About Us
History, Mission & Values
Waystone Health & Human Services is a 501c3, nonprofit, human services organization supporting youth and adults with intellectual, developmental, and physical disabilities; acquired brain injuries; and mental health diagnoses. Our services are provided to more than 1,700 people annually in cities and towns across the Merrimack Valley, Greater Lowell, North Shore, and southern New Hampshire. Our mission is to partner with people who are diverse in age, ability, and cultural background throughout their personal, work, and life journeys.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Belonging at Waystone
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. As a human services organization, part of Waystone’s role is to actively support equality and belonging for all people. Every person has worth and value. Helping people uncover and embrace their roles in life and value as human beings is at the core of what we do.
Waystone HHS has established a DEIB Taskforce that will develop and foster a community setting where all clients and personnel from diverse cultures, ethnicity, gender/gender identity, sexual orientation, race, physical attributes, Veterans status, disabilities, and religious affiliations will succeed and flourish within their work, home, and social environments. Waystone endeavors to facilitate a climate of diversity, equity, and inclusion so that employees, families, and individuals have access to the foremost supports and services around the task force’s mission.
For more information on the DEIB Taskforce, please email: deib@waystonehhs.org
DOWNLOADS: Day Life Employment Document |. Dry Life Direct Care Document
Leadership and BOD
Leadership Team:
Brad Howell, President and CEO
bhowell@waystonehhs.org
As President and CEO, Brad leads Waystone Health & Human Services, providing oversight for all programmatic and administrative functions across the organization. Brad began his career providing support to people with disabilities and those who had suffered traumatic brain injuries. He moved into work that was focused on clinical and behavioral supports for people with a variety of challenges. Brad has served in leadership roles at a few longstanding and well-respected nonprofit organizations within the Merrimack Valley and Greater Lowell regions of Massachusetts. Most recently, Brad led Career Resources Corporation in Haverhill, as its CEO, for 13 years, before he was appointed President & CEO of the newly merged Fidelity House CRC in 2019.
Brad received his BA in Psychology from West Virginia University, and he earned his Master of Clinical Psychology from Towson University. Brad serves on the Board of Directors of the Association for Developmental Disabilities Providers (ADDP) and on the Human Services Advisory Board for Northern Essex Community College. In 2021, Brad completed the LEADS Program, a year-long executive education course, focused on systems change, taught by Harvard Business School faculty.
Courtney Salerno, LICSW, Chief Program Officer (CPO)
Courtney Salerno LICSW, has been a dedicated leader at Waystone for eight years, serving in various positions, including Director of Clinical Services and Vice President of Day & Employment Programs. In 2024, she was promoted to Chief Program Officer where she oversees all programmatic services, including Day & Employment, Community Living, Children & Families, Nursing, and Behavioral Health, ensuring high-quality, person-centered care.
With a Master of Social Work from Salem State University, Courtney is committed to streamlining programs, optimizing resources, and fostering a culture of excellence. As strategic and results-driven leader, she develops and implements initiatives that work to enhance service accessibility and improve outcomes. Passionate about delivering the highest level of care, Courtney collaborates across departments to align programs with organizational goals, regulatory standards, and industry best practices.
David Orlinoff, Chief Financial Officer (Interim)
David Harrington, Chief Human Resources Officer (Interim)
Wanda Santos, VP of Community Living
wsantos@waystonehhs.org
As Vice President of Community Living, Wanda oversees the 24/7 overall operations of Shared Living, Adult Foster Care and Individual Support Services. Wanda’s passion for working with people with disabilities developed through personal experiences, and it has led to a 21-year career in human services. For the past 15 years, Wanda has filled various leadership roles within the agency, and she has recently begun serving as a member to the DEI committee for Waystone HHS. Wanda has led the efforts in opening a multitude of new residential homes in addition to serving new populations in the last several years, working collaboratively with the Department of Developmental Disabilities (DDS) and the Residential Leadership team to make each program a true “home” to the people we support.
Wanda earned an Associate Degree in Human Services from Northern Essex Community College in 2019. Currently, Wanda is enrolled in Cambridge College studying Human Services with a concentration in General Management.
Joshua Ryder, VP of Residential
As Vice President of Residential Services, Joshua oversees the 24/7 operations of the agency’s 30 residential programs. Joshua’s love for the human services field began we he was just a young boy and has continued throughout his career of over 25 years. He started out as a Direct Care staff at a Day Habilitation program and has held various leadership positions in Day Services, Quality Assurance, and now Residential Services over the past 25 years, including the past 10 years with the agency.
Joshua earned his bachelor’s degree in Human Service Management and his Graduate Certificate in Autism and ABA Studies, along with numerous specialized trainings over the past 25 years. These include certifications as a Red Cross First Aid/CPR trainer, Commonwealth of Massachusetts Certified Human Sexuality Trainer, Human Rights Officer, Safety Care Trainer, and Fire Safety Trainer.
Courtney Breen, VP of Compliance
Taylor Warren, MBA, VP of Children & Families
As Vice President of Children and Families, Taylor oversees services for children, adolescents, young adults, and their families, working collaboratively with five Massachusetts Department of Developmental Services (DDS) area offices across the Northeast region. Taylor has worked in the Greater Lowell area for the past 10 years in Early Intervention and Head Start programs, in addition to experience working in childcare, ABA, and public school settings. Taylor started in this role in early 2025 and looks forward to supporting the continued growth of Waystone’s programs to support community participation and inclusion for all individuals and their families.
Taylor graduated from Springfield College with a Master in Business Administration with a concentration in Nonprofit Management and received a BA in Clinical Psychology and Child Development with a Minor in English from Tufts University. Taylor is also a graduate of the Massachusetts Association for Community Action Leadership Development Institute.
Kristen Tarsia, MPA, Vice President of Strategic Development
As Vice President of Strategic Development, Kristen Tarsia oversees fundraising, communications, community engagement, and strategic initiatives for the organization. Kristen’s passion for working with people with disabilities developed early on in life, and her desire to serve has led to a career in human services spanning 25 years in nonprofits across Massachusetts. For the past 20 years, Kristen has filled various leadership roles focused on program oversight, human rights, and quality assurance, most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer for Career Resources Corporation in Haverhill for 10 years.
Kristen earned a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Suffolk University, a BA in Psychology & Education from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, and a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Leadership through the Massachusetts Provider’s Council. Kristen is also a graduate of the LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities) Fellowship Program through UMASS Medical / E.K. Shriver Center.
Board of Directors:
Board Officers:
Lisa Staff, (President) Owner, Simply Organized
George Moriarty, (President-Elect) Former Executive Director, Northern Essex Community College, Corporate & Community Ed., Retired
Jonathan Dowst, (Treasurer) Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, New Hampshire Mutual Bancorp
Dan Carrol, (Clerk) Managing Director Strategic Partnerships, Microsoft Corporation
Board Members:
Bryan E. Chase, Attorney, Law Offices of Bryan E. Chase
Dennis Colin, President, Conlin’s Pharmacy
Glavielinys Cruz, Behavioral Health Clinician, Lynn Community Healthcare
Patricia McNair, Former Director, Phillips Healthcare
Judy Normandin, Director of Grants, UTEC
Jose Pino, AVP, Brand & Product Marketing Manager, Eastern Bank
Raquel Quezada, Founder/CEO CEMDPCD
Advisory Council Members:
Brian Dempsey, President, Dempsey Associates
Lane Glenn, President, Northern Essex Community College
Kara Johnson, Attorney, Spruce Law, LLC
Alex Perez, Technical Recruiter, PTC
Keri McCrensky, Digital Consultant, Northstar Health Innovations
Message from the Board:
Our mission is to partner with people who are diverse in age, ability, and cultural background throughout their personal, work, and life journeys. To further our mission, Waystone is seeking talented, dedicated, and community-minded individuals to join our Board of Directors. Apply to Join Our Board
The role of the Board is to advise the leadership team as it responds to the evolving needs of our clients, their families, and our community. All of us at Waystone are strongly committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
We are looking for candidates who have a personal relationship with, or connection to, our mission and understand who we are and what we do. Our needs include those who have lived experiences that reflect the diversity of those we support, our employees, and our community. Professionally, we are seeking candidates with a background in general or business law, community leadership, healthcare management at a senior level, accounting/banking, or technology.
The Board of Directors meets six times annually, and members are required to serve on a committee that matches their area of interest. Committees meet monthly for one hour. This is an unpaid position, and we encourage our Directors to donate commensurate with their capacity.
Please contact us at LisaRauStaff1@gmail.com to learn more about this opportunity.
Strategic Vision and Priorities:
The Waystone Health and Human Services of the future will be innovative, thoughtful, financially sound, and data driven.
Waystone’s strategic work is focused on reframing, enhancing, and reinventing our organizational structure, the services we provide, and our investment in the people we serve, our employees and the broader community.
Accreditation / Accolades
Licensed by the Department of Developmental Services
CARF Accredited
