Adam’s House Welcomes New Board Members, Plans Holiday Fundraiser

Adam’s House recently appointed a new board president and four new board members to lead the nonprofit center devoted to offering free educational and peer-support programs to grieving children and families in Connecticut. 

Adam’s House Founder and Executive Director Allison Wysota said she is excited to welcome new board president Adam Lewis and board members Donna Nayden, Lance Y. Troh, Cindy Dunlop and Rayna Salemme to guide the future development of Adam’s House. They join returning board members Marc Fontaine (Sponsorships/Donor Relations), Erin Gorman Kirk (Grants), and Susan O’Reilly (Media Relations). 

“Our board represents the best in our community — committed, caring individuals who have a heart for our mission,” said Wysota. ​“Their educational and career backgrounds are diverse and impressive, including expertise in psychology, law, public health, nursing, healthcare management and strategic business planning. I think their talents and energies will kindle new ideas for Adam’s House to grow in exciting new ways.” 

Adam’s House recently celebrated an important milestone — the graduation of its first class of seven families and 13 children through the eight-week program. 

Board president Adam Lewis says after he met some of the recipients recently, ​“I can attest to the amazing impact Adam’s House is having on some wonderful individuals.” He said he plans to work with the rest of the board to raise the public’s awareness of Adam’s House. ​“We also will be working to raise funds for Adam’s House to ensure that critical services can be provided to all who need them.” 

The following are biographical backgrounds for new board president Adam Lewis and board members Donna Nayden, Lance Y. Troh, Cindy Dunlop and Rayna Salemme, who will serve two-year board terms for Adam’s House: 

Adam Lewis, a native of Madison, CT, is a partner at the law firm of O’Connell, Attmore & Morris located in Hartford, CT. His practice spans a variety of areas, including civil litigation and real estate. Prior to entering the legal field, Lewis worked as an admissions counselor at Fordham University in New York. Lewis holds a Bachelor’s degree from Emory University and a law degree from New England School of Law. He lives in Bloomfield, CT, with his wife, Miriam, his children Tenley and Owen, and their dogs Parker and Charlie. 

Donna Hayden says she is grateful to join the Adam’s House board and give back to the community that supported her after the sudden death of her husband in 2003. 

“I hope to provide hope to others as they work through their loss,” she said. 

After her husband’s death, she spent several years raising her four young children as a single mom. She is proud to be a mother to now-grown children Billy, Kara and twins Emma and Krista. Recently remarried, Nayden lives with her husband, Bernie. Before leaving the business world to raise a family, Nayden was Director of International Planning at Duracell. She is on the board for the William Nayden Memorial Scholarship, an endowed scholarship set up to honor the memory of her late husband at his alma mater. Nayden holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from Fairfield University and a Master of Business Administration degree in Finance from New York University. She studied at Yale School of Architecture and completed her degree in Interior Design at Fairfield University. 

Lance Y. Troh joins Adam’s House with a Master’s degree in Public Health from New York Medical College. He has over four years of experience as a Healthcare Analyst and Community Outreach Specialist, working with both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) and the National Association of Health Services Executives. (NAHSE).

Cindy Dunlop says she is no stranger to the confusion and grief that stems from loss, especially in a child’s life. 

“I spent time in foster care as a child,” she says, ​“I understand the impact compassion and kindness can make from my own experience. I think Adam’s House will positively impact the lives of children and families by offering them empathy and kindness at a time when they need it most.” 

As a Practice Manager for a local Ophthalmology practice, Dunlop is a registered nurse who earned her nursing degree from Fairfield University. Her experience in healthcare management includes positions as a nurse manager of a surgical intensive care unit and work as a corporate director of medical policy for a large, managed-care organization. 

As a registered nurse for over 33 years, Rayna Salemme has worked as a Pediatric Nurse for 20 years at Yale New Haven Hospital. During her tenure, she worked alongside Dr. Bernie Siegel, founder of Exception Cancer Patients(ECaP) and author of the bestseller, ​“Love, Medicine and Miracles.” Dr. Siegel recruited Salemme as a graduate candidate at The Graduate Institute (TGI) in Bethany, CT, where she earned a Master’s Degree in Integrative Health and Healing in 2011. For the last 11 years, Salemme has been involved in nursing education as an Assistant Director of Nursing. She also works as Parish Nurse with the Griffin Hospital Community Outreach and Valley Parish Nurse Program in Derby,CT.

Married for 29 years with three sons, Salemme brings valuable insights to helping people deal with the stress. Her third son was born prematurely requiring several years of medical care and special education. As a mother to a medically fragile son, she said the experience brought an ​“entirely different level of stress to her and her family.” 

Her experience as nurse, educator and advocate, plus her role as a mother to a medically fragile child, have given her a unique perspective into helping others cope with stress while caring for their health and wellness. 

“For many years, I have watched parents, students, colleagues and friends trying to manage their stress as they became physically and emotionally drained, which caused many illnesses and emotional imbalances,”she said. ​“My hope is to help and guide others to heal.” 

Adam’s House has scheduled a ​“Mistletoe and Margaritas” fundraiser Nov. 28 from 6 to 9 p.m.

See the flyer below or visit the Facebook page for the event for more details.