Dance for the future! Tickets on sale now for our June 17th Jukebox Dance Party
our people
We believe that our potential for positive impact is rooted in our ability to reflect and practice internally what we are promoting to our school and community partners externally.
To do this, we are continually exploring what it means to ‘work mindfully’ and build a ‘mindfulness organization.’ We are engaged in evolving our team structure and organizational systems to better reflect our commitment to diverse experiences, forms of knowledge, and understandings of mindfulness practice.
Our Team
Liliana Bejarano-Cryer
Instructor
Liliana Bejarano-Cryer
Instructor
Liliana is a Colombian American teacher with a degree in Educational Sciences from the District University of Bogota, Colombia. She has been an instructor of the Calmer Choice mindfulness program for children and adults in the Cape Cod area since 2017. She took core courses with Mindful Schools and completed the Instructor Training from Calmer Choice in 2017. She is a certified TSM -Trauma Sensitive Mindfulness- instructor and has become a mentor for new mindfulness instructors. During her time working with Calmer Choice, she has worked with hundreds of children from different School Districts in the area. She also has facilitated online workshops and courses for educators.
Liliana leads weekly sitting groups in English and Spanish and is the author of the mindfulness children’s book series, “Sky the Skunk is not Invited to the Party” and soon to be released, “Millie the Elephant Forgets her Lines.” Liliana has made Cape Cod her permanent home. She lives in Yarmouth with her husband and considers herself to be an adopted daughter of the sea.
Liliana es una maestra colombo-estadounidense, Licenciada en Ciencias de la Educación de la Universidad Distrital de Bogotá, Colombia. Ha sido instructora del programa de atención plena de Calmer Choice para niños y adultos en la región de Cape Cod, Massachusetts, desde el año 2017. Tomó cursos básicos con Mindful Schools y completó la capacitación de instructores de Calmer Choice en 2017. Es una instructora certificada en Mindfulness Sensible al Trauma y se ha convertido en mentora de nuevos instructores en la Organización. Durante su tiempo trabajando con Calmer Choice, ha trabajado con cientos de niños de diferentes distritos escolares del área. También ha facilitado talleres y cursos en línea para docentes.
Liliana lidera grupos de sesiones de prácticas semanales formales de Mindfulness en inglés y en español, y es la autora de la serie de libros para niños en atención plena, "El Zorrillo Sky no es invitado a la fiesta"; dentro de poco lanzará, "Milie Elefante Olvida sus Líneas". Liliana ha hecho de Cape Cod su hogar permanente. Vive en Yarmouth con su esposo y se considera una hija adoptiva del mar.
Adam Burnett
Interim Executive Director
Sasha Christakis
Instructor
Sasha Christakis
Instructor
Sasha was born and raised in Croatia, where she graduated from the University of Zagreb - Faculty of Teacher Education in 1984, and then worked as an elementary teacher for 12 years in Zagreb. Her journey of mindfulness started back in Croatia in the late eighties, where she started sharing its benefits with her students and colleagues. In 1996, Sasha relocated to Cape Cod, USA. After changing different jobs, she established her own studio in 2000 where she has been practicing massage therapy and yoga for adults and children.
Sasha has been connected to Calmer Choice since 2013. In the beginning mostly as a supporter and volunteer, and then completing the training in 2015, she became an instructor. Learning about Calmer Choice and its mission, she had found the perfect unity of her two main paths and passions - teaching children and mindfulness. As much as her heart is in teaching the Calmer Choice program to children in schools, Sasha also really enjoys sharing the teaching with adult populations. When she has free time, she loves spending it with her family or on nature walks.
Carolyn DeCristofano
Instructor
Carolyn DeCristofano
Instructor
Carolyn first encountered mindfulness practice twenty years ago, when she read Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Wherever You Go, There You Are. For many years, her practice was on-again/off-again. Still, she always found herself returning to it and seeking experiences to deepen it. Meantime, in her work as a STEM education curriculum developer, researcher, and professional development facilitator, she drew inspiration from educators who intentionally centered their educational practice on creating kind, people-focused, and responsive learning communities. Wanting to engage more deeply in supporting such communities, she decided several years ago to pursue mindfulness in education and to explore becoming a mindful awareness instructor with Calmer Choice.
Carolyn is also a children’s author. She enjoys cooking, knitting, and dabbling with music, as well as spending time with her husband Barry, friends, and extended family. She and Barry live off-Cape in a 160-year-old home, which they share with two rescue cats.
Jocelyn Gilman
Development Consultant
Stephanie Goley
Mindfulness Coach
Stephanie Goley
Mindfulness Coach
Stephanie Goley has worked for Calmer Choice since 2015. In 2012, Stephanie moved from California to Cape Cod, but is originally from the Chicago area. She holds a master’s degree in education and has worked as a classroom teacher and administrator for staff development.
Stephanie initially discovered Calmer Choice through her child’s school and was inspired to take on a greater role in the organization. She first increased her involvement in Calmer Choice as an instructor, and recently took on a new role as Director of Program Services. One of her favorite things about working for Calmer Choice is going back to the same school year after year and building relationships with kids through elementary school. She finds many of the students excited to have Calmer Choice back and they love to share how they have been using mindfulness in their lives. When she isn’t teaching and practicing mindfulness, Stephanie is playing with her husband, three kids and dog at the beach.
Patricia Kennedy
Instructor
Patricia Kennedy
Instructor
After having taught in the public schools as a special education teacher for 25 years, Poppy retired and went through the instructor training to become a member of the Calmer Choice team. Poppy has had the privilege and honor to be teaching mindfulness to children from preschool to middle school over the past 7 years. Poppy is reminded of the importance of this work as she has heard from her students how learning to live more mindfully has helped them to cope with the challenges of everyday life. This past year, due to the pandemic Poppy has had the opportunity to co-teach several programs virtually, including a four-week parent-child class. Poppy is grateful to have her own mindfulness practice as well as a love for the great outdoors that supports a sense of presence, gratitude and curiosity.
L. Forest Malatesta
Lead Facilitator
L. Forest Malatesta
Lead Facilitator
Forest grew up on Cape Cod and has spent time living in various areas of the country. She is an instructor of mindfulness, a health coach, and a public health advocate with diverse experience in the fields of health advocacy and education. Forest received her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Emory University in 1995 and studied at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine focusing on International Health and Development. She later worked at the Harvard AIDS Institute in Cambridge, MA on an international prevention and education program, and has held patient health advocacy roles at Outer Cape Health Services in HIV/STI counseling, complex case management, and helped launch the successful Community Resource Navigator Program.
More recently Forest served as the Director of Community Based Programming at Calmer Choice developing programs for a variety of audiences across Cape Cod. She has been teaching with Calmer Choice since 2015. Currently, she serves in the role of Lead Instructor and enjoys teaching both children and adults.
Forest’s interest in the roles of body, mind, and spirit in health and healing has also led her to pursue study and training in integrative healing modalities, including acupuncture, Reiki, massage therapy, and health coaching. Her favorite current subject is parenting two adventurous teenagers.
Sarah Manion
Chief Program Officer
Sarah Manion
Chief Program Officer
A Cape Cod native, Sarah (she/her) grew up attending Brewster Elementary and the Cape Cod Lighthouse Charter School, experiences that profoundly influenced her life and career. She holds a B.A. in African Studies and Environmental Science from Swarthmore College, and an M.A. in Nature-Culture Sustainability Studies from the Rhode Island School of Design.
After graduating, Sarah left the states for Africa where she lived for almost a decade. She worked as a multi-sector project manager leading diverse project portfolios in the for-profit, nonprofit, and public sectors.
Recently, Sarah lived in Rwanda where she held roles as the Technical Advisor to the Rwandan Minister of Infrastructure and Manager of an alternative handbag production facility for Kate Spade. She has experience in strategic planning, complex operational development, and team management as well as expertise in artisanal textile and ethical fashion production.
Sarah is a committed mindfulness practitioner and fiber artist. She leaned on both practices as tools to cope with the challenging transition back to the United States. Her practice has since unfolded into a delightful exploration of the intersection of art, ecology, and mindfulness as a way to deepen our connection and understanding of ourselves, each other and our shared world. She spends as much time as possible outside, knitting sweaters, weaving textile, and sewing creatures. Sarah is the aspirational future owner of the Cape’s first sustainable alpaca farm and slow craft retreat center.
Paul Melville
Facilitator
Paul Melville
Facilitator
A United States Army veteran and Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker in Massachusetts, Paul holds an Associates of Science in Broadcasting, a Bachelors of Science in Communication and Journalism, and a Masters of Social Work. He is a sought-after trainer, an engaging parent educator, and a valued leader in human service circles across Massachusetts. In addition to leading Calmer Choice mindful awareness sits and teaching mindfulness to adults, Paul facilitates a monthly support group for local dads, coordinates the Cape Cod Fathers and Family Network, and is Director of Training and Technical Assistance at the Family Nurturing Center of Massachusetts.
Paul is a cis-gender straight white male who uses he-series pronouns. He believes passionately that those with privilege have a responsibility to educate themselves and each other, and to use their privilege to help turn the tide on systems that continually disadvantage people of color and other marginalized groups.
In addition to his mindfulness practice, Paul nurtures himself by reading, cooking, and spending time outdoors with his wife and children.
Jennifer Perrin
District Coordinator
Jennifer Perrin
District Coordinator
Jennifer has an Associates degree in Health Sciences with a focus on Occupational Therapy Assistant. Jennifer has been an instructor for Calmer Choice for 8 years. She has taught children in different school districts on Cape Cod as well as districts off Cape. Jennifer has also worked with instructors in training both being observed teaching in the classroom as well as observing and giving feedback to instructors. She has taught adult eight-week courses both in person as well as virtually for Calmer Choice. Jennifer enjoys working for Calmer Choice with both children and adults. She enjoys hearing other’s responses, perspectives and experiences with the lessons, feeling as she is teaching she is learning form her experience teaching and deepening her awareness.
Patricia Weinstein
Training & Mentorship Consultant
Patricia Weinstein
Training & Mentorship Consultant
Patty has been with Calmer Choice since its start in 2009. Throughout her years with Calmer Choice Patty has supported the organization by giving her service as member of the Board of Directors, helping with curriculum development and being an instructor of both youth and adult programs. Patty brings an abundance of experience in mindful living to all of her work at Calmer Choice and most recently to her new position as Director of School-Based Programming. She also brings that same intention of moment to moment living to her very large family and her personal life. Patty finds much joy in spending time with family, traveling and spending time in nature. If you asked Patty what has been her most treasured accomplishment she would tell you that being a mom is the most precious, the most challenging and the most treasured. Patty holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education from Lesley College in Cambridge MA. Patty currently resides in Mashpee MA with her husband of 30 years.
Sue Costello
Instructor
Sue Costello
Instructor
Sue relocated to the Cape in 2021 after living and working in the Boston area for 30 plus years. As a recently retired clinical social worker, Sue worked with children and families in their homes and schools. Sue’s special interests are working with children with incarcerated parents and supporting children and families who’ve experienced loss. Ten years ago she was fortunate enough to receive training to teach mindfulness to school aged children and it became the most rewarding part of her work. She loved seeing and hearing how students reported feeling calmer, more peaceful and happier after each lesson.
Sue was delighted to discover Calmer Choice and completed the Instructor Training in the spring and summer of 2022.
Sue volunteers as a Big Sister here on the Cape as well as serving as a board member for The Children’s Room–Center for Grieving Children and Teens in Arlington, MA.
When she’s not working, Sue loves to garden, exercise, connect with family and friends and laugh as much as possible. Sue lives in Yarmouth Port with her husband and dog.
Song Sutthimaitree
Instructor
Song Sutthimaitree
Instructor
Song's native country is Thailand, and mindful awareness is in her culture. As a result, she has a long history with mindfulness practice.
Song has worked in the hospitality industry where she encountered many kinds of people and circumstances. Her mindfulness practice has helped her navigate professional challenges and she sees mindfulness as part of her work-life integration.
In 2010, Song worked as a massage therapist, and a year later she became a yoga instructor. From these experiences, Song's personal awareness expanded as did her belief that all people have the ability to cultivate mindfulness. For Song, mindful awareness is the art of living.
Song joined Calmer Choice as an instructor in August 2022.
Board of Directors
Sue Curran
Chair Retired, Fidelity Investments
Sue Curran
Chair Retired, Fidelity Investments
Sue is a Financial Services Executive having recently retired in late 2017. She is a graduate of Wheaton College. During her professional career, she worked in management as well as client development areas at Merrill Lynch, Bank of America, Deutsche Asset Management and since 2001, at Fidelity Investments. Sue retired as a Senior Vice President in the Institutional Asset Management Division responsible for forty public sector clients representing over $60 billion in assets.
In the charitable sector, Sue is the former Vestry Co-Chair at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Osterville where she also served as Co-Chair of the Discernment Committee and currently on the Endowment Committee. Sue also serves as on the Board of Directors at the Hyannisport Club, Chair of the Ladies 18 Holers and Co-Chair of the Membership Committee. Sue is currently a Commissioner for Wheaton College serving on the Presidents Commission.
Sue has been on the Board of Calmer Choice since 2018 and has been a committed supporter since 2013. Her dedication, enthusiasm, strategic thinking and ability to navigate complex situations are welcome attributes.
Sabrina Kane
Secretary Attorney at Law
Sabrina Kane
Secretary Attorney at Law
Sabrina holds a Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy from Smith College; a Master of Arts in Communication from the State University of New York at Albany; and a Juris Doctor from the University of Baltimore School of Law, from which she graduated magna cum laude. Almost a Cape Cod native (having moved to Hyannis at age 3!), Sabrina practiced law in Maryland before returning to the Cape to practice Elder and Special Needs Law.
She is a member of the Massachusetts chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (MassNAELA), for which she serves on the Special Needs Law Steering Committee and the Public Relations Subcommittee. She is also a member of Cape Cod Young Professionals and the Estate Planning Council of Cape Cod. Sabrina has served as Co-Treasurer of the Yarmouth Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) since 2018.
Having personal knowledge of the benefits of a mindfulness practice, Sabrina leaped at the opportunity to pay the blessings of her practice forward by volunteering for Calmer Choice. Sabrina has worked on the Calmer Choice Newsletter since 2017, interviewing a wide range of individuals who are connected to our organization. She joined the Board of Directors in July 2019.
Rob Padgett
Treasurer Retired, Padgett Builders
Rob Padgett
Treasurer Retired, Padgett Builders
Rob is a General Contractor who owns Padgett Builders, Inc., which specializes in Residential Custom Construction. Rob is a former Board Member (5 years) of the Home Builders & Remodelers Association of Cape Cod, where he served as Treasurer (one year) and President (one year).
Rob also served for three years on the Board of the Home Builders Association of Massachusetts. Rob has a Business Degree from Florida State University. He has lived on Cape Cod since 1975, and has had a mindfulness practice since then and is happy to support Calmer Choice however needed.
C. Patty Fater, M.D.
Board Member Harbor Community Health Center
C. Patty Fater, M.D.
Board Member Harbor Community Health Center
Dr. Patty Fater is proud to have been a founding Board Member of Calmer Choice. She is a Family Practice Physician who came to Cape Cod in 1995. Patty and her husband Marc raised their 3 sons here through the Barnstable Public School system, having endured the stressors that were responsible for the creation of Calmer Choice.
Patty is very involved in her faith community at The Cape Cod Synagogue. She also serves on the Board of the Cape Cod Foundation.
John Fulone
Board Member Head of Business Banking Checking and Deposits at Citizens
Kelli Grew
Board Member Beacon Financial Planning
Kelli Grew
Board Member Beacon Financial Planning
Kelli is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP®). In 2010 She received her Bachelor’s Degree with a dual concentration in Finance and Management from the University of New Hampshire. After college, Kelli joined a financial planning firm in the greater Boston area and spent 7 years commuting to their offices from her home in Yarmouth. In 2019 she decided to make the jump professionally back to the Cape and joined the Beacon Financial Planning team.
She consults with individuals & families to identify personal financial goals and resources, design financial strategies, and make personalized recommendations, that when implemented, assist the client in achieving their goals. Kelli is committed to delivering highly personalized service and building long-term relationships with clients. Kelli has over 10 years of experience and is currently taking on new clients who are seeking one-on-one investment guidance, wealth management, and income strategies.
Kelli is a member of the BFP Investment Committee, serves as the Vice President on the Estate Planning Council of Cape Cod, and donates her time to the Community Development Committee for Calmer Choice. Kelli and her husband share three young children; ages 7, 5, and 1. In her free time, Kelli enjoys running road races, gardening, going to the beach during the summer, and spending time with her family. As someone who was born and raised on the Cape, she enjoys connecting with people who share the same sense of community and love for other people.
Shaelyn Hegarty
Board Member Frank Sullivan Real Estate
Shaelyn Hegarty
Board Member Frank Sullivan Real Estate
A true Cape Cod native, Shaelyn grew up right in the village of Osterville. Prior to joining the Frank Sullivan team as a licensed real estate agent, she graduated from the Isenberg School of Management at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, with a degree in Marketing and Information Technology. She spent the next six years working in the e-commerce industry in Boston. After returning to Cape Cod one summer to manage a rental property for a friend, she realized that she had a true passion for real estate. Shaelyn is very excited to be able to combine this passion with a genuine love and knowledge of the villages of the Cape. Shaelyn has been volunteering with Calmer Choice since its inception, as she has been a friend of founder Fiona Jensen's family for many years. Today she is a proud member of the Board of Directors. In addition to the Calmer Choice team, Shaelyn donates her time to the community as a member of the Osterville Rotary Club. In her free time, Shaelyn enjoys spending time with family and her rescue dog, Tuck.
Anne D. LeClaire
Board Member Author and Lecturer
Anne D. LeClaire
Board Member Author and Lecturer
A former actor, print journalist and radio broadcaster, Anne is a memoirist and the critically acclaimed, best-selling author of nine novels published in twenty-four countries. She is a frequent speaker at colleges and universities, public and private schools, women’s groups, men’s groups, religious retreats, churches, hospitals, libraries, corporate events, literary festivals and conferences.
She has been a keynote speaker for The Massachusetts Women’s Bar Association, The Association of American University Women and the Cape Cod Writers Conference, among others, and is a Distinguished Fellow of the Ragdale Foundation.
Anne has taught creative writing workshops in the United States and in a variety on international venues. She has been a visiting lecturer at Mt. Holyoke College, the University of Tennessee, and Columbia College.
More than two decades ago, Anne began a formal practice of silence, meaning that for the past twenty-eight years she has not spoken on the first and third Mondays of every month. Out of this proactive came her memoir, “Listening Below the Noise: The Transformative Power of Silence” (Harper Collins, 2009) which was named one of the 50 best spiritual books of the year in 2009. She leads popular seminars and workshops exploring silence, creativity and deep listening including, most recently, the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in Lenox, MA, the Chicago Botanic Gardens in Glencoe, IL, St. Mark’s Cathedral in Seattle, WA, and the Ashland Institute in Portland, OR.
Anne is a licensed pilot and yoga enthusiast and student of Tango. She lives on Cape Cod.
Alexandra Liimatainen
Board Member Not for Profit Credit Portfolio Manager TD Bank Boston
Alexandra Liimatainen
Board Member Not for Profit Credit Portfolio Manager TD Bank Boston
Allie Liimatainen has 10 years experience in Commercial Banking across several industries in both the nonprofit and for profit sectors. Allie has gained excellent financial and credit analysis skills through various roles in her banking career, including structuring loan amounts and loan terms, data-driven decision making, and efficient business communication. She enjoys collaborating with others to find common solutions as much as she enjoys yoga and mindful walks!
Manny Marrero
Board Member/Instructor Cape Cod Healthcare
Manny Marrero
Board Member/Instructor Cape Cod Healthcare
Manny Marrero is a Mental Health Occupational Therapist at Cape Cod Healthcare’s Centers for Behavioral Health at Cape Cod Hospital. After serving eight years honorably in the United States Marine Corps, Manny attended Westfield State University, where he graduated cum laude with a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and Sports Medicine. He continued his education, earning a master’s degree in Occupational Therapy from Bay Path University in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Manny serves on the board of directors for NAMI Cape Cod, Calmer Choice, and Harbor Health Services. During his off time, he volunteers and acts as a mentor through Big Brothers Big Sisters of Cape Cod and the Islands. Manny was recently honored by Cape Cod and Plymouth Business Magazine as one of the area’s 40 Under 40 for excelling in his profession and showing dynamic leadership in the community.
Laura Newstead
Board Member Cape Cod Five
Laura Newstead
Board Member Cape Cod Five
Laura Newstead joined the Calmer Choice Board of Trustees in October, 2019. She brings to the board 20 years of human resources experience primarily in the financial services sector. Laura is currently the Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer for Cape Cod 5. She joined the Bank in March, 2016, relocating from Michigan. Laura has extensive experience in the areas of human resources, talent management, benefits and employee development. Since joining the Bank, she has become active with CCYP as a mentor, also mentors for Entrepreneurs 4 All, is on the American Bankers Association’s Professional Development Advisory Board and serves on the Board of Trustees for Cape Cod Community College.
Laura holds a Master of Science Administration in Human Resources from Central Michigan University. She also received a Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education and English from Western Michigan University and is completing her dissertation at Indiana Wesleyan University where she is pursuing a PhD in Organizational Leadership. Additionally, Laura holds several Human Resources professional designations including: Senior Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) Designation and Senior Certified Professional (SCP) Designation, and MBTI certification.
Garth Smelser
Board Member Mindful NOAA Program Manager National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Peggy Wolman
Board Member Peggy Wolman Matchmaking
Peggy Wolman
Board Member Peggy Wolman Matchmaking
Peggy served as a member of the faculty at The Winsor School in Boston, where she taught drama and directed theatre productions. She also directed musical theatre with The Freelance Players, and Creative Arts at Park for twenty-five years. She was a member of The Park School Corporation, the Advisory Board of Facing History and Ourselves, and Young Audiences of MA, where she chaired ten annual events with Yo-Yo Ma. In 2011, Peggy combined her experience motivating young actors to be comfortable and confident on stage with her husband’s insights and experience as a clinical psychologist, and Harvard faculty member, to start Peggy Wolman Matchmaking. As matchmakers and dating coaches, Peggy and Richard specialize in helping older adults re-enter the dating world and find meaningful relationships. They raised their four children in Newton and Brookline, MA and moved to Mashpee in December, 2016. Two of Peggy's favorite activities are golf and singing. She sings with the Falmouth Chorale and recently joined their Board. Her greatest pleasure is visiting her nine grandchildren who live in four different states!
Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D.
Honorary Board Member Professor of Medicine
Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D.
Honorary Board Member Professor of Medicine
Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn, Ph.D., Professor of
Medicine emeritus at UMass Medical
School is internationally known for his
work as a scientist, writer, and
mindfulness meditation teacher.
Dr. Kabat-Zinn is the founding executive director of the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society and is engaged in bringing mindfulness practices, especially mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR), into the mainstream of medicine and society.
He was prominently featured in the Bill Moyer’s PBS special Healing and the Mind. Among his publications:
Full Catastrophe Living, Wherever You Go, There You Are, Coming to Our Senses, Mindfulness for Beginners