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 2023
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.

AJ Rais
That sensitivity is second nature to AJ, having grown up in a multigenerational household in India. “I’ve always been around older people, so I’m empathetic to their concerns,” he says.
Often, that empathy combines with AJ’s talent for observation, leading to improvements. In one case, while reviewing some construction plans, he noticed a door to a staircase was not specified to have a window. Recognizing the potential for someone quickly opening the door to hit someone on the other side, AJ requested a window be added to the plan.
Helping others is something AJ practices beyond his job. An accomplished practitioner of yoga, he offers lessons to his 2Life co-workers. “I like to transfer my knowledge, helping others learn some basic exercises they can incorporate into their daily lives,” he says.
Currently, AJ spends much of his time managing the new 2Life J.J. Carroll site under construction in Brighton. He pays attention to even the smallest detail—from the height of the grab bars in the showers to the amount of force required to open a door.
“I try to put myself in the residents’ shoes and think about it from their perspective,” AJ says. “I’m always mindful of what we’re building at 2Life—we’re creating a community.”

Susie Swanson
From lectures and discussion groups to performances, creative activities and celebrations, Susie is always brainstorming new ways to help Coleman residents expand their horizons. Ideas for programs often come from the participants themselves—Susie stays in close touch with residents to learn what sparks their interest. And she coordinates with her Program Director peers across 2Life to share ideas and experiences.
2Life is a multicultural community and Susie leans into that diversity, organizing events that celebrate different cultures. For example, during Chinese New Year, Coleman residents were treated to a performance of the traditional lion dance.
“I’m so proud of our residents, who really embrace the different cultures and languages within our community,” Susie says.
Susie has a knack for organizing the many details that go into a successful program, including lining up outside vendors or performers well in advance. Those skills are especially important for ambitious programs like the Wednesday Program for Learners, a multi-week enrichment program combining education, movement, creative projects, and lunch that is open to residents of other 2Life campuses and the local Newton community.
For Susie, giving 2Life residents the best possible programs is a calling. “I’ve had incredible moments of pure joy with people,” she says. “Any time we can open new doors for people is really meaningful.”

Charles Horn
“My goal is to make food that makes people happy. A good meal can really brighten someone’s day,” he explains.
Charles brings years of hospitality experience to his role at 2Life. He couples that professional expertise with a personal commitment to meeting the needs and preferences of Shillman residents. In fact, Charles took the initiative to create a guide to help other kitchen staff be aware of individual dietary needs, allergies and preferences for specific residents. In addition, he took it upon himself to type up the weekly menus for residents.
He also stepped up to the plate when leadership was needed to help direct the dining facility’s wait staff of teenage part-timers. With patience and gentle guidance, Charles helps the wait staff develop confidence. For many of these teens, 2Life is their first job and Charles goes out of his way to make it a positive experience for them and for the residents they serve.
While Charles has worked in restaurant and corporate food service settings, he enjoys being part of a close-knit community. If someone has a special food request, Charles is happy to accommodate it. And if an order does not come through for someone who regularly orders, he makes sure to follow up.
“I really enjoy interacting with residents,” he says. “It’s great to have those personal connections. We know who we’re serving and that makes a big difference.”
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