hovaizi is the owner and a practicing dentist at Lumiere Dental Spa in Quincy. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Virginia and her Doctorate of Dental Surgery from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Dentistry. Dr. Hovaizi is a member of the American Dental Association and the Massachusetts Dental Society. She serves on the QI/PI committee of the Board.

Linda Kelly brings multiple perspectives to her work on the Manet Board of Directors—as a mother of three children, a patient coping with multiple sclerosis (MS), and a disability advocate. Linda has been a member of the Board since 2006 and chairs the Human Resources committee. Linda’s civic involvement is longstanding. She is Vice President and a past president of the City of Quincy Disability Commission. In addition, she served as city-wide President of the Quincy Public Schools Parent Teacher Association and on the board of Quincy Community Action Programs. Linda also volunteers as a peer advocate and speaker for the National MS Society, Greater New England Chapter. In June 2019, Linda was named the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers’ 2019 Outstanding Board Member.

An experienced nursing professional with deep roots in the Quincy community, Jane served as the Prevention and Wellness Trust Fund Coordinator for the Quincy Health Department, working closely with Manet and other community partners to implement prevention and wellness programs in Quincy as part of the Quincy Weymouth Wellness Initiative. Previously, and of significance, Jane worked for Quincy Public Schools for 26 years, serving first as a school nurse and, most recently as Coordinator of Health Services. She earned her Master of Science in Community Health Nursing at Boston University and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from Boston College. Jane serves on the Board QI/PI Committee.

Donna Maher is a health care executive with extensive leadership experience in operations, quality improvement and patient experience. Since her retirement in 2018, she has served as a consultant for health systems, both locally and across the country. Previously, she spent 18 years with Morton Hospital in Taunton, MA, starting as Director of Performance Improvement, then Vice President of Professional Services/Patient Safety Officer, and most recently as Chief Operating Officer. Her career also includes executive positions at Metrowest Medical Center in Framingham, MA, and Good Samaritan Medical Center.

She holds an Associate of Nursing Degrees from Laboure College, as well as a Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Public Administration & Health Care Administration from Suffolk University. Maher is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Donna serves on the Board QI/PI Committee.

Joseph (Joe) Reardon has been a member of the Manet Board of Directors since 2007. He served as Board President from 2010-2013 and 2015-2016, during which time he helped oversee implementation of Manet’s Strategic Plan and Manet’s growing public engagement. He serves as the Chair for Manet’s Philanthropy Committee and on the Executive and Board Development Committees. Joe believes in giving back and in everyone contributing to make a stronger community. “I think we are all called to participate,” he says. “We are absolutely a greater force working together.” He is Vice President for Community Development and Advance Planning at Keohane Funeral Home in Quincy, Weymouth and Hingham. His civic involvement includes membership on the Norfolk County Advisory Board. He is former president of the Quincy Lions Club, a former board member of Quincy Asian Resources Inc., and active in his church.

Karen Ward currently serves as the Regulatory Document Compliance Manager for the Bill & Melinda Gates Medical Research Institute. Previously, she was a Nonclinical Scientific Writer/Editor at Alnylam Pharmaceuticals. However, she spent most of her career as an early discovery neuroscientist at Pfizer Worldwide Research and Development in Groton, CT and Cambridge, MA.

She earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychobiology (Neuroscience) at Trinity College, and graduate certificates in Nonprofit Management and Biopharmaceutical Domestic Regulatory Affairs from Northeastern University. She also served on the board of Sound Community Services in New London, CT. Karen’s interests include fine dining, wine, and international travel (which she hopes to resume soon.) She lives in Quincy with her husband Mark and her two rescue cats, Ginger and Toni. Karen serves on the Board’s Philanthropy Committee.

Cynthia Sierra brings a wealth of experience in health care, mental health, neuropsychology and social services administration to her role as Chief Executive Officer at Manet Community Health Center. She assumed this position in January of 2016 after serving as Acting CEO since July 2016.

Cynthia has been an integral member of Manet’s senior leadership team since 2008, serving in a number of key roles, including Senior Director of Public Policy, Public Affairs and Program Development and as Interim Chief Executive Officer in 2014. Throughout her tenure at Manet, she has contributed to Manet’s strategic growth in facilities, service area, coalitions, affiliations and service lines – all with the goal of ensuring unfettered access to quality health care to patients of all ages.

Cynthia serves as a member of the Boston Medical Center Board (BMC) of Trustees; the BMC Health System/BACO Joint Operating Committee; and the board of directors for Boston HealthNet and Boston Accountable Care Organization (BACO). She is a member of the Assembly of Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers; the Massachusetts Department of Children & Families, Area Advisory Board; and the Health Advisory Board for the Old Colony YMCA. She also serves on numerous other local and regional boards, roundtables and service organizations. In 2021, Cynthia was named among the Commonwealth Heroine Class of 2021 by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.

Prior to joining Manet, Cynthia served as the Executive Director at the Dianne DeVanna Center in Braintree. Cynthia attended the University of Massachusetts and graduated with dual majors and distinction in English and Psychology and then went on to receive her Master’s degree in Clinical Psychology at Lesley University in Cambridge. Cynthia is a graduate of the Massachusetts Institute of Community Health Leadership and an active volunteer in her community.