Speakers

At this meeting only the Rotary Club and their guests will meet at The Event Space Andover 1 Dundee Park Drive, Suite 5, Andover 

Kevin F. Coppinger became Essex County Sheriff in January 2017 and is currently in his second term in office.

Sheriff Coppinger has close to 40 years of law enforcement experience in Essex County. He started his career as a police officer in Lynnfield, before joining the Lynn Police Department in 1985. He was named Chief of Police in 2009 and held that position until he was sworn in as the Essex County Sheriff in 2017.

Sheriff Coppinger credits the hard work, service, and professionalism of his employees for the successes seen in Essex County. One of his first priorities was to increase training opportunities for all staff to ensure the safety of all who work, visit, or reside within correctional facilities. His mantra for all employees is “Honesty. Integrity. Respect.”

As Sheriff, he has created several nationally-recognized programs to address the critical issues of substance use disorder, mental health, and re-entry services.  Essex County was an early participant to bring Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) inside a correctional facility, and his program now serves as a national model in corrections.  By moving inmates from a traditional cell to dormitory-style living and embedding licensed clinicians on the unit, his Correctional Opportunities for Personal Enrichment (COPE) program has changed the way corrections helps those incarcerated with mental health needs.

In 2022, Sheriff Coppinger opened the Supporting Transitions And Reentry (STAR) program in Lawrence and in Lynn. This innovative community-based program connects not only those  recently released from custody but also other justice-involved individuals with the supports and services they need to live life outside the justice system. STAR brings together dozens of community partners to help clients with housing needs, workforce training, educational supports, substance use treatment, counseling and much more.

Sheriff Coppinger holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from the Northeastern University and a Master of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice from Anna Maria College.  He is also a graduate of the 203^rd Session of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy in Quantico, Virginia as well as the FBI-LEEDA Program. 

Sheriff Coppinger is an active member of the Massachusetts Sheriffs’ Association, Major County Sheriffs of America, the National Sheriffs’ Association, Essex County Chiefs of Police Association, Police Executive Research Forum, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s National Academy Associates.  He is a member of the Massachusetts Police Training Committee, as well.  Coppinger is also an Advisory Board member for the North Shore Community College’s Criminal Justice Program; Violently Injured Police Officers Organization (VIPO); and UTEC, Inc., a non-profit dedicated to the success of today’s youth.

Joan Arsenault currently serves as Assistant Regional Rotary Foundation Coordinator for
RI Zone 32. She served as D7930’s District Foundation Chair & Annual Fund Chair and
served as District Governor from 2019-2020. She is a Multiple Paul Harris Fellow, a
Major Donor, a Bequest Society Member, and a member of the Paul Harris Society and
Polio Plus Society. 

Joan recently received the Service Above Self Award for her dedicated work to The
Rotary Foundation. This is awarded by the RI Directors up to 150 Rotarians a year out of
1.2 million worldwide. Joan’s heartfelt commitment to The Rotary Foundation reflects
not only her belief in doing good in the world, but her unwavering dedication to making
that good possible. Through her leadership, advocacy, and generosity, she has inspired
others to give, to serve, and to believe in the power of Rotary to create meaningful
change.

Dirty Hands Project is a Massachusetts-based nonprofit organization committed to breaking the silence around mental health and creating real, lasting change in our communities. We believe that mental health must be a priority not a stigma and we’re dedicated to rolling up our sleeves and doing the hands-on work needed to support individuals and families across the state.

Our mission is to promote mental health awareness, provide community-driven support, and create safe spaces for open conversations. Through local outreach, educational initiatives, volunteer programs, and compassionate advocacy, we empower people to speak openly about their struggles and seek the help they deserve. At Dirty Hands Project, we are not just hoping for change—we are actively building it.

Located in Massachusetts and serving surrounding communities, we strive to inspire connection, encourage healing, and strengthen mental wellness for all. Together, we can normalize asking for help, uplift those facing challenges, and make a meaningful impact one person, one story, and one honest conversation at a time.

Karen Coppola, CDP, EAL
Founder & President, It Takes a Herd Foundation Inc.
Karen Coppola is the founder of It Takes a Herd Foundation Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that
delivers dementia-friendly equine-assisted programming to care partners and their loved ones
living with dementia.
 
Her work as a Certified Dementia Practitioner, Certified Dementia Support Group Facilitator, VA
Peer Mentor in the Caregiver Support Program, and her experience as a lifelong equestrian
certified in Equine Assisted Learning has led to the development of her innovative It Takes a
Herd™ program.
 
Karen has been highly sought after as a contributor to clinical research at Massachusetts
General Hospital and Dartmouth College, and co-chairs UMass Chan Medical School’s “Impact
of Illness on Family Caregivers” course.
Karen possesses a unique combination of lived caregiver experience, professional health care
training, and leadership in community-based dementia support programs. She is widely
regarded for her compassionate leadership and unique ability to coach caregivers through both
equine activities and the daily challenges of dementia care.

Dr. Jeanine McCleod, Ed.D.. Clerk, Board of Directors, It Takes a Herd Foundation Inc.

Dr. Jeanine McCleod brings over three decades of experience in education, nonprofit
leadership, and adaptive programming.
She is a long-serving educator with Miami-Dade County Public Schools, where she teaches
outdoor education, water safety, and inclusive aquatic programs for students of all abilities.
She is also a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain and an advocate for adaptive access to
outdoor environments.
Her background includes academic appointments at the undergraduate level, collegiate
coaching and program management, and active service as a nonprofit founder and
community advocate.
She currently serves as President of the Four Points Project, a 501(c)(3) organization she
founded to raise awareness and provide access to resources for veterans and caregivers. As
Clerk of the Board for It Takes a Herd Foundation Inc., she supports the governance and
operational oversight of a dementia-friendly equine-assisted program dedicated to
fostering connection, camaraderie, and community among care partners and their loved
ones.

Andover Youth Services (AYS) is mission driven to provide opportunities to create memories and empower our youth to become leaders and find their voice. 

AYS continues to be an advocate for youth development in the community and a bridge between youth and a network of support services. The Cormier Youth Center is a Town owned facility operated by the Andover Youth Services division of the Community Services Department.