About Anna’s Pals

Kristina Jerome

President ~ Executive Director

As Anna’s mother, Kristina Jerome has turned personal loss into a powerful mission of love and purpose. A lifelong educator and community leader, Kris brings compassion, creativity, and resilience to everything she does. Before founding Anna’s Pals, she spent years as a devoted teacher, inspiring students through empathy, patience, and a deep understanding of children’s needs.

Drawing from her experience as both a parent and an educator, Kris leads Anna’s Pals with exceptional communication, organizational, and leadership skills. As Executive Director, she oversees all aspects of the organization’s growth—coordinating volunteers, managing partnerships, and guiding the vision for the Anna’s Pals Beach House for Immunocompromised Children.

Her ability to unite people around a shared purpose and her unwavering dedication to helping children in need make Kris the heart and driving force behind Anna’s Pals.

Daniel G. Jerome

Treasurer ~ Financial Director

Anna’s father who leads with a purpose. Dan has more than two decades of experience leading financial operations and investment management teams, Daniel Jerome brings exceptional strategic, operational, and leadership expertise to this role. His career spans top institutions including BNY Mellon, Boston Private Bank, and the Boston Water & Sewer Commission, where he has consistently strengthened financial controls, improved efficiency, and enhanced organizational performance.

As both a hands-on problem solver and a strategic thinker, Daniel is known for building collaborative, high-performing teams and driving initiatives that align finance with broader business goals. His leadership style combines analytical precision with a strong sense of accountability—qualities that make him a natural fit to guide organizations through financial transformation and long-term success.

John M. Izzo

Chief Development Officer

With over 20 years of distinguished experience in nonprofit fundraising and grant development, John brings proven expertise in securing six-and seven-figure gifts for mission-driven organizations. His track record includes serving as sole development officer at The Forsyth Institute, leading corporate and foundation relations at BostonMedical Center during its major capital campaign, and serving as Director of the OpenWide the Doors Campaign at Saint Paul's Catholic Community, a multi-year, multi-million dollar effort supporting multiple institutions.

John will design and execute comprehensive fundraising strategies to support the Beach House capital campaign and establish long-term financial sustainability. His expertise in foundation relations, corporate partnerships, and major gift cultivation will be instrumental as the organization transforms the historic Ella F. HoxieSchool in Bourne, Massachusetts, into eight apartment-style units with 24/7 medical staff support—addressing a critical gap in care for pediatric patients who receive transplants and treatments requiring extended immune system suppression.

Carolyn Sullivan

Board Chair

As both a devoted teacher and a proud Pal mom, Carolyn Sullivan brings warmth, leadership, and a deep personal connection to the mission of Anna’s Pals. Her experience in education has shaped her into a patient, compassionate leader who understands the importance of creating supportive environments where children can learn, grow, and thrive.

As Board Chair, Carolyn combines her background in teaching with strong organizational and communication skills to guide the strategic vision of Anna’s Pals. She is deeply committed to ensuring the organization continues to honor its mission—providing safe, joyful experiences for immunocompromised children and their families.

Carolyn’s empathy, dedication, and unwavering belief in the healing power of community make her an inspiring leader and a cherished member of the Anna’s Pals family.

Jim DiMarzio

Board Member

Jim DiMarzio transforms communities through construction, bringing nearly 30 years of expertise to deliver high-impact public projects across Massachusetts. As Vice President and Public Group Leader at Commodore Builders, Jim oversees the public-sector portfolio. He leads strategic pursuits, builds high-performing teams, and ensures successful execution from concept to completion. Jim’s leadership ensures projects are delivered on time and within budget, creating lasting value for communities. His team has completed a diverse range of facilities, including municipal centers, K-12 schools, higher education institutions, and veterans’ services. Signature projects include the Veterans’ Home in Holyoke and the LEED Gold–certified Dennis-Yarmouth Intermediate Middle School.

Jim brings deep experience in construction, development, and community-focused projects, expertise that will be invaluable as Anna’s Pals advances our mission, including the development of the Anna’s Pals Beach House for immunocompromised children and their families.

We’re grateful for Jim’s willingness to share his time, insight, and leadership in support of families facing some of the most difficult moments of their lives.

Emily Jerome

Board Member

Emily Jerome is Anna’s younger sister and an educator with a deep understanding of child development and the environments children need to thrive. Her professional background, combined with her personal connection to Anna’s journey, gives her a clear and heartfelt understanding of why the Beach House matters. Emily brings an essential voice to the board, advocating for spaces that support emotional well-being, safety, and a sense of normalcy for children facing serious illness.

William Jerome

Board Member
Will Jerome is Anna’s twin brother and an MD-PhD student at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. With both clinical training and a strong scientific foundation, Will brings a unique blend of compassion and evidence-based perspective to Anna’s Pals. His lived experience alongside Anna deeply informs his commitment to improving the quality of life for immunocompromised children and their families, ensuring that the Beach House is grounded in both empathy and sound medical understanding.

Mariella Filbin, MD, PhD, Oncologist

Board Member
Dr. Mariella Filbin is a physician-scientist and Anna’s former oncologist. Now leading her own research laboratory, Dr. Filbin is dedicated to advancing scientific discovery to improve outcomes for children with cancer. Her unique perspective as both a treating physician and a researcher allows her to bring a thoughtful, evidence-based lens to the project.

Lynne Mooney Teta, Ed.D.

Board Member

Dr. Teta is an experienced consultant with a distinguished background in education. She brings a deep understanding of family dynamics, along with expertise in leadership development, fundraising, strategic planning, program design and implementation. Lynne is a dedicated professional who strongly believes in the mission of Anna’s Pals and will be an extraordinary asset as we continue to advance and grow.

Mark Machesky

Board Member

Mark is a commercial lender with Rockland Trust, bringing over eight years of experience in banking, including specialized work with nonprofit lending. He holds an undergraduate degree in Economics from UMass Boston and a Master’s in Finance from Cambridge College. A Marine Corps veteran, he values giving back and enjoys time at home with his wife and son, which drives his passion for community impact. As locals to the area, Mark and his wife hold a deep appreciation for the Beach House and its mission of supporting immunocompromised children, understanding firsthand the value of fostering community and care.

Pamela Dockx, RN, BSN, CPON

Board Member

Pam is a dedicated nurse with almost 40 years of experience caring for children with cancer and blood disorders. Pam cared for Anna during her many prolonged hospitalizations at Boston Children's Hospital. Moved by the Jerome's families experience caring for Anna at home, Pam developed a program to help families bring their children home from the hospital and care for them with dignity and comfort at the end of life. Pam continues to share her pediatric oncology knowledge and expertise with members of Anna's Pals to support and advance the beach house mission. 

Paula McEvoy, MD

Board Member

Dr. Paula McEvoy is a pediatrician with nearly 30 years of experience, trained at Holy Cross and UMass Medical School. As Anna’s pediatrician, Dr. McEvoy cared for Anna when she was young, and was there at the time of her diagnosis in July 2013. She has shared that this experience, and her enduring connection with Anna and her family, has been the most meaningful of her career and a driving force behind her dedication to this mission.

Christine DiCenso

Capital Campaign Chair

Christine DiCenso brings a rare combination of leadership, compassion, and unwavering commitment. A Pal mom with deep ties to the community and the ability to inspire others make her a natural champion for the Anna’s Pals Beach House. As Campaign Chair, Christine’s credibility, energy, and personal dedication are instrumental in turning a bold vision into a lasting community asset.

Capital Campaign

• Kimberly Schindler

• Avery Kirkpatrick

• Caroline Conroy

• Caroline DiCenso

• Julia McNeil

• Maggie Sullivan

• Sam Litster

• Laura Seoane

• Carol Fachetti

• Mike McGuire

• Mike Kilgannon

• John Tobin

• Jim Fagan

• Andrew Enright

All legal work generously provided by Chris Lang of Lang Coakley Law
617-848-2994 | info@langcoakley.com