Meet the Team
Stephanie Kelly
Executive Director
Susan Ricardi
Office Manager
Janell Hofmann
Crisis Line Manager
Briana Greenwood
Human Resources &
Payroll Manager
Jessamyn Leeks
Crisis Line Coordinator
Yvette Jett
Training Coordinator
Board of Directors
Members of the Samaritans on Cape Cod and the Islands Board of Directors are an integral part of the leadership team and provide direction and vision for the organization. Commitment from Board members supports our belief that we can contribute to a reduction of suicide in the community by befriending individuals in despair and crisis and by providing education outreach.
Wes Harrington
President
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A native of Western Massachusetts, Wes holds a bachelor’s degree from Clark University and a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from the University of Delaware. He earned the prestigious Certified Association Executive (CAE) designation and has received several national awards, including five President’s Citations from the American Society of Association Executives.
Jeff Petrucci
Vice President
Jeff Petrucci joined the Samaritans after moving to Cape Cod, following 30 years of service in the United States Army. During his military career, he held successive leadership roles, culminating as Commander of Fort Dix, New Jersey. He then formed a consulting firm specializing in organizational redesign, project development, and program management, serving clients such as Perrier Bottling Company, Saudi Aramco, and the United States Army Reserve.
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Jeff also has significant nonprofit experience, having served as Associate Executive Director for International Student Development with the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers. In this role, he worked closely with the U.S. Department of State to develop policies promoting fair and equitable opportunities for students to travel abroad and study in the U.S.
As a veteran, Jeff is deeply committed to addressing the alarming rate of 22 veteran suicides per day. He values The Samaritans’ mission of providing resources, education, and support, including outreach for service members, and brings a unique understanding of military culture to his work.
Lori Ruland
Secretary
Lori Ruland joined The Samaritans’ Board of Directors in 2020 and currently serves as Secretary. Originally from Portland, Maine, she lived in Haifa, Israel, and Sarasota, Florida, before settling in Falmouth in 2015. Lori spends part of the year in Estepona, Spain.
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Throughout her career, Lori owned and operated three businesses, including Mail Boxes Etc. franchises in Maine, a landscaping company, and a swimming pool construction company in Florida. She has three adult children, is fluent in Hebrew, and taught Sunday school while her children were young.
Inspired by her daughter’s experience as a crisis line volunteer while in medical school, Lori joined the Samaritans after retiring. She was a Crisis Line Associate for three years, as well as a volunteer on the Crisis Text Line. She is an avid golfer, holding a leadership position at Pocasset Golf Club, and has led the Samaritans Charity Golf Tournament. When not golfing or transcribing meeting minutes, Lori enjoys cooking and entertaining, movies and learning Spanish.
Susan Andersen
Sue Andersen grew up in Western Massachusetts and attended Providence College and Boston University, where she earned her master of science degree. After graduate school, she co-founded a software company in Worcester, MA. Subsequently, she worked at high-tech firms as a senior-level marketing professional and as a marketing consultant.
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Sue moved to Cape Cod in 2010 and first connected with the Samaritans in 2012 when she received a Care Package following the loss of her son to suicide. She joined the board in 2017, bringing her perspective as a suicide loss survivor and leveraging her business and marketing skills to support the organization’s mission.
Since joining, Sue has served as Vice President, President, and now Past President. She has chaired both the Governance and Development Committees, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to the organization’s growth and impact.
Carole Eichner
Carole Eichner joined The Samaritans’ Board of Directors in April 2024 and has been a crisis line volunteer since February 2023. She dedicated over 30 years to the Dennis-Yarmouth Regional School District, serving as School Psychologist, Elementary and Middle School Principals, and Director of Early Learning. Carole holds degrees from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (B.S.), Indiana University (Ed.S), and Fitchburg State College (M.Ed).
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Carole and her husband Ed live on Cape Cod and have two grown children. Carole is an active church member and choir singer. In her free time, she enjoys knitting, crocheting, board games, and jigsaw puzzles. Each summer, she can be found picking blueberries in New Hampshire’s White Mountain and cooling off in the Swift River.
Carole finds her work with the Samaritans, both on the Board of Directors and crisis lines, deeply meaningful. She is committed to supporting those affected by suicide and helping those in need of hope.
Don Mroz, Ph.D.
Don Mroz has been a member of The Samaritans’ Board for four years and currently serves as Chair of the Governance Committee. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Industry and Technology, master’s degrees in Guidance and Counseling and Human and Organizational Systems, and a doctorate in Human and Organizational Development.
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Previously, Don was a high school teacher and guidance counselor before leading Leadership Development at Mazda USA. He and his wife later established a bed and breakfast inn and an organizational development consulting firm. Don also taught at the University of Michigan for eight years and served as President of Post University before retiring to Cape Cod.
Jeff Petrucci, Vice President
Beth Everett, Treasurer
Lori Ruland, Secretary
Carole Eichner
Don Mroz
David Ricardi
Cary Turner
Those interested in joining The Samaritans on Cape Cod and the Islands Board of Directors can read more on our Board Info Sheet or reach out to info@capesamaritans.org.
“I am passionate about The Samaritans and the work we do. Empathy and the mere act of listening are more crucial than people realize. Our team of committed staff and volunteers are literal life savers. My own personal involvement as a volunteer and Board member has brought a depth to my life and to my relationships with others.”
— Samaritans Board Member