Executive Committee

• Christine Claypoole, President

Benin '91-‘93 Christine served as a Rural Community Development volunteer in Benin, which began her career in international public health. After returning from Peace Corps, Christine received her Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. She then continued her development career by working for Population Services International (PSI) in Washington, DC and Phnom Penh, Cambodia and for DKT in Indonesia. In 2000, she moved to Boston. She is currently the Deputy Director of the International Division for John Snow, Inc and works on projects in Africa and the former Soviet Union. She has been part of BARPCV for several years and has served as Fund Raising Chair and Vice President before becoming the current President.  She is also for annual calendar sales fundraiser and new merchandise 

• Jacquelyn Caglia, Vice-President

Dominican Republic '03-'05 Jacque served as a Community Health volunteer in a small town in the northwestern region of the Dominican Republic. There she worked on several health projects including the development of a network of youth peer educators and nutrition interventions with women as well as a regional diversity initiative. Jacque has an MPH from Boston University and several years of experience working locally on community-based health improvement initiatives. Jacque currently works for the international NGO World Connect as the Director of Programming. Jacque joined the BARPCV board in 2006 upon her return to the Boston area. She has served as Vice President since 2007, focused on building BARPCV’s capacity as an organization and increasing membership. 

• Alexander Minier, Treasurer & Small Grants Chair

Turkmenistan ’03-’05 Alex was a volunteer in Turkmenbashy, Turkmenistan, where he led after school English programs for both students and teachers, and collaborated with local leaders on a several community development projects. He currently works as an Executive Liability underwriter at Chartis Insurance. 

• Noel Palatas, Secretary

Romania ‘00-‘02 Noel was a TEFL volunteer at a middle school in Zalau Romania. Currently, she works as a Program and Training Coordinator in the Office for Sponsored Staff and Volunteers at Brigham and Women's Hospital. As the BARPCV secretary, she drafts agendas, takes minutes, and coordinates the annual photo contest. She has been a member of the BARPCV board for four years and has been the secretary for the last two years. 

Board of Directors

• Danielle Asselin, Events Chair

Morocco ‘04-‘06 Danielle served as a Natural Resources Management and Rural Community Development volunteer in the small village of Tanaghmelt . There she worked with the local development association to promote environmental awareness and cultural conservation. She also assisted in the development of a women’s literacy program in the village. She has a B.S. in Environmental Science from Rutgers University with a minor in Human Ecology. Currently, Danielle is an Adult ESOL Instructor with JVS and teaches vocational English. She joined the board in 2008 and looks forward to a successful 50th Celebration this coming year.

• Meg Coffman, Community Service Chair

Mauritania ‘00-02, Mali ‘02-03 Meg moved to Boston in January 2008 after living in DC where she and her husband Aaron Wesolowski moved after completing their Peace Corps service. Meg was a Small Enterprise Develop Volunteer in Mauritania and then ran Peace Corps Mali’s national HIV program. Meg is completing a Masters in Health Communications degree at Tufts University. Together Meg and Aaron are organizing BARPCV Community Service events.

• Alison Mickiewicz, Membership Chair

Madagascar ’05-07 Alison served as a Community Health Educator in the town of Ambohitsilaozana (“the hill you cannot leave”) in the Lac Alaotra region of Madagascar. There, she collaborated with health clinics, school teachers, a Malagasy women’s group, and various community leaders to conduct projects promoting nutrition, clean water, family planning, and malaria prevention. In addition, she taught health classes in area schools and established a youth group at the district middle school. Currently, Alison works for the USDA Food and Nutrition Service as a Program Specialist with the Nutrition Education component of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

• Anna Omura, Speakers Bureau

Togo '04-'06 Anna Omura served as a Natural Resource Management (NRM) Extension Agent in Togo, West Africa. Her work included reforestation, energy conservation techniques, training on eco-tourism and agro-forestry. Additionally, she worked with Togolese women's groups to start small enterprises and she also built, stocked, and staffed a rural health clinic. Currently, Anna is the Operations Manager at the Legatum Center for Development and Entrepreneurship at MIT, which promotes for-profit enterprise in low-income countries by assisting aspiring entrepreneurs to develop and commercialize their business plans through education, conferences, lectures and networking opportunities. Anna spent six years as a founding partner of Breaking the Mold Candle Company (BTM) in Denver, CO. 

• Doane Perry, Member at Large

Uganda '66 - '69 Involved with BARPCV as secretary and vice president, Doane served as president 1994-2007. He organized the environment committee and the film festival and played on the softball team. He is co-founder and coordinator of Friends of Uganda and on the board of Peace Corps Film. He was on the board of directors of RPCVs for Environment and Development. From 1994-1999, he represented New England on the National Peace Corps Association board of directors, where he was secretary and vice-chair and chaired the advocacy committee. With BARPCV, he is coordinating planning of the BARPCV 50th anniversary celebrations and the development of the history of BARPCV. After retiring from the computer and telecom industries, he owns two bed and breakfasts, A Bed and Breakfast in Cambridge and A Bed and Breakfast in the Berkshires.

• Adam Michael Rosenberg, TGIF Coordinator

Kingdom of Lesotho ’06-’08 Adam is a new addition to the Board, having just returned from Peace Corps-Lesotho where he served as an HIV/AIDS advisor in the snowy Qacha’s Nek District. He is a Connecticut-native with a strong Ohio identity, which he developed over 9 years of living in Cincinnati just prior to shipping off to Africa. Adam is excited to be working on the monthly BARPCV TGIF gatherings, and he sees this as a great way to encourage and strengthen RPCV community development in the Greater-Boston Area. Adam is currently pursuing an M.A. in Sustainable International Development and an M.A. in Coexistence & Conflict at Brandeis University, he lives in Cambridge and can be spotted frequently doubled-fisting cappuccinos in Porter Square.

• Michael Vivaldi, TGIF & Sports Coordinator

Guatemala '96-‘97 Michael is currently working as a city planner in the town of Wilmington, MA. He is working with Jordan McCarron to organize BARPCV's monthly TGIF events. He is also an enthusiastic member of the softball team.

• Aaron Wesolowski, Community Service Chair

Mali ‘01-‘03 Aaron moved to Boston in January 2008 after living in DC where he and his wife Meg Coffman moved after completing their Peace Corps service. Aaron was a Community Health/HIV Volunteer in Dogon Country in the Republic of Mali. Aaron is a Policy Analyst at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Federal oversight agency for the Medicare, Medicaid & SCHIP programs. Together Meg and Aaron are organizing BARPCV Community Service events.

• Erika Gianni, Communications Chair

Honduras ‘97 – ‘99. Erika served as a Small Business Volunteer in Guaimaca, Honduras. There she collaborated with community leaders to plan and conduct business workshops with groups of women and students. In addition, she assisted in organizing multiple craft fairs with Honduran artisans, including coordination of fundraising, promotion, logistics and training. After returning from Peace Corps, Erika received an M.A. in Marketing Communications from Florida State University. In 2006, she moved to Boston. Currently, Erika is the eCommerce Marketing Manager at The Clarks Companies, N.A. For BARPCV, Erika serves as the Communications Chair and is responsible for the monthly bulletin and maintaining communications regarding events and activities with members.