President
Matt lives on Jones Hill and works for the Boston Redevelopment Authority as program manager for Boston’s Empowerment Zone. In addition to his role as President, Matt is a former chair of UCMS' Economic Restructuring Committee and has chaired UCMS’ Urban Safari Fundraiser Program Committee twice.
Vice President
Liam recently served as Director of Communications at Pioneer Institute. Before that, he was an administrator at a public charter school in Framingham. Liam played a year of professional basketball in Northern Ireland, where he also ran a program that brought Catholic and Protestant children together through basketball, before returning to the States and teaching for six years. Liam has co-chaired the UCMS annual Urban Safari fundraiser the last two years.
Vice President
David lives and practices law in the neighborhood and teaches law classes at Newbury College. In addition to his role on the Promotion Committee, David has been a leader of the UCMS’ annual Urban Safari fundraiser for two years in a row.
Vice President
Joan has run her consulting business out of her home for the past 12 years and has been an Upham’s Corner resident for 25 years. She has served on the Economic Restructuring Committee since 2000 and welcomes the opportunity to engage more deeply with UCMS.
Vice President
Michelle Waldon, AIA, AICP, LEED AP lives in Savin Hill and works at ICON architecture, inc. With an impressive background in architecture and planning, Michelle brings expertise in historic preservation, adaptive re-use, and sustainability. Serving as UCMS Vice President of Design, Michelle has been a leader of the organization since 2007.
Deidra works at Dorchester Bay EDC supporting small businesses in the area with technical and business planning assistance. In addition to her role as treasurer, Deidra has been an active participant on UCMS’ Organization and ER Committees.
Crystal is a Jones Hill resident. A retired public information officer for large environmental projects, she now runs a small internet-based health and wellness business. In addition to her role as clerk, Crystal has been a community outreach leader of UCMS.
Arlindo owns two local businesses, Restaurant Laura and CV Liquors. He is also a resident of Upham’s Corner. In addition to having served on the Design and Promotion Committee, Arlindo generously offers his restaurant to UCMS for many of its events including its Business Networking Breakfasts.
Karl is the new Branch Manager at Sovereign Bank in Upham’s Corner. Although he is new to the neighborhood he believes he will be able to make a strong contribution toward the community’s efforts to create a stronger and more vibrant business district. He looks forward to the opportunity to help UCMS work toward accomplishing its mission.
Bob is an Upham’s Corner resident and President of UC Westside Neighborhood Association. He works as Director of Special Projects at Dudley Street Neighborhood Initiative. Bob has been an active member of UCMS since the organization’s inception He has previously been chair of the UCMS Organization Committee.
Andrea Kaiser is Executive Director of Bird Street Community Center. She has a very impressive history of nonprofit, leadership, and volunteer experience. Among the many community based activities she has participated in, Andrea has served as both a leader on the UCMS Urban Safari Fundraiser committee and on the St. Kevin’s Area Planning Collaborative steering committee.
Rev. John Odams has been the Pastor of Pilgrim Church since 1999. He has devoted many years to providing support to people in need, including individuals with developmental and cognitive disabilities. He is a past president of the Meetinghouse Hill Civic Association. He has also played active roles on the UCMS Design Committee and with the St. Kevin’s Area Planning Collaborative.
John is the manager of Strand a Walgreens Pharmacy. The store has been an important anchor in the district for over 20 years. John has served in many capacities at UCMS including member of the Urban Safari Fundraiser committee and at one time, Chair of the Design Committee.
Val represents Staples, UCMS' Corporate Buddy. Val is UCMS' immediate past president. Previously, Val has served as chair of the Economic Restructuring Committee where he played a major role in developing the Business Networking Breakfast series.
Jon is Assistant Vice President and Branch Manager II for the Upham's Corner branch of Citizens Bank. He has played many roles at UCMS including serving as a member of the Urban Safari Fundraiser 2009 Committee and as a leader at numerous UCMS Business Networking Breakfasts.
Dahria Williams-Fernandes is the president of Floyd A. Williams Funeral Home, Inc. She is committed to continuing the high level of professional service her father’s firm has provided for over 35 years. Dahria is also dedicated to the improvement of quality of life for the Dorchester community. She has been a member of UCMS’ Economic Restructuring Committee since 2008.
Ragan, a resident of Upham's Corner, has been volunteering with UCMS for three years, beginning even prior to living in the neighborhood. In that time, she has been a leader on the Promotion Committee, Event Chair of the Urban Safari, and St. Kevin's Area Planning Collaborative Chair.