Alumni Spotlight
Shaun Van Laarhoven (LSC ’16), Round the Bend Farm
Shaun wears many hats at Round the Bend Farm, including assistant farm manager, executive chef, and kitchen manager and admits there’s never a dull moment. He’s motivated to engage by recognizing opportunities to work towards positive change. Round the Bend is a nonprofit working farm in South Dartmouth with lots of exciting projects. Learn more…
Read MoreKathleen Amaral (LSC ’17), The Nemasket Group
Kathleen’s personal experience has led her on a path to realize that sharing her voice and her experience is critical, and it can impact change when needed. She describes her leadership as “collaborative,” and works with families who have loved ones in need of developmental services; in 2016, Kathleen was appointed by Governor Baker as…
Read MoreMichael Mahoney (LSC ’17), YMCA Southcoast
Mike is a 2017 LSC graduate and Executive Director at the YMCA in Swansea who is passionate about helping others grow, and improving our region. “The various program days during LSC really exposed me to what is happening along the South Coast, and propelled me to get more involved,” says Mike of his LSC experience.…
Read MoreSonia Fastino (LSC ’12), Rua-Dumont-Audette Insurance Agency
Sonia is a member of LCS’s Class of 2012 and a Vice President at Rua-Dumont-Audete Insurance. She became involved in the community when she realized the need for volunteers and stayed involved when she realized how great it made her feel to help others. She currently serves on the board of the United Way of…
Read MoreCraig Correia (LSC ’16), Paul & Dixon Insurance Agency, Inc.
In addition to his work at Paul & Dixon, Craig is an active volunteer for several local organizations including the Boys and Girls Club of Greater New Bedford and EforAll South Coast. The connections he created in LSC “. . . have shaped who I am today and opened my eyes about how much help…
Read MoreSusan Remy (LSC ’07), Child & Family Services
Susan is a Fall River native who believes the gift of leadership should be shared with each generation. Throughout her career, she’s been involved with many organizations including the Fall River Rotary Club, United Neighbors, and SouthCoast Serves, to name a few. “There is much work to be done and most of the time my…
Read MoreJason DeFalco (LSC 2015)
Originally from Central Massachusetts, Jason relocated to the South Coast to take on his current position within the New Bedford Public Schools. Of his LSC experience, Jason says, “In addition to the content of the program, the networking and relationships I built while in the cohort assisted me in getting my arms around local issues…
Read MoreRose Lopes (LSC ’10)
Rose is a New Bedford native who credits Leadership SouthCoast with helping her learn more about where she grew up: “Through LSC, I was able to see aspects of the community I had never been exposed to.” In addition to her new role as co-owner of Sylvia Group, she is a Marine veteran and currently…
Read MoreGreg Medeiros (LSC 2016)
Greg is one of our newest alumni, having graduated in 2016, but he’s not new to the region – he’s been with BankFive for over 27 years and has volunteered and served on boards of local nonprofits for more than 20 years. In fact, he recently joined the LSC Board of Directors. “Born and…
Read MoreTracy Ibbotson (LSC 2009)
How are you involved in the community and what motivates you to engage? In my position as the Director of Community Health Benefits at Saint Anne’s Hospital, I work in partnership with community organizations to address the health needs of the populations served. The very nature of my work requires active community engagement such as…
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