For Jennifer Rich, life is about connecting with other people. As Director of Resident Services at Shillman House in Framingham, her work is also about linking 2Life residents with the resources they need to lead healthy, fulfilling lives.
As a licensed mental health counselor, Jennifer is a trusted source of support for residents and families facing challenges associated with aging. But her outreach extends to all Shillman House residents through regular check-ins, building relationships that encourage those who need support to feel confident asking for it. Jennifer’s commitment to aging in community extends beyond 2Life. She serves on the Framingham Council on Aging and recently served on a mayoral advisory committee focusing on senior issues. But her first priority is serving the people at 2Life.
“The relationships I have developed with the people here are precious to me,” Jennifer says. “I care deeply about them and they reflect that back. That’s such a wonderful feeling.”
LEADERSHIP TEAM | 2LIFE COMMUNITIES | BRIGHTON, MA
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
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.
Jennifer Rich:
Creating vital connections
Arthur Samuels:
Building joy, brick by brick
For Arthur Samuels, every construction or renovation project is an opportunity to create joy in the lives of 2Life residents. As Construction Project Manager, he oversees every detail—from the sink height and fixtures to the hallways and community spaces—to ensure they create an
environment that supports residents’ comfort, safety and independence while fostering community. That commitment has made Arthur a much beloved member of the 2Life team.
Arthur’s tenure at 2Life began as Maintenance Supervisor at the Shillman House, giving him a deep appreciation of residents’ needs. Guided by that insight, he goes out of his way to minimize the impact of building renovations on people in the building. He’s also focused on
minimizing our environmental impact. Arthur earned International Passive House Association certification, gaining knowledge and best practices that support 2Life’s commitment to sustainability.
“We have a responsibility to take care of our residents,” Arthur says. “Creating places that they are proud to call home, and that adapt as their needs change, brings me joy.”
environment that supports residents’ comfort, safety and independence while fostering community. That commitment has made Arthur a much beloved member of the 2Life team.
Arthur’s tenure at 2Life began as Maintenance Supervisor at the Shillman House, giving him a deep appreciation of residents’ needs. Guided by that insight, he goes out of his way to minimize the impact of building renovations on people in the building. He’s also focused on
minimizing our environmental impact. Arthur earned International Passive House Association certification, gaining knowledge and best practices that support 2Life’s commitment to sustainability.
“We have a responsibility to take care of our residents,” Arthur says. “Creating places that they are proud to call home, and that adapt as their needs change, brings me joy.”
Vaneza Guzmán:
Embracing the power of “yes”
When something needs doing, Vaneza Guzmán is often the one to raise her hand. As Program Coordinator for Community Engagement, she works tirelessly to create programs and events that connect residents with the broader community. But that’s just the beginning. When 2Life needed an acting volunteer coordinator, it was Vaneza who stepped up to manage this crucial function. Whatever she takes on, it’s always accomplished with energy and a creative touch.
Vaneza’s 2Life colleagues and residents are not the only ones who recognize her qualities. She was selected to participate in the Latinx Leadership Initiative at the Boston College School of Social Work in partnership with Mass General Brigham. This innovative program is intended to bolster bilingual/bicultural behavioral health clinicians to serve Latinx populations in Boston-area community-based settings.
“Living in community is so integral to the human experience and to health, especially as we age,” Vaneza says. “Being able to connect with other people is what I love most about my role at 2Life. It makes the work meaningful to me.”
Vaneza’s 2Life colleagues and residents are not the only ones who recognize her qualities. She was selected to participate in the Latinx Leadership Initiative at the Boston College School of Social Work in partnership with Mass General Brigham. This innovative program is intended to bolster bilingual/bicultural behavioral health clinicians to serve Latinx populations in Boston-area community-based settings.
“Living in community is so integral to the human experience and to health, especially as we age,” Vaneza says. “Being able to connect with other people is what I love most about my role at 2Life. It makes the work meaningful to me.”
Corporate Leadership
Community Executive Directors
Board of Directors
Jeffrey Sacks
Board Chair
Jeff Sacks is a leading community development attorney. His clients include large community development corporations, senior housing providers and housing authorities as well as a variety of large institutional service providers. Jeff often represents nonprofit organizations that are embarking on major real estate projects that allow their organizations to deliver their services in new and innovative ways. He works with his clients in using federal low-income housing and historic tax credits to develop affordable housing and mixed-use developments.
Jeff has also worked with a range of public housing authorities to transform of some of the most outdated public housing projects in the Commonwealth into new and vital communities that continue to serve their low-income residents. He served as a public housing authority commissioner for more than 20 years and, in 2013, worked on new legislation in Massachusetts to modernize and reform the Commonwealth’s public housing system. Much of Jeff’s nonprofit work involves advising nonprofit boards of directors about the most efficient and effective legal and financial approaches for fulfilling their corporate missions.
Jeff served as the first chair of the Newton Community Preservation Committee and has worked with that program for more than ten years. This unique state and local partnership provides funding exclusively for community housing, open space preservation, historic preservation and recreation facilities in cities and towns across the Commonwealth.
President & CEO
Amy Schectman
Treasurer
Norman Posner
Clerk
David Zaltas
Policy Board
Donald Bloch
Laura Efron
Lynne Elfland
Howard Furman
Robert Gifford
Catharyn Gildesgame
Stacy Goodman
Merle Grandberg
Harvey Greenberg
Donna Kalikow
Bernard Kaplan
Wendy Kraft
Noah Maslan
Adam Scott
Bill Shaevel
Barry Shrage
Harold Stahler
Candace Steingisser
David Trietsch
Harold Tubman
Emeritus
Lenore Asher*
Mickey Cail*
Irwin Chafetz
Joan Cutler*
Ellen Feingold
Robert Helman
Clifton Helman*
Rudolph Kass*
Irma Schretter
Mildred Guberman Kravetz
Norman Leventhal*
Paul Rosenberg*
Melvin Scovell
Marc Slotnick*
Stephen P. Snyder
Alan Solomont
Peter Ulin*
Elaine Werby*
George Wolfe*
*of blessed memory