Our leadership: dedicated, innovative, mission-driven
2Life Communities is led by a highly skilled group of thoughtful, seasoned professionals who make every decision with the well-being of Massachusetts' older adults in mind.
Front row leadership
Spring 2024
As a mission-driven organization, every member of the 2Life team has an opportunity to make a difference for those we serve. We are particularly proud of management practices that empower every person to be a leader -- whether by providing exceptional service to residents, contributing innovative ideas, or spreading the word about 2Life's mission. In this rotating segment, we highlight people from throughout our organization who lead by example and exemplify the mission of 2Life Communities. You can view all of our Front Row Leaders here.
Abdel Ait Chaib & Ghizlane Bellacen
Abdel serves as a maintenance mechanic and Ghizlane as a site representative, providing on-site assistance to residents in the evenings and overnight. But that doesn’t begin to describe how they view their roles. “The residents here are like our own grandparents. It’s a great pleasure to talk with them and help with whatever they need,” says Ghizlane.
That sense of family extends to their two young children, who enjoy living at Shillman House. “They love visiting the people here,” Ghizlane notes, sharing that the children often deliver packages to residents, who look forward to these youthful visits.
In addition to his day job doing maintenance, Abdel also pitches in as a site representative in the evenings. In fact, they both routinely assist with tasks that are not part of their job descriptions. You can often find one or both of them helping to set up for an event, for example. “We never say no,” Ghizlane says.
It’s all about people supporting each other, they say. “Where we grew up, if your neighbor needs help, you help them,” Abdel explains. “If you can help someone, just do it.”
Keith Kennedy
Keith makes himself available through an open door policy. “I want people to know that they have someone they can turn to whenever they have an issue,” he says. “No matter how minor it is, I want to know. Taking care of little problems helps avoid bigger problems.”
Keith is always willing to go out of his way to help, whether it’s hanging a picture on a wall or just lending an ear. This approach has made him a favorite with residents: “That builds trust, which is very important. After all, I’m coming into their home.” In return, he reaps benefits from these relationships. “Residents have a lot of good advice and great stories. Spending time with them is really a treat,” he says.
Over the years, Keith has worked in a variety of settings, from college dormitories to market-rate rentals. But at 2Life, he’s found the ideal environment. “Everyone at 2Life supports the mission of living in community,” he asserts. “It matches my own vision for how residents should be treated.”
Rosie Schiavone
As facilities administrator, Rosie is responsible for managing all the contracts, invoices, insurance paperwork, and other details that keep our facilities team on track. She’s always willing to take on something new, such as implementing a new online training platform for our maintenance mechanics.
“Even if it’s something I’ve never done, I want to do it,” she says. “For me, it’s important to step up and help when needed.”
Rosie’s talent and excitement for learning new things is matched by her enjoyment of other people. You will often find her helping out at 2Life events or visiting with residents. “I always take time to ask about their day or compliment them. I think kindness is contagious,” she explains.
A music lover since childhood, Rosie also enjoys playing the piano in the Brighton lobby. “If there are residents nearby, I think it gives them a little joy. I see the smiles on their faces. And it’s a way to communicate across language barriers,” she explains.
Although Rosie has worked at 2Life for just a year and a half, she feels fortunate to contribute to our mission of helping older adults live full lives in community. “Honoring our elders is very important to me,” Rosie says. “When I see what 2Life has done for so many older adults, and being part of something so grand, it makes me very proud.”
Corporate leadership
Community executive directors
Board of Directors
Laura Efron
Board Chair
Laura Efron is a long-time community volunteer with a business background in the long-term care and affordable housing industries. She and her husband Bruce own and manage a real estate business focusing on providing housing to low-income Boston residents. Laura has been involved with 2Life Communities for over a decade.
In addition to volunteering at 2Life Communities, Laura has chaired her temple's Sisterhood, her town’s Hadassah chapter, and the Weston Council on Aging. For decades, Laura has been a friendly visitor to isolated individuals and has always been a strong supporter of seniors in her community.
Laura graduated from Bentley University in 1988 with degrees in Accounting and Management, and from Simmons College in 1991 with a Master's in Healthcare Administration. Laura and Bruce have two adult sons, Brent and Justin, and reside in Newton.
Treasurer
Norman Posner
Clerk
David Zaltas
Members
Michael Alperin
Donald Bloch
Lynne Elfland
Melissa Fish-Crane
Howard Furman
Robert Gifford
Stacy Goodman
Merle Grandberg
Harvey Greenberg
Donna Kalikow
Bernard Kaplan
Wendy Kraft
Rick Levin
Noah Maslan
Jeff Sacks
Adam Scott
Bill Shaevel
Barry Shrage
Harold Stahler
David Trietsch
Harold Tubman
Saul and Gitta Kurlat Chief Executive Officer, 2Life Communities
Amy Schectman
President, 2Life Communities
Lizbeth Heyer
Emeritus
Lenore Asher*
Mickey Cail*
Irwin Chafetz
Joan Cutler*
Ellen Feingold
Clifton Helman*
Robert Helman
Rudolph Kass*
Mildred Guberman Kravetz*
Norman Leventhal*
Paul Rosenberg*
Irma Schretter
Melvin Scovell
Marc Slotnick*
Stephen P. Snyder
Alan Solomont
Peter Ulin*
Elaine Werby*
George Wolfe*
* of blessed memory