Leadership

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, 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 a 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.

With an impressive background in strategic HR leadership, employee engagement, and organizational development, Claritza brings valuable experience that will support our continued growth and success. With over ten years of experience in human resources, she brings deep expertise in employee relations, DEI initiatives, talent development, and compliance. Claritza Batista is a dynamic HR leader known for transforming workplace culture across union and non-union environments through strategic leadership, inclusive practices, and operational innovation. Her leadership fosters employee engagement and brings a collaborative spirit to help support Waystone’s core values and continued growth and success.

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.

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 when 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.

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.

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 Services (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.

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.

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.

Meghan Fisk, RN, BSN serves as the Director of Nursing at Waystone Health & 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.