WISE Leadership
In May 2024, WISE members approved a program restructure, redefining the roles of the Director, Program Assistant, and leadership team. The WISE Council consists of three at-large members along with one representative from each standing committee. The at-large members are responsible for any non-committee related work, such as the Council's monthly meeting agenda, strategic direction, personnel issues.
The WISE Council
If you would like to reach out to the WISE Council, you can email WISE Council members directly or contact the WISE office at wise@assumption.edu
Leadership Team
Director: Rebecca (Becki) Perry
Program Assistant: Jill Stroope
Members at Large: Charlene Nemeth, Susan Perschbacher, and Susan Starr
WISE Committee Representatives
Committees
Curriculum
Contact: Joan Barry
Responsible for academics through course selection, instructor engagement, and effective delivery options
Development
Contact: Harriet Forman
Responsible for fundraising through donations, social events, grants, and more
Events
Contact: Cookie Nelson
Responsible for providing members with extracurricular opportunities, through social events, special talks, and day trips
Finance
Contact: Pat Hertzfeld
Responsible for developing, monitoring, and reporting on WISE financials
Membership
Contact: Rick Hendra
Responsible for building and maintaining program membership through recruitment, promotions, and marketing activities
Past Leaders
Presidents
Jean Griesheimer* - 1993-1997
Hannah Laipson* - 1997-1999
Lois Feldman* - 1999-2000
Sam Chafetz* - 2000-2002
Betty McGrath Southwick - 2002-2004
George Fifield* - 2004-2006
Sam Corbitt* - 2006-2008
Dolores Courtemanche* - 2008-2010
Maddie Levine* - 2010-2011
Barbara Groves - 2011-2014
Sue Durham - 2014-2016
Joe Corn - 2016-2018
Marsha Addis - 2018-2019
Tej Maini - 2019-2022
*Deceased
Directors
Charlene Martin -
1993-2003
Brian Bercier - 2003-2008
Charlene Martin - 2008-2013
Paul Mahon - 2013-2016
Susan Perschbacher - 2016-2020
Monica Gow - 2020-2021
Jane Joyce - 2022-2022
James Keevan - 2022-2024
Program Assistants
Patricia Masiello -
1996-2016
Jill Lagana -
2016-2021
Susan Wagner - 021-2021
Lynette White -
2022-2023
WISE is committed to diversifying its population to include people of all races, ethnicity, national original, gender and religion. The organization’s goal with the diversity initiative is to give opportunities to members of other cultures, minority groups, religions and genders to participate in WISE membership, including leadership positions. We want to break barriers of communication among members of different communities and learn about the rich culture of diverse populations.
