Laura Pieper, LCSW
Chair
Laura began her professional career as a social worker at Middlesex Hospital’s Family Advocacy Program, where she worked on the Mobile Crisis Intervention Team and the Intensive In-Home Child/Adolescent Psychiatric Service, as well as other programs. Later, she worked with the state Department of Children and Families in Middletown as an enhanced care coordinator, helping to place foster children with complicated medical and psychiatric illnesses. In 2006, she established Clinton Counseling in Clinton, CT, as her private practice. She works with children, adolescents, teens and their families in the treatment of developmental trauma, anxiety and depression.
Laura’s interest in the MxCC Foundation sprang from her work with young adults who too often feel disenfranchised after high school. She believes a strong community college system can provide life-changing opportunities for those unable to attend a four-year college.
She and her husband Gary live in Wallingford with two happy pugs. Their three adult sons live in Boston and Arizona.
Ken Innocenzi
Past Chair
Ken has more than 30 years of broad banking industry experience in compliance, operations, retail banking, technology implementation, electronic delivery channels, vendor management, customer service and facilities management. He is currently Vice President of Operations and IT, Bank Secrecy Act Officer and Security Officer at Crosspoint Federal Credit Union in Hamden and has been in this position since late 2021.
Prior to that, Ken was associated with several community banks after a long career at People’s United Bank, based in Bridgeport. In the community banking arena, he was a member of the senior management team at Quinnipiac Bank & Trust Company in Hamden, where he was a key player in the opening of the bank in 2008 and was responsible for operations, technology, compliance and vendor management.
Ken attended the University of New Haven. He is a member of the Bank Compliance Association of Connecticut, where he served on the board of governors for over 7 years. Ken is also a member of the Westbrook Elks, where he volunteers at the annual Beach Jam for Breast Center, a major fundraiser for breast cancer patients at Middlesex Hospital and Smilow at Yale-New Haven Hospital. Ken also volunteers at the Guilford Job Network which provides job search and networking support for those in transition.
Ken lives in Wallingford with his wife Carolyn, an employee at CT State Middlesex.
Rick Morin, CPA
Treasurer
Rick Morin is a CPA with Guilmartin, DiPiro & Sokolowski, LLC. He has over 25 years of experience in public accounting, including over 15 years with the largest regional accounting and business consulting firm in Connecticut. His experience ranges from estate, trust and succession planning to probate filings and estate settlement services. He has helped to raise awareness of charitable planned giving and legacy planning opportunities in Middlesex County and has spoken about taxation issues for various professional organizations.
Rick received a B.S. cum laude from Central Connecticut State University and has been licensed as a CPA since 1988. Currently a member of the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Central Connecticut Business and Estate Planning Council, he also serves as treasurer on the executive board of the Middlesex County Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Rick is a member of the Middlesex County United Way Audit Committee and the treasurer for the Connecticut Business Planning Council.
Isabella Merlini (Middlesex 2022)
Secretary
Isabella graduated from the University of Connecticut with a major in Psychological Sciences and minoring in Crime and Justice in 2024. She had the distinct honor of graduating from Middlesex as valedictorian of the Class of 2022.
While earning an Associate in Liberal Arts and Sciences as an Honors Program and dean’s list student at Middlesex, Isabella served as an English classroom assistant, an English and Math peer tutor, and as the 2021–2022 president of the Beta Gamma Xi Chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society.
Isabella earned the Award for Academic Excellence, the Academic Excellence Award in Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Pritchett-Taylor Scholarship and the Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society Distinguished Chapter Officer Award. She won first place in PTK’s New England region competition as well as national recognition.
Isabella continued her academic prowess at UConn with a perfect 4.0 GPA. She received the President-to-President Scholarship and is a member of the National Society of Leadership and Success, the Psi Chi International Honor Society, and the Tau Sigma National Honor Society. In Spring 2023, Isabella received special permission to enroll in a graduate-level sociology course (receiving a final, cumulative course grade of 100%) and was the highest ranking student in an undergraduate political science course. She works as a data clerk for the Office of the State’s Attorney, Judicial District of Middlesex County.
Isabella is a professional-level ballerina and an avid long-distance runner. She aspires to attend graduate school to pursue a career that engages hybrid expertise in both psychology and criminal justice.
MEMBERS
Jon Comer, CPA
Comer & Company, LLC
Jon grew up in East Haddam and attended Nathan Hale-Ray High School. After graduating in 2014, he attended Saint Anselm College in Manchester, NH, where he earned a BA degree in both accounting and finance. Jon continued his education at the College of Charleston in Charleston, SC, and received a master’s in accountancy.
Accounting is the language of business that Jon learned to understand, use and communicate with his clients and coworkers. Tutoring accounting classes while in school helped Jon solidify his understanding of accounting concepts and functions. His time at Hebrew Health Care, Moody & O’Neal CPAs, Voya Financial, Webster Rogers and Comer & Company, LLC has allowed him to apply his knowledge and further his understanding of the accounting profession and clientele needs.
Looking forward, Jon aspires to apply his accounting acumen to help achieve financial objectives of his clients, coworkers and local community.
Daniel Fagan, MSPFP, MPAS™, AIF®
Managing Partner, Radiant Wealth Management
Daniel Fagan is the managing partner and senior wealth management advisor at Radiant Wealth Management, an independent firm based in Connecticut, overseeing approximately $350 million in client assets. His practice focuses on serving academics, physicians, and professionals across higher education and healthcare, helping them navigate the financial, tax and retirement complexities unique to their work.
A proud graduate of Middlesex Community College (now CT State Middlesex), Dan earned his associate degree in 1990 before transferring to the University of Connecticut, where he completed his bachelor’s degree. He later earned a Master of Science in Personal Financial Planning through the College for Financial Planning and holds the Master Planner Advanced Studies (MPAS™) and Accredited Investment Fiduciary (AIF®) designations.
Before founding Radiant Wealth Management, Dan spent 17 years with TIAA Financial Services, where he worked closely with faculty and staff at Yale University, Wesleyan University, Trinity College, the University of Connecticut and other nonprofit institutions.
Dan is also the author of Emeritus: The Definitive Guide to Academic Retirement Planning (Johns Hopkins University Press), expected to be published in Spring 2026.
He and his wife, Rebecca—a fifth-grade teacher in Manchester Public Schools—live in Connecticut. They have four children: Dr. Cory Fagan, his wife Alaina, and their son Casey, who live in Hawaii; Timothy Fagan and his wife Tori Cheung, who live in Manhattan; and Jacob and Sianna Fagan, who are both students at the University of Connecticut.
Jennifer Hernandez, EdD (Middlesex 1992)
Chair, Department of Social Science and Behavioral Sciences, CT State Middlesex
Dr. Hernandez has been a dedicated faculty member at CT State Middlesex since 2017. Previously, she served more than 13 years as an adjunct professor at CT State Tunxis. As a tenured professor, she is program coordinator for human services, social work studies, therapeutic recreation at Middlesex.
She established the Family Enrichment Center at the Hospital of Central Connecticut with the goal of improving services for vulnerable communities. The center provides home-based parenting education, maternal health education and support and teen pregnancy prevention. Specializing in programs for pregnant and parenting teens, Dr. Hernandez secured more than $8 million in grants during her tenure. She received the 2017 Women in Leadership and 2023 Connecticut’s First 100 Plus awards for her work with domestic violence survivors and was awarded the 2023 United Way and Fox 61 Impactful Woman award. In 2023, she received the MxCC Foundation Distinguished Alumni Award.
Dr. Hernandez served on the Care Behavioral Intervention Team and initiated a counseling center on campus with graduate interns to assist mental health support on campus. She co-chaired the national JED Foundation and is a member of the Department of Public Health Maternal Mortality Review Board.
In 2015, Dr. Hernandez earned a doctorate in educational and organizational leadership from the University of Hartford. She recently published a book, Courageous Choices–Stories of resilience in teen mothering.
Lauren Katusha (Middlesex 2013)
Campus Lead for Enrollment Services, CT State Three Rivers
Lauren has worked for the Connecticut State College and University System for more than 18 years. Most of her time was spent at Middlesex as assistant director of admissions. In 2022, she transferred to Three Rivers in Norwich to serve as associate registrar.
Prior to her work in higher education, she worked as a visual merchandising specialist, focusing on store planning and design for the Navy Exchange system. Based in Groton, Newport, and Virginia Beach, she managed military retail store renovations in the Northeast and Iceland for almost 18 years.
She earned an associate degree from Middlesex and a bachelor of science degree from Charter Oak State College with a concentration in organizational leadership.
Lauren served on the board of directors for the Middlesex Habitat for Humanity, where she is active on the executive and governance committees. She loves to travel and has visited more than 40 countries.
Josh LaJoie
Account Executive
Josh is a marketing and brand strategist helping to craft the stories that define brands, their products and the customers who buy them. Having worked in marketing agency environments, his experience ranges across a number of industries: higher education, non-profit, finance, legal, automotive and more.
As a firm believer in the power of storytelling, Josh recognizes that the stories we tell shape who we are, both personally and professionally. Whether working with B2B or B2C clients, he understands that all sales ultimately occur between humans, with the foundation of these interactions being a captivating story. Josh effectively bridges the gap between strategy and execution. He combines his skills in account planning, creative strategy and storytelling to help clients develop powerful brand narratives that resonate with their target audience.
Josh earned a bachelor of arts degree with double majors in English and philosophy, along with a minor in journalism from Wheaton College in Massachusetts.
Steve Minkler, EdD
Dean of the School of Engineering, Science and Technology, Central Connecticut State University
Prior to his current position, Dr. Minkler served as the associate vice president for academic affairs at Central Connecticut State University. In this role, he played a pivotal role in shaping the academic direction of the institution, overseeing various programs and initiatives to ensure a high-quality educational experience for students.
Before joining Central Connecticut State University, Dr. Minkler served as the CEO for Middlesex Community College. During his tenure, he provided visionary leadership and direction to the institution, overseeing a large staff and serving the needs of thousands of students.
Dr. Minkler’s dedication to the field of education extends beyond his administrative roles. He has also served as an adjunct instructor in communication, teaching courses such as Introduction to Mass Communication and Studio Television Production. His passion for teaching and mentoring students is evident through his involvement in advising honors students and guiding them through their capstone projects.
With over two decades of experience in academic leadership, Dr. Minkler has consistently demonstrated his ability to manage resources effectively, develop and review programs, and foster an environment of educational excellence to diverse student populations.
Before his administrative roles, Dr. Minkler worked as a media specialist and operations engineer and was recognized for his creative and technically savvy approach in using multimedia and communication tools for effective teaching and learning.
Dr. Minkler’s background also includes roles at Northwestern and Capital community colleges, the University of Hartford and WFSB-TV.
As a board member, Dr. Minkler’s strategic vision contribute to the Foundation’s mission of supporting student success and fostering educational opportunities for the community.
Geraldine “Arielle” Pierre, MPA
Inclusion, Diversity & Equity, Moët Hennessy
Arielle (she/her) is a cultural curator with a passion for pushing the envelope and addressing areas that deeply impact organizational health and people power. With years of experience, Arielle honed skills in relationship management, diversity, equity and cultural competency curriculum development, luxury partnership cultivation and project management.
Arielle currently serves as an associate manager of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity at Moët Hennessy in the NYC area. In this role, she supports and promotes IDE processes across the employee lifecycle, manages budget changes, and drives national engagement initiatives with external organizations and partners. She also leads Employee Resource Groups to positively impact the business through effective leadership and engagement.
Previously, Arielle worked as an Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Extern in New York, where she managed IDE research, event details and specific partnerships. She also gained experience as a teaching assistant at Clark University, where she developed and implemented course lectures on equity and facilitated live presentations to stimulate student engagement.
In her previous role at Inward Bound Mindfulness Education (iBme), Arielle excelled in development, equity and communications. She curated fundraising events, executed fundraising campaigns and sustained an international donor base. She led the multi-year strategic planning process for equity and interdependence goals, facilitated surveys and focus groups, and published responsive communications for national events. Arielle’s background also includes internships at The Prospect Hill Foundation, Church World Service and Markets Media.
Arielle earned a Master of Public Administration degree from Clark University, where she focused on cultural diversity, social policy, change management and multifaceted communication. She earned a bachelor’s in political science and government (cum laude) and obtained certifications in strategy, sustainable business, global business, diversity and inclusion, and completed courses at Harvard Business School Online.
Kaoutar (Kay) Tayoubi-Elidrissi
Family Support Provider
Kaoutar (Kay) Tayoubi-Elidrissi is a proud CT State Middlesex alumna, a passionate family support provider with the Hospital of Central Connecticut’s Family Enrichment Center, and a Bachelor of Social Work student at Charter Oak State College. She is continuing her academic journey by pursuing a Master of Social Work at Quinnipiac University.
A single mother of two, Kaoutar brings resilience, empathy and purpose to every aspect of her life and work. Her commitment to supporting families is rooted in both personal experience and professional expertise. For over three years, she has provided home visits, parenting education and academic support for teen parents, helping families build stronger relationships and navigate challenges with confidence and compassion.
As a bilingual professional fluent in Arabic and English, Kaoutar fosters cultural understanding and connection in every interaction. Whether leading parenting groups, advocating for families or celebrating small victories, she creates spaces where individuals feel valued, supported and empowered.
She is a 2024 YWCA New Britain Women in Leadership Award recipient and holds certifications in Circle of Security Parenting, the Family Development Credential (FDC) and Infant Baby Massage.
Kaoutar is a proud member of the Middlesex Alumni Committee and was instrumental in hosting the Foundation’s alumni event in 2025.
Gina Smith
Student Representative
Gina is a student CT State Middlesex.
EX OFFICIO MEMBERS
Stacey Burgess, Accountant & Educational Assistant, MxCC Foundation
Joshua Moon-Johnson, Campus President, CT State Middlesex
Board Roles and Responsibilities
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To act as an ambassador for the Foundation
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To support the CT State Middlesex on an annual basis
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To actively engage in fundraising and friend-raising for CT State Middlesex in ways that are best-suited for me
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To recommend or identify potential new board members and, as appropriate, introduce to the chair and the Board Development Committee
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To attend board meetings and be available for phone consultation, according to the schedule set by the Foundation Board
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To serve on and actively participate in at least one committee
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To support the MxCC Foundation by attending events that it sponsors or co-sponsors
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To understand the organization’s fiscal situation, including understanding the budget and taking an active part in reviewing, approving and monitoring this financial document
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To learn about as many different facets of CT State Middlesex and Foundation operations as possible, in order to engage with members of the 18 communities served by Middlesex and its campuses and facilities