Connecting, Growing, and

Inspiring Community Leaders

Meet the Class Monday – Jessenia Valentin

Jessenia is the Director of the Homeless Youth Program at SMOC, where she is dedicated to providing support and resources to vulnerable young people in need. With a deep-rooted passion for social justice and advocacy, Jessenia is committed to amplifying the voices of those who are often unheard. She is currently continuing her education in social work, set to graduate with honors in Spring 2025 with a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), and will pursue her Master of Social Work (MSW) beginning Fall 2025. A native of the Metrowest area, Jessenia holds a personal connection to the community and remains steadfast in her mission to create positive change, even when standing alone. Her passion for empowering others and creating opportunities for growth continues to drive her as she works towards a future where everyone has access to the support and resources they deserve.

Interested in joining next year’s Leadership Academy? Apply here: https://forms.gle/1kmL2NeZy3xexfnw9

Please join us for this year`s Leadership MetroWest Annual Celebration! We`ll have delicious food, awards and raffles, as well as time to meet this year`s Academy graduates and to network with your own best class ever!

Please remember to bring cash for the raffle and bar!

Details:
Thursday, June 12th at 5:30 p.m.
Village Hall, Framingham

Grab your ticket here: https://secure.lglforms.com/form.../s/oy0JQLaEs9pkOlKd1-dXMg

It`s time to take the next leadership step! Last week`s Spring Breakfast was filled with inspiration from leaders in our community. And now it`s your turn.

Leaders, turn inspiration into action:
Bring your unique perspective to the Class of 2026! (will *it* be the best class ever?!)

Grab this URL and submit your formal application--today! https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdQK4Iml4UAFFpM9GXiZ-AxLXKp_GkN-MrlWPH6DyGJuPIJaw/viewform

Explore our Equity Scholarship. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdhKJce0YfhpXCE7D1WzxuZWbiXfIoXGmz3FjI7IlC8Ab6pPg/viewform

Alumni:
Your leadership doesn`t end at graduation.
Sharpen your skills, mentor rising leaders, and keep our community thriving.
Stay plugged in because the network only grows stronger when you’re in the mix. Visit https://leadershipmetrowest.org/subcommittee/ to learn how you can get involved.

Meet the Class Wednesday – Barbra Sekesogundu Simon

Barbra Sekesogundu Simon is a dedicated single mother of two boys and a passionate community leader. She was recently nominated by her state representative to receive a Black Excellence Award in Boston. Currently, she serves as a member of both the Ashland Board of Health and the Ashland Housing Trust where she works to improve the quality of life and address pressing issues within the community. In 2024 this role allowed her to assist with the organization of the community-wide Remote Area Medical event which provided medical, dental, vision and other critical services to underserved individuals.

For the past two years, Barbra has been involved in the Tufts University New Entry Sustainable Farming Project in Beverly, with the main crop being sweet potatoes. She has learned a lot of valuable insights into sustainable farming practices. She is committed to fostering growth and education within her community, especially in areas related to agriculture and food security.

In addition to her work with local health and housing, she is one of the CEOs of Delta Talent Acquisition. They work with local residents/immigrant communities as they assimilate into American society quickly and successfully. They have been providing various training opportunities including, ESL, Personal Care Assistant and career preparation.

In her career, she is a seasoned nurse driven by the commitment to making a positive impact, both for her children and the wider community. She is deeply dedicated to empowering others and making her town and the neighboring towns/cities a better place to live for all its residents.

Interested in joining next year’s Leadership Academy? Apply here: https://forms.gle/1kmL2NeZy3xexfnw9

Meet the Class Monday – Elizabeth deJong

Elizabeth deJong is a dedicated Human Resources Specialist at Crossroads Continuum in Marlborough, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping the organization`s workforce. As the primary recruiter, she leads hiring efforts across all positions, ensuring the right talent finds a place within the organization. This time of year, Elizabeth is especially busy traveling across the Commonwealth, attending college recruiting fairs. She thrives in these dynamic environments, connecting with soon-to-be graduates and igniting their passion for meaningful careers. Her enthusiasm for people and talent engagement shines through in every interaction.

A SHRM-CP certified professional, Elizabeth is not only committed to her work but also to continuous learning and growth. This April, she achieved a major milestone—graduating from Northeastern University with a Master’s in Human Resource Management and Leadership Development. With a blend of expertise, energy, and a people-first approach, Elizabeth is shaping the future of HR—one connection at a time.

Interested in joining next year’s Leadership Academy? Apply here: https://forms.gle/1kmL2NeZy3xexfnw9

Thank you to all of our sponsors for the Leadership MetroWest Spring Breakfast! We appreciate your support @framinghamstateu, @massbaycc, Avidia Bank in Framingham, @lrobinspires, @tlcdeaf, Harrington Heap, and @stmaryscu.

Meet the Class Wednesday – James Tresner

James Tresner is the Executive Director of Bethany Hill Place, a housing and education nonprofit in South Framingham. Prior to starting in that position in June 2023, he spent 7 years as the Executive Director of a summer camp and retreat center in New Hampshire, where he led a 39% increase in enrollment and 15 fold increase in fundraising income. He has also worked at Year Up and in the Watertown Public Schools, and spent a year teaching in Saudi Arabia. James is a graduate of Middlebury College (VT), and outside of work, enjoys hiking, reading, and baking. In his Cambridge community where he lives, James sings with and serves on the board of the Oriana Consort, an auditioned chorus, and serves on the board and volunteers as a mentor with Enroot, an organization that seeks to uplift immigrant youth.

Interested in joining next year’s Leadership Academy? Apply here: https://forms.gle/1kmL2NeZy3xexfnw9

Thank you to @massbaycc for sponsoring Leadership MetroWest`s Spring Breakfast! We appreciate your support and all that you do in our community.

Thank you to @framinghamstateu for sponsoring Leadership MetroWest`s Spring Breakfast! We appreciate your support and all that you do in our community.

Please join us for this year`s Leadership MetroWest Annual Celebration! We`ll have delicious food, awards and raffles, as well as time to meet this year`s Academy graduates and to network with your own best class ever!

Details:
Thursday, June 12th at 5:30 p.m.
Village Hall, Framingham

Grab your ticket here: https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/oy0JQLaEs9pkOlKd1-dXMg

Meet the Class Monday – Evan White

Evan White has spent the last 5 years as the Town Engineer for the town of Ashland. He’s developed the town`s stormwater program and directed the use of the SW Enterprise fund to maintain compliance with the EPA MS4 permit. He’s also working to develop a comprehensive pavement and sidewalk management plan, overseeing maintenance and planning of bridges and dams, and maintaining records related to DPW processes such as standard operating procedures to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations. Prior to working for the town of Ashland, Evan worked in the private sector as an engineer.

Interested in joining next year’s Leadership Academy? Apply here: https://forms.gle/1kmL2NeZy3xexfnw9