Staff

Caryl Goodman, Executive Director


Caryl brings over 20 years of experience in both the nonprofit and academic sectors to her position with Hospitality Homes, as well as a Ph.D. in Medical and Family Sociology from Case Western Reserve University and a BA from Goucher College. Her past responsibilities have included serving as project director of a $6.5 million national demonstration project, consultant to national nonprofit organizations and universities, and director of grants at a community college. She also has extensive experience in health care and family services, and has delivered numerous presentations to both professional and lay audiences. In addition to her work, Caryl is active in local organizations; she has chaired the Board of Directors of several nonprofits, served on numerous civic and professional committees, and in 2008 was elected a member of Brookline Town Meeting. Caryl likes taking long walks by the water and exploring new cities. She is an avid reader and enjoys cooking for friends, family members, and neighbors. Contact Caryl by email

Shanon Heckethorn, Director of Development & Communications


Shanon brings to the organization nearly 10 years of fundraising and communications experience in the nonprofit sector. After working in Development Departments at the Miami and Denver Children’s Museums, she returned to New England as the Community Manager at the Ronald McDonald House in Portland, Maine. While there she managed and coordinated the annual spring luncheon auction, Purses with Purpose; developed a strategic marketing plan; and coordinated efforts to redesign the organization’s website. Often, she had profound experiences scrambling to provide urgent housing options for families traveling from Portland to the Boston area.  Shanon received her BA in International Relations and French from Simmons College. She currently resides in Cambridge, travels often, and enjoys her daily bike commute. Contact Shanon by email

Catherine Lawrence, Program Manager

Catherine graduated from Wheaton College in Norton, MA, with a BA in Psychology and Hispanic Studies. As part of her college education, she traveled abroad to Spain and lived with a host family for 3 months. Her experience in social services includes volunteering as an ESL tutor at the International Center of New York and participating in a research study of the effects of immigration on family dynamics and child development at New York Child Study Center. She has also assisted families of children on the autism spectrum in behavioral management, skill development, and incorporating their child’s development into the family routine. Catherine loves going on bicycle rides and walking dogs at local shelters. Contact Catherine by email

Stephanie Banos, Program Associate

After studying abroad for a year in Costa Rica, Stephanie has joined our team while finishing her Spanish degree at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She has done service trips to Port-au-Prince, Haiti, and Quito, Ecuador, and has dedicated time to the Campus Kitchens Project, a non-profit organization that uses excess food from local businesses to create healthy meals for low-income community members. She has taught ESL in Costa Rica and tutored both English, and Spanish, learning students in her native state of Pennsylvania as well as in the Boston area. Stephanie loves singing aloud in her car and people watching. Contact Stephanie by email 

Alan Druga, Outreach Coordinator

Alan graduated from Boston University with a BA in Sociology. After graduation he spent a year in Chicago as an Americorps VISTA member, coordinating a volunteer program at the Alexian Brothers AIDS Ministry. He has experience recruiting and supporting volunteers serving in a variety of capacities. He has also interned and volunteered for Boston-area nonprofits including United South End Settlements and the AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts. Alan enjoys reading, following the news, and exploring different parts of the city. Contact Alan by email