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
David, Ben’s father, is a designer and illustrator working in the gift publishing industry. His gratitude to the founders and other members of the Ben’s Lighthouse team is without end.
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
An entrepreneur and Newtown-based businessman, founded Ben’s Lighthouse on December 17, 2012 and led the organization for its first four years. Rick and his wife and three children have been very involved in youth athletics, theater and music activities, religious-education programs, and other organizations within town. Rick has strong organizational development skills from years managing at GE Capital and at several entrepreneurial start-ups. He currently runs a multi-million dollar internet-based sales company.
Daniela Z. Kaisth
Daniela Z. Kaisth has over twenty years experience in international non-profit management. She is a partner in Gratias Partners, a philanthropy consulting firm focusing on phiianthropic entities, encouraging more effective giving through collaboration, grant-writing and fund development. Prior to founding Gratias Partners, Ms. Kaisth was Vice-President for External Affairs and IIE Initiatives at the Institute of International Education, in charge of development, communications, new initiatives and emergency assistance to students and scholars. Ms. Kaisth was responsible for leading IIE programs that addressed critical higher education needs in crisis, post-conflict, and transition countries. Ms. Kaisth received a Master’s Degree in International Affairs from Carleton University’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs and a Diploma in International Studies from John Hopkins’ Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations from John Hopkins University.
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.
