Heartworks could not exist if it were not for the hundreds of women we call “Heartworkers” who are committed to our purpose and give of themselves wholeheartedly. Heartworkers come to meetings, fundraisers and bring hope and kindness in many ways to families who need it.

Board of Directors

Jessica Walker Hawthorne

Jessica Walker Hawthorne

Board of Directors

Owner & President
J Walker Salon Group

I love doing what I do for Heartworks because it allows me to be part of something larger and do more than I could do on my own for people in the local community. Giving through Heartworks brings great meaning to my life by allowing me to help my neighbors who are going through struggles, crises and tragedies.

Megan McDowell, MSW, LPC

Megan McDowell, MSW, LPC

Heartworks Founder & Chief Visionary Officer

Licensed Professional Counselor

Heartworks allows me to pay forward, everyday, the hope that was given to my sister’s family in 2001. It has expanded my capacity for compassion and helps to keep me out of the static of everyday life in a beautiful, small, east coast town.

Clara  Heffernan

Clara Heffernan

Chairperson, Board of Directors

Chief People Officer
Coyne Public Relations

Being a part of Heartworks has enhanced my life tremendously. Applying its basic principles of giving with gratitude and receiving with grace to the world around me keeps me centered on what is most important in life, kindness.

Aimee Hunnewell

Aimee Hunnewell

Board of Directors

Chief Development Officer
Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation

I love being able to support families experiencing acute illness or grief- but more importantly my work with HW has shown me the importance of receiving with grace- the act of receiving is equally as important as the giving, and often harder to do.

Advisory Council

Betsy Bacot

Betsy Bacot

Advisory Council & Photographer

Heartworks has taught me the importance of learning to receive and the power of gratitude.

Diane Corcoran

Diane Corcoran

Advisory Council

Heartworks has shown me that acting in kindness is a gift of great significance and transforms those that receive and those that give. It is this exchange, between us all, that can overcome all the adversity that life brings.

Maryanne Farrell

Maryanne Farrell

Advisory Council

Heartworks gives me the opportunity to pay forward the acts of kindness that were shown to my children and I after September 11, 2001. I can now pay forward everything that was done for us by so many friends and strangers.

Sigourney Faul

Sigourney Faul

Advisory Council

Heartworks came into my life when I lost my best friend and beautiful mom. She believed in so much including laughing everyday, giving back and spreading love. I want to continue to honor her by supporting families in our community with Heartworks.

Kelly Islinger

Kelly Islinger

Advisory Council

Heartworks has taught me the expansiveness of the word “kindness” and the power of small acts. The sisterhood of this experience has changed my life.

Mary Kapp

Mary Kapp

Advising us from Heaven

Heartworks helps me to keep my heart open. I love being part of a group made up of women who exercise gratitude, giving, and receiving and Heartworks allows me to share kindness that I have also received.

Beth Lebel

Beth Lebel

Advisory Counicl

Heartworks is a central part of my life that keeps me grounded and lifts me up all at the same time.

Patty McSally

Patty McSally

Advisory Council

There is something so safe and grounding about the Heartworks environment and it creates opportunities for people to help and be helped. There is a comforting ease to this philosophy.

Marianne Rivello

Marianne Rivello

Advisory Council

Heartworks creates balance in my life. The energy exchanged by helping families is the same energy that helps me see myself more clearly.

Nesa Rossi

Nesa Rossi

Advisory Council

Heartworks has helped me learn the importance of looking at myself and understanding that trust and thankfulness are the keys to living a peaceful life in a state of gratitude.

Administration

Sheila Fredericks

Sheila Fredericks

Bookkeeper

I am so grateful to the Universe for making it possible for me to be a part of this great organization. I am aware, from my own experience, what it means to have angels all around while going through a tragedy. My husband lost his battle to cancer when our children were small. I understand the power of the work Heartworks does.

Melissa Pappolla

Melissa Pappolla

Family & Communications Coordinator

Heartworks came into my life when I was searching for deeper meaning. It turned on a light in myself I didn’t know was out. I learn more about myself through receiving and giving than anything else in my life.