The FAO Schwarz Fellows Newsletter
2010 Cohort Update
Alexis McConnell
Boston Children’s Museum (Boston)
Alexis is the Nutrition Educator Supervisor with the Broward County Health Department in Florida.
Brianne Studer
Boston Children’s Museum (Boston)
MC and I are still enjoying living in the DC area, and I continue to work at Friends of the National Arboretum as Director of Programs. After 3 years of continuous evolution and change during the pandemic, we seem to finally be once again looking forward instead of just adapting. I’m so appreciative of the team of creative, passionate educators and gardeners I get to work with to help make our programs happen. I also still love those adorable little dogs, and we’re enjoying competing in dog agility- good for me and the dogs!
Danielle Calnan Morassi
Tenacity (Boston)
I have left direct operations in Early Education and Care, and I am now working behind the scenes creating change for the field with Babilou! Babilou is a Paris based company that owns Little Sprouts, Building Blocks, LoveWorks, and SteamWorks here in the United States. I work with Talent Acquisition and Operations to build stronger teams both in the field and at our home offices, and ensure our educators have livable wages, access to quality benefits, and support in workplace development. My husband and I are still living in Chelmsford with our pup, Max, and we are both enjoying working from home, spending time with family & friends, and traveling.
Julia MacMahon
Wheelock College (Boston)
I am currently working as a Program Director at an independent living community for active seniors outside of Boston, a role that allows me flexibility and space to engage in other work and play that I care about while also building intergenerational relationships. Outside of my day job, I am involved in local climate activism, teaching my first graduate course at Boston College School of Social Work this spring, consulting with a national non-profit to develop their white allies ERG, and serving on the Capital Campaign Committee for Neighborhood Birth Center, which will be Boston’s first freestanding birth center set to open in Fall 2024. Jameson is 4.5 years old and started K1 this year, which he loves. I also ran my first half marathon in 2022 and am set to compete in my first triathlon in 2024. Life is full and chaotic and beautiful!
Liana (Mitman) Brodsky
Jumpstart (Boston)
This year I recently hit my 5-year mark at the Jack, Joseph and Morton Mandel Foundation. I was promoted to Associate Director of the Mandel Institute for Nonprofit Leadership, expanding my role. I recently grew my operations team, as the institute adds additional programs in leadership development. I have continued to volunteer for 10 years now at Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters, where I meet monthly with my friend with special needs. This past year I served as a committee chair of the Westwood Young Women’s Club, promoting events and fundraising for the community in my new hometown. I am serving this year as a “room parent” in my daughter’s preschool classroom. My husband Chad continues to grow his businesses in the tourism and entertainment industry. My daughter Ayla turned 3 this August, and our dog Oliver turned 14 in December.
Stephanie Dueño
Museum of the City of New York (NYC)
Stephanie is the Executive Director of Educational Services and Youth Rights at NYC Administration for Children’s Services.
Explore Cohort Updates
Select a cohort year from the list below to discover what former Fellows are doing now.
