SARAH Inc.’s Board of Directors

SARAH Inc. is committed to enhancing skills and transforming lives of all individuals with differing abilities. The SARAH Inc. Board of Directors strive to further every aspect of our mission. All members of the Board are dedicated and passionate about what they do and the population we serve. If you have any questions or want to reach us at SARAH Inc. please call (860) 399-1888.

A headshot of Rebecca Dunn

Rebecca Dunn, President

Becca has an accomplished career in which she started as a social worker and is now currently specializing in criminal and mental health law. She graduated from the University of Kentucky with a master’s in social work and completed a law degree at Hofstra School of Law. As a social worker, Becca witnessed just how much the judicial systems could change a person’s life for the better. This inspired Becca to take up law. Becca is personally connected to the SARAH Inc. community through her two-year-old son who receives services from SARAH Inc.’s KIDSTEPS program. As a mother of soon to be five, her children and family are her greatest passions. Becca and her family currently reside in Niantic, CT.

Colin Dugan, Vice President

Colin has over a decade of experience in the financial services industry where he has spent his career servicing high-net-worth individuals and families. Colin’s positive and encouraging attitude is evident whether he is serving clients, assisting their business partners, or giving back to his community. He works directly with clients, attending to their day-to-day financial needs, and works tirelessly behind the scenes to help clients reach their goals. Prior to Principle Wealth Partners, Colin held relationship and operational management positions for boutique, Connecticut-based wealth management firms. Colin and his wife, Liz reside in Old Saybrook with their two young children, Jack and Isla.

Suzanne Erno, Treasurer

Suzanne Erno has an accomplished career in the financial industry. She is currently the First Vice President, Senior Commercial Lender at Guilford Savings Bank while working towards an MBA at UCONN with a concentration in Finance. Throughout her career, it has been important to Suzanne to stay active in the community. Some of her civic activities include participating on other Boards, including Safe Futures in New London and the Big Brothers and Sisters of Southeastern Connecticut. As a lifelong Connecticut resident, Suzanne is familiar with SARAH Inc. and the services that we provide. Now engaging as a Board member, she is excited to help us by furthering our mission and helping those in our programs. In her spare time Suzanne enjoys a myriad of activities including surfing, traveling with her children, and playing the piano.

A headshot of James Baron

James Baron, Secretary

James Baron is the William S. Beinecke Professor at the Yale School of Management. Jim joined the Yale faculty in 2006, after 24 years on the faculty at the Stanford Business School. He received his B.A. from Reed College, an M.S. from the University of Wisconsin, and a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of California, Santa Barbara. His research focuses on the determinants and consequences of organizational structures and human resource policies, particularly their effects on organizational performance and on workers’ careers. Jim teaches M.B.A., executive MBA, and doctoral courses on organizational behavior and human resources, as well as lecturing on management and leadership topics to audiences in the United States and abroad. Jim consults on strategic, organizational, and human resource issues to corporations, law firms, government agencies, and nonprofits. He resides in New Haven with his young son.

A headshot of Deb Palmer

Deb Palmer, Director

Deb is an accomplished Senior Executive and Board Member with more than 40 years of success across the legislative and domestic international insurance industries. Throughout her executive career, Deb has held leadership positions at MassMutual Financial Group, PAL Associates, LLC, and Aetna, Inc. She has been responsible for leading the turnaround of strategic people practices for a Fortune 500 Company. Thanks to her work, that company earned national recognition including ranking as a “Top 50 Company for Diversity” by Diversity, Inc., and a “Top 10 Company for Female Executives” by the National Association of Female Executives. Deb holds a B.A. in Spanish and Education from Manhattanville College, as well as an M.B.A. in Organizational Effectiveness from the University of Hartford. She has held board positions with various nonprofits and was awarded the Women of Excellence Award as a Corporate Women’s Champion by the National Association of Female Executives.

Chris Lofaro, Director

Christopher Lofaro is a Connecticut native who is passionate about being involved within the community. He is joining the SARAH Inc. Board with experience that will contribute to various aspects of our agency including human resources, marketing, executive management, and more. Chris is currently working in his family owned and operated business, Berkeley Exteriors in Milford. His current role covers a broad spectrum of running the business. This will be Chris’s first step into Board service. Throughout his life, Chris has gained experiences that helped him see the support networks, as well as challenges, for families with individuals with differing abilities. Because of this, he is very enthusiastic about joining SARAH Inc.’s Board and being a part of something that makes a positive impact for individuals and families.

Karen Gerboth Photo

Karen Gerboth, Director

A strategic communicator and longtime marketing professional, Karen Gerboth has devoted her career to helping colleges and universities communicate their stories with creativity, precision, and confidence. A collaborative leader with a heart for making education accessible, Karen has enjoyed a progressive career at Wittenberg University where she currently serves as Vice President of Marketing and Communications. She also brings experience in philanthropic communications through her prior work at Connecticut College and with various nonprofits. Karen earned her M.A. in journalism from the University of Missouri and her B.A. in English from Wittenberg University. She also holds a certificate in marketing strategy from Cornell University. When time allows, Karen enjoys traveling, writing, serving, and spending time with her family in Waterford, CT. Karen says she is deeply inspired by SARAH Inc.’s mission and looks forward to helping the organization achieve its goals as it continues to change lives.

Luis Olmo-Rivera, Director

Luis Olmo-Rivera is the Development Director at Downtown Evening Soup Kitchen in New Haven, CT. He received his BSc from Eastern Connecticut State University in public policy and government. After having the opportunity to intern at the CT State Legislature and US Congress, he has spent the last two decades working in the nonprofit sector. His experiences working for nonprofits on the city, state, and national levels led to extensive knowledge in fundraising, communications, operations, and board governance. He has held board positions for various nonprofits over the years. He is excited to be a part of SARAH Inc.’s Board and to continue to make a positive impact on individuals and families in our communities.

Elizabeth Beaumont, Director

Elizabeth Beaumont has thirty years of experience in the field of education. Her career began as an early childhood educator at a private school in Massachusetts.  Following that, she taught elementary students and spent the next decade as a regular education teacher in various states. She also had the opportunity to teach in Okinawa, Japan, with DoDEA (Department of Defense Education Activity). In 2012, she completed her Sixth Year Certificate in Special Education and worked as a resource teacher at the Regional Multicultural Magnet School (RMMS) in New London, CT.  In 2018, she joined the East Lyme Public Schools, where she established the Therapeutic Learning Program, providing services for elementary students. Most recently, Elizabeth accepted a position back at RMMS as their new assistant principal.  In addition to her educational career, she has also worked with various organizations such as ARC of New London, Unified Sports, and Eastern Connecticut Ballet as a consultant for their adaptive dance program.  Elizabeth is passionate about ensuring that all individuals of differing abilities have access to experiences that enrich their lives.