by Olivia Amaral | Aug 12, 2026 | Uncategorized
The Cummings Foundation, based in Woburn, Massachusetts, awards $35 million annually to 150 local nonprofits through its Cummings Grant Program. Most funding is provided as unrestricted operating support, and more than two-thirds of grant recipients are selected...Meghan Fisk, RN, BSN serves as the Director of Nursing at Waystone Human Services, where she has been a dedicated member of the organization for more than a decade. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and brings a diverse clinical background that spans inpatient acute and critical care as well as community-based human services. Her broad experience supports her commitment to ensuring individuals receive high-quality, person-centered care that promotes health, dignity, and independence.
As Director of Nursing, Meghan provides leadership and oversight of clinical services, working collaboratively with interdisciplinary teams to maintain strong clinical standards and support the evolving healthcare needs of the individuals Waystone serves. She is also a certified Medication Administration Program (MAP) Trainer, playing a key role in educating and supporting staff in safe medication administration practices. Meghan is dedicated to strengthening clinical excellence through staff development, collaboration, and continuous improvement in care delivery.
Brittany Hakimi, M.S., LABA, BCBA, serves as the Clinical Director at Waystone Health and Human Services. With over a decade of experience in applied behavior analysis, she supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities by designing person-centered behavior supports and training teams to implement effective strategies across residential and community settings. Brittany holds a post-graduate certificate in Organizational Behavior Management from Harvard Extension School and is passionate about building systems that promote independence, dignity, and meaningful outcomes for the people Waystone serves.
Email: Rwoodsdunham@waystonehhs.org
Ruth is an accomplished non-profit leader with over 25 years of experience in suicide prevention, child and family services, domestic violence, and substance use disorder. She most recently served as Director of Caregiver SOAR at Riverside Community Care, where she spearheaded the creation of an innovative respite program supporting caregivers of youth with complex mental health challenges. A skilled program developer and team leader, Ruth excels at fostering partnerships, advancing trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices, and driving measurable program outcomes. Ruth holds a master's degree in management with a focus on conflict resolution from Cambridge College and is a Certified Professional Life Coach, currently completing her Health and Well-Being Coaching certification at Duke University. Based on the North Shore, she enjoys hiking, gardening, and spending time with her dog, Jack.
We celebrate diversity and honor differences, recognize that everyone has worth and purpose, and work to create meaningful connections and a sense of belonging.
“The collective history of people with disabilities in this country is intermingled with that of people who have been discriminated against for centuries. The human services work we do today was founded by the work for equality and justice that was begun so many years ago by civil rights activists. Helping people uncover and embrace their roles in life and value as a human is at the core of what we do.”
-Brad, CEO
We value the people we serve, our employees, and members of the community by acting with fairness, respect, and dignity within the organization and in all aspects of service provision.
“A life without dignity is not much of a life. By treating each other with respect and providing dignified care, we are ensuring that each connection we make is adding value to someone’s life, and in turn, enriching our own.” – Advocate
We encourage growth, change, innovation, and achievement within our organization, amongst our employees, and for those we serve.
“Waystone understands that the path to success is not always a straight line. The flexibility, patience, and support the staff provides allows people like my daughter to learn and grow at their own pace.” – Parent
We aim for transparency in all that we do and say: open communication, clear practices, and policies establish trust within our organization and amongst our stakeholders.
“In our work, we’re often supporting people in the privacy of their own homes and spaces. It’s essential to establish mutual trust with the people we serve, in order to properly support them and meet them where they’re at.”
– Waystone Program Manager
Kristen is a strategic nonprofit executive with extensive leadership experience in the human services sector. As Chief Strategy Officer at Waystone Health & Human Services, she leads strategic planning, innovation, fundraising, community partnerships, and technology modernization efforts that strengthen services for individuals with disabilities, complex needs, and their families. Known for her collaborative leadership style, Kristen excels at turning ambitious goals into actionable strategies that improve outcomes, enhance operations, and support sustainable growth. She holds a Master of Public Administration from Suffolk University's Sawyer Business School and is a Prosci® Certified Change Practitioner.