Ben’s Lighthouse is led by a dedicated volunteer Board formed in September 2013. (Prior to that, the Vestry of Trinity Episcopal Church performed Board responsibilities.) The organization was originally founded as a program of Trinity Church under its 501(c)3 umbrella and in the summer of 2015, Ben’s Lighthouse became it’s own independent 501(c)3. The Ben’s Lighthouse Board meets monthly and Board members will lead or participate in various committees to support the needs of the organization. Over time, new Directors and Advisors will be added as needed.
Keith Alexander
Keith a Software Architect with a Bachelor of Science from Penn State and has written and designed software to distribute stock market data and drive industrial machinery. Keith has seven years of experience on the Board of Education in Newtown, half as Board Chair. During his tenure, the Board of Education implemented full day kindergarten and added an elementary foreign language immersion program. He is currently serving on the Newtown Board of Finance. Keith and his wife, Elizabeth, have lived in Sandy hook for over 20 years. Their two children have grown up in town and are in various stages of moving out.Tim Carlson, CPA
A public company CFO with extensive experience in accounting, financial planning, treasury, risk management, compliance, audit, and investor relations. Earlier in his career, Tim held a series of global finance, strategic planning, and auditing roles at various divisions of Campbell Soup Company and at Ernst & Young. Tim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant.Priscilla Jones
Has been a public school educator for 30+ years, working in schools in Nigeria, Michigan, Maryland, Wisconsin and Connecticut. She has degrees in Education, Psychology and Elementary Math and Science teaching. She is currently teaching in Westport, Connecticut, and lives in Newtown with her husband and two children. She enjoys gardening and hiking the many trails in town, as well as traveling to the Midwest to be with her extended family.Dr. John Woodall
Is a Board Certified Psychiatrist formerly of the faculty of Harvard Medical School and the Founder and Director of the Unity Project, a resilience learning system that was developed to promote resilient strengths in youth. Dr. Woodall has lectured, consulted and developed programs on resilient responses to crisis, human rights, conflict resolution and inter-ethnic dialogue across the US, in Central America, Canada, the Balkans, Cyprus, Israel and the Palestinian Territories for universities, the US Department of State, the United Nations and non-governmental organizations.David Wheeler
Kara Wanzer
Has a MA in Education and a BA in Sociology/ Anthropology. She has worked with children and families in the Greater Danbury Area addressing the education and mental health needs of young children for the past seventeen years. Her work has included programs such as the Mental Health Association of CT, Head Start, Even Start, and the Danbury Public Schools. She is the founder of the Solid Ground Project that supports educators, families and communities in building social emotional competence in young children. Kara lives in Sandy Hook with her husband and two children.Ben’s Lighthouse is committed to fostering children’s potential to build a more compassionate and connected world. Our advisors provide a unique perspective that help us better achieve our goals.
Rick Haylon
Daniela Z. Kaisth
Chris Lyddy
Is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with a strong focus on the treatment of psychological trauma and extreme stress in children and adults, results-based accountability, and implementing evidence- and research-based interventions. A former State Representative, he has experience with legislative process, best practices in the human services, child welfare and juvenile justice fields, and ability to diplomatically and collaboratively engage constituencies and stakeholders on public and social policy issues.Ricki Seidman
Ricki Seidman, a senior principal at TSD, is a seasoned communications strategist. At TSD, Ricki advises a wide range of clients in the corporate and non-profit spheres. She previously served in government and worked in campaigns. She served as VP Joe Biden’s communications director during President Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, and in 2009 assisted the White House in their effort to confirm Justice Sonia Sotomayor, President Obama’s first nominee to the Supreme Court. After a senior role in the 1992 campaign, Ricki held several positions in the Clinton White House, including Deputy Communications Director, Counselor to the Chief of Staff, and Director of Scheduling and Advance for the President; she subsequently served as Deputy Associate Attorney General in the Department of Justice. Her experience also includes a stint as executive director of Rock the Vote, on the staff of the late Senator Edward Kennedy and at the civil liberties organization People for the American Way. She received a B.A. from Miami University, Oxford, Ohio and a J.D. from the University of Georgia, Athens, GeorgiaCori Chertoff
Mary Chamiec-Case
Ben’s Lighthouse is committed to fostering children’s potential to build a more compassionate and connected world. To that end, BLH utilizes dedicated, trained staff members to create, implement and run programs and activities (with the assistance of volunteers).