YES Program Associate
Pam Andrews started as a volunteer in 2018 and was hired in 2022 to help out in the food pantry. She is currently helping with the kids in the YES Program for the past year. She is a single mom of 1 girl and 2 boys.
On her free time, she continues to volunteer with THRIVE MA to help returning citizens from prison reassimilate into society.
Yes Program Coordinator
Daniela Aranda Cross is a dedicated and experienced professional with a passion for creating positive change in the community. Having recently emigrated from Nicaragua, Daniela quickly embraced the welcoming spirit of Lowell, MA, finding a new home and family there. With a master's degree in Social Responsibility and expertise in Project Formulation, Daniela brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to the Community Benefits Agreement (CBA). Driven by a desire to make a meaningful impact, Daniela seeks to contribute to the CBA's mission of building a safe and nurturing environment for children. By fostering a space where children can explore, develop their talents, and prepare for the future, Daniela believes that the CBA can cultivate the next generation of leaders and innovators. Daniela’s commitment to excellence, passion for community engagement, and ability to connect with people from diverse backgrounds make them an invaluable asset to the CBA.
Real Estate Associate
Hayley Barrett began as an intern in 2021 and was invited to the team in 2022. She has previous experience in Public Health where she worked for a workforce development program. She was a first-generation college student and pursued her education at Regis College, where she graduated with a degree in Public Health. She has six siblings and has two Boston Terriers that she loves.
Chief Executive Officer
Yun-Ju Choi came to CBA in 2014 after working in various parts of Boston’s non-profit landscape, including at Madison Park and Lena Park CDCs. She received her master’s in management from Cambridge College and attended Bowdoin College as an undergrad in her home state of Maine. In her previous roles, Yun-Ju enjoyed working closely with youth in the community and visits with YES! Members for long chats whenever she can.
Yun-Ju led the way in building out many of CBA’s current programs. She believes that CBA is not only about real estate, but “It’s about uplifting people and giving them opportunities to buy homes and market-rate housing”. She wants CBA to help people with not only housing but reach their goals and better themselves. In the past, she has done work with at-risk youth and career development in an effort to help the community. She hopes that CBA get more involved in the realms of health equity, employment, and civic engagement.
Real Estate Project Manager
Brendan Conley joined the CBA team in May of 2023. He grew up in the neighboring town of Chelmsford and is now a property owner and resident in Lowell. As a young adult, Brendan has pursued real estate and business, received a BA in business, worked for construction project management companies, and invested in Lowell properties before coming to CBA.
Brendan joined CBA with the intention of combining his desire to serve his community with his real estate and construction knowledge to continue creating a more vibrant Lowell. In his free time, Brendan likes reading, sports videography/photography, and spending time with friends and family.
Civic Engagement and Community Organizing Coordinator
Johanna Danas started her career at CBA in 2019 when she began as an intern and was later hired in 2021. She was born and raised in Lowell and graduated from UMass Lowell, where she earned her degree in English & Political Science. Some of her previous experience includes interning at the Mayor’s Office at Lowell City Hall and the office of State Representative Vanna Howard as well as working for U.S. Senator Ed Markey. Johanna loves working with an organization that helps her understand and aid her community. “CBA is a very special organization and I truly enjoy working with hardworking, passionate, and supportive people. Working at CBA makes me feel like I am making a truly positive impact in Lowell”.
Health Access Program Manager
Ivana Dauwer is passionate about community-focused work. She started with CBA in February 2022, convening CBA’s COVID-19 response initiatives into the Health Access Program. Before CBA, Ivana worked with Girls Inc., where she taught girls ages 4-7 STEM, reading and writing. Her dream is to work within Public Health and serve the community. She is currently pursuing a degree in Public Health and believes that her prior experience has taught her how to better connect with the community and serve it better. She loves working with kids and finds her role very fulfilling. In her free time, she volunteers to help homeless addicts in Lawrence. She loves her cat, tending to her plants, and her yearly summer garden.
Director of Real Estate
Thomas Emery first started at CBA as a UML student, interning with both CBA Programs and Real Estate. He was hired in 2015 and spent 7 years as Real Estate Project Manager, overseeing projects like the Gerson Building in Haverhill, Thomas was hired as Director of Real Estate in 2022.
Thomas takes great pride and satisfaction knowing his work provides affordable housing and opportunities to families and individuals in the Merrimack Valley. He graduated from UMass Lowell with a BA in Sociology and an MA in Community Development, Policy, and Practice from the University of New Hampshire.
Youth Development Program Manager
Justin Ford is a Lowell native who really enjoys community involvement. Justin come’s with a diverse work background, in his previous role at Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association (CMAA) he was responsible for keeping the Khmer community up to date on current events and politics at the local, state, and federal level, as well as Get Out The Vote. In addition to CMAA, He has worked as a Paralegal Specialist Team Leader for 5 years with the U.S. Army at Fort Bragg, NC & Fort Devens, MA. As a paralegal, he was responsible for dozens of legal actions at once. He has management and supervisory experiences in addition to teaching. He is currently pursuing a B.A. in Political Science at the University of Massachusetts at Lowell (UMass Lowell).
Senior Director of Resource Development
A longtime development and communications professional, Clare Gunther recently joined CBA to further strengthen our fundraising and development work, which sustains our many programs and allows us to quickly respond to needs as they arise. A former journalist whose credits include The New York Times, Boston Globe Magazine, and numerous women’s and parenting magazines, Clare has more than 20 years’ experience in grant seeking, fundraising, and donor communications. She previously worked as Chief of Advancement and Communications at Lowell Community Health Center, where she oversaw a successful capital campaign to add dental and vision care, directed the ArtUp program placing artwork by local artists throughout the health center, and substantially increased annual and corporate giving – and collaborated with CBA on a number of initiatives. Prior to working at Lowell CHC, Clare served as Development Director for the YWCA of Northeastern Massachusetts (then YWCA of Greater Lawrence). She has strong ties to the Merrimack Valley region and a commitment to collaboration and equitable fundraising.
Director of Programs
Cecilia Gutierrez Yapur has strengthened CBA's supportive programs with her excellent project management skills since 2021 as our Director of Programs. She joined our team as the Latin Empowerment and Advocacy Program (LEAP) Coordinator in 2020, bringing an understanding of the diversity of cultures within Latin America.
Cecilia grew up in Argentina and worked in Argentina and Brazil in her previous career as an engineer. She is fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese. After settling in Massachusetts, Cecilia looked for an opportunity to serve and connect with her community. As an immigrant herself, she is invested and passionate about helping newcomers in the community. She loves spending time with her family, which includes her husband, two daughters, and her dog, Brownie.
Director of Quality Management
Tiana Lawrence, a Lowell native is diligent about Racial Equity, DEI, and leadership development, with 5+ years of experience in public speaking, implementing workshops, and programming in the nonprofit and higher education sectors. Tiana seeks to leverage community building and organizing to disrupt power dynamics, impact leadership, increase equitable decision-making processes and strengthen diverse stakeholder engagement. Tiana serves as the Director of Quality Management at Coalition for a Better Acre providing comprehensive program development and evaluation. Additionally, Tiana is an adjunct professor at Merrimack College in North Andover, MA and teaches Diversity, Social Justice and Ethics in the traditional undergraduate program and Community Organizing and Development in the Master of Education program. In her personal time, Tiana is a freelance public speaker and DEI practitioner having provided workshops and training as well as participation on several panels. She was a featured Keynote speaker at Northeastern University’s Empower U Conference. Tiana is also a published author. She holds a Master of Education in Community Engagement and a B.A. in Women and Gender Studies and English from Merrimack College.
Office Manager
Pam Miller joined CBA in 2001. Pam’s love for connecting and working with the community is what brought her to CBA. She previously worked with Lowell Housing Authority on their tenant council, helping to give residents a voice. As office manager, she is involved in everything happening at CBA. She is very proud of being involved in the splash pad that was installed on Avenue C for the community. Family and community are extremely important to her. She is a proud great grandma.
Health Access Program Coordinator
Alytah Noum joined CBA in December of 2023 as the Health Access Program Coordinator. She was born and raised in Lynn and then moved to Lowell during her junior year to complete her college education. She is a first-generation graduate from UMass Lowell with a bachelor’s degree in public health/Community Health Promotion and is currently pursuing her master’s degree with a concentration in Behavioral Health. Before working in CBA, Alytah worked in dialysis to help people with kidney failure. For her internship experience, she was hired immediately by the Lowell Community Health Center as a Community Health Worker to help provide transportation for those who needed it. Alytah can also speak basic Khmer which helps her form a strong connection with the Cambodian community in Lowell. Alytah loves CBA because she loves interacting with community members as well as putting a smile on their faces by simply being kind.
Development Coordinator
Poet, writer, and storyteller, Sanary Phen was born in a refugee camp in Thailand during the Khmer Rouge era in Cambodia. She and her family emigrated to the United States in 1981 and resettled in Lowell, which has been home for more than 35 years. Sanary has a deep love and appreciation for the community and takes pride in giving back to the city and its people. She has over 15 years of experience in social work and the nonprofit sector. She previously worked as CBA’s Workforce Development Coordinator and in April 2023 took on the role of Development Coordinator, serving as our talented and effective grant writer. Sanary has worked as a freelance writer for the Lowell Sun and is a dedicated volunteer with the Cambodian American Literary Arts Association.
Program Manager
Leakena "Keena" Phal was born and raised in Massachusetts. She is the 1st generation in her family to be born in the United States, after fleeing Cambodia's killing fields. For almost 10 years, Keena has been working to help our communities with resources, support, and advocacy. In her past roles as a job recruiter at ATA Employment Agency in Lowell, MA she directly assisted community members in finding sustainable employment. Keena also has experience as a Street Worker and Transitional Coach at UTEC in Lowell, MA. In these roles at UTEC, Keena successfully worked with at-risk and underprivileged young adults, supporting them in transitioning from a life of being on the streets, to becoming a positive role model in their community. Keena also has experience assisting intellectually and developmentally disabled individuals in gaining soft job skills and supporting them to become independent in their working lives. Keena has a long presence in the nonprofit sector, also having worked at CMAA in Lowell, MA. In conjunction to being a community leader, Keena is also a small business owner. In 2013, Keena opened Essentials Gifts & Fashion, and now owns an event designing/planning business, where she assists the community in having budget-friendly events. Keena was recently honored by HCFA (Health Care For All) for her work with the MassHealth Redetermination Campaign and is currently the Co-Chairwoman of the Lowell DTA Advisory Board Committee and has been the MC for Khmer New Years at Pailin-Clemente Park. Keena resides in the highlands of Lowell, with her Husband and 3 kids.
Marketing, Communications, and IT Support Associate
Nerio A. Pizarro is a talented and experienced IT professional and graphic designer. He graduated from Middlesex Community College in 2020 with an Associate's Degree in Information Technology and in 2022 with an Associate's Degree in Graphic Design. During the summer of 2023, he gained valuable experience as an intern at CBA. After his internship, he was hired full-time by CBA Coalition for a Better Acre. Nerio is passionate about technology and design, and he is committed to using his skills and knowledge to make a positive impact in the community.
Director of Operations
Shamir Rivera-Quintal isn’t a stranger to the streets of Lowell, moving between The Acre, Centralville, and Pawtucketville growing up. She has always had a love for Lowell and its community. Shamir’s mother used to volunteer for CBA, assisting with community organizing and door-knocking. Shamir even participated in some acre cleanups when she was younger.
She furthered her education in Maine at Bowdoin College, where she studied Sociology and African Studies. Her current role at CBA, as the director of operations, allows her to support the staff and utilize her experience with technology.
YES Program Associate
Kim-Sarah I (she/her/hers) joined the CBA team in January 2024. Her background with community-focused organizations includes serving as a Fleet Member for Offbeet Compost, a photographer for Mill City Grows, and a Changemaker for The SEAD Project’s Change Lab 2022 Winter cohort. She is dedicated to guiding people on their journey of understanding themselves, cultivating creativity, and discovering their space within community. In addition to her role at CBA, Kim-Sarah is also a visual artist currently based at Western Avenue Studios and Lofts.
Community Engagement and Events Coordinator
Dolores Sierra joined CBA in 2014 but has been helping out as a volunteer ever since she was a child. Before CBA, some of her other experiences include working with Middlesex Community College, McAuliffe Elementary School, Lowell Housing Authority, and AmeriCorps. She loves CBA because she is able to give back to her community. She loves being able to get creative and help plan the numerous events that CBA hosts. She has a bachelor's in psychology with a concentration in Child and Adolescent Development. Outside of her work at CBA, Dolores attends church and helps the youth and homeless. In her free time, Dolores likes to express herself artistically, whether it be painting, drawing, or singing; she loves creating.
Accounting Manager
Brandon Taheri joined CBA in August of 2023. He was born and raised in the western part of Massachusetts, in the small Chair city of Gardner. He is currently finishing his degree in Accounting and has hopes to obtain his CPA shortly after. Brandon likes walking, kayaking, and trying new foods. He is very proud of the work he does in the Finance department to keep CBA running smoothly.
Marketing and Communications CoorDINATIOR
Lisa Will earned her MBA from UMass Lowell and has worked as Marketing assistant for various businesses and nonprofits and acted as a marketing freelancer to help small local businesses thrive. She also worked closely with residents of a homeless shelter for homeless men and tutored people seeking refuge in German and English. “I think creating an environment that is truly and authentically promoting equity for all is so important. It is the optimal way to evoke economic and social progress, enabling everyone to live a fulfilled life, if I can assist in making this possible in any way, I will do it.” Lisa experienced this firsthand, originally from Germany, she has lived in America since 2016. According to her, the city of Lowell has welcomed her with open arms ever since. She is now dedicated to giving back to the community through her work at CBA. Lisa is working on a children's book series, trying to highlight racial inclusivity, respectful, loving, and open-minded interactions with children and the importance of learning with and from each other.
Chief Financial Officer
A local to the area, Michele Witts was born and raised in Lowell. She has a special connection and insight into what went on inside The Acre before its redevelopment. Michele received her degree at the University of Lowell, which is now UMass Lowell, pursuing a career in finance. As she finished her education, she witnessed and was inspired by The Acre Triangle Protests in the 80s, finding the area’s transformation important. She believes that The Acre is an important and thriving part of Lowell, which has led her to dedicate the past, approximately, 21 years to further improving the area with CBA. As opposed to Michele’s previous for-profit jobs in finance, she feels like she is making a difference in the community with CBA. The change wasn’t unintentional; Michele wanted to help people.
Health Access Program Coordinator
Jiawei Zhang is a recent first-generation graduate from UMass Lowell who has a degree in Public Health/Community Health Promotion. She started her journey at CBA as an intern in January 2023. Jiawei recently joined the CBA Health Access team, as an Health Access Program Coordinator.
Since 2015 as a Lowell resident, Jiawei has developed a stronger connection with her community and will continue to utilize her knowledge and prior experiences that she has gained to pursue her passion in promoting the importance of health and to help the Acre community to reduce health inequities to achieve the quality of life.
In her free time, Jiawei likes to go exploring in nature and take sunset photos and listen to good music.