Administration

Rita Lara, ED.M.

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • Rita has 30 years of local and global nonprofit sector experience and in her ninth year, has managed Maverick Landing Community Services (MLCS) through a pandemic, distributing over 500 thousand pounds of food to East Boston in 2020 and working with cross sectoral partners to launch East Boston's first housing support station. She has been twice recognized for her work by the city of Boston with a 2020 Boston Community Champion award through the Mayor's Office for Immigrant Advancement and an Extraordinary Woman award from the Mayor's Office of Women's Advancement in 2023. She was also recognized with a housing advocate award from Eastern Bank in 2023. Prior to coming to MLCS she served as Director of Philanthropic Partnerships for Corporate Accountability International, an advocacy organization that safeguards human rights and the environment. Locally, she has worked with several Boston organizations serving Latinx communities. Rita has an Ed.M. in Human Development & Psychology with a concentration in Risk and Prevention from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education and a B.A. from Tufts University.

    Rita serves on the board of the United Way of Massachusetts Bay.

Maxwell Chezem

ASSISTANT EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

  • Max grew up in Indiana as the son of a professor of nutrition and a professor of chemistry. He moved to Boston in 2012 to study biology and has worked since then on issues of food and education in the Boston area. He holds a Bachelor of Science in both Biology and Computer Science. Max began working on food access in East Boston in 2021 through work with Eastie Farm, handling both grant applications and program operations. In 2023 he began working with MLCS to manage food distribution and expand food programming to respond to community needs.

    In his current role, Max administers MLCS databases, manages community partnerships, and leads program development. He also leads community-focused food and digital literacy programming, including the annual Thanksgiving turkey distribution.

Adjoa E. Acquaah-Harrison

VICE PRESIDENT, PHILANTHROPY & PARTNERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

  • Adjoa Acquaah-Harrison is a Ghanaian-American executive with dual expertise in US nonprofit development and international philanthropy. Adjoa began her career at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C., engaging with high-net-worth donors (HNWs) and the National Symphony Orchestra and Washington’s powerbrokers. Adjoa has held leadership roles at the WGBH Educational Foundation, United for a Fair Economy, and as executive consultant to the YWCA Boston, she implemented fundraising strategies to raise $4.5M operating budget alongside a $6.6M capital campaign.

    Supporting the Cummings Foundation’s mandate to democratize philanthropy and disburse $30m annually, Adjoa coaches a number of Cummings grantseeking organizations through the LOI, grant proposal, and review process, on behalf of the foundation’s team. She is a conference presenter on startup infrastructure design, grantwriting, corporate partnerships, and board relations. Adjoa has presented with the New England Chapter of Grant Professionals Association, Cambridge and Brookline Adult & Community Education, and PhilanthropyMass. Internationally, Adjoa founded WingSpan Philanthropy, LLC (Ghana), to empower NGO leaders with leadership, fundraising and skills for program implementations in areas of education, mental health, women’s affairs, and youth empowerment. Adjoa led a team of doctors from the MGH Global Division of Psychology to conduct a feasibility study on mental health in Ghana.

    Adjoa is an Emerson College graduate with a BFA in Writing, Literature & Publishing. She also earned a certificate in NGO management from Galilee International Management Institute (Israel), and a certificate in Social Impact Management & Leadership from the Institute for Nonprofit Practice and the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life at Tufts University.  Adjoa is a writer, educator, storyteller and lifelong learner of many subjects, and is an active Fellow with Empower Success Corps (ESC) in Boston.  She is committed to serving vulnerable and faith communities and is fluent in English, Fanti, Ga, and Ashanti.  Adjoa is excited to add value to the mission and impact of Maverick Landing Community Services (MLCS).

Case Managers

Elba Oliva

RESIDENT SERVICES COORDINATOR

  • Elba was born in Guatemala and moved to East Boston when she was five years old, where she has lived ever since. Elba went to UMass Boston where she got her bachelor's degree in Exercise and Health Science and worked as a personal trainer, coach, and physical therapy aide. She is passionate about combining wholistic wellness practices with community services. You can find her bringing these skills to residents while hosting weekly yoga and zumba classes.

Paige Thimmesch

HOUSING SPECIALIST ASSISTANT

  • Max grew up in Indiana as the son of a professor of nutrition and a professor of chemistry. He moved to Boston in 2012 to study biology and has worked since then on issues of food and education in the Boston area. He holds a Bachelor of Science in both Biology and Computer Science. Max began working on food access in East Boston in 2021 through work with Eastie Farm, handling both grant applications and program operations. In 2023 he began working with MLCS to manage food distribution and expand food programming to respond to community needs.

    In his current role, Max administers MLCS databases, manages community partnerships, and leads program development. He also leads community-focused food and digital literacy programming, including the annual Thanksgiving turkey distribution.

Laura Villafane

HOUSING PROGRAM DIRECTOR

  • Laura has been living for Maverick Landing almost 15 years with her four children. She previously worked at Partners Health Care System as a Third Party Viewer, and graduated from Lincoln Tech in December 2020 as Medical Assistant. She now serves as MLCS’s Housing Specialist, supporting the community as the point person with Rental Relief applications, general housing support, and connecting folks with needed resources in the realm of housing and evictions. Her favorite part about working at MLCS is that she has the ability to work in a diverse environment. Laura loves that her position allows her to work with families in genuine need.

Youth Programming

Savannah Hart

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT COORDINATOR

  • Raised by her community, Savannah has over five years of experience working with Massachusetts-based nonprofits focused on education justice, immigrant rights, and youth empowerment. A proud Revere resident, she attended UMass Amherst as a first-generation college student, working toward a Bachelor’s Degree in an Individual Concentration: Nonprofit Structures and Community Organizing. Her focus in Asset-Based Community Development only reaffirmed her passion for grassroots change and her unwavering dedication to uplifting those around her.

    Now serving as MLCS’s Youth Engagement Coordinator, Savannah channels her deep roots in community organizing to nurture and empower the next generation of leaders. She is committed to supporting youth in social entrepreneurship, event planning, and goal setting—ensuring they have the tools, confidence, and space to thrive. Through her work, she strives to cultivate a strong, safe, and affirming third space where MLCS youth can build their futures on their own terms and with support.

    Beyond her professional work, Savannah embodies the spirit of mentorship and care—both as a dedicated big sister (who carries that energy everywhere) and as a passionate advocate for the beauty found in everyday life. You’ll often find her embracing small joys, from fun community gatherings to summer visits at Helados Juli’s, where she is a frequent customer.

Elizabeth Osinski

FAMILY COORDINATOR & MAKERSPACE SUPERVISOR

  • Elizabeth has lived in the Maverick neighborhood for nearly 20 years, and is often known as the “Icy Lady” for giving out Icy to kids in the summer, or the “Mama Liz” for her welcoming energy and hospitality over the years. She has a rich work history In nursing, and has worked many different health care jobs from Home Health Aid, CNA, to LPN, After some careful consideration, she decided she needed a career change, and is now working at MLCS as a Family Coordinator and Kids Makerspace Supervisor.

    Elizabeth is focused on creating opportunities for connection and engagement through events like monthly bingo and family nights, fostering a sense of belonging for residents of all ages. Through community outreach and programming, she is committed to strengthening the social fabric of the neighborhood and ensuring that children, youth, and families enjoy a smooth and welcoming transition into MLCS programs. Elizabeth's dedication to community well-being continues to leave a lasting impact.

Adult Education

Narda Peña

ESOL INSTRUCTOR, BEGINNER CLASSES

  • Narda was born in Peru and immigrated to Boston in 1999 and has lived in East Boston ever since. She has an Associate Degree as Bilingual Administrative Assistant in her country, and also has an Associate Degree in General Studies and a Certificate as Clinical Research here in the US. She’s gained valuable experience working in different industries such as food, retail, education, and health services which has allowed her to be in deeper contact with diverse populations. During the pandemic, Narda spent a lot of her time volunteering for different organizations around the city, and even found herself working on a few political campaigns. Presently, she works here at Maverick Landing Community Services, as a Resident Service Assistant. She is very grateful to be here working and helping residents of this community.

Antonio Lobo

ESOL INSTRUCTOR, INTERMEDIATE CLASSES

  • Antonio is the English Innovations Coach. He has taught English for over 20 years and has worked for several non profit institutions like ENB, JVS, and Catholic Charities in the Boston area. He was trained as an ESOL teacher by the Department of Defense at the Defense Language Institute in San Antonio, TX. Antonio likes his job and believes that English is an essential component that every immigrant needs achieve the American dream.

Communications

Juan Ochoa

SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR

  • Juan P. started working with the youth program at MLCS and was involved in the Maverick Makers pro program, through the whole project development during Covid-19.

    Juan stayed involved in other programs such as the food program, supporting the East Boston community during the first 4 months of COVID-19 pandemic. Nevertheless, Juan stayed focused mainly on Maverick Makers projects.

    Juan has been coordinating and teaching beginner-level ESOL classes and adult digital literacy classes since 2022. Over the past two years, he has taught more than eight classes, involving over 100 participants.