Cushing Team

Stephen has more than 25 years of leadership experience in large nonprofit organizations – in the education, health, and social services sectors. He is currently serving as Vice President of Partnerships at Orbis Education, Inc., holding responsibility for university partnership operations, financial profitability, and strategic growth & planning of nursing education programs.  He is also charged to develop and oversee the establishment and implementation of policies in the areas of financial, online education, information technology, space and facilities, financial and administrative operations, as well as the establishment and implementation of policies in the areas of financial, human resources, information technology, space and facilities.

Sister Diana is the Community Director of Sister of St. Francis of Assisi in Milwaukee, and helps Cushing stay connected to its Franciscan roots.  In addition to being the Director for the past 16+ years, she has also served as an elementary school teacher, a pastoral associate, and an inner city of Milwaukee credit counselor.  She is blessed with a grand-nephew who has Down syndrome.

George is EVP of Real Estate & Property Development for the TJX Companies Inc. Prior to TJX, George spent 20 years at BJ’s Wholesale Club Inc. with the last 10 years as SVP of Real Estate & Property Development. George began his career at Zayre Corp where he spent 7 years in various Real Estate functions including Market Research & Analysis.  He currently chairs Cushing’s Real Property Committee.

Sakina is the Founder and President of EvansOne, an Executive Search and HR Consultancy firm in Boston, Ma.  She has a 25+ year career in Human Resources and Talent Management – spanning a multitude of positions in both the non-profit and corporate space.  Sakina helps to build teams, and identify, hire, develop and mentor some of the best talent available.

Hadley is a seasoned entrepreneur and investor with 25+ years’ experience working in the high tech industry.  He is the Founding General Partner of Eniac Ventures — one of the world’s leading seed stage VC funds with over $500 Million under management.  Harris’ brother, Traves, is a Cushing graduate and is currently receiving supports from Cushing’s adult programs.

Joanne is the founder of Joanne Jaxtimer Consulting, a small firm that focuses on providing nonprofit organizations with fund development, relationship management and stakeholder engagement services. She also specializes in assisting client partners with executive leadership transitions, organizational and development assessments, strategic planning and executive search.  Prior to launching her firm, she served as BNY Mellon’s Co-Head of Global Philanthropy. Joanne’s son, Michael, participated in Cushing’s culinary training program and currently works for the Culinary Department.

Keiko Mathewson and her family have been part of the Cushing Community since 2002, when her brother Brent became a student there. She has also been deeply involved with the Special Olympics from a young age. She is currently the Language Department Chair and Co-Director of Theater at Canterbury School, a coed boarding and day school in Connecticut.  Previously, she was the Director of Community Service for six years at Canterbury.  Keiko holds a B.A. in Spanish & Secondary Education from Muhlenberg College, and an M.A. from Fairfield University with a concentration in curriculum development, assessment, and evaluation. When she isn’t teaching Spanish or volunteering, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two girls.  

Meg has over 40 years of experience in financial services, with extensive experience in P&L management, setting strategic direction, and leading national and international teams of professionals. Before retirement, she served as Managing Director at The Collaborative for six years where she was consulting for investment advisors, banks, asset managers, broker dealers, wirehouses and insurance companies.

Kim is a Partner at legal firm Baker, Braverman & Barbadoro, PC where she represents clients who are developing property or in legal disputes involving land – including local zoning and planning boards, Land Court, Superior Court, Appeals Court, and state agencies. Her legal experience is supported by more than 10 years as project and leasing manager for a commercial real estate company.

Jeremy is a CPA who has gained accounting and finance experience through his 16+ years in public accounting at RSM US in Boston.  In his current role as a Partner in Risk Consulting, Jeremy primarily works to support clients in the life science industry.  He has a passion for serving people and previously served on the regional board for Easter Seals.

Mary has volunteered in the classroom alongside Cushing’s students, and served on Cushing’s Capital Campaign Steering Committee and the Development Committee.  Currently Vice Chair of the Cohasset Advisory Committee, she chaired the Town Hall Building Committee in Cohasset from 2016–2018, was Vice Chair of the Cohasset School Committee, and served on the Board of the Cohasset Education Foundation as Grants Chair, Vice President, and President from 2007-2013. She also teaches yoga, and owns Black Rock Country Club with her husband, George.

Sister Helene is a Sister of St. Francis of Assisi who helps Cushing stay connected to its Franciscan roots.  She holds a bachelor’s degree in horticulture from University of Wisconsin – Madison, and an associate degree in food management from William Rainey Harper College.  She has served on the board of directors at St. Ann Center for Intergenerational Care in Milwaukee and assisted with fundraising and communications for St. John’s Villa in Carrollton, Ohio, where she also held the positions of Director of Vocational Services and Director of Food Service.  Sister also worked at Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee as Food Service Director at the Motherhouse, and is a member of the Land Use Committee at the Motherhouse in St. Francis, Wisconsin, where she currently lives and where she manages the Cornerstone Gift Shop at St. Francis Convent.

Michael Ruh is the Director of Acquisitions and Finance at FoxRock Properties, overseeing the underwriting, due diligence and financing of current and future real estate investments.  Prior to FoxRock he founded his own real estate consulting firm, working with dozens of operators and investors on real estate development and investment deals. He graduated from Syracuse University, and got his Masters of Accountancy at Ohio State.  He proudly serves on the Economic Development Board for the South Shore Chamber, Real Estate Committee at Cardinal Cushing Centers, and was previously involved with the South Shore Leadership Program.  In his spare time, he enjoys taking morning walks with his growing family in Norris Reservation and playing basketball in the Norwell Rec League. 

Dave is Principal of Causeway Development LLC, a real estate development and advisory firm, with particular emphasis on overseeing acquisition opportunities, permitting, and construction. Dave consults with numerous non-profits on complex real estate challenges and has directly overseen a wide variety of complex mixed-income, mixed-use development projects that leverage a wide variety of public and private financing.

Jerry, the visionary founder and CEO of Healthcare Financial, Inc., spearheads a Quincy-based company dedicated to facilitating vulnerable individuals in securing vital healthcare benefits.  With an unwavering entrepreneurial spirit backed by over three decades of expertise, Jerry stands as a stalwart leader in the industry.  His profound knowledge extends to national recognition as an expert in healthcare reform, revenue enhancement, and Medicaid and Medicare eligibility and enrollment.  Jerry also takes pride in being a devoted family man. His daughter Frankie is currently pursuing her education at Cushing.