Angela Moncrief, Regional Sales Manager, Cisco

“Everybody has a story––the guests of WLP all have a story. There was a path that took them to the point of needing assistance, and it can happen to anyone. I’ve always been curious about those stories, and I wanted to get more involved in a local organization that supports the community where I live. I’m really excited for the opportunity to serve women. I think that WLP provides a unique service––it's not just a safe place to have a healthy meal. We assist with everything from education to healthcare, housing, and mental health.

Meeting the other board members and hearing their stories has been so inspiring. It’s incredible to see the diversity of talent everyone is lending to WLP. This is also the first board that I've served on, so I’m really looking forward to identifying how to make the most impactful contributions. My background is in finance and accounting, and I’m excited to use those skills in our strategic work. This is a time of transition at WLP, and I think I can provide a forecasting, forward-looking perspective for our upcoming projects.”

Greg Wilmot, President and CEO, NeighborHealth

“For my whole life, my work and volunteerism have been focused on children and families––making sure they have access to nutrition and behavioral and physical healthcare. When I first visited WLP, I immediately noticed their work to connect the social drivers of health together for their guests. I was particularly impressed by the programmatic interventions and plans that WLP has put together to that end. The work that WLP does requires smarts, it requires investment, it requires passion, and most importantly, it requires hope. And you can feel hopefulness when you're interacting with the current leadership.

I'm a lifelong learner. So, the opportunity to learn, not just from my fellow board members, but also from the women served every day by WLP, it’s very important to me. I'm also a brick-and-mortar guy. I like to build programs and services. Especially when focusing on issues of equity and access, I'm a deep believer in creating things that are not easily undone. We have an opportunity to move the dial on issues that are pervasive in our community, and with focus and with the right people at the table, there's so, so much that we can accomplish.”

Laura Tomasetti, CEO, 360 Public Relations

“Almost 30 years ago, I moved back to Boston from Washington D.C. and noticed the Women’s Lunch Place sign as I was walking on Newbury Street one day. I was curious and went inside and was immediately moved and impressed by what I saw.

My initial engagement with WLP included collecting toiletries and other essential items for guests and attending an early version of the Spaghetti Dinner. My firm also provided some pro bono communications counsel and I had an opportunity to join the board and be part of the capital campaign that led to a renovation of the shelter in 2011 – the first major renovation to the space since the WLP was founded in 1982.

My mother was a mental health practitioner, including serving as a suicide prevention counselor. She was always focused on social causes and, like the staff at WLP, a gifted and compassionate listener, and that has stuck with me. I’m excited to have the opportunity to contribute to the WLP at the board level again. I think that WLP’s work, specifically focusing on serving the needs of women on their path to housing and security, things we often take for granted, is so important. The WLP Leadership have an amazing vision, one that I share. From a communications perspective, I think there is an even larger opportunity to build a wider and deeper awareness and understanding of the WLP’s work and show everyone in our community just how vital that work is.”

Michael McCurdy, Co-President and COO, Brookline Bancorp

“Back in 2017, our team volunteered at Women’s Lunch Place. We chopped just about every vegetable you can chop and then helped serve and clean, and then we took a tour. I remember thinking that it was such a remarkable organization. It struck a nerve with me. I saw women who were there for an emotional connection, for a social connection, people who were looking for jobs, or just enjoying lunch in a safe space. The strength of the support that WLP was providing just resonated with me, and really with our entire team. We’ve kept coming back ever since.

I served on the board of a nonprofit out of Malden called Triangle for 15 years. Triangle exists to support individuals with disabilities and give them the skills to start a career. I feel that there’s a familiar theme when it comes to WLP, and I can understand and appreciate the work that we’re doing in that regard. So, I’m incredibly excited to be on the board and contribute in any way I can. And clearly, housing is also so important right now for the guests. We do a ton of commercial real estate work at Brookline Bancorp, and I can’t wait to make introductions to developers and real estate owners in the Greater Boston market.”

Meet WLP's Newest Board Members!