meet our board of directors

Sue joined the Head Start Board in 2014. She is an Early Childhood educator who has worked with young children since 1979 and currently teaches an Early Childhood curriculum at MCLA and Elms College. Sue also is on the Board at Pittsfield Community Television and is active in her church.

Dick joined the Board in the early 1990s when Head Start first opened in the town of Washington, MA. He has been a Selectman in that town for 26 years. He is President of Berkshire Regional Housing and a VISTA volunteer. Dick retired after 33 years of state employment. 

Diane has been on the Board since 1996. She is a past parent of two Head Start children and previously served as President and Vice President of Policy Council when her children attended. In addition to being involved with Head Start at Third Thursdays and at the Fourth of July Parade, Diane is a volunteer at Western Mass Labor Action Council.

Janis Broderick has been on the board of Head Start since 2005. Since 2008, she has worked as the Executive Director of Elizabeth Freeman Center, which is the domestic violence shelter and rape crisis center for Berkshire County. Previously, she dedicated 29 years to Western Massachusetts Legal Services and, in that role, closely collaborated with Head Start staff. Janis is a member of the Citizen’s Advisory Board of the Department of Transitional Assistance, the Policy Committee of Jane Doe, Inc., and “Lift the Cap” Coalition. She frequently describes Head Start as her “happy place” because of its fabulous work with children and families.

Francine Germaine has served on the Head Start board since 2010. She is a social worker who has worked with children and families since 1978. Francine retired from the Department of Children and Families in 2015. Presently, she is a policy implementation coach. Additionally, she serves on the Coordinated Family Community Engagement Council for Central Berkshire and on the executive board of her church.

Dan is a long-time community volunteer. He has served as President/Chief Professional Officer of Berkshire United Way, as well as Former member/chair of several other nonprofits including Christian Center, UCP, and Goodwill. He is a former three-term Pittsfield City Councilor. Presently, Dan is the Relationship Development Officer for Greylock Federal Credit Union and continues to serve on several non-profit boards. He has been on the Board here since 2006.

Missy has been a member of the Head Start Board in 2015. She is a social worker and an early childhood educator. Currently, Missy serves as the social worker for the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center as well as a consultant for the Preschool Enrichment Team. She is the mother of nine children ranging in age 3-24 yrs. Two of Missy’s children attended and graduated from the Head Start Program 

Kathy has been on the Board since 2015. She retired from public education in 2012 after serving 34 years at McCann Technical School as a teacher and administrator. Kathy has also served on the Board of Directors at Wahconah Country Club and is active in her community and church.

Lori joined the Head Start Board in 2016. She is the Area Resource Coordinator for The Department of Children and Families (DCF) where she has worked for 36 years in several capacities. She is very active in the community and serves on various boards and committees. Her passion for child welfare motivates her continued commitment to our community’s children.

Carrie joined the Board in 2018. She is an attorney at the Central West Justice Center (Community Legal Aid) and specializes in humanitarian immigration law. She has two young children who recently graduated from preschool.

Amanda was added to the Board in late 2018. She is an Accountant with Lombardi, Clairmont, and Keegan CPAs in Pittsfield. She moved to Berkshire County in March of 2016. Amanda is excited to be part of the Head Start Board as she believes deeply in the organization’s mission and its positive impact on our community.