Our Guiding Principles
Opportunity
Every individual, no matter his or her circumstances, deserves a chance to thrive in a world-class learning environment.
Respect
Students learn best in a culture of hope, personal development, respect and fair practice.
Learning
Effective learning focuses on individual needs, aspirations, interests and prior experiences.
Environment
People experience success in a creative learning environment with high, but reachable expectations.
The History of NECAT
The New England Center for Arts and Technology - NECAT - opened its doors to Greater Boston in September 2013. An ambitious vision developed over a four year period by Founder and Chairman, Maarten Hemsley, NECAT represents a nonprofit collaboration between public and private partners
Meet Our Staff
Jessica Asbun
Program Manager
After years in the corporate world, Jessica followed her passion for cooking and enrolled in the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts. After graduation, Jessica opened her own personal chef business and a café. As a Culinary Instructor at NECAT, Jessica shares her love of food, its history and relevance, with students who wish to join the culinary community.
Phone: 617.442.3600
Email: jasbun@ne-cat.org
Ashley Bartell
Director of Development
Ashley came to NECAT with experience in development from the American Heart Association, American Cancer Society and Horizons for Homeless Children, and an MBA in Non-Profit Management.
Phone: 617.442.3600
Email: abartell@ne-cat.org
Jon Braley
Volunteer Career Coach
Jon Braley is our volunteer Career Coach assisting students through all phases of their job search. He also coaches students in some of the soft skills essential to their success after they have been hired. In his long career prior to joining NECAT, Jon held finance and operations management positions at Honeywell, Data General, Digital Equipment and Compaq, eventually retiring from Hewlett Packard. He is also a certified mediator.
Phone: 617.442.3600
Email: jbraley@ne-cat.org
Elise Brandwein
Student Services Director
With six years’ experience as an admissions advisor at Le Cordon Bleu, Elise is skilled in working with a diverse student population ranging from recent high school graduates to career changers.
Phone: 617.442.3600
Email: ebrandwein@ne-cat.org
Josephine (Joey) Cuzzi
Executive Director
Joey has had an extensive career in public service. Prior to NECAT, Joey served as ED of the East Boston Y for eight years. Under her leadership, the Y’s initiatives flourished, widely recognized for their program quality and innovation, and she instituted a scholarship program and obtained private funding for the construction of an East Boston teaching kitchen and garden. Joey also worked in PR for the Piers Park Sailing Center in East Boston. She previously spent nearly 20 years as the Director of Communications for the Massachusetts Port Authority.
Phone: 617.442.3600
Email: jcuzzi@ne-cat.org
Kristine Kelley
Culinary Instructor
Chef Kristine holds degrees from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts Cambridge and the Culinary Institute of America. She is passionate about teaching and has been a Culinary Instructor at North Shore Community College since 2013. Kristine joined NECAT’s team as our Chef Instructor at Everett in January 2018.
Phone: 857.505.5091
Email: kkelley@ne-cat.org
Robert Krajewski
Culinary Instructor
Bob has extensive experience as an Executive Chef and baker, helping open three highly acclaimed restaurants, in addition to his own French bistro. He also spent two years teaching at the New England Culinary Institute in Vermont. He has a powerful ability to connect with our students and get them excited about their future potential. Bob works with students in the first half of our program.
Phone: 617.442.3600
Email: rkrajewski@ne-cat.org
Martha Leahy
Deputy Director
Martha Leahy is a food executive and chef with over twenty-five years of experience. She has worked as an Executive Chef for restaurant chains, as a Corporate Executive Chef in research and development for both retail grocery stores and in manufacturing, as VP of Purchasing and as a consultant. Martha is also experienced in teaching and leadership training. She has worked every position in a restaurant through the years, from dishwasher to Executive Chef for a twenty-restaurant chain. Martha holds degrees from the University of Michigan, Johnson and Wales University in Rhode Island and the International Culinary Institute for Foreigners in Italian Cooking in Italy.
Phone: 617.442.3600
Email: mleahy@ne-cat.org
Edward McClendon
Career Services Director
Edward has had a successful career in workforce development in Boston, Philadelphia and New York City working with disadvantaged adults and youth. Prior to joining NECAT, he worked at Pine Street Inn, helping homeless individuals find employment. Edward received his Bachelor Degree from Trenton State College.
Phone: 617.442.3600
Email: emcclendon@ne-cat.org
Tom Nelson
Culinary Instructor
Tom has ten years of teaching experience, both in a university setting and with a similar non-profit in California. He has an additional thirty years of experience in professional kitchens. He has a wealth of knowledge and extensive curriculum development experience. Tom works with students through the second half of the program and masterfully oversees the entire class while providing critical one-on-one support.
Phone: 617.442.3600
Email: tnelson@ne-cat.org
Deryck Reid
SEL Trainer
Deryck Reid is an expert in helping marginalized young people prepare for adulthood and employment. He has experience providing consulting and coaching at STRIVE, Operation Exit and Building Pathways.
Phone: 617.833.9927
Email: dreid@ne-cat.org
Jessica Williamson
Development Manager
Jessica has worked in the non-profit sector for her entire career, across causes she feels passionate about and on both sides of the Atlantic. Prior to joining NECAT she lived in Northern England for five years where she helped launch a new center for contemporary art and discovered the beauty of the Yorkshire Dales. Jessica holds a B.A. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and an M.A. from the University of Westminster, U.K.
Phone: 617.442.3600
Email: jwilliamson@ne-cat.org
Our Board of Directors
Maarten Hemsley (NECAT Founder, Board Chair & President) is a semi-retired financial executive with many years’ experience managing public companies.
Rick Catino (Treasurer) is a businessman and CEO of Clear Point Partners LLC. Prior to Clear Point, Rick was a longtime executive at HP. He and his family reside in Medford.
Jennifer Corcoran is a Project Director for Joseph J. Corcoran Company and volunteers with many organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club of Dorchester and Charlestown Lacrosse & Learning Center.
Shawn Goldrick is Patient Support Services Director at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Rebecca Hemsley is Director of Marketing & Advertising at South Coast Almanac LLC, and serves as President for the Foundation for Wareham Education.
Joanne Massaro is newly retired after working for the City of Boston for almost 20 years, most recently as the Commissioner of Public Works.
Barry Nelson is currently an independent fundraising consultant, with extensive experience in radio production and public radio fundraising.
Sheila Peterson is a strategic collaboration and philanthropy consultant serving the funding, non-profit, and public/private partnership sectors. As a former VP of the State Street Foundation, Sheila managed strategic grant-making efforts, including support of NECAT.
Mike Rothschild is a principal of Abbott Realty LLC and President of the Newmarket Business Association.
Dan Scully is the President and CEO of Hotel California Tequila. His work, prior to the sprits business, was in such diverse fields as hotel management, media management, and consulting.
William (Bill) Strickland is founder and CEO of Manchester Bidwell, and is the inspiration for NECAT.
Sue Sullivan is the Executive Director of the Newmarket Business Association.
Our New Social Enterprise
NECAT is launching a new social enterprise in partnership with Sodexo! Plans are in the works to start a food fulfillment business on-site at our Boston Center. The enterprise will provide employment opportunities (paid 4-month apprenticeships) to our current students and recent graduates. The "grab-and-go" food prepared by NECAT will be distributed to hospitals, universities and companies in the downtown Boston area. More information to soon follow!
Feed your guests;
feed your soul.
Make NECAT your main ingredient when planning your next corporate or private party, meeting or team building workshop. Our talented chefs will work with you to create a tailored menu and customized experience. Together with our beautiful facility and important organizational mission, it is sure to be an event that you and your guests will remember for years to come.
Our Funders
We want to thank the following donors who have provided critical support to NECAT. As a nonprofit organization, we depend on the generosity of our community and supporters in helping us achieve our mission.
See all fundersWe thank the following donors who have provided critical support to NECAT.
Corporate, Foundation and Public Support
- Airmall
- The American Cities Coalition
- Ash Charitable Trust
- Paul and Edith Babson Foundation
- Barr Foundation
- BNY Mellon
- Boston Children’s Hospital
- The Boston Foundation
- Boston Rising
- City of Boston
- Department of Neighborhood Development
- Office of Workforce Development
- Margaret Collins Charitable Fund
- Columbia Contracting Group
- Commonwealth Corporation
- Corcoran Jennison
- Cruz Development
- Cummings Foundation
- CVS
- East Boston Savings Bank
- Eastern Bank
- Edwards Wildman Palmer LLP/Locke Lord LLP – pro bono legal work
- The Epicurean Club
- Goulston & Storrs – pro bono legal work
- The Maarten & Mavis Hemsley Family Foundation
- Roy A Hunt Foundation
- Le Cordon Bleu
- Lee Kennedy Company
- The Ludcke Foundation
- MA Gaming Commission
- MA Skills Capital Grant Program
- MassDevelopment Community Service 501(c)(3) Loan Fund
- NewMarket Business Association
- Northeast Kittredge Foodservice Equipment Supply
- Nutter McClennen & Fish, LLP
- Partners Community Healthcare
- People’s United Bank
- Ratshesky Foundation
- Frank Reed and Margaret Jane Peters Memorial Fund II
- Rucci, Bardaro & Falzone, PC – pro bono accounting and tax work
- Santander Bank Foundation
- Shawmut Construction
- Sherin and Lodgen LLP – pro bono legal work
- Snapchef
- Sodexo USA, Inc.
- Starwood Hotels
- The State Street Foundation
- Steelcase, Inc./ Red Thread
- TPI Cradles to Careers
- M S Walker
- Walmart Foundation
- Wang Foundation
- Windrose Advisors
Platinum Donors
- Maarten and Mavis Hemsley
- Amos and Barbara Hostetter
- Shirley and Jim Marten
- James Pallotta
- Alex Rigopulos and Sachi Cato
- Steve and Jessica Sarowitz
- Founder’s Circle
- Jeannette and Rob Baker
- Rich Buenting
- Herb Chambers
- Lynne Eickholt and John Cooper
- Frank Family – in memory of Bernard Frank
- Nicole Gakidis
- Phil Gross
- Joe Harper Sr.
- Linda and John Henry
- Brian Lash
- David Lowe
- Cary Lynch
- Sharon and Ron Nunes
- Bob Rivers
- Ann and Bill Sheehan
- Sharon and David Steadman
- Bob Traina
- Chairman’s Circle
- Shawn Anderson
- Tina Aronson and Koby Rotstein
- Stacey and Marty Auger
- Frank Bridgeman
- Marlissa Briggett and Peter Necheles
- Jim Carmody
- Maureen and George Chamillard
- Irene Chavez
- John Childs
- Fran and Mike Cifrino
- Anthony Colombo
- Joseph Corcoran, Jr.
- Ted Cutler
- Josephine and Stephen Cuzzi
- Sara and Demetri Dasco
- Pamela and Belden Daniels
- Lisa and Robert Davies
- Michael Douvadjian
- Mark Fagan
- Chris Falbo
- Lawrence Finman
- Marvin Gilmore
- Shawn Goldrick
- Joe Harper Jr.
- Jane and Joe Kringdon
- Jane and Chuck Kusek
- Reverend Bill Loesch
- Brian Manning
- Pat Manning
- Joanne Massaro
- Eleanor and Mickey McGonagle
- Lisa and Jerry Miller
- Kim Molino
- Helene and Rich Monaghan
- Pat Moscaritolo
- Don Rodman
- Mike Rothschild
- Harry Rubash
- Bill Rucci
- Richard Schaum
- Marvin Schorr
- Deborah and Keith Schultz
- Darryl Settles
- Denis Snyder
- Alison Stevens
- Sue Sullivan
- Bob Summersgill
- Joseph Thibert
- Patti Vellante
- Paul Varello
- Bob Wiggins
If you’d like to join our community of supporters, we welcome you to check out our donation options!
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Careers at NECAT
We occasionally have openings for positions at NECAT. If you’re passionate about our mission and want to join our team, please contact us, and we’ll get back to you with any current opportunities and more information.
Volunteer at NECAT
NECAT strongly believes in the valuable role that volunteers play in furthering the development of our students and the overall mission of the Center. NECAT welcomes volunteer tutors (particularly math), counselors, social workers, guest speakers, mentors, internship placements and job opportunities.