OUR TEAM
As a youth at the Newton Boys & Girls Club David Sellers developed leadership skills and a management philosophy that focuses on honesty, clear expectations, teamwork, and accountability – qualities that were found in abundance in the games room and on the gym floor at 101 Dalby Street. Now in his 13th year as Executive Director, David has endeavored to improve the image and level of professionalism of this venerable organization while rebuilding its fundraising engine from the ground up. Working with a talented staff and through the support of the Club’s dedicated Board of Directors, during his tenure the Annual Fund of the Club has quadrupled, Major Giving has increased 10 fold, and a permanent endowment was established to support the Club’s programming. Many improvements were made to the Club’s physical plant which save the Club thousands of dollars annually and improve access to technology. He is proud of the high profile the Club maintains in the City of Newton when it comes to key issues effecting young people and gladly serves on the managing bodies of several key civic minded organizations including the nonprofit committee of the Charles River Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Newton. David has a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Executive Director
David S. Sellers
dsellers@newtonbgc.com EXT 113
Frank Ponceano has spent the past 11 years in leadership roles with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell. During that time he created and implemented Club programming; trained staff, interns, and volunteers; and was responsible for the creation, execution, oversight, and stewardship of new and pre-existing STEAM programs. Whether in science, technology, engineering, math, and/or the arts, his expertise will well serve all our programing in particular our expanding arts and technology/media programs. His youth leadership and programming work has been recognized by the national Boys & Girls Clubs of America being twice honored with the National Service to Youth Award. And as reported locally in 2018 by The Lowell Sun, Frank was recognized by the Association of Boys & Girls Professionals Yankee Chapter for his "outstanding service to the profession and the youth the clubs serve."
Program Director
Frank Ponceano
fponceano@newtonbgc.com EXT 118
Julie A. Lima has an extensive experience of leadership and development in the non-profit sector. She has worked in the social service sector of Greater Boston throughout her career, including at Saint Joseph Prep, The Second Step, YMCA of Greater Boston, Cradles to Crayons, and Pine Street Inn. Julie is a Newton resident and is committed to strengthening the relationships within Newton and Greater Boston, which have been the foundation of the Club's impact over the years, while also expanding its reach through partnerships and collaborations. Apart from her work, Julie enjoys coaching Cross Country, spending time with her father on the Cape, and being outdoors. She holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Stonehill College and a Master of Social Work degree from Boston College.
Rob, a Massachusetts native, has spent most of his professional career in youth development. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts in Amherst, Rob sharpened his youth leadership development skills by attending the National Outdoor Leadership School and participating in the BEST Initiative’s Youth Workers Supervisors Training program. His summers were spent in various leadership roles at Camp Sangamon in Vermont. While at Camp Sangamon, he co-led 24 young people, ages, 15-17, in a cross cultural immersion education trip to Vietnam and Cambodia. He was worked with several Boston area nonprofits including Horizons for Homeless Children, the Youth Opportunities Program at the Appalachian Mountain Club, and more recently spent seven years with the Boys & Girls Club of Somerville working in a number of leadership roles from Program Specialist to Club Director. Outside of the Club he enjoys the outdoors, swimming, and ceramics. He spent 5 years serving in the role of Youth Engagement Coordinator. He has joined our administrative team to broaden his non-profit experience in hopes of someday pursuing a role in management.
Dawn Proia is the Club’s longest tenured employee having devoted a little more than 15 years to helping the Club’s young people learn and grow. She started as the Club’s Art Director in 2004 and she was named Kids Corp Director in 2007. Serving in these dual roles, Dawn has brought increased structure to the Club experience of almost 200 members while continuing to foster creativity through a wide variety of artistic endeavors. In addition to drama, chorus, beadwork, and pottery programs, she started the wildly successful Proud to Be Me Program in 2008 and has served as the advisor to our Keystone Club. Dawn has a Certificate for Child Development from Newton North High School and spent 9 years working for JoAnne’s Little Wonders Preschool prior to joining the Club’s Team.
Kyler Hunter-Burton was born and raised in Newton. He attended the John M Barry Boys & Girls Club of Newton as a kid. He played basketball, floor hockey and was a member of the Keystone Club. After graduating from Newton North in 2018, he joined the staff as Program Aide. Later, he was promoted to Social Rec Coordinator where he oversaw the games room, including foosball, pool, air hockey, and board games. Now Kyler is the Curiosity Club Program Assistant and is fully certified by EEC. He likes to give back to the Boys & Girls Club because the staff and programs had such a large impact on him growing up. When he’s not working, Kyler likes to play video games (NBA 2K20 and Call of Duty) and basketball. Oh, and the kids call him Taco!
Jordan Kithcart has 7 years of experience working for the Club. He began his journey as a consistent member his senior year of high school. That same year of 2013, he became the first member of the John M. Barry Boys and Girls Club to ever place in the top four of the Massachusetts State Youth of the Year Competition. In 2014, Jordan won the Judge Julian Yesley Young Adult Award in which “recognizes a young adult between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five who has made a significant contribution through service to or involvement with the young people of Newton”. Jordan is also a Recruiting Coordinator and Head coach for an AAU basketball program. He was able to coach his team to their first national tournament in 2019. He is part of a basketball training group called Boston Elite that has trained collegiate players from schools such as (Stanford, Princeton, Boston College, and more). Jordan received his U.S.A. Youth Development Coaching license in 2017. Jordan takes great pride in being a mentor and a positive influence to Club members.
Steven Landry grew up at the Boys & Girls Clubs along with his siblings. He is a graduate of Newton North High School who brings great energy and talent to the gamesroom area. Steven is excellent at reading situations and drawing out feelings and emotions to get to the heart of what young people most need to feel calm, safe, and secure. He is off to a great start in his career as a Youth Development Professional.
Megan Lemmon joined the Boys & Girls Club as the Curiosity Club Director in 2018 Megan has a degree in Secondary Mathematics education and has worked in Licensed School Age programs for the past 10 years. She moved to Newton with her husband and 2 year old son from Long Island, NY. Originally from the Midwest, Megan and her family have enjoyed living on the East Coast the past few years. Some of Megan’s interests include spending time with her family, logic puzzles, and organizing. Megan brings a positive attitude and boundless energy to every project and her creativity is second to none! Under her leadership the size of the Curiosity Club program has more than doubled.
Curiosity Club Director
Megan Lemmon
mlemmon@newtonbgc.com EXT 115
Doug grew up in Western Massachusetts where he developed an appreciation for nature and the sciences. He graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Management. He has worked as an 8th grade science teacher the last 5 years and is excited to transition into the role of Education Director at the John M. Barry Boys and Girls Club. Doug has a passion for hands-on teaching by bringing fun and exciting STEM concepts to life that foster engagement and learning. He enjoys trying new things and collecting life experiences which is why he has numerous hobbies outside of teaching. Doug enjoys playing disc golf, hiking in the Blue Hills, playing video games, going to concerts, making music, painting and traveling to new and different places. Doug looks forward to promoting individuality in learning and trying new things to help each child find their passions both inside and outside of academics.
Art Director
Teen Director
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