Board of Directors

President: Jill Corr
Vice President: David Dyer
Secretary: Carole Nossek
Treasurer:

Our Team

Executive Administration

Featured

Matthew Haugen, Ph.D, Executive Director

Dr. Haugen leads the community center as Executive Director. Matthew, an alumnus of Kenyon College with a bachelor’s degree in political science, holds a Ph.D. from The University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, where he was a Fulbright Scholar in Kinesiology, Cultural, Interpretive, and Science Studies. He also holds an M.Ed. in Education, Curriculum and Instruction from Boise State University. Matthew has coached numerous Division I and Division III college teams; most recently he has been the Assistant Women’s Tennis Coach at Brown University. He previously worked as Head Tennis Coach for the Chinese government's Olympic Development Program in Hebei Province. He lives with his wife, Roz, and son, Austin, in Westerly and enjoys hiking, traveling, spending time at the beach and watching Texas Longhorn sports in his spare time.

E-mail: M.Haugen@thecomo.org

Liz Leonard Theodore, Chief Operations Director

Liz plays a multifaceted role for the COMO overseeing financials and Thrift Store operations. She graduated cum laude with a B.S. from UMass Amherst, after which she moved to Stonington and never looked back! She came to the COMO with 20 years of retail management experience, and nearly 10 years of experience in the financial industry. In her spare time Liz likes to be crafty and creative with projects, spend time with her husband and cats, and spend time at the beach.

E-mail: E .Theodore@thecomo.org

Education

Featured

Priscilla Rouquayrol, Education Director

Priscilla oversees the COMO's education department which includes our nationally accredited preschool, before and after school programs, summer camp, vacation programming, Junior Leadership, SAT prep courses, drivers' education and cooking classes. She is passionate about teaching and curriculum development and is committed to providing positive learning experiences and opportunities for our community. Priscilla holds a B.A. in Multidisciplinary Studies from Castleton University, graduating magna cum laude with a licensure in Elementary Education and an English concentration. She lives with her husband and daughter and loves to adventure with her family outdoors - especially at the beach.

E-mail: P.Rouquayrol@thecomo.org

Olga Popova Callahan, Associate Education Director

As Associate Education Director, Olga plays a big role in the curriculum development for COMO Programs including the COMO preschool where she also serves as head teacher. Before joining the COMO team, Olga worked as a preschool teacher, teacher trainer, an adjunct professor of Early Childhood Science, and as a curriculum consultant for Head Start programs. Olga holds B.A. in Teaching English and German Languages from Pomor State University in Russia, and M.S. in Early Childhood Education from Bank Street College in NYC. Olga lives with her husband and two children and enjoys hiking, reading and developing educational products for young children.

E-mail: O.Popovacallahan@thecomo.org

Amy Watson, Lead Teacher

As a member of our preschool and COMO Kids team, Amy implements a curriculum to encourage the growth and development of young minds and hearts. Prior to joining the COMO, Amy worked in education as a Preschool Prep Teacher and a Preschool Teacher. She graduated cum laude from Eastern CT State University with a BS in Physical Education Studies and minors in Health and Sociology. She recently earned her associate degree in Early Childhood Education. Amy enjoys exploring nature with her dog, Sakari, on the weekends.

E-mail: A.Watson@thecomo.org

Kate Serra, Lead Teacher

Kate is a member of our preschool and COMO Kids team. She has an associate degree in Early Childhood Education and a bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies. She has worked with children and families for over a decade in various settings from the classroom to camp. She has also worked as a case manager assisting homeless families. In her free time, Kate loves beading, spending time in nature, reading, and spending time with her family.

E-mail: K.Serra@thecomo.org

Melissa Schneider, Lead Teacher

Melissa is a member of our preschool and COMO Kids team and holds an associate degree in General Education. She is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education at the University of Phoenix. Her work experience includes working as a Nanny, Assistant Teacher and Literacy Tutor. Melissa is an avid world traveler and enjoys spending time with her family, hiking and exploring the local area. She enjoys collecting vinyl records and vintage shopping, especially at her favorite spot, the COMO Thrift Shop!

E-mail: M.Schneider@thecomo.org

Aniya Moody, Co-Teacher

Aniya is a member of our preschool and COMO Kids team. She holds an associates degree and is working on her bachelors in Psychology from Charter Oak College. She recently worked as an Assistant Teacher at the Coast Guard Child Development Center. In her free time, Aniya is an avid reader and enjoys spending time with her younger sister.

E-mail: A.Moody@thecomo.org

Athletics

Featured

TJ Faeth, Athletic Director

TJ oversees all athletic programs at the COMO. He is passionate about the advancement and development of athletes from the beginner to professional level, in which he has experience as a coach and sport-specific skill trainer, as well as experience as a program director with various non-profit organizations. TJ holds a B.S. in Sports Management from the University of Connecticut where he worked with the men's and women's basketball programs, as well as an M.S. in Sports Management from Southern New Hampshire University. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball, running, and volunteering in charity events.

E-mail: T.Faeth@thecomo.org

Jerry & Beth Albrikes, Racquet Pro & Administration

While teaching and coaching racquet sports full time for the past 25 years, Jerry has worked with multiple world, national and college ranked players, including his mentor, world renowned coach, Nick Bollettieri. Jerry and his staff raised the level of tennis in the area by leading a tennis revival from the years 2000-2010 at Mystic Indoor Tennis. In 2017, Jerry was inducted into the New England Tennis Hall of Fame. Jerry is excited to continue raising the energy and level of platform and tennis at the Stonington Community Center.

E-mail: tennis@thecomo.org

Chris O'Brien, Assistant Paddle Pro

Chris, USPTR certified in pickle & tennis, instructs racquet sports on the COMO Courts, working alongside Jerry Albrikes since 2021. His experience includes working as a Collegiate Tennis & Squash Coach for 24 years, most recently at Connecticut College. He was also the Summer Director of Tennis & Pickle at Mason's Island Yacht Club. He resides in East Lyme with his wife and three teenage children.

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math)

Featured

Victoria Witte, STEAM Director

As the STEAM Director Victoria plans, designs and implements STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) programming to engage both youth and adults in support of the COMO Makerspace classroom and Pottery Studio. Victoria is passionate about providing access to emerging technologies, and engaging students in creative and participatory learning that can give them the confidence to explore and take risks. Before joining the COMO team, Victoria worked at the American University Library where she spearheaded the development of the Library’s makerspace. She holds a B.A. in English from Clemson University. In her free time, Victoria enjoys 3D printing, making and building, writing and reading.

E-mail: V.Witte@thecomo.org

Grace Hanlon, Pottery Studio Manager

Grace graduated with a BFA from Alfred University, with a focus in ceramics, and minors in both Arts Management and Art History. Grace's work has been exhibited in galleries in Connecticut, New York and New Hampshire, including a solo exhibition at Blaze and Bloom, in Connecticut, and an exhibition at Studio 550 Art Center, New Hampshire juried by Ruth Easterbrook. Grace’s work is often evolving around themes of nature and involves different types of atmospheric firings.

E-mail: pottery@thecomo.org

Justin Gerace, Pottery Instructor

Justin is an instructor of ceramics at Salve Regina University in Newport, RI, and has a K-12 Art Education certification and B.F.A. in ceramics both from New Hampshire Institute of Art, as well as a M.F.A. in ceramics from Bowling Green State University. Justin has exhibited his work nationwide, and is currently represented by Spectrum Gallery in Essex, CT and Creative Hands Gallery in Cape Cod, MA.

Advancement & Marketing

Featured

Kathy Adami, Advancement Director

Kathy oversees marketing and development activities at the COMO. She previously held the position of Advancement Associate. Prior to joining the COMO, she worked as a scientist within the government sector supporting environmental initiatives and community education campaigns at D-Max Engineering and KCI Technologies, Inc. Kathy holds a B.A. from the University of Delaware in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Law, Policy and Politics. Kathy loves hiking, traveling, and trying new recipes in her free time.

E-mail: K.Adami@thecomo.org

Ezra Valentin, Marketing & Communications Strategist

As Marketing & Communications Strategist, Ezra works on the COMO Development Team to create and implement creative marketing plans to reach our goals each season. He utilizes our digital presence and local network to tell our story and welcome the community to the COMO! Ezra holds a BA in Digital Media & Design from the University of Connecticut and his prior marketing experience includes working as a Social Media & PR Specialist. He enjoys hiking, volunteering, and painting.

E-mail: E.Valentin@thecomo.org

Holly Mangan, Graphic & Social Media Designer

Holly works as a part of the development and COMO Thrift teams focusing on graphic design and branding. She previously held the position of Office Coordinator. Holly holds a BFA from The Lyme Academy of Fine Arts and past work experience includes: Administrative/Marketing, Fine Arts Instruction and Retail Sales, Merchandising and Display. In her free time she likes to paint, craft, go vintage shopping, and see live music.

E-mail: H.Mangan@thecomo.org

Board of Directors

Our Team

Executive Administration

Education

Athletics

STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math)

Advancement & Marketing

THE COMO MISSION

Helping neighbors become friends and helping friends work together, the COMO engages residents, businesses, and community groups in building a strong, vibrant community.