Our Staff
Executive Director
Alice Pritchard, Ph.D.
apritchard@cwealf.org
Alice Pritchard is the Executive Director of the Connecticut Women's Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF). CWEALF is a statewide non-profit organization dedicated to empowering women, girls and their families to achieve equal opportunities in their personal and professional lives. Dr. Pritchard first joined the agency in 1991 and has served as CWEALF's Executive Director since 2001. Dr. Pritchard is nationally recognized for her expertise in women's issues.
Dr. Pritchard has spent almost two decades conducting research, advocacy, training and technical assistance on issues related to education and workforce development. She oversees CWEALF's research on the status of girls in education and provides presentations to a variety of audiences on education and training issues. She has conducted evaluations of a variety of education and training programs including the Jobs First Employment Services System which provides employment and training services to individuals transitioning from welfare to work. In 2000, Dr. Pritchard began working with the Governor's Office for Workforce Competitiveness to support model programs and strategies for increasing the skills and career opportunities for low-wage and unemployed workers in Connecticut. In 2004, she was chosen to assist in the facilitation of the CT Career Ladder Initiative to create and promote model programs for career advancement in technology, health care and early child care and education fields. In addition, Dr. Pritchard coordinates the Allied Health Workforce Policy Board, which was legislatively created in 2005 to document workforce shortages in nursing and allied health professions and to make recommendations to promote recruitment and retention of these workers.
In an effort to raise awareness about the importance of workforce development, Dr. Pritchard created the Campaign for a Working Connecticut to mobilize a diverse coalition of education and training providers, advocates, employers, and labor unions to improve the state's workforce competitiveness. The Campaign's legislative agenda calls for significant investments of state resources in a number of education and training strategies for entry level workers to promote skill acquisition and career advancement.
Dr. Pritchard has authored and co-authored many academic publications and research reports and has served as a resource for both regional and national press. Dr. Pritchard received her Ph.D. from the University of Connecticut in 1996. Her doctoral dissertation documented the factors affecting the provision of job training services to low-income individuals in Hartford, Connecticut through the federal Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA).
Staff
Lucy Brakoniecki, Research and Policy Analyst
lbrakoniecki@cwealf.org
Lucy Brakoniecki serves as CWEALF's Research & Policy Analyst. She came to CWEALF in 2003 after completing her M.S.W. at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work. Ms. Brakoniecki conducts research on issues ranging from education to workforce development. She also serves at the lead researcher for the Vocational Equity, Research, Training and Evaluation Center (VERTEC). Ms. Brakoniecki is also responsible for planning and implementing CWEALF's G2O STEM Expos.
Maria Caéz, Bilingual Community Advocate
mcaez@cwealf.org
Maria Caéz began working at CWEALF in 2002 as a Bilingual Community Advocate. Ms. Caéz provides legal information and advocacy on family law, employment discrimination, civil rights and educational equity. She also conducts educational and training programs for community groups, agencies and organizations. Ms. Caéz sits on the Fatherhood Advisory Council, as well as the Certification Review Committee for the National Practitioner Network for Fathers and Families, Inc. Ms. Caéz is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Blythe Chaffee, Administrative Assistant
bchaffee@cwealf.org
Blythe Chaffee has been the Administrative Assistant at CWEALF since 2002. Ms. Chaffee is responsible for program support, event planning, development, new staff orientation, and general office maintenance.
Kaileah Christie-Fogg, Marketing & Development Coordinator
kchristie@cwealf.org
Kaileah Christie-Fogg, CWEALF's Marketing & Development Coordinator, joined the agency in July 2007 after finishing her MA at Indiana University in Latin American Studies. Ms. Christie-Fogg is responsible for implementing CWEALF's fundraising strategy, including drafting solicitations, planning events, and researching and submitting grant applications. Ms. Christie-Fogg is also responsible for maintaining CWEALF's donor communication materials such as the newsletter, annual report and website.
Ellen Grusse, Financial & Administrative Director
egrusse@cwealf.org
Ellen Grusse has been with CWEALF for over 30 years, originally as a Comprehensive Employment and Training Act employee, then as Financial Director. Currently Ms. Grusse is responsible for financial management and bookkeeping functions as well as overseeing daily management and operations of the CWEALF office.
Elizabeth Marshall, Community Educator & Advocate
emarshall@cwealf.org
Elizabeth Marshall joined CWEALF's staff in 2008 as a Community Educator and Advocate in CWEALF's Legal Education program. Ms. Marshall is responsible for CWEALF's outreach to Community College students in allied health fields. She also provides trainings on sexual harassment at schools and agencies across the state. Ms. Marshall came to CWEALF with experience working on domestic violence education and prevention. She holds a J.D. from Pace University School of Law.
Amy Miller, Program & Public Policy Director
amiller@cwealf.org
Amy Miller has been with CWEALF since 1999 and has served as the Program and Public Policy Director since 2001. Ms. Miller manages CWEALF's Legal Education Program and implements CWEALF's public policy activities. Ms. Miller is responsible for leading several coalitions, writing public testimony for issues being considered by the state legislature, and conducting research and evaluation on workforce development and education programs for low-skilled workers. Ms. Miller has her M.S.W. from the University of Connecticut School of Social Work.
Nilda Rivera, Bilingual Community Advocate
nrivera@cwealf.org
Nilda Rivera joined the CWEALF staff in 2004 as a Bilingual Community Advocate. Ms. Rivera conducts extensive outreach to community organizations in the Greater Hartford area to provide individuals with legal information and referrals on family, employment discrimination, civil rights, and education equity, and helps clients navigate legal and social service systems. Ms. Rivera sits on the board of Aspira of Connecticut and the City of Hartford Grandparents Committee. Ms. Rivera is bilingual in English and Spanish.
Erin Smith, Research Assistant
esmith@cwealf.org
Erin Smith joined CWEALF's staff in 2008 after completing her M.S.W. at the University of Connecticut School of Social Work. As a Research Assistant, Ms. Smith evaluates career and technical education programs through VERTEC. She plans and facilitates G2O STEM Expos. Ms. Smith is also responsible for conducting trainings on sexual harassment and educational equity at schools and agencies across the state.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jane Grossman, President
New Haven Legal Assistance Association
Lori Pelletier, Vice President
CT AFL-CIO
Adrienne Parkmond, Treasurer
The Workplace, Inc.
Bettye Jo Pakulis, Secretary
State Treasurer's Office
Kristine Anthis
Southern Connecticut State University
Kevin Barry
Quinnipiac School of Law
Jennifer Devine
Department of Labor
Anne Dranginis
Rome McGuigan, P.C.
Michelle Duprey
City of New Haven
Amanda Faticone
AT&T
Cynthia Hobbs
AT&T
Susan Kelleher
American Income Life
Fran Martin
Corporation for Supportive Housing
Gail Reyes
Dept. of Children & Families
Marcus Rivera
Connecticut State Department of Education
Pierrette Comulada Silverman
Planned Parenthood of Connecticut
Jan Van Tassel
Connecticut Legal Rights Project
Jean Wihbey
Palm Beach Community College
