Board of Directors of
Waltham, MA
Mila Teshler
Clinic DirectorLyudmila (Mila) Teshler has profoundly impacted the Lexington, MA community through her work at KidLink Therapy and beyond. As a pediatric occupational therapist and public speaker, Mila shares her expertise in webinars like “The Mysterious Cerebellum” and “The Art and Science of Clinical Observation,”; parent coaching, professional inservices educating professionals and parents on child development. Her dedication to helping children thrive is evident in her tailored therapy approaches, which have transformed the lives of countless families. Mila’s community involvement, innovative methods, and passion for empowering children have made her a trusted and well respected figure in pediatric care.
Kadie Hodnett
Board MemberKadie Hodnett is the Director of F.U.S.E. School & Program, where she leads a dedicated team of teachers, therapists, and staff to provide a nurturing and therapeutic environment for neurodiverse learners aged 3 to 8 years old. With a deep commitment to fostering social, emotional, and cognitive growth, Kadie oversees the daily operations of both the school and camp programs. Her focus is on helping children develop key life skills, such as emotional regulation, communication, and social interactions, through individualized, small-group, and larger group settings.
Collaboration with families is at the heart of Kadie’s approach, as she works closely with parents and caregivers to track each child’s progress, provide strategies for engagement, and create opportunities for family connection through community events. Kadie also leads marketing initiatives for the school, including managing social media, email campaigns, and representing F.U.S.E. at conferences to promote the program and its mission.
For the past ten years, Kadie has assisted the Board of Directors for F.U.S.E. She brings a wealth of experience in grant researching, financial management, and strategic planning. She collaborates with accountants to research funding opportunities and prepare detailed budgets for grant applications. With a keen eye for financial detail and a solid understanding of nonprofit financial processes, Kadie ensures that each application aligns with F.U.S.E.’s goals while maintaining fiscal responsibility.
Kaide has extensive experience overseeing financial responsibilities such as payroll, budgeting, and preparing for annual audits. Working closely with accountants and fellow board members, she plays an integral role in ensuring the fiscal health and continued success of F.U.S.E. at both locations. Kadie’s strategic planning abilities, commitment to financial transparency, and dedication to the organization’s mission make her a valuable asset to the Board.
Javier Mejia
Board MemberJavier Mejia is a seasoned business leader with over 20 years of experience in the healthcare and technology sectors. As the Co-Founder and CEO of AutomateIQ, a Boston-based intelligent automation solutions company, he leads the organization in delivering cutting-edge generative conversational AI and business transformation solutions.
Under Javier’s leadership, AutomateIQ empowers businesses to achieve sustainable growth and excellence through comprehensive Business Transformation Outsourcing (BTO) and intelligent automation services. The company’s innovative solutions drive strategic growth, enhance operational efficiency, and create exceptional customer experiences.
Prior to his role at AutomateIQ, Javier held a senior leadership position in Global Services at Hyland Software, Inc. There, he was responsible for overseeing database engineering and services, clinical solutions implementation, and the principal consultants group, delivering services to customers worldwide. This experience has equipped him with a deep understanding of technology implementation and its impact on business processes.
Javier’s dedication to community service is exemplified by his seven-year tenure on the board of Transition House, Inc., a pioneering organization committed to ending domestic violence. Founded in 1976 as the first domestic violence shelter in New England, Transition House has been at the forefront of providing comprehensive support services, including emergency shelter, advocacy, and education programs. This substantial board experience not only underscores Javier’s passion for social causes but also highlights his proven ability to contribute meaningfully to nonprofit governance and community-driven initiatives.
With his educational background from Northeastern University and his extensive experience in both the corporate and nonprofit sectors, Javier brings a unique blend of technological expertise, business acumen, and social responsibility to his board roles. His leadership in driving digital transformation and his understanding of the critical role of innovation in business success make him a valuable asset to any board of directors.
Allyson Locke
Board MemberAllyson Locke brings over a decade of experience as an occupational therapist and a unique blend of clinical and business expertise to her role as a board member for the Massachusetts chapter of the TheraYouth Foundation. With a strong background in sensory integration and praxis (SIPT), she has dedicated her career to helping children and adolescents address developmental, sensory, and functional challenges in both school-based and clinical settings.
In addition to her clinical work, Allyson serves as a program and marketing specialist at Therapro, where she combines her therapeutic knowledge with strategic business acumen. Her dual perspective allows her to understand the challenges families face in accessing affordable care and to contribute innovative solutions that bridge gaps between clinical practice and resource accessibility.
Allyson is deeply aligned with TheraYouth’s mission to provide high-quality, low-cost pediatric therapy to underserved communities and is committed to using her diverse expertise to support the Foundation’s efforts in Massachusetts and beyond.
Debjani Biswas
Board MemberDebjani Biswas is the founder of Wolf Group, a company specializing in Fractional COO services to help businesses streamline operations, adopt innovative technologies, and achieve sustainable growth. With a master’s degree in electrical and computer engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, she blends technical expertise with strategic leadership to drive impactful results.
Debjani’s career includes leading AI-driven initiatives and innovative database solutions at Oracle, as well as entrepreneurial success as a partner in a short-term rental business. She is known for her ability to solve complex challenges, optimize workflows, and create scalable solutions tailored to the unique needs of each organization.
Her work is guided by a passion for efficiency and innovation, ensuring that businesses not only meet their goals but also create a foundation for long-term success. Whether implementing new systems or refining existing processes, Debjani consistently delivers results that empower teams and maximize impact.
Anastasia Prakharenka
Board MemberOver the past twenty years, I have built a successful career in the retail and commercial banking industry as a manager and sales executive. Hallmarks of my career to date are a track record of success leading high performing teams to achieve customer satisfaction and revenue growth as well a consistent drive to seek out new opportunities for professional development.
Currently, I am a Vice President, Commercial Banker at Eastern Bank. I have been recognized as a trusted professional skilled in banking operations, cross functional collaboration, and community engagement. I am dedicated to helping customers succeed which is evident in the portfolio of business I have grown through out my career with Santander bank and Citizens Bank and Bank of America.
To further develop as a manager, I have also completed my EMBA at Suffolk University. This experience has allowed me to grow my skills in process improvement and interpersonal and intercultural communication to help my team members, organization, and clients thrive. Combining my education with my strong relationship building skills and knowledge of the banking industry has served to further my ability to lead.
Looking ahead, I am eager to continue my trajectory of growth in the banking industry and contribute to the prosperity of individual and business clients in the MetroWest region of Massachusetts.