Camp Leadership

Meet Our Team

Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA has a dedicated team of camping professionals who work year-round to bring the vision of our camps to life. In the off-season, we are based out of our administration office on Hamilton Road. In the summer, you’ll find us in the camps, connecting with campers and parents, singing along to Dining Hall songs, and supporting our incredible team of seasonal staff.

A LETTER FROM OUR CEO

For over 50 years, Becket-Chimney Corners has been my second home. In 1973, I came to Chimney Corners as a shy and homesick camper. That first summer I overcame my homesickness and went on to spend 9 more summers at Chimney Corners. Becket-Chimney Corners is where I found my self-confidence and discovered and developed my leadership skills. After camp, I graduated from Tufts University, earned an MBA from Bentley University, and spent 35 years working in financial services.  Throughout that time, camp was never far from my heart. I stayed in touch and had the privilege to serve on the Board for 16 years. I watched both of my children (now adults) grow up through the programs as campers and seasonal staff members. Like me, they too have experienced the lifelong impact of camp – from the careers they’ve chosen to the deep friendships that they’ve maintained well past their camper years.   
From all of us here at BCCYMCA, we hope you will join us and experience the magic of our summer programs.
Amy Gutschenritter
CEO

Facilities

Don Chaffee

Waste Water Treatment & Drinking Water Operator


read bio +

Kevin Smith

Carpenter/Maintenance Associate


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Pablo Yong

Maintenance & Custodial Supervisor


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Board of Trustees

LUIS AGUILERA

Elected 2018
bio coming soon +

DAVID LIND

Elected 2023
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LEE RUDY

Elected 2022
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DAVID RUFF

Elected 2017
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DEREK TATE

Elected 2020
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JEN TODD

Elected 2023
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SAVI TUBER

Elected 2024
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Amy Hurwitz Gutschenritter

Chief Executive Officer

Amy Hurwitz Gutschenritter has a life-long connection with Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA, beginning in the 1970s-1980s as a camper, LIT and staff member. Amy served on the Board of Trustees for sixteen years, including as Board Chair and co-chair of the successful Changing Lives: The Campaign For Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA.

 

Her daughter Libby and son Matthew have collectively spent nearly thirty summers at BCCYMCA, as campers, LITs, counselors, Ad Staff and BOC staff. Amy has over 25 years of experience as a senior executive in global financial institutions, including leadership positions in strategy, client management, operations, technology and marketing/communications.
Amy is a graduate of Tufts University and earned an MBA from Bentley University.

Christine Kalakay

Chief Financial Officer
Chief Financial Officer, Christine Kalakay, joined Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA by way of the YMCA of Norwalk (CT) where she was their Chief Financial Officer for four years. A graduate of Fairfield University, Christine worked in Finance at IBM, Textron, and Lord & Taylor until segueing to the YMCA where she represented the Westport YMCA (CT) and the Greater Boston YMCA. Skiing and travel are her two favorite pastimes and generally anything involving water as her astrological sign is Pisces.

Matt Scholl

Executive Director of Operations

Matt Scholl joined Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA in June 2019. Previously, Matt was the Director of Programs & Manice Education Center Director, at Christodora Inc., where he led all aspects of Christodora’s award winning programs in New York City and in the Berkshires. He and his team engaged over 80 classrooms across 25-30 partner schools, and reached approximately 3,000 middle school and high school youth per year in outdoor and environmental education and leadership training. Matt has also lead experiential learning and outdoor programs for the Pressley Ridge School. A graduate of Westminster College, Matt is an avid fly-fisherman and active in his community, currently serving as the President of the Massachusetts Camping Association Board. Matt’s passion for the outdoors stemmed from being a Wilderness Education Association Certified Outdoor Leader. Matt and his wife Sara have three children who are excited to join the BCCYMCA family as Camp Becket, Chimney Corners, and Becket Day Camp campers.

Alysa Austin

Executive Director of Community Engagement and Inclusion

Alysa joined BCCYMCA in 2010 as the Program Director for the Travel and Service Programs. She oversaw TSP for ten years before starting her new role as the Executive Director of Community Engagement and Inclusion.

 

Alysa grew up in the Berkshires and holds a bachelor’s in Experiential Education from Hobart and William Smith Colleges and an MSM in Organizational Leadership from Marlboro College. Her interests in alternative education have taken her around the globe from teaching English in Laos to volunteering in a Danish kindergarten. She has lived in South America, South East Asia, and Scandinavia and has worked in a wide range of educational institutions including public after-school programs, an independent news outlet, and a kayaking company where she led tours of coastal Maine. When not working, you can find Alysa cooking, making art, and exploring new places near and far.

Joanne Salus

Human Resources Director

Joanne Salus(she/her/hers) is the Human Resources Director for Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA. She will serve as Diversity & Inclusion Advocate for summer programs. Prior to joining BCCYMCA, she was the human resources business leader for a multi-state non-profit human service organization that serves adults with disabilities. Joanne earned a masters degree in organizational development with a concentration in social justice education from the University of Massachusetts. She taught English as a second language in Japan for several years after graduating from Oberlin College in Ohio. Joanne’s passion for social justice and equity work is at the heart of her family and professional life. Joanne lives with her wife, Joanna, and their sons, Calvin and Treyvon.

Jodi joined Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA with over twenty years of experience in the accounting field. Her specific areas of interest are rooted in the human service and resort sectors stemming from prior experience with Berkshire Children & Families, the CYC, Jiminy Peak and Canyon Ranch.

 

She holds a bachelor of science in business administration with a concentration in accounting and a minor in finance from North Adams State College, now MCLA. Jodi has fond ties to the Becket area where she spent vacations with her family during her early years and is still amazed by the natural beauty found in the Berkshires.

 

Jodi lives in Pittsfield with her husband Bruce and has two grown daughters, Mikaela and Makenzi.

Kim Raftery

Development Operations Specialist

Kim Raftery joined BCCYMCA in 2010 as the Development Operations Specialist. With over 25 years of progressive non-profit operations and development experience, Kim is instrumental in the behind-the-scenes work of fundraising and community engagement. Kim has a Bachelor of Science degree from Westfield State College (now Westfield State University), double majoring in Mass Communications and Geography and Regional Planning. Her previous experience includes positions at her alma mater, Northern Berkshire Healthcare, and Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. While at Northern Berkshire Healthcare, she coordinated the $12 million CARE Capital Campaign for North Adams Regional Hospital. An equestrienne, Kim also worked at several professional horse stables in the northeast early in her career. She is proud to be a fifth-generation Becket resident, living on family property with her husband.

Sara Dolan

Community Engagement Coordinator

Sara grew up in Connecticut and after numerous summers as a former camper, staff member, and Alumni Council member, she joined the full-time team in November of 2022 as Community Engagement Coordinator.


Sara graduated from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 2018 with a Bachelor of Arts in English and a minor in Comparative Literature. After graduating, Sara worked in the field of education as a teacher for a variety of grades between elementary and high school, as well as a program coordinator for a quasi-governmental organization that provides grant funding to businesses across Massachusetts.


She is so excited to be joining the team at Becket-Chimney Corners and to work closely with the BCCYMCA community to keep the magic of camp alive year-round! When not working, you can find Sara on the hunt for good food around Boston, seeing live music, and spending time with her tiny dog and large cat.

amanda brooks

Operations Coordinator

Amanda Brooks joined Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA as Operations Coordinator with over a decade of expertise in maintenance and property preservation. Based in the scenic city of Pittsfield, Amanda has become an essential figure in her field, thanks to her ability to handle complex projects and her dedication to ensuring that properties are well-maintained and preserved. Over the years, Amanda has built a reputation as a skilled problem-solver who can quickly identify issues and develop effective solutions to overcome them.

 

Amanda is an active member of her community, where she enjoys spending time with her family and exploring the great outdoors on her ATV. Her commitment to her work and her passions is reflected in her dedication to achieving success both in her professional and personal life, with her strong work ethic and problem-solving skills.

ALINE FERRIS

Registar Financial Aid Administrator

Aline began her 12+ years with Becket-Chimney Corners as the Camp Becket Registrar, before moving into her current role as the BCCYMCA Senior registrar and Financial Aid Administrator. She has been married for over 40 years to her husband John, and has four children and six grandchildren: three of which are attending Chimney Corners! Aline also has a 5 year old dog Neleh (which is Helen backwards in honor of her husband’s grandmother). When not working, you can find Aline ice fishing on Rudd pond in the winter as her husband grew up in Becket, fished Rudd as a child and played with the Smith children–but never attended camp! She also spends most of her time with her family and friends at their home on top of Windsor mountain, where they live on 12 acres and we cultivate blueberries and raspberries. She even has a great recipe for the best homemade bourbon cherries!

Elisabeth Anderson

Payroll and Accounting Specialist

Elisabeth (Beth) joined the Y as Payroll and Accounting Specialist in March, 2024. Beth made the move to the Berkshires a year ago from the Greater Boston area. While in the Boston area, she was employed at several high-tech start-ups, handling bookkeeping and HR functions for high-growth companies. Originally from Wisconsin, Beth happily makes the Berkshires her home, and enjoys outdoor sports and renovation projects on her fixer in Becket.

Polly

Polly Lyman

Director of Philanthropy

As our Director of Philanthropy, Polly brings decades of development experience supporting cultural and educational organizations. She first learned about the magic of YMCA overnight camp when her son was a camper in NH.

“Each and every day brings something new that you didn’t see coming and that’s why I like this job. It’s dynamic,” says Dan Berg, Assistant Director since 2008 for Camp Becket. A 25+ year veteran of Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA, Dan has graduated from camper, counselor, Assistant Program Director, Frontier Village Director, and Inter-Departmental Liaison. He has been the Director of both the Fall Foliage Family Camp and Becket Family Camp, as well as worked for the Berkshire Outdoor Center and Winter Camp.

 

For the last 15 years as Assistant Director, Dan’s responsibilities included hiring the Program & Office Staff, overseeing Afternoon Activities, All Camp Events, Tripping Programs, ordering store items, and much more.

 

Dan continues his growth and is excited to share his passion as he now continues in the role of Camp Director and works with all camper and staff. Dan’s favorite things to do at camp are sitting on the Business Office porch and watching camp in action, taking his dog Moose for a walk, and getting the chance to work with so many talented staff. Outside of summer, Dan loves to travel and catch up with alumni around the world.

SHANNON DONOVAN-MONTI

Executive Director of Programs / Chimney Corners Camp Director

Since she was six years old, Shannon Donovan-Monti has spent her summers at camp. A Midwest native, Shannon hails from Minneapolis, Minnesota (ya sure). After spending a year at the University of Montana-Missoula, Shannon transferred to the University of Wisconsin – Madison where she earned her degree in English Literature and Women’s Studies. A YMCA camping professional since 1990, Shannon joined the Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA in 1997 as the Executive Director of Chimney Corners Camp for Girls. Shannon invites parents, campers and friends to contact her anytime of the year to answer questions or give a camp tour.

Abbi Pitman

Assistant Director Chimney Corners Camp / Director of Programs

Abbot “Abbi” joined the Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA camp family in February of 2022 as the Chimney Corners assistant director. Raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, he has a combined 11 years of camping, youth development, and hospitality experience in both NC and Keystone Heights, Florida as the assistant director of YMCA Camp Immokalee. Having grown up in Y programs and sports, he is committed to the “for all” mission of the YMCA.

 

Abbi holds both a BA and a BS from Appalachian State University — one in Spanish and another in sustainable agriculture and will complete his MS in Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Management from the University of Florida in 2023.

 

In his free time, Abbi enjoys riding his motorcycle, discovering new music, traveling, and drinking a lot of coffee.

Brittany James

Programs Coordinator

Brittany joined the full time team in 2022. Brittany grew up in New Jersey and was a former camper, seasonal staffer, and member of the Alumni Council.

Brittany is a graduate of West Virginia University with a Bachelor of Science in Sport and Exercise Psychology and a minor in Human Services. After graduation, she worked as a youth development specialist for the Peace Corps in Morocco. Brittany continued to prove her passion for helping others in her role as a case manager for adults with severe mental disabilities.


She is thrilled to be part of the team at Becket-Chimney Corners and serve the community in a way she has always dreamed of. When not working, you can find Brittany experimenting in the kitchen, traveling, and working out.

Conor Doyle

Conor Doyle

Senior Program Director

Conor has joined the Programs Team after spending three summers as a member of the Program Staff at Camp Becket. Raised in Dublin, Ireland, Conor first came to Becket in 2018 as Videographer. He graduated from Dublin City University with a BA in Communications in 2020, returning to camp in 2022 as the Media Director, and again in 2023 as the Program Director. After camp, Conor worked in production as an Assistant Director and Production Assistant on a variety of projects. Conor found a passion for challenging projects both at home and at camp, and he leapt at the opportunity to join the year-round team in the Berkshires on an 18-month VISA program. He looks forward to new adventures and continuing to grow professionally.

ANTHONY CAIATI

Property Director

Anthony joined Becket Chimney Corners in May of 2023. Anthony has been involved with camp since he started volunteering at 17 years-old at a camp in Pennsylvania, and continued to volunteer for different projects with the maintenance department until he was 27. Anthony became a Marine in 1997 and during his service he was stationed in different countries (Norway, Japan, Australia) as well as multiple sites around the United States. This is where he gained his passion for the outdoors, respect for other cultures, and the importance of community and family. Anthony’s previous title before coming to Becket-Chimney Corners was Caretaker/Property Manager for a camp in Northeast Pennsylvania which he held for over 10 years. Outside of work Anthony enjoys an active family life with his wife Sara and their 3 children. New to Massachusetts, they can be found attending school and sports events, enjoying the outdoors, and volunteering and exploring within their community. Anthony is currently serving as the Volunteer Youth Football coordinator.

DON CHAFFEE JR

Waste Water Treatment & Drink Water Operator

Don joined Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA in 2012. As a member of the facilities team, Don is our Waste Water Treatment Operator. He ensures our drinking water is delicious and healthy and maintains all of our waste treatment plant-related operations. When not at work, Don enjoys spending time with his family, getting outside, and kayaking.

Kevin Smith

Carpentry & Maintenance Associate

Kevin grew up in NW Connecticut and is part of our Maintenance team. His focus is primarily on handling all in house carpentry projects around the camp as well as general maintenance. Kevin lived in Las Vegas for 6 years and studied music performance as a classical percussionist at Western CT State University. He loves playing disc golf in his spare time and lives here in Becket with his wife.

Pablo Yong

Custodial & Maintenance Supervisor

Pablo joined Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA in April 2021 as a member of the Property Management Team. Pablo has vast experience in the area of housekeeping and in managing large groups.

Pablo enjoys spending time with his family, traveling and seeing new places. Pablo also enjoys playing the piano and guitar, playing chess, and attending concerts and soccer games.

CHRIS ANDRYSIAK

Elected 2020

Chris Andrysiak is a financial advisor at Sensible Financial Planning and Management, providing investment advisory and financial planning to individuals and families. Prior to his current role, Chris was a Senior Vice President at Fidelity Investments, worked as a management consultant at Braxton Associates / Deloitte Consulting, and started his career as an investment banker at Goldman, Sachs & Co.


Chris has an MBA from the Amos Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth College, and an SB in Economics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology.


In addition to his work with Becket-Chimney Corners, Chris serves on the Board of his local Little League baseball organization, and on the Board and Finance Committee of his church.


Chris is serving on the BCCYMCA Board in memory of his son David. David was a camper for four years, participated in the REACH program, and was an Assistant Counselor. Chris is pleased to be able to give back to the community that has given so much to his family.

AISHA BENNETT (Ex-Officio)

Elected 2020

Aisha Bennett has 10+ years in luxury retail buying. She started her career with Neiman Marcus in 2006 but spent just over 10 years at Bergdorf Goodman in New York. She is currently a Senior Buyer for Mitchells Family of stores based in Westport, CT that has 8 locations across the country. Her focus and experience has been in Women’s Designer Clothing. This role – while on the surface seems glamorous with fashion shows and trips to Europe – entails a large amount of inventory management, gross margin maintenance and nuanced negotiations. In addition to her role on the buying team she is currently heading up the Anti Racism/D&I work within the Mitchells organization.

 

She lives in New York City with her sister Ashante, another CCC alum. As a former camper and staff member – ranging from 91-2005 – her experiences include ICEP Kenya as well as 3 summers on Ad Staff. They still remain as the best jobs Aisha has ever had.

 

Aisha’s current involvement with the camps is serving as the Alumni Council President.

Melissa Caldwell

Elected 2020

Melissa is a clinical psychologist with a career-long commitment to supporting families living in communities affected by poverty. Her extensive experience spans various settings as a mental health provider, assistant professor and community based researcher. She is currently Director of Curriculum at Room to Grow, Inc., and recently served as a consultant to the New York City Department of Early Childhood Education on practices that support social emotional learning, family engagement and racial equity. Melissa holds an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Ph.D. from Yale University. She lives in New York with her husband Sean and their two sons: Kennan is a former camper/ICEP New Zealand participant and Miles is a current camper.

LAURA CHRISTIAN - VICE-CHAIR

Elected 2017

Laura Christian has over ten years of experience as a fundraising professional. Most recently, Laura was the Senior Director of Development at Boston Children’s Museum, where she raised funds to ensure that all children and their families had access to play. Prior to Boston Children’s Museum, Laura was the Director of The Wellesley Fund and a major gift officer at Wellesley College. In that role, she was responsible for raising funds for current-use financial aid and unrestricted support for the College. Laura earned her BA from Middlebury College and her MEd from Lesley University.

 

A former camper and staff member, Laura’s most recent involvement with the camps has been as a member of the Alumni Council and as the proud aunt of both Chimney and Becket campers.

KATIE CONNOLLY

Elected 2021

Katie Connolly joined Newton-Wellesley Hospital as Vice President of Development, on January 15, 2021, and oversees strategy and campaign planning, principal, major, planned and annual gift programs, events, donor stewardship along with the hospital’s engagement in the community including the Board of Trustees, Board of Advisors, Community Collaborative, and volunteer program. Katie has an impressive track record as a dynamic and successful fundraiser, having directed major campaigns at multiple organizations. She is known for her enthusiasm, communication, and problem-solving skills. Prior to joining Newton-Wellesley, Katie served as Director of Development at Milton Academy, and worked at Horizons for Homeless Children as Chief Development Officer. She also spent over five years at MIT Sloan School of Management, most recently as the Director of Development.

 

Katie is proud to serve two Boston organizations on the Advisory Boards of Zoo New England and the Eliot School of Fine & Applied Arts. She earned her BS from Reed College, MS in Hospitality from New York University, and MBA from Simmons School of Management. She attended The Winsor School in Boston and has been a lifelong resident of Jamaica Plain, where she lives with her husband, two young sons, and Popper, their sheepadoodle.

 

Her family joined the Camp community in the summer of 2009 at Becket Day Camp, with each son venturing to Camp Becket for overnight as soon as age permitted. A beneficiary of meaningful day and sleepover camps herself, Katie deeply appreciates the power of camp for both evolving adolescents and the family as a whole.

SALLY DESSLOCH

Elected 2020

Sally Dessloch retired in 2019 after a 40-year career in finance. Most recently, Sally was an Executive Director in UBS Americas Wealth Management Chief Investment Office (CIO), where she was a team leader and sector strategist covering the consumer staples sector. She also served on the CIO editorial board and the thematic investment committee. Prior to her 12 years at UBS, Sally held both buy and sell-side research roles, including in the US office of hedge fund Brummer and Partners, as well as nearly 20 years at JP Morgan. Sally holds a BA in Mathematics from Colgate University and an MS in Accounting from New York University Stern School of Business.

 

Sally is returning to the BCCYMCA Board of Trustees, having previous served on the Board and the Finance Committee from 2002-2008.She is also Past President and a former board member of Consumer Analyst Group of New York (CAGNY), a not-for-profit industry association. In addition, Sally serves on the Colgate University gift committee for her class.

 

Sally and her husband Allan Cox split their time between New York City and Columbia County, New York. Their daughters Rachel and Sarah were both Chimney campers and ICEP participants, and Rachel was a counselor at the camp. Sally did not attend Chimney herself, but rather was a camper and staff at a YWCA camp in the Finger Lakes. That experience, combined with the wonderful years her daughters spent at Chimney, make Sally a strong advocate of the value of camp in developing young people.

andrew hughes

Elected 2020

Capitalizing on a 20-year career in the financial services industry, Andrew is currently Founder of HD Advisors a third-party asset management firm focused on marketing assistance for fund raising efforts in the Private Equity/Debt; Private Real Estate; Hedge Fund and traditional asset classes for both public and private entities. He also has an extensive insurance and risk management background focused on middle market property, casualty, life, disability and health insurance and maintains insurance industry licenses. Andrew is a graduate of Skidmore college where he received a BS degree with a focus on economics, remains active as a volunteer and is a former member of the Skidmore Board of Trustees. Additionally, he currently serves as a member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee at the Portledge School, a college preparatory school based in Locust Valley, NY.

 

Andrew is married with three children and resides in Brooklyn, NY. Andrew’s sons, ages 18 & 15, and his 12-year-old daughter have all been BCC campers and / or ICEP participants.

KATE HUNTINGTON

Elected 2019

Kate Huntington is Managing Director with Athena Capital Advisors, an investment advisory firm headquartered outside of Boston, where she focuses on private investments as well as impact investments and is co-head of Athena’s research and manager selection team. She has been at Athena since graduating from business school in 2005. Kate started her career as a Research Analyst at Stonebridge Associates, a real estate investment and advisory firm, and then transitioned to economic consulting with both Capital Economics and LECG, where she was an Economist/Consultant providing economic analysis and market research to support high-profile anti-trust litigation. Kate also worked as a Consulting Associate at Cambridge Associates where she supported consultants in managing, advising on, and reporting on a variety of institutional clients’ investment portfolios. Kate holds an MBA from Yale School of Management and a BA in Economics from the University of Virginia.

 

A Chimney Corners alumna, after her camper years, Kate traveled on ICEP Kenya in 1990, was a 1991 Aide, and a CIT and counselor in subsequent years. Kate lives in Needham, MA with her husband, Pete, three sons, and their dog. Kate’s oldest son, Sam, is a Camp Becket camper and her middle son, Harry (named after his grandfather and great grandfather both with Camp Becket connections), is starting in the summer of 2020 and the youngest, James, has a few more years to wait.

LORI LEIBOVICH

Elected 2019

Lori oversaw Time Inc./Meredith’s multimedia Health vertical, including digital properties, social media platforms and the print magazine. She advances a holistic content strategy that speaks to the way women define wellness today. Previously, as the digital director of women’s content at Time Inc., Lori oversaw the editorial and growth strategy for millennial women across all brands and social channels.

 

Lori has launched seven brands throughout her career, including Salon’s Broadsheet, @WomenIRL,HuffPost Women and HuffPost Parents, and founded the wedding website Indiebride, which she sold to AOL in 2011. Lori has served as the editor-in-chief of RealSimple.com, the executive lifestyle editor at Huffington Post, and a senior editor at Salon.com. Her writing has been featured in a number of publications, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Elle, Salon and Harper’s Bazaar, and she regularly speaks at industry events, including SXSW, BlogHer and TEDxWomen.

 

A Chimney Corners camper from 1981-1985, Lori went on ICEP-Denmark in 1986, was an AIDE in 1987, a Senior Unit CIT in 1988, and a Senior Unit Counselor in 1990. Her son, Carlos Kanter is a former Camp Becket camper and ICEP Sweden participant. Her daughter, Clara Kanter, will begin her sixth summer at Chimney Corners Camp this summer.

david lind

Elected 2023

Dave is a Camp Becket alumni, having spent 15 summers at camp. He was a camper, participated in ICEP (1998) and Aides (1999), and he was on staff for six summers. He lives in his childhood home in Belmont, MA with his wife, Lara, and their five kids (four Becket, one Chimney). Dave works in Digital Product Management at Liberty Mutual Insurance, after having received degrees from the University of Wisconsin (BA) and Boston College (MBA). Dave serves his local community through a variety of different ways including serving as a Town Meeting Member, Vice-Chair of the Recreation Commission, a member of the Belmont Community Preservation Committee, and a Belmont Youth Hockey Association board member. Dave’s favorite spot at camp is the Becket library porch, where he spent many Gibson Weekends with his dad.

Alison Melick

Elected 2019

Alison Melick has extensive financial services experience in risk and regulatory compliance management. She has recently been appointed a Director in the Risk Solutions advisory practice at Promontory Financial Group, an IBM company. Prior to Promontory, Alison built her career over the course of 36 years at the global bank, HSBC, in both London and New York, where she recently served as Chief Risk Officer of the US Commercial Banking division. Alison’s areas of expertise include credit, financial, operational and reputation risk. In the past few years, she has focused on building effective risk management frameworks and strengthening enterprise-wide compliance practices. Alison enjoys mentoring early and mid-career financial services professionals and actively champions Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs and affinity groups.

 

A graduate of Yale University, Alison volunteers as an interviewer for Yale’s Alumni Schools Committee. She also serves as a tutor with the Fresh Air Fund’s volunteer tutoring and career awareness program for middle school students. Alison and her husband, Duncan Kruse, live in Brooklyn, NY and have two sons, Sam and Theo Kruse, who both currently reside in Boston. Theo was Pioneer Village Director in the summers of 2017 and 2018 and the Aides Director in 2019.

PEG OLIVEIRA

Elected 2019

Dr. Peg Oliveira is the Executive Director of the Gesell Program in Early Childhood at The Yale Child Study Center. She is a developmental psychologist with a career in advocacy and social activism, specifically on issues of affordable child care, fair pay and paid family leave. As a psychology undergraduate Dr. Oliveira worked in a Bridgeport Head Start site, an experience that set her on the path of researching and advocating for essential improvements in the early care and education system. Currently Peg designs professional development content and trainings that have a direct and immediate impact on how educators see and teach children.


Dr. Oliveira received her doctorate from Brandeis University and began her career as a policy fellow with CT Voices for Children. For 17 years Peg has worked with federal organizations, state agencies, national nonprofit advocacy coalitions and local initiatives to ensure that all children get a high quality early learning experience.


In addition Dr. Oliveira participates in numerous community initiatives including having served on the Board of Directors of Calvin Hill Day Care Center. Dr. Oliveira is also a beloved yoga teacher in her hometown of New Haven, and founded a nonprofit yoga service organization called 108 Monkeys.


Peg is married to Jen Vickery, an urban educator in Connecticut. Together they are moms to Chimney Corners Camper Willow.

Lee rudy

Elected 2022

Lee is an attorney who represents stockholders in corporate governance litigation. He lives in Lower Merion, PA, outside of Philadelphia. Lee attended Camp Becket, from Iroquois Village through staff, in the 1980s, and his two daughters, Julia and Eliza, more recently spent a dozen summers at Chimney Corners, from Junior Unit through staff. Lee’s wife Caryn Karmatz Rudy, a literary agent, spent each of those Gibson Weekends in a tent in the rain. Lee also serves on the board of Legacy Youth Tennis & Education in Philadelphia.

David Ruff

Elected 2017

David Ruff is a founding partner and chief creative officer for NAVA, an architecture and real estate development company based in New York City. David is responsible for the visionary aesthetics that distinguishes NAVA projects. Prior to co-founding NAVA, David was President of Design Laboratories LLC, an international architecture and design firm with projects in the US, Europe, India and China. Notably, David was the principal responsible for the Red Bull North American HQ., the Brooklyn Academy of Music Capital Improvement Project, a 13 acre redevelopment master plan for downtown Las Vegas, design aspects of the Track and Field Hall of Fame and over 500,000 square feet of high end private residential. David has taught graduate studios at the Pratt Institute and Parsons School of Design in New York City. David holds a BSE in Mechanical Engineering from Duke University. David studied graduate architecture at Princeton University and Columbia University where he earned his Masters of Architecture.


David and his wife Gitu Ramani are proud Camp Becket parents to sons Kai and Kaspian.

TUCKER SCHULDT, Vice-Chair

Elected 2015

Tucker Schuldt is currently an independent consultant after retiring in 2018 from a career in strategic planning. Upon his retirement, Tucker was Senior Vice President, Strategy & Planning for Sodexo’s Global Healthcare Services business operating in 34 countries. Prior to this role, he was responsible for strategic planning for Sodexo’s $9.5B revenue North American business. His previous roles included the top strategic planning role for Sodexo’s North America Healthcare Services business and a variety of human resources leadership roles for Marriott International including a Vice President, Human Resources role for one of Marriott’s business units. Tucker holds a BA in economics from Denison University.

 

His Becket-Chimney corners experience includes being a camper, ICEP participant, Aide and staff member through the ‘70’s and member of the Alumni Council. Tucker joined the Board of Trustees in 2015, is currently Vice Chair of the Board and will become Chair of the Board in late 2022. Both of his daughters were Chimney campers, TSP participants and TSP leaders. He lives with his wife in Granby, CT just a one hour drive from Camp.

MEGAN SHEETZ

Elected 2020

Megan Sheetz is mom to two Chimney Corners campers, Tess and Catie and Camp Becket camper, Charlie. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, Megan earned a law degree at Brooklyn Law School and spent several years practicing corporate law at O’Melveny & Myers in New York City. After leaving the practice of law, Megan worked for ten years as Associate Director of Career Services at Brooklyn Law School. Megan is currently an active member of the Packer Collegiate Institute’s Board of Trustees where she serves as the co-chair of the development committee. Megan resides in New York City with her husband and children.

Derek Tate

Elected 2020

Dr. Derek M. Tate is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Weill Cornell Medicine and an Assistant Attending Psychiatrist on the Telepsychiatry Service at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. Derek is part of the faculty practice at the Weill Cornell Psychiatry Specialty Center in White Plains, NY, and also practices at NewYork Presbyterian Queens. A graduate of Haverford College and The Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Derek has focused his career on the integration of psychiatric care in medical settings and underserved patient populations.

 

Derek’s passion for community medicine began at The Albert Einstein-Montefiore Department of Family and Social Medicine. Derek completed his family medicine residency training at Columbia University Medical Center and his psychiatry residency training at Long Island Jewish Medical Center’s Zucker Hillside Hospital. His interests in community medicine continued after completing the Columbia Public Psychiatry Fellowship.

 

Derek is a Camp Becket alum from the 1980s, a 1986 “Classy” aide, 1987 CIT, and former trustee (2010-2016). Derek is a native New Yorker, and his family is originally from the Low Country of South Carolina’s coast- coming north during the Great Migration of the 20th century. He hails from the Corona-East Elmhurst-Jackson Heights sections of Queens, NY and currently lives with his husband, an attorney, in southern Westchester County, New York.

 

Derek serves on the BCCYMCA risk-audit committee and is interested in helping with BCCYMCA’s diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, as well as mental health initiatives for campers and staff. Derek feels a very deep connection to the camps and land, cherishing the connections and bonds he made in his years at BCCYMCA.

Jen Todd

Elected 2023

Jen currently serves as Senior Vice President for the Boston Celtics, driving overall strategy and execution for the Celtics’ diverse corporate partnership portfolio, as well as managing Jr. Celtics, the team’s youth basketball offering. She joined the Celtics from The Tournament (TBT / TST), where she served as Co-Founder and Executive Vice President of the groundbreaking, $1 million, winner-take-all tournament. She has alternatingly explored entrepreneurial and established ventures throughout her career, also spending time at Super Soccer Stars, Octagon, and at various boutique and established management consulting firms.

 

A lifelong athlete, Jen was the plaintiff on a precedent-setting Title IX case as a college gymnast, an experience she credits with helping her to understand that access and opportunity in sports (and otherwise) are not a given. She has been an advocate for the underrepresented since.

 

Before joining the Board of Trustees, Jen previously served on the boards of Women in Sports and Events (WISE) and the One Love Foundation. Jen holds an undergraduate degree from Brown University and her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University. Though not a camper herself, she married into BCCYMCA; in fact, she and her husband John, a former camper, ICEP participant and counselor, were engaged on Rocky Point. (Despite the location, their marriage persists.) Their three children, Maia, Becket and Cameron, are all current campers forging their own paths through Chimney and Becket.

Nancy Vineberg

Elected 2022

Nancy Vineberg is Chief Development Officer at The Brookline Center for Community Mental Health, a nonprofit healthcare and social services agency located outside of Boston, where she raises funds to expand equitable access to care. Nancy directs the Center’s philanthropy program, developing and managing strategies to ensure the financial stability of the organization and fuel its growth. As a member of the senior leadership team, she participates in the setting of the Center’s overall strategic direction, and provides expertise in communications, external relations, and board development. Nancy has spent the entirety of her career advancing the missions of national and international advocacy, social justice, and healthcare organizations.

 

A graduate of McGill University, Nancy holds an MA from the Annenberg School at the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from the Simmons School of Management. Nancy lives in West Newton, Massachusetts with her daughter Noa, who has spent many happy summers at Chimney as a camper, ICEP-Sweden participant, and counselor.

Savi Tuber

Elected 2024

Savi is a Camp Becket alumnus, having spent 14 summers at camp. He began as a camper, participated in ICEP and Aides programs, and then spent 7 years on staff as a counselor, Village Director (Ranger in 2012 and 2014), and Aides Director (2013). His favorite spots at camp are the Waterfront Green and B.O. Porch. Savi currently lives in New York City with his wife, Jackie.
 
Professionally, Savi works as a Middle School Dean and History teacher at the Ethical Culture Fieldston School, following positions at the Fessenden School and St. Andrew’s Episcopal School in Washington, D.C. He also serves as a consultant with The Glasgow Group, a nonprofit focused on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, primarily working with K-12 schools and other nonprofits. Savi earned his BA in Secondary Education and History and his M.Ed in Curriculum and Instruction from Boston College. He recently completed his Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership and Learning from Vanderbilt University.

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