A strong organization starts with strong leadership and Partners in Child Development is pleased to announce our new Board Chair, Tricia Sabulis. Tricia joined the board during COVID, a unique time where the resilience and strength of the organization was affirmed. She readily immersed herself in learning all facets of our organization including our three programs, Early Intervention Services, Anderson School, and Woodbridge School.
Since joining the board, Tricia has been an active contributor to the board, including serving as Vice-Chair and recently was the Chairperson of the Strategic Planning Committee, setting the vision and priorities for Partners in Child Development.
Background
Tricia grew up in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire and graduated from Western Connecticut State University. She is Vice President of Armand P. Michaud Insurance Agency LLC in Methuen, MA, a third-generation, family-owned property and casualty insurance agency founded by her grandfather after he returned home from WWII. She lives in West Newbury, MA with her husband and two daughters.
Tricia is not new to offering her time and talents to organizations throughout the Merrimack Valley as she has been active on many boards and is active in her community. When asked about her “why’, the connection between her joining Partners in Child Development’s board and her why is deeply personal.
Hannah
It all starts with Hannah. Tricia’s elder daughter was stillborn and resuscitated. She has cerebral palsy and Tricia and her family experienced firsthand the impact of early intervention services. Eleven years later, Tricia readily recalls the value of early intervention specialists, teaching her and her husband what to do to integrate therapies and strategies into their daily lives so the child’s sphere of care was reached as the therapies and services were provided. One example she shares in particular was the wisdom and impact of the EI physical therapists on Hannah and the family.
The Opportunity to Join the Board
Tricia was initially presented the opportunity to join the board from a past member of the board and her accountant. As a working mother of two young girls, Tricia was unsure how much she could add to her plate. She realized she was in a unique position to contribute to Partners in Child Development but had concerns that the time commitment would pose challenges for her husband and her family. She and her husband evaluated the pros and cons, and both agreed that she could certainly contribute to the organization through her vast network and her personal story to help serve more children. As is the case with anything that Tricia does, she was ‘all in’ to join the Partners in Child Development board!
Leading the Organization Forward
Early this year the strategic plan was approved, confirming priorities and serving as the compass for the future of Partners in Child Development. Tricia highlights three priorities for the board and organization as they implement the strategic plan over the coming years:
- Organizational Sustainability
“The staff at Partners in Child Development is exceptional. The dedication and commitment combined with the depth of expertise and heart is an organizational strength and a differentiator in each program. Retaining existing talent is a priority as is attracting new talent and providing the ongoing training to be leaders,” explains Tricia Sabulis. - Program Expansion
It all starts with early intervention. “Raising awareness of our Early Intervention Services is where it all begins. We know the importance of reaching children from infancy up to three years old when the brain is rapidly developing. I am passionate about the incredible impact of EI and how it helped my family. We are excited to continue to reach more children in both the Greater Lawrence and Greater Lowell communities,” shares Tricia.
As Tricia speaks to the goals for Anderson School, she summarizes the strategy as “Our students and their families don’t want to leave Anderson School. Our goal is to make this happen so that our students remain at Anderson School until they are an adult. Anderson School will continue to grow and expand to support families and their students who have complex medical needs.”
With respect to Woodbridge School, our early childhood education program for children aged 18 months to five years, Tricia reflects on how wonderful this unique school in Andover, MA is. “Fortunately, we are in a great place with the Woodbridge School with strong enrollment and a wonderful staff. I would like to be a child and go there!” - Developing a culture of philanthropy
The third priority for the Partners in Child Development strategic plan and the board’s focus is on fundraising to support the ongoing operational demands as well as growth goals. Impact stories help potential donors understand the impact made on local families’ lives. Building capabilities to tell our impact stories to secure donors is an organizational priority. This could include impact stories of children and families whose lives have been positively affected by Early Intervention Services. Additionally, emphasizing the uniqueness of Anderson School that offers a safe and supporting learning environment to nurture each student’s independence and potential for students who otherwise may not have the opportunity to attend school.
Tricia is a gift to the board of Partners in Child Development. She brings passion, energy, strategy, her network, and her personal experience in mothering Hannah. As she describes her elder daughter, she understandably tears up as she describes an exceptional human being who is amazing, sassy, and tough. Her brain is as sharp as a tack; she lights up a room and the connection between mother and daughter is extraordinary.
Tricia shares “I am honored to be a part of this incredible organization and look ahead with great excitement as we have a strong board, a talented leader with Chris Hunt as Executive Director, and a highly skilled and dedicated staff.”
Partners in Child Development’s vision is to create a world in which every child is seen for their abilities and given the opportunity to realize their full potential. We feel well positioned with Tricia Sabulis as the Chair of our Board.
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