Staff
Joe Finn, President and Executive Director since 2003. Joe has worked on homelessness issues for more than 20 years, serving as executive director of Shelter, Inc. (now Heading Home) in Cambridge and Quincy Interfaith Sheltering Coalition (now Father Bill's & MainSpring) prior to joining MHSA. He concentrates on the expansion of permanent supportive housing opportunities for individuals, including the chronically homeless -- the most expensive and disabled segment of the homeless population.
Joe is a 1978 graduate of Siena College. He earned a Master of Arts degree in Theology from the Washington Theological Union, a Master of Arts degree in Sociology from the New School for Social Research, a Juris Doctor from the New England School of Law and an Honorary Doctor of Humanities from Bentley College. In 2001, Joe was elected City Councilor for the City of Quincy. Joe and his wife Dolores McIlmail have seven children.
Tom Brigham, Housing First Coordinator. Tom works with partner agencies and the Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness (ICHH) Regional Networks to implement the Home & Healthy for Good initiative, moving the Commonwealth ever closer to a humane, efficient and cost-effective solution to chronic homelessness. Tom worked for 17 years at the Housing Assistance Corporation (HAC) on Cape Cod and filled many roles from direct care staff to deputy department director.
Erin Donohue, Development and Communications Director. Erin oversees all aspects of fundraising and communications for MHSA. She joined the organization in 2006 after graduating with a Master of Social Work degree, concentration in policy, planning and administration, from Boston College. Erin's work at MHSA focuses on engaging individuals, foundations, corporations and government partners in MHSA's mission to end homelessness. Her background includes policy advocacy at the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Massachusetts (NAMI-Mass), project management and employment services at Walden House, a residential substance abuse treatment program in San Francisco, and direct work with chronically homeless adults in Sacramento, CA.
Dr. Jessie Gaeta, Physician Advocate. Jessie joined MHSA as a Physician Advocacy Fellow sponsored by Columbia University. Drawing on knowledge of health issues facing homeless patients living on the streets, she advocates for appropriate health care and housing resources. Jessie is Medical Director of Boston Health Care for the Homeless Program Barbara McInnis House and is a faculty member at Boston University Medical Center where she regularly attends on the inpatient medical ward that is largely responsible for the care of the sickest homeless people in Boston. Her clinical experience with homeless patients led to her interest in affecting housing policy as a strategy to improve the chronic illnesses and lives of her patients.
Caitlin Golden, Outreach Coordinator. While studying religion, ethics and politics at Harvard Divinity School, Caitlin came to MHSA in 2007 as Social Action Ministries Coordinator for her field education placement. Prior to coming to MHSA, Caitlin completed a bachelor’s degree in religion and philosophy from the University of Virginia, where she was involved in interfaith and social action efforts. After graduating with her Master of Theological Studies, Caitlin joined MHSA full time as Outreach Coordinator. She engages communities across the state in the MHSA mission of ending homelessness through Social Action Massachusetts, the Young Professionals Group and other initiatives.
Daniel Lachar, Staff Accountant. Daniel previously worked as compliance auditor for an accounting firm that reports to the U.S. Department of Education. He graduated from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts in Amherst with an accounting degree. Daniel is active in his community, planning the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life and mentoring a child through Big Brothers Big Sisters. Daniel also serves the Greater Boston Food Bank, Saturday’s/Sunday’s Bread, First Parish Church of Cambridge, Amherst Survival Center, UMass’ Meals on Wheels program and MassPIRG’s Hunger and Homelessness Committee.
Louisa “Weezie” Lauher, Program Assistant. Louisa provides support for the administration of contracts, subcontracts, and leases to help ensure program effectiveness and compliance. After relocating to Boston in 2010, Louisa worked in the proofreading department of a publishing company before pursuing her passion for nonprofit work at MHSA in June 2011. Prior to graduating from Bryn Mawr College, Louisa demonstrated both an academic and personal interest in underserved constituencies, specifically the LGBTQ community, leading her to a programming internship with a nonprofit in Philadelphia. She and her partner live in Dorchester.
Allison Lex, Development and Communications Associate. Allison joined MHSA in 2011 as the new development and communications associate. Allison recently completed a Master’s degree in medical anthropology at University College London after receiving her undergraduate degree in journalism from the University of Connecticut. She brings writing, editing and design experience to MHSA, as well as a strong interest in the intersection of health and social justice. Previously, she volunteered for nonprofit organizations in both Connecticut and London.
Doug Tetrault, Program Manager. Doug joined MHSA in 2009 after working for an education-based organization in Indianapolis. Before that, Doug was the executive assistant at Be the Change, Inc., a non-profit organization that is the lead convener of ServiceNation, a campaign to expand national and community service opportunities for people from all walks of life. Doug has also researched legislative issues pertaining to human rights and advocacy law for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee. Doug graduated from Champlain College with a bachelor’s degree in professional writing, receiving numerous awards for his work on social justice issues.
Janice Whalen, Executive and Financial Assistant. Jan joined MHSA in 2007 after working at Father Bill's Place in Quincy for 18 years. She served in a variety of roles at the shelter, beginning as a volunteer and progressing to marketing director. Jan brings her development and administrative expertise to her role at MHSA. She lives with her husband in Quincy and enjoys designing jewelry in her spare time.
Kaye Wild, Vice President. Kaye oversees MHSA's day-to-day-operations as well as legal and governance issues. She develops agency policies and manages contracts for city, state and federally-funded homeless services. Kaye assists with agency program planning and ensures compliance with state and federal regulations and internal policies. Kaye formerly worked at the Department of Social Services as the Housing Coordinator for the Domestic Violence Unit. While at DSS, she managed contracts and developed programs for state and federally funded domestic violence providers throughout Massachusetts. Before DSS, Kaye was Assistant General Counsel at the Boston Housing Authority, working primarily on contracts and real estate development projects. Kaye is a graduate of the University of Nebraska and Suffolk Law School.
Tom Yotts, Director of Finance and Administration. Tom started at MHSA in 2006 as a contractor and joined full-time in 2007. He manages finances, human resources, information technology and more. He was employed by the Suffolk County Sheriff’s Department for 25 years, with roles that included CFO, director of administrative services, budget director and analyst. Tom is a graduate from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and earned his master’s degree in business administration from Boston University.
