Our Team

CAROLYN CASEY | FOUNDER & EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Carolyn’s path of service was inspired by the example of her parents – both educators – and her siblings, who put faith, family, and community first. And, taught her that love is an action verb and compassion, kindness, and a devotion to social justice serve as the foundation for a purposeful life.

The vision of Project 351 is a culmination and reflection of those lessons and the inspiration gained from three decades of leadership in the nonprofit, civic, and private sector.  At every stop along the way, Carolyn was fortunate to learn from visionary leaders devoted to civic engagement and social entrepreneurship, and heroes on the frontline of community-based change. Throughout her professional journey at Timberland, City Year, and in politics, Carolyn was influenced by the intersection of sectors and communities as a unique resource to drive positive change. 

Her greatest inspiration and teachers are young people – specifically those eighth-grade unsung heroes and quiet leaders – who astound their classmates, communities, and Commonwealth with their passion to serve, ability to lead, and fierce commitment to build communities that elevate the dignity and opportunity of all.

Their remarkable goodness and unlimited potential to manifest positive change fuels Project 351’s daily mission. A mobilization of courage, compassion, and youth leadership that transforms communities, elevates kindness, forges unity, and addresses critical needs with positive solutions.

Carolyn graduated from the College of the Holy Cross with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and received her Masters in Public Administration from the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. She is a founding member of the Advisory Board for the Martin Richard Institute for Social Justice at Bridgewater State University and is a member of the Corporation Board for Beacon Academy and the CEO’s Kitchen Cabinet at Big Sister Association of Greater Boston.

A fervent believer in the power of inclusive convening, Carolyn co-founded a monthly forum for nonprofit women executives to strengthen collaboration, best practice exchange, and peer mentorship.

Her dedication to youth leadership and social justice has been recognized by Holy Cross College Club of Boston, United Way, LIFT Boston, Irish America Magazine, and Harvard’s Phillips Brooks House Association.

SAM CARSON | DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT & ADMINISTRATION

Sam is responsible for spearheading Project 351’s long-term strategic plan and managing Project 351’s day-to-day internal operations. Sam worked with educators from across Massachusetts to recruit and select the first class of Project 351 8th grade Ambassadors for the inaugural Project 351 Launch and Service Day 2011.

Sam served in state government for four years as a member of Governor Deval Patrick’s advance staff and a special project manager at the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA). At EEA, Sam managed a portfolio of $13 million in state capital investments in urban park projects. Sam worked with a diverse coalition of stakeholders to identify, plan and manage projects that advanced the Patrick Administration’s economic and community development goals in Massachusetts Gateway Cities. Most recently, Sam served as a project manager for HUBweek, a weeklong festival and unique civic collaboration between Harvard, MIT, the Boston Globe, and Massachusetts General Hospital. Sam graduated from the Harvard Kennedy School with a Master in Public Policy and has a bachelor’s degree in political science from Vanderbilt University.

MARCIA ROBINSON | SENIOR ADVISOR, CIVIC ENGAGEMENT & SERVICE

Marcia joined our team in our second year, as a member of our first Leadership Reunion team. Lucky for us, she was hooked and has been a member of our Leadership Team since. In fact, in October 2019, Marcia was recognized for her dedication to Project 351 with a Daily Point of Light Award.

Marcia is a lifelong optimist, creative thinker, and passionate about social justice and investing in young people as agents of change. She brings over 25 years of diverse corporate, non-profit management, and global service experience to our mission. In addition to her leadership at Project 351, Marcia serves as Board Member of Three Squares NE; and Program Director for Ripples of Hope and the Foundation To Be Named Later.  

LACEY UPTON | SENIOR PROGRAM MANAGER

Lacey is an educator and nonprofit manager whose career has focused on the nexus of out-of-school time learning, youth development and community, often through the arts and arts education. As Senior Program Manager, Lacey takes a leadership role in guiding Ambassadors through their Project 351 Journeys, implementing our three statewide service campaigns, developing evidence-based impact measures and program evaluation, and building communities of support among Alumni, educators, partners, Board members, and beyond.

Lacey’s professional experience includes a unique combination of extensive on-the-ground program administration, relationship management with key stakeholders, and the academic training to engage in strategic, systems-level change. Most recently, as Director of Community Engagement with Boston Lyric Opera, she led programming and initiatives with adult, family, and youth community members designed to engage and spark curiosity about the arts as well as to create equitable arts experiences across barriers of access. Prior to BLO, Lacey managed adult and community education with the Metropolitan Opera Guild in NYC, worked directly with teens in the afterschool program Starting Artists in Brooklyn, and directed the Summer Writing Intensive for Teen Ink, a national teen magazine, website, and book series.

Lacey is a graduate of Boston College and the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where she earned a Master of Education degree.  

PAULINA ROMERO | DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Paulina is responsible for leading Project 351’s grant writing efforts, managing and enhancing our fundraising systems and processes, and spearheading our grassroots fundraising initiatives.

Paulina found her passion for serving through her work with the Phillips Brooks House Association, where she worked in the Summer Urban Program. As a Director, Paulina enjoyed leading a team of 14 staff in developing programming that explored identity, social-emotional learning, and academics, as well as overseeing program logistics, the program budget, and fundraising efforts. Most recently, Paulina worked as a Regional Manager with iD Tech, where she oversaw all operations for ten technology education programs in the Northeast. In this role, Paulina supported the professional development and leadership growth of 60 staff members, conducted contract negotiations with universities/vendors, managed all program budgets, and strengthened relationships with partners and key stakeholders. Paulina was also heavily involved in the Diversity and Inclusion Council, helping to develop a long-term plan and lead the initiatives to improve recruiting and hiring processes, as well as implement DEI training and a culture of inclusivity in the workplace.

Paulina graduated from Wellesley College with a degree in Peace and Justice Studies focused on Human Rights.   

Charlie Rose

Maureen Alphonse-Charles

Noor Al-Saad

Carolyn Casey

Josh Florence

Michele Gerroir

Thaddeus Miles

Tom O'Brien

Denise Richard

Alex Richman

Nancy Routh

Matt Segneri

Dean & Senior Vice President, City Year ~ Chair

Managing Director, Executive Search, Koya Leadership Partners

Project 351 Class of 2013; University of New Hampshire '21

Founder & Executive Director, Project 351

Project 351 Founding Class of 2011; Analyst, The Analysis Group

Chief Compliance & Privacy Officer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts

Director of Community Services, MassHousing; Founder, HoodFit

Founding Partner/Managing Director, HYM Investment Group ~ Chair, Development Committee

Founder & Co-Chair, Martin Richard Foundation

Senior Advisor, Alliance for Business Leadership

Principal, Heartstone Consulting ~ Chair, Program Committee

Executive Director, Harvard Innovation Labs

We offer enduring gratitude for the early leadership and commitment of founding Board members, David O'Brien, Principal, DOB Strategies, and Ted Marquis, Vice President and Director of Care Force, City Year—two vital architects of Project 351