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Betsida Abebe

Program Manager

With a profound commitment to leveraging policy and development for the betterment of communities, Betsida brings a wealth of expertise to her role as Program Manager at Women's Money Matters. Drawing inspiration from her past involvement with Save the Children, she channels her passion into empowering women and children globally.

Betsida’s commitment to community-centric policies extends to her position as a Volunteer Research Associate at WEEMA International, where she delves into policy research, recognizing the pivotal role policies play in shaping developing countries, particularly in rural communities.

Betsida holds a Master's in Global Development Policy from Boston University and believes in the transformative power of community-driven empowerment to help change unequal systems and pave the way for more inclusive and sustainable development.

In every aspect of her professional journey, Betsida remains steadfast in her pursuit of meaningful change, with a vision centered on empowering communities locally and globally. Her commitment to community-driven empowerment stands as a testament to her belief in fostering positive and lasting impact at the grassroots level.

Ariana Contreras

Senior Community Engagement and Communications Manager

Ariana blends her non-profit communication and programming with a background in education, bringing a vibrant energy to Women’s Money Matters. Growing up in a small, resource-limited town in rural Arizona, where opportunities for women, mothers, and people of color were scarce, she found her passion for empowering change through Women’s Money Matters. With an International Affairs degree from Northern Arizona University, Ariana is driven to create a more equitable future.

Outside of work, you'll catch Ariana sweating it out in exercise classes, exploring new culinary delights, hanging out with her tuxedo cat, Cherie, and soaking up the great outdoors of New England.

Kristin Cook

Grants & Impact Evaluation Manager

Kristin holds a Master's degree in community psychology and contributed to research at the University of Massachusetts, Lowell examining U.S. attitudes towards immigrants. In addition to being an advocate for financial wellness for women. She is passionate about healthy food access and growing food locally, especially chili peppers.

Pilar DiTomaso

Director of Operations

Experienced in the financial services industry, Pilar has held a variety of positions in administration and marketing. She holds both Business Administration and Marketing degrees that have been put to use in the corporate world as well as charitable works. A longtime advocate of volunteerism, Pilar is active in her community and church. In her spare time, she loves to travel with her husband and her children.

Morgan Engdahl

Program Coordinator

Morgan has always found motivation in being a support to others. With a degree in psychology, gender studies, and peace and conflict studies, Morgan has a refined knowledge and passion for working with vulnerable populations. She has years of experience in administration at several nonprofit organizations, eventually finding her home here at Women’s Money Matters.
Morgan is extremely passionate about mental health and nature. Outside of work, you can find her birdwatching, collecting shells on the beach, or trying to balance the two without missing anything.

Seneca Lee

Operations Specialist

Seneca Lee, born and raised in Western Massachusetts, has a love for the environment and education. As an environmental scientist she loves learning new things and problem solving. As a student and educator she has grown passionate about practices related to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice. She found Women’s Money Matters to be a great opportunity to use her skills in working with data and data analysis to support communities in need in her home state. In her free time she enjoys playing sports, connecting with friends and family, and playing with other people’s pets.

Berny Lugo

Senior Volunteer Manager

Berny has a bachelor's degree in finance and international business. She is very passionate about the topics of financial literacy, and diversity and inclusion. She has experience working as a financial coach for low-income women, where she provided her support, to help women reach their financial goals.

Danielle Piskadlo

Executive Director

Danielle has been the Executive Director of Women’s Money Matters (WMM) since 2019 and has been an enthusiastic volunteer and supporter of WMM in a variety of capacities since 2016. Prior to joining WMM, Danielle was part of the Center for Financial Inclusion at Accion, where she was an advocate for women’s financial empowerment and inclusion internationally through microfinance, impact investing, and executive leadership. Danielle has spent time living in Perth, Beijing, Hyderabad, and San Diego and is a travel enthusiast who has visited over 35 countries. She moved to MA to study public administration at the Kennedy School at Harvard and international business at the Fletcher School at Tufts. Danielle worked at her family-owned auto shop in VT growing up while running, hiking, skiing, and playing ice hockey- all activities she continues to enjoy today. She lives in Acton with her partner, Dan, two sons, and fur baby, Wally. Danielle spends most of her free time with a good book.

Carla Poulos

Program Manager

Carla is a longtime advocate for marginalized populations, especially women. She believes strongly in empowering people to make the best decisions for themselves. That is the most effective way to create long-lasting and effective change.

Originally from Brooklyn, NY, she loves to travel and learn about other cultures. She holds a B.A in Spanish and a Masters in Social Work with a focus on Community Organizing. When not working, she loves to spend time with her family hiking, traveling, running or reading.

Kathleen Ralls

Program Manager

Kathleen is an educator, coach, and researcher focused on issues of girls, women, and empowerment. A lifelong learner, she has visited over 20 countries and conducted research on four continents, including one year as a Fulbright Scholar in Norway. Kathleen recently published her first book and has contributed to numerous newspapers and magazines.
She holds a BA in journalism from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, a MAT in teaching from American University, and a PhD in leadership and education from the University of Massachusetts Lowell. Kathleen began her career as a sportswriter before finding a passion for teaching and coaching. She is an avid athlete who has completed more marathons than pull-ups.

Jalyn Ramos

Development Coordinator

Jalyn is a dedicated professional who graduated with a bachelor's degree in Information Technology and Communications. Growing up in a predominantly low-income Hispanic community in Florida, Jalyn developed a profound passion for women empowerment and financial literacy, recognizing the critical need for support and education within her community. She is extremely grateful to be part of a team committed to making a difference. Outside of work, you’ll find her crocheting or hanging out with her friends and cats.

Bernadette Wheeler

Chief Program Officer

Bernadette has been a long time advocate for social programs that improve communities and change lives, active member of the Board of Directors for Community Teamwork, Inc. and a volunteer of programming that promotes stability, self-sufficiency and opportunity.

A proud mother of five, and certified in Early Education and Care, she has been focused on promoting early childhood education and supporting the HeadStart program.

Supporting Specialists

Meghan Blute-Nelson

Accounting Consultant

Meghan has dedicated her career to working in the nonprofit sector in the areas of finance and operations, and currently owns her own consulting and bookkeeping practice, MBN Business Solutions. Meghan has a Masters in Business Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit and Public Management from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business. She serves as Treasurer of her daughters’ school PTF, and enjoys knitting and hikes in the woods with her dog. Meghan was introduced to Women's Money Matters as a volunteer coach in our program with YWCA in Lowell in 2016-17.

Board of Directors

Business, nonprofit and innovation leaders and thinkers — all with a heart for helping women become financially empowered.