Employer: Rosalie Rippey
Director of Development and Communications, Federation for Children with Special Needs
Rosalie Rippey has worked in non-profits and the public sector since 1998. Her background includes more than 10 years of fundraising experience and 10 years of professional leadership in family engagement and communications for a Massachusetts school district. Prior to leading the Federation’s development and communications efforts, Rosalie was a lead family engagement trainer as well as co-developer and supervisor of our School Finder Help Line.
Rosalie and her family have personally benefited from the work and mission of the Federation. She is passionate about bringing an equity lens to our work dismantling ableism and building a more inclusive world. Through resource development and building the Federation’s visibility, she hopes to give back to a community that she is proud to call her own.
Employee: Stephanie Barrera Valdes
Development and Communications Associate, Federation for Children with Special Needs
Stephanie Barrera Valdes serves as Development and Communications Associate for the Federation. A graduate of UMass Boston, Stephanie has a Bachelor’s degree in French with an Advanced Certificate in Translation for Spanish, her first language. Among her professional experiences, she has interned for and been a fundraising volunteer for the National Federation of the Blind in both Boston and Minnesota. Stephanie’s role at the Federation is focused on administrative organization for outreach, communications, and fundraising initiatives.
Employer: Brenda Kirouac
Vice President, Talent, Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston
Brenda Kirouac, PHR, SHRM – CP, is Vice President of Talent and part of the Human Resources team at Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston (FHLBank Boston), a role that primarily includes talent acquisition, development and management, in addition to various other responsibilities.
As a career HR professional, Brenda has experience in banking, professional services, advertising, engineering/manufacturing, and the staffing industries. She is inspired by and engaged with organizations that are developing our future workforce. Under her leadership, FHLBank Boston has expanded its workforce development efforts beyond college internships to include high school students via the Boston PIC, and sponsored their engagement with 8th grade student apprentices with Apprentice Learning.
A native of Connecticut, Brenda is an alumna of Cornell University with a degree in Industrial and Labor Relations and also earned a master’s degree in management from Emmanuel College. A Boston resident since 2001, Brenda enjoys spending time and traveling with her husband and 2 children, both Boston Public School students. In addition to encouraging local employers to actively develop the next generation of Talent, she is personally engaged in this work having served as a Girl Scout Troop Leader for 5 years. Brenda joined the Board of Directors for Apprentice Learning in January 2019 and is currently the Board Chair as of June 2023.
Employee: Mathieu Martinez
Human Resources Coordinator, Federal Home Loan Bank of Boston
Mathieu Martinez joined FHLBank Boston as a Human Resources Coordinator in early March of 2024. In this role, Mathieu provides support for internal and external inquiries to the Human Resources team, maintains employee records, supports learning and development initiatives, and guides new employees thorough the onboarding process.
Mathieu was drawn to FHLBank Boston because of its mission-driven focus and commitment to creating and nurturing a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace.
He is engaged with FHLBank Boston’s Employee Resource Groups and enjoys collaborating with various teams to ensure the success of their events.
A current MBA student at Liberty University’s School of Business, Mathieu is a competitive equestrian and enjoys honing his culinary skills by testing new recipes. He is always on the lookout for the freshest ingredients and professional quality cookware and utensils to add zest to his home kitchen.
Blue
Guide Dog
Blue, a four-year-old German Shepherd, is a dedicated guide dog working directly with Mathieu. He was trained by the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation in Bloomberg, Connecticut, an organization with a 60-year legacy of specializing in German Shepherd guide dogs. Before joining Mathieu, Blue spent time with a Fidelco puppy raiser, where he learned essential skills and adapted to home life. He then underwent seven to nine months of rigorous training at the Fidelco campus, mastering tasks like obstacle avoidance. The process of matching handlers and dogs considers factors such as activity levels, personalities, and walking paces, ensuring a partnership tailored to the unique needs of each person.