Events

Dr. Lane A. Glenn is president of Northern Essex Community College (NECC), the first Hispanic Serving Institution in New England, which has campuses in both Haverhill and Lawrence, Massachusetts.

With more than three decades of experience in higher education, Dr. Glenn is passionate about helping all students achieve their educational goals and is a strong advocate for closing equity gaps, and for colleges and universities as engines of economic and workforce development, particularly in Gateway Cities.

As president of NECC, Dr. Glenn has led the significant expansion of the college’s Lawrence campus, including construction of the $27 million Ibrahim El Hefni Health and Technology Center, the creation of the Haffner Fournier Education Center, and the development of “The Hub” with university partnerships and the award-winning Revolving Test Kitchen.  He is also the founding board chair of the Lawrence Partnership, a private-public collaboration of business leaders, community leaders, and elected officials devoted to economic development and improving the quality of life for residents of Lawrence, Massachusetts.

A highly collaborative, energetic leader, Dr. Glenn encourages experimentation and organizational innovation.  Recently, NECC became the first college in the country to offer a competency-based associate degree in Early Childhood Education, and its police academy, one of the largest in the state, was the first to be accepted into the National Active Bystander for Law Enforcement (ABLE) Training Program, designed to prepare police officers to successfully intervene to prevent harm and to create a law enforcement culture that supports peer intervention, leading to safer communities.

Dr. Glenn has been described as an “optimistic thought leader” who actively promotes higher education in a number of publications, on social media, and through his blog, “Running the Campus.”  He has been nationally recognized for his advocacy with the Eduardo J. Padron Award for Presidential Leadership from Campus Compact; the Pacesetter of the Year Award from the National Council for Marketing and Public Relations; and the SUCCESS Higher Education Leadership Award from the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration.

Dr. Glenn holds a PhD from Michigan State University, a master’s degree from Oklahoma State University and a bachelor’s from Northeastern State University—and he is proud to say that he started his education at Rose State College, a community college in Midwest City, Oklahoma.

Dr. Julie Riley has served as the Assistant Superintendent of Andover Public Schools (APS) since August 2021, bringing more than 27 years of experience in education, including fifteen years in district and central office leadership. 

During her time in Andover, Dr. Riley has developed districtwide opportunities for teacher leadership and collaboration, and has spearheaded the development of the district’s Vision of the Graduate. Dr. Riley has also been a leading force in the districtwide equity initiative, piloted cooperative education opportunities through a partnership with Greater Lawrence Technical School, and has overseen the implementation of a new middle school scheduling model.

In addition to her district role, Dr. Riley co-leads the Curriculum and Staff Development Network (CSDN), a statewide professional learning community for school and district leaders. CSDN provides high-quality professional development, including sessions with DESE, MASS, NEASC, and leading researchers in youth development, school finance and law, and educational change.

Project Insulin is a nonprofit drug company fixing a broken system. We’re not researching a novel drug; we’re removing the barriers that make an old one inaccessible by developing & manufacturing insulin ourselves and selling it at cost.

Before founding Project Insulin, Eric led major fundraising efforts at Brandeis University, helping raise over $2 million during Giving Tuesday campaigns. He also serves on the board of the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association and delivered a TEDx talk in 2020 on allyship in chronic illness communities. 

Alicia is a licensed mental health counselor and the founder of A Balanced Self, a holistic mental health practice focused on whole-person healing. She specializes in supporting people through anxiety, burnout, and life transitions by integrating therapy with nervous system and lifestyle-based approaches, helping them create lasting, meaningful change.

Bruce directs the Life Giving Water International (LGWI) ministry helping rural Ecuadorian communities build reliable water systems. LGWI enables communities to improve spiritual and physical health through life giving water. LGWI aspires to initiate community development water ministry in several other Latin American countries.

Bruce worked for engineering consulting firms in the Boston area for 10 years. In 1980, Bruce and his wife Cherith, volunteered to serve with a Christian ministry in Ecuador, South America. They lived in Ecuador from 1981 to 2019, except for 16 months in 1985-86, when they helped a rural Kenyan mission hospital build a hydroelectric power plan on the Nyangores River. As a missions volunteer, Bruce has done engineering for hydroelectric power plants, clinics, hospitals, and rural water systems.

Bruce is from Schenectady, NY. As a civil engineering graduate of Clarkson University and Northeastern University, he holds engineering credentials in Massachusetts and in Ecuador. Bruce & Cherith have been married since 1973, and have three children, and four grandchildren. They currently reside in southwest Florida and make frequent trips to Latin America.

Paul Materazzo, Andover's Director of Planning and Land Use, a seasoned and experienced urban planner will update attendees on upcoming town wide projects. 

Established in 2009, the Andover Robotics Club is a student-run organization in Andover, Massachusetts, that specializes in the construction of robots for FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC). The club has about 75 active members and is led by a student board of officers that keeps it running behind-the-scenes. The club has three co-ed teams, 5273 ARC Thunder, 24256 ARC Sandstorm and 4410 ARC Lightning, as well as one all-girls team, 10331 ARC Hailstorm. During the FTC season, members build, code, and CAD a robot and complete community outreach with the goal of making STEM more accessible in the community. 

Learn about their championship work and witness a live demonstration!

The purpose of the Design Review Board is to advise applicants for projects involving new construction, exterior alterations and large signage in the General Business and Mixed Use Districts, and to review all new municipal structures and signage. And, at the discretion of the Planning Board, the DRB shall also review applications for special permits in the ID2 district as well as major non-residential projects in LS, OP, and IG districts.

But how does it work?  Who is the DRB? What are they working on now?  Come to the meeting and find out! 

Jonathan Fournier, Chair of the DRB, is an architect with over 24 years of local and international experience in practice, and is the Principal and Founder of Studio Re-Built. An architectural practice that aspires to serve the underserved, and focuses on the renovation and reuse of commercial, community, and multi-family residential buildings. The studio sees a world where our built environment is responsible, respectful, and humane. They are problem solvers who believe that architecture is about engaging people, and advocating for the right of every community to have an affordable place to find ‘joy’, to ‘live’, and consider ‘home’.

Operation Delta Dog is a 501(c)3 organization with a mission to rescue and train shelter dogs as specialized service companions for veterans experiencing PTSD, TBI and MST.  We will hear from Rtuh Robertson and her dog Emmi.  Emmi is with Ruth everywhere she goes.  Hear their inspiring story and learn more about this incredible organization.

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.

Hear from members of the Town of Andover's 250th Anniversary Committee. Chair Susan McCready and Clerk Christopher Klein will give an overview of the upcoming RevFest 250 event on Ocrtobver 3rd. 

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.

Maria will be sharing a quick presentation about the Alzheimer's Association, the resources available to the community and how the Northeastern MA Walk to End Alzheimer's supports their mission.

Maria Stephanou is the Director of the Northeastern MA Walk to End Alzheimer's.  Maria grew up in Central MA before going to Bridgewater State College and graduating with a degree in Communication and Media Studies.  She went on to get her Master's of Marketing from Lasell College before starting a career in sales.  Maria lost her mom in 2022 to Alzheimer's and for the last 7 years has worked on the Walk to End Alzheimer's to support families like hers who are/have navigated a loved one with an Alzheimer's/dementia diagnosis.

A short overview of the American Red Cross and its lines of service; how the local Chapter works to fulfill these missions; and how we might work with the Rotary club and other
local organizations to more deeply engage in communities in the Northeastern Chapter.

Margaret White is a versatile and experienced leader, her background spanning over 40 years in military service, and 20 years in law enforcement. Throughout her military
career, she held various leadership and command positions, including Director and Senior Operations Officer 
for Domestic Support in the Massachusetts National Guard and completed her career as Assistant Adjutant General
for Homeland Security in the Massachusetts Military Division. Upon retirement, she carried over her experience
in collaborative interagency planning, emergency response and preparedness, and military plans and operations to her
work on the Massachusetts Region, Northeastern Chapter Board of Directors for the American
Red Cross.

Dr. Edward O’Neil Jr. earned his Medical degree from George Washington University, and completed a residency and chief residency in internal medicine at Boston Medical
Center. Dr. O’Neil completed the three-year Kellogg National Leadership Program, studying leadership, international development, and politics. In 1998, he founded the
non-profit organization Omni-Med, which focuses on health volunteerism and ethical leadership. 

To date, over 350 physicians, nurses and students have gone abroad through Omni Med’s innovative, cooperatively designed programs in Belize, Guyana, Kenya, and
for the past 20 years, in Uganda. In Uganda, Omni Med works closely with the Ministry of Health, and has trained/ maintained 1500 community health workers, constructed 35
protected water sources, and runs programs in hypertension screening, mental health, and clinical research. Dr O’Neil is the author of two books published by the American
Medical Association in 2006, Awakening Hippocrates: A Primer on Health, Poverty, and Global Service, and A Practical Guide to Global Health Service. Dr. O’Neil is a
practicing emergency physician at Boston Medical Center-Brighton and an associate professor of emergency medicine at Tufts University School of Medicine.

Rooted in Service: Reintroducing Andover Garden Club, a Civic Leader for the next 100 Years: In 2027, the Andover Garden Club is proud to celebrate its 100th anniversary, marking a century of service, education, and civic beautification. Since its founding, the Club has combined a passion for gardening with a strong commitment to community engagement, supporting projects that enhance public spaces, promote environmental stewardship, and contribute to the character and vitality of Andover. Andover Garden Club is the oldest active civic organization in Andover started by women. During their talk, they will introduce you to the Club’s programs, civic projects, scholarships, conservation initiatives, and seasonal events.

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.

About Keith Taverna:

Mr. Taverna is a familiar face in our schools and community. He was appointed as superintendent in June 2026 after serving as interim superintendent from March through June 2026. He brings extensive experience in educational leadership, school finance, and district operations.

Prior to his appointment as superintendent, Mr. Taverna served as Andover Public Schools’ Assistant Superintendent of Administration and Finance from 2022 to 2026, overseeing the district’s financial and administrative functions and supporting the alignment of resources with the district’s strategic priorities.

Before joining Andover, Mr. Taverna spent 12 years with Danvers Public Schools, where he held several leadership roles, including Interim Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent of Finance and Personnel. He earned a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Clark University in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 2009. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Business Administration from Worcester State College in Worcester, Massachusetts, earned in 2007. Mr. Taverna holds Massachusetts licensure as a Superintendent/Assistant Superintendent and as a School Business Administrator.

About Jimmy D’Andrea:

Entering his third year as principal, Mr. D’Andrea has helped strengthen a sense of community at Andover High School. Drawing on 25 years of experience in public education, he successfully led the school through the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC) accreditation process during the 2025–26 school year, reaffirming AHS's commitment to continuous improvement and high academic standards.

Through his active engagement with students, families, and staff, both in person and through social media, Mr. D’Andrea has fostered strong school connections and visibility. In recognition of his leadership and commitment to the school community, the AHS Class of 2025 honored him with the Distinguished Citizen Award at graduation, making him the first principal to receive the recognition.

Prior to joining Andover, he served as principal of Cheltenham High School, located just north of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Before his work in Cheltenham, he spent 15 years in Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland, where he held several administrative leadership roles, including principal of Kingsview Middle School for four years and principal of Northwest High School for five years.

Mr. D’Andrea began his career in education at Anacostia Senior High School in Washington, D.C., where he served as a biology and chemistry teacher, ninth-grade team leader, and academy coordinator. In 2006, he was named The Washington Post Teacher of the Year for Washington, D.C.

Mr. D’Andrea earned a bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University, master’s degrees from George Washington University and the University of Illinois Chicago, and a graduate certificate in school administration and supervision from Johns Hopkins University.