LEADERSHIP TEAM & STAFF
Leadership Team
Colby Swettberg, Ed.M, LCSW | Chief Executive Officer
Colby Swettberg has been Chief Executive Officer of Silver Lining Mentoring since 2009. Under Colby’s leadership, Silver Lining has grown to serve more than eight times as many young people and has more than quadrupled its budget. Silver Lining was named as a Social Innovator in 2014 for “providing a sustainable solution to one of the region’s toughest social issues,” and was subsequently selected as a three-year investee by Social Venture Partners as a result of the organization’s high impact, results-driven model.
Colby came to Silver Lining Mentoring after working at The Home for Little Wanderers, where Colby opened and oversaw a group home for LGBTQ teenagers, did clinical work in adoption and family stabilization, and provided training and consultation nationwide on LGBTQ issues. In 2012, Colby was honored to be chosen by then-Senator John Kerry for the “Angel in Adoption” award for advocacy efforts on behalf of youth in foster care. In 2013, Colby was honored to receive the Excellence Award from national child welfare organization Youth Villages for service to youth in foster care. In 2017, The Barr Foundation chose Colby as a Barr Foundation Fellow in recognition of Colby’s and Silver Lining Mentoring’s leadership in foster care and mentoring innovation. As a former educator, Colby earned a Master’s Degree in Education from Harvard University, and later, when Colby’s focus turned to child welfare, Colby earned a Master’s degree in Social Work.
I am a National Mentoring Resource Center technical assistance provider!
Teyana Curran | Director of Regional Programs
Teyana joined the Silver Lining Mentoring team in 2020. Since 2010 she has been working with Boston youth and young adults and is excited to bring her passion for mentoring and social justice to SLM. Teyana deeply believes in SLM’s mission; she’s driven by her desire to empower young people to be their full selves and to have access to the opportunities that will help them thrive. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts Boston with her Master’s in Mental Health Counseling, Teyana worked at Summer Search, where she served in a variety of roles including the Director of High School Program. She spent five years mentoring students ages 15 and up, and supported other mentors in providing quality mentoring services to the participants who were navigating diverse and nuanced pathways. Teyana both values and is committed to relationship-building, and is excited to continue this commitment at SLM!
Christina Haines | Senior Director of Strategy and National Impact
Christina is working to create a future where involvement with the child welfare system does not increase a youth’s risk of negative life outcomes, but rather sets the young person on a firm path toward wellness, financial independence, and self-determination. Christina has immersed herself in understanding and improving the child welfare system through firsthand experience. She is a former foster parent, mentor, current volunteer Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) to youth in foster care, and child welfare philanthropist.
Christina first became involved with Silver Lining Mentoring as a mentor and has been volunteering in that capacity since 2015. She joined the organization as a staff member in 2018. In her role as Senior Director of Strategy and National Impact, Christina is responsible for growing national impact by leading the Silver Lining Mentoring Institute. In previous roles, Christina served as Associate Director for Policy and Institutional Outreach of the Harvard Global Health Institute, an interdisciplinary research, and education initiative. She also worked in growth capital for the nonprofit sector at venture philanthropy firm, New Profit, as the Manager of the Reimagine Learning Fund, a capacity-building fund aimed at improving the K-12 education system to better serve students impacted by poverty or trauma.
Christina earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Marist College and a Master of Liberal Arts from Harvard with a concentration in government.
I am a National Mentoring Resource Center technical assistance provider!
Diana Meyers | Director of Administration
Diana Meyers joined Silver Lining Mentoring in 2014 to serve as the organization’s Director of Administration. She is responsible for managing daily and ongoing operations. Prior to joining SLM, Diana held the simultaneous, dual role of Administrative Director for the non-profits Mil Milagros and Strategies for Children. Having once been a foster parent herself, Diana saw first-hand the tremendous challenges faced by youth in the foster care system. Diana earned an M.Ed. at Eastern Nazarene College in a program sponsored by the Boston Public Schools and holds a BA in health studies.
Jim Ricciuti | Director of Development
Jim joined Silver Lining Mentoring in 2020. With 15 years of development experience in the arts and higher education, Jim is thrilled to put to work his creativity and strategic thinking to help SLM serve young people impacted by the foster care system. Jim partners with donors to help them make an impact on the world. He’s served organizations large and small, most recently as Director of Development at Global Arts Live. Prior to that he was Director of the Berklee Fund at Berklee College of Music. With a curiosity for people and ideas, Jim forges connections that make the organization and donors stronger together. Jim is inspired by the vision, mission, and values of Silver Lining Mentoring and excited to work with such a talented and dedicated team.
When not working to bring donors closer to SLM, Jim can be found hiking, biking, playing music with friends, or working on his jump shot.
Alaina Rosenberry, LCSW | Chief Operating Officer
Having worked in child welfare for over 15 years, Alaina has always been passionate about ensuring every child has what they need to thrive. From the first moment she learned about Silver Lining Mentoring’s mission, Alaina was excited to be a part of an innovative approach to providing youth in care with consistent positive relationships.
Since joining SLM in 2010, Alaina has brought clinical experience in issues of homelessness, adult education, teen parenting and trauma-informed clinical therapy. Alaina supported SLM’s one-to-one matches for four years prior to becoming Director of Programs, overseeing SLM’s programs to provide high-quality mentoring, life skills development, and clinical support to youth in foster care. In 2018 Alaina gained a certificate in Nonprofit Management and Leadership from Tufts University, in partnership with the Institute of Nonprofit Management and in 2019 transitioned to the role of Deputy Director, working with the Chief Executive Officer and senior leadership team to enhance the internal infrastructure necessary for SLM’s continued success and strategic growth.
In her current role as Chief Operating Officer, Alaina now oversees operations and both regional and national programming at Silver Lining Mentoring and the Silver Lining Institute and provides training and technical assistance to mentoring and child welfare organizations across the country helping to build capacity and instill best practices for supporting high-quality mentoring relationships for youth in care. Alaina holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and a minor in Human Services from Northeastern University and a Masters of Social Work degree from Simmons College.
I am a National Mentoring Resource Center technical assistance provider!
Staff
Valentina Alfaro, LICSW | Program Coordinator
Valentina joined Silver Lining Mentoring in 2018. She began her career as a social worker in a nonprofit in Chile, where she is originally from, doing clinical work and workshops for social-emotional skills at a group home with young people who have experienced trauma and out-of-home care experiences. Her passion for advocating and working towards a more equitable and fair society inspired her to come to Boston to pursue her Masters in Social Work from Boston College.
Prior to working at SLM, Valentina was working at the United Way of Massachusetts Way and Merrimack Valley supporting the Youth Venture Initiative as a mentor for young people creating a venue to address their community’s needs. She is thrilled to be part of the SLM team and have the opportunity to keep working with and for young people, using the power of relationships to foster resilience and empower youth to achieve their maximum potential.
During her time off, Valentina enjoys baking and pretending she’s part of the Great British Baking Show (Bake Off), spending time with her twin rescue cats Bingo and Bongo, listening to podcasts and dancing to Latin music.
Rachel Asam, LMHC | Program Coordinator
Rachel Asam joined Silver Lining Mentoring in 2022. After completing her undergrad at Lesley University she received her Master’s in International Disaster Psychology from the University of Denver. Since completing her degrees Rachel has worked for the Department of Youth Services as a clinician and clinical director. Working in residential facilities, Rachel has been able to see the value of long-term mentoring relationships and the importance of youth advocacy. It is important to Rachel that she use her voice to help amplify the voice and needs of the youth she is working with. She is excited to join the SLM team and continue to support youth in the Greater Boston area.
During her downtime, Rachel enjoys taking care of her house plants and garden, cooking, and the guilty pleasure of watching reality TV with her friends.
Suzannah Blass, LCSW | Program Coordinator
Suzannah was thrilled to join SLM in 2021 as a Program Coordinator. After completing her BS in Clinical Psychology and Child Studies/Human Development from Tufts University, Suzannah graduated from Smith School of Social Work with her MSW. Through her education and training Suzannah carried a specific passion for mentorship, working with young people, permanency, and non-traditional therapeutic interventions. Prior to SLM, Suzannah has worked and interned all over the Boston area in various youth mental health settings which include a therapeutic camp setting, a group home, a school-based setting, and mutual aid organizing, as well as volunteering herself for several mentoring organizations (and having her own mentee!). Outside of work, Suzannah can be found playing a good board game, crafting (poorly), seeking out live music, trying to find dogs to pet, or simply frolicking in nature.
Christina “Mobile” Burrell
MobileAssistant Director of Technical Assistance & Institute Initiatives
(617) 224-1304
Christina “Mobile” Burrell | Assistant Director of Technical Assistance & Institute Initiatives
Christina “Mobile” Burrell joined Silver Lining Mentoring in 2015. They are an advocate for equity and fierce believer in the possibility of creating a world that everyone feels good calling home. As such, Mobile has held a variety of professional roles working on behalf of individuals who hold marginalized identities within the United States of America, including black and brown families, LGBQ/TGNC folks, youth impacted by the foster care system, and individuals of all ages living with mental disabilities. Earning an MSW at Boston College and BA in Human Development & Psychology at Connecticut College has positioned Mobile to hone many skills to better serve the families who most need it. Mobile is a highly skilled group facilitator who continues to work on building community and facilitating dialogue to propel positive change. Dedicated to ongoing learning and growth, Mobile earned a Certificate in Community Leadership and Social Change from the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University through the Institute for Nonprofit Practice, and is on a lifelong pursuit of growth and improvement for a better environment to exist within! Outside of work, Mobile finds joy in doing hobbies & learning fun new skills like juggling, unicycliing, slacklining, and skydiving. You will likely catch them long-boarding between destinations to catch a nice sunset or attempting to claim the title “Rollerblade King of Boston”! Good food, music, and travel makes Mobz’s heart happy!
I am a National Mentoring Resource Center technical assistance provider!
Casey Dillon | Associate Director of Communication and Marketing
Casey joined Silver Lining Mentoring in 2021. A firm believer in the power of storytelling to uplift communities and inspire change, Casey leads development and implementation of communications and marketing strategies that expand SLM’s impact and visibility.
Previously, Casey worked at CURA Strategies, an integrated communications agency based in the Washington, DC area. She led CURA’s mental health vertical, executing successful initiatives like Mental Health for US and Advocates for Opioid Recovery. Casey also worked for Mental Health America (MHA), where she developed social media strategies, bridged the policy and communications teams to develop advocacy strategies, and planned policy meetings. Casey earned the Certified Nonprofit Professional (CNP) credential from the Nonprofit Leadership Alliance and holds a B.A. from Connecticut College.
Sky Gavis-Hughson | Program Intern
Sky is a first-year MSW student at Simmons joining Silver Lining Mentoring for the 2021-2022 academic year. Sky comes to SLM with a background in facilitation, peer mentoring, and conflict and community-building work, particularly in LGBTQ+ communities. Sky graduated from Yale in 2019 with a BA in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies. At Yale, Sky served in several facilitation and peer mentorship roles and supported the growth of a thriving trans community on Yale’s campus. Sky moved to Boston in 2019 to be a fellow at Life Together (a program of the Episcopal Service Corps). They lived in intentional community and worked with Creche, the Charles River Episcopal Co-Housing Endeavor, supporting members of Creche’s intentional housing communities and developing programming and materials on conflict as a community practice for both organizations. Sky is thrilled to join SLM and feels honored to be invited into this work. They believe very strongly in the healing and transforming power of stable, intentional relationships and communities. Sky lives in Boston with three beloved humans and a pup named Nessie and enjoys riding their bike, crocheting, and cooking for their housemates and friends.
Leah Harrigan, MA | Program Manager
Leah Harrigan joined Silver Lining Mentoring in 2018. Leah comes to SLM with a background in teaching and social service leadership, and is excited to bring a clinical developmental lens to young people and their networks. Leah has teaching and mentoring experience in various school settings, including AmeriCorps-affiliated Providence charter schools and the Eliot-Pearson Children’s School. She completed an internship leading therapeutic group sessions at the Walker Community Based Acute Treatment program, which helped strengthen her advocacy for social-emotional learning. Most recently, Leah worked as a clinician and clinical supervisor at Youth Villages, providing family therapy as well as clinical training to in-home counselors. Leah holds a BA in Psychology from Providence College and received her Masters in Child Study and Human Development from Tufts University.
Evan Hubbard, LICSW, ACSW
He, Him, His or They, Them, TheirAssistant Director of Clinical Strategy
(617) 224-1303
Evan Hubbard, LICSW, ACSW | Assistant Director of Clinical Strategy
Evan began his career in social work while working in child welfare and mentoring. Moved by the powerful impact that one consistent adult could have on a young person’s life, Evan pursued his MSW with a focus on child welfare, attachment, trauma and LGBTQ+ youth. Evan was ecstatic to join SLM in 2012 as a Program Coordinator, where he supported matches and developed SLM’s LGBTQ Mentoring Initiative. He would later become the CBM Program Supervisor, and in 2019 transitioned to his current role as Assistant Director of Clinical Strategy.
Evan brings a diverse skill set to his role, ranging from providing psychotherapy and clinical case management to program management, consultation, and strategic planning. Evan uses this unique blend of experiences to oversee all aspects of SLM’s clinical services to ensure that every match receives the highest quality & cutting edge support. Within his role, Evan manages SLM’s quality assurance metrics & best practices, provides clinical supervision & crisis assessment/intervention, and helps build out new services and programs. Evan also provides technical assistance through SLI. Every day he is grateful for the trust that youth and mentors place in SLM, and to be part of such an amazing team.
I am a National Mentoring Resource Center technical assistance provider!
Jesse Kerstetter | Program Supervisor
Jesse joined Silver Lining Mentoring in 2017. They received their Masters of Social Work from the University of Michigan, focusing on supporting LGBTQ+ youth share their personal stories as a means to educate and support safe and inclusive climates in young people’s schools and communities. Prior to this, Jesse served as an educator in Japan, as a JET Program participant, and Cape Verde and Mozambique as a US Peace Corps Volunteer. These experiences helped shape Jesse’s commitment to empowering youth to grow and share their voices in creating positive change within their communities. Jesse is excited to be a part of the Silver Lining Mentoring family, supporting SLM’s mission and goals as well as directly supporting young people affected by the foster care system.
I am a National Mentoring Resource Center technical assistance provider!
Ola Ogunbodede | Program Coordinator
Olaniyi Ogunbodede goes by Ola. Ola joined the Silver Lining Mentoring team in 2020. He enjoys being around and learning about people from different cultures. He is passionate about educating and helping people who have had difficult life experiences and those who need help setting and achieving goals. He has experience in youth mentoring and teaching in various settings for youth development such as City on a Hill Charter Public School, where he served as a math teacher, and Balfour Academy where he was an Instructional Assistant and Recreational Coordinator. In addition, he has over six years in customer services (mostly in food service). He graduated from Syracuse University with a B.S. in Child and Family Studies with a focus on Youth and Family Development.
Outside of work, he enjoys going to the movies, “discovering” different playgrounds with his kids, running and road trips. A goal of his is to read at least one book a month.
Alex Parkes | Volunteer Manager
Alex joined Silver Lining Mentoring in 2021. Alex has a personal and professional interest in working with vulnerable citizens to achieve positive outcomes. He graduated with his M.A. in Justice Studies from the University of New Hampshire in 2014, where his Graduate research focused on suicide and violence prevention efforts. Alex went on to work for Youth Villages, where he provided family-centered services aimed at keeping at-risk children in their custodial homes and improving parental communication skills. He went on to serve as both a volunteer, and then supervisor, with the Essex County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) program. In this role, he worked with a team of volunteers who advocated for foster children during the Juvenile Court process.
In addition to his direct-service work, Alex has been an adjunct Professor at Merrimack College since the Spring of 2019. He teaches courses on Juvenile Delinquency and the Juvenile Court System.
In his personal life, Alex and his (new!) wife reside in Haverhill with their dog Winnie. He loves the outdoors, music, Boston Sports teams, food, and spending time with Winnie and her human friends.
Liz Perry | Program Coordinator, Silver Lining Institute
Liz joined Silver Lining Mentoring in 2022. She has been an advocate for underserved populations in both her professional and personal endeavors including working with youth experiencing homelessness, the LGBTQ community seeking gender affirming healthcare, and young adults that have or are currently experiencing foster care. Liz has a deep-rooted desire to “level the playing field” for youth in foster care, ensuring that they have access to the resources they need to be successful. Liz has a BA in Criminal Justice and MS in Nonprofit Management. She is excited to bring her experience, skills and passion to the SLM organization.
Outside of the office, Liz is a board member for the Massachusetts Network of Foster Care Alumni and also enjoys adventuring with her dog (Rexie), planning her next home renovation project and crafting.
Mike Prinkey | Program Coordinator
Michael joined SLM in 2020 with a background in education and youth development. Originally from Pittsburgh, he has worked in Vermont, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania within college student development and advising. Additionally, Michael has also worked as a Program Coordinator for two mentoring agencies: Outdoor Odyssey and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Massachusetts. He graduated in 2012 from Washington & Jefferson College with a BA in Sociology & Gender Studies, and received a Masters of Education from Northeastern University in 2014. Michael has extensive experience promoting LGBTQI+ and Accessibility awareness, social-emotional learning, and increasing community engagement/volunteerism.
Outside of work, Michael spends a lot of time at home with his large dog and cat! His hobbies are gardening and houseplants, woodworking, learning how to tattoo, and getting back into running half marathons.
Sally Sanchez-Peña, LCSW
She, Her, HersProgram Coordinator
Sally Sanchez-Peña, LCSW | Program Coordinator
Sally joined Silver Lining Mentoring in 2020 as a Program Coordinator. Sally is dedicated to relationship-building and community development, as demonstrated by her work in mental health promotion and prevention. Sally has experience providing psychiatric rehabilitation case management to persons carrying severe, persistent mental health diagnoses. At the Turn 2 Us program, she facilitated weekly mentorship groups and provided social-emotional support for middle school students. She also provided informal counseling to international graduate students and planned events at International House NYC. She is excited to bring these diverse experiences to her role at SLM!
Outside of work, Sally enjoys traveling, reading, playing video games, and spending time with her nieces and nephews.
Sally received her Masters degree in Social Work from Columbia University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and International Studies from Boston College.
Consultants
Sandra Hodgetts
She, Her, HersGrant Consultant
Sandra Hodgetts | Grant Consultant
Sannie is a grant writing consultant for Silver Lining Mentoring. Sannie has a decade of experience writing grants and a passion for using her skills to promote positive social change. She specializes in working with small New England-based, human service nonprofits and has secured millions of dollars in grant funding.
Prior to opening her consulting business in 2020 Sannie was a Silver Lining Mentoring employee for seven years. As a member of SLM’s development team Sannie managed the organization’s donor database and provided support for its individual giving program and fundraising events in addition to overseeing its grant program. During her tenure SLM’s grant revenue nearly tripled, to $1.5 million annually. Before joining the SLM team Sannie spent a year as an AmeriCorps VISTA at the Massachusetts Adoption Resource Exchange (MARE) supporting its development and communications department.
Sannie is a graduate of Connecticut College with a bachelor’s degree in international relations. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and daughter and enjoys being a member of a competitive tap dance team.
Ryann Kuchle, LCSW
She, Her, HersTechnical Assistance Consultant
Ryann Kuchle, LCSW | Technical Assistance Consultant
Ryann Kuchle is excited to be joining the Silver Lining Mentoring Institute as a Technical Assistance Consultant. She is passionate about working with adolescents and young adults through a trauma-informed lens and is a strong believer that everyone deserves the opportunity to live their best lives. Ryann has held several different roles in the field of social work including as a Department of Children and Families Case Manager, a Pediatric Hospice Social Worker, a School Social Worker and a Boxing Therapist.
Ryann earned her B.A. in Psychology from Flagler College and her Master’s in Social Work from the Silver School of Social Work at New York University. Outside of her work life Ryann loves to spend time with her family, kayak, read fantasy novels and play games.
I am a National Mentoring Resource Center technical assistance provider!
Patience Misner
She, Her, HersTechnical Assistance Consultant
Patience Misner | Technical Assistance Consultant
Patience Misner is an Evaluator at Apex Evaluation and brings 5 years of evaluation experience and nearly 10 years of experience working with youth in public and nonprofits sectors. She grew up in Upstate New York as the oldest sibling of 9. These experiences shaped her interest in working with youth and families. When working with others, Patience leans on her strengths of curiosity and flexibility.
I am a National Mentoring Resource Center technical assistance provider!
Victoria Murray, LCSW
She, Her, HersTechnical Assistance Consultant
Victoria Murray, LCSW | Technical Assistance Consultant
Victoria joined the Silver Lining Mentoring Institute in 2021 as Technical Assistance Consultant. Prior to this role, Victoria worked for Silver Lining Mentoring’s programming team from 2014-2021, working directly with mentees and mentors to support their mentoring relationships. Victoria is passionate about cultivating authentic working relationships driven by trauma-informed, youth-centered, strengths-based, and equity focused practices.
Before joining SLM in 2014, Victoria’s work experiences spanned across diverse locations and include her roles in individual and family therapy, outdoor education, and school and hospital based social work.
Victoria earned her B.A. in Sociology from Colorado College in 2006, and her Master’s in Social Service in 2011, from Bryn Mawr College. Outside of SLM, Victoria loves to cook, listen to music, explore new places by foot and bike, and spend time with as many dogs as she can.
I am a National Mentoring Resource Center technical assistance provider!
