Staff & Board

Nancy Carlson, Cambridge, joined CN for the social and cultural activities as well as the volunteer opportunities. Nancy became interested in being a Board Member when Board President Tina Olton asked Nancy to work with her. Nancy retired in 2014 from her position as a Professor at The New England College of Optometry. Her favorite aspects of her career were team teaching, writing a textbook, and writing many journal articles with her team. She became colleagues and friends with many of her students after they graduated. Nancy lives with her husband, Tom Corwin, and their two spoiled, and much-loved cats. She spends her free time reading, quilting, and traveling.

Emily Flax, Cambridge and Medford, joined the board of CN because she is passionate about exploring design and social concepts that support and empower a thriving aging population. Emily believes it is essential to reimagine how people of all ages will live and participate in an aging society. She spends her free time with her two children and husband on his farm in Lincoln, MA.

Jan has both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Harvard University and has been a successful real estate broker in the Cambridge area for many years. In addition to her CN board appointment, she was a Board member of the Eugene Kinasewich Fund which educated approximately thirty Ukrainian hockey-playing students in this country mostly in private boarding schools and some in colleges, is past President of The Cambridge Club, a distinguished group of people, all of whom have a history of volunteer work in Cambridge. She served on the Hospice of Cambridge Development Committee for roughly twenty years. She has been a supporter of CCAE, taking courses there for many years. Jan has always appreciated the village concept and is looking forward to contributing to Cambridge Neighbors as a member of its board.

Judy Lindamood, Cambridge, joined CN with her husband because she has strong feelings about the need to help elders live independently for as long as possible.  Her interest in the Board began when she retired from her long-time career as an Early Childhood Educator and professor at Bunker Hill Community College.  A highlight of her career was a six-month sabbatical to Europe and Scandinavia looking at Early Childhood systems in seven countries. She spends her time with grandchildren, family activities and travels. 

Rachel McCaw, Arlington, joined Cambridge Neighbors for the volunteering opportunities as well as to help elders in the area live independently for as long as possible with the help of her knowledge in Elder Law. Rachel currently works at an elder law and estate planning law firm based in Arlington. After giving two presentations to members of Cambridge Neighbors, she was looking for ways to become involved in the organization such as by joining the Board. The favorite part of her job is being able to help the elders in her community protect their rights and ensure that their wishes are heard. Rachel currently lives with her fiancé Paul and their chunky orange cat Oliver. She spends her free time skiing in the winter and sailing with her parents in the summer.  

Helene Quinn has worked with elders in both NYC and in Massachusetts.  In NYC she worked for the Department for Aging, overseeing federally funded nutrition and case management agencies and directed community based senior centers, managed nutrition programs, and supervised case management services for low income elders. In MA she has directed a geriatric care management agency affiliated with Sherrill House and was the Director of Admissions for Sherrill House, a not for profit skilled nursing facility.  Her most recent position was as Executive Director of The Cambridge Homes, a not-for-profit assisted living community.  Helene has a BA in Education and a Master’s in Nursing.

Connor joined the Board of Directors in October 2018 and currently serves as its Secretary. He became familiar with the organization through a close friend and former Board member, Ken Tingle. Connor believes in the value that the village model provides to individuals looking to age in place without sacrificing independence and autonomy. Having experienced his grandmother struggle with solo aging, his goal is to provide the Board with a sympathetic and unique perspective to support the organization and create positive experiences for all CN members. He currently serves as a Clinical Trial Program Manager within the Cancer Center at Massachusetts General Hospital. He lives in Hanover with his fiancé, Margaret. 

I was born right here in Cambridge MA and after completing my degree in Biology at La Sierra University in Riverside California, I decided on a career change and entered banking 7 years ago. I’ve been with Cambridge Trust for about 4 years now, working first in our Wellesley office and more recently managing our Cambridge locations. My very first job was at Cambridge Homes Assisted Living, and it provided me with my first opportunity to be able to spend an extended period with the elderly. My interactions with those clients gave me an enormous respect and admiration for an often-overlooked segment of our population. I look forward to contributing my skills to continue the wonderful work that Cambridge Neighbors does for the local elderly community.

Anna Whitcomb, Cambridge, joined CN as a volunteer helping to market CN within its catchment area. She enjoys supporting an organization that helps elders remain in their homes, believing they are vital to the community. Anna has degrees in Human Development and a Master’s in Counseling and Public Management. She was a Career Counselor for over 20 years but is now retired. She served in the U.S. Peace Corps in the Philippines and still has ties to it along with other international non-profits. She and her husband, Sam, spend time in Dartmouth MA biking, sailing, gardening, and enjoy time with their family and new grandson.

Janet Whitla, Cambridge, joined CN for activities and new friendships, and for the opportunity to share her leadership experiences with the organization as it grows and develops. She has been a member for six years. When she retired as President and CEO of the international non-profit, Education Development Center, Inc., she continued as a Board or Advisory group member of several other non-profits including the Handel and Haydn Society, Cambridge College, The New Bedford Whaling Museum, and the New Bedford Symphony Orchestra. Her husband, Dean, was also a CN member (he recently passed away), and they spent many years enjoying their second home in Mattapoisett where they sailed, swam, and kayaked.

Wendy Zens, Cambridge, became aware of CN several years ago and joined with her husband, Ken in 2019 in order to align with others who shared their goal of aging in place.  She discovered that many of her interests and activities were supported with CN programs on genealogical research, birding, and visits to interesting and historic places.  After retirement in 2014 from her position managing several outpatient surgical and specialty medical units, the time was right to expand her knowledge of Cambridge history and to read books there had not been time to read while working. Honored to be a member of the board, Wendy hopes to contribute knowledge gained from raising an anti-racist family, in order to work toward attracting more members with diverse backgrounds to join the CN community.