Meet the Board:
Aaron Carlson
Newtown Kindness Role: Founder, Chairman
Day Job: Nestle Waters North America; an experienced financial management professional with an expertise in supporting the Supply Chain organization
Education: Graduated from Western Connecticut State University in 1998 with a BS in Accounting.
Fun Facts: Is the father of two amazing little girls, Ava and Lyla; serves as a certified NSCAA Newtown Youth Soccer coach and is Chair of the Hawley Elementary School PTA Scholarship Committee; was a member of the WCSU baseball team and club lacrosse team.
On Kindness: Newtown Kindness is not simply about sharing kindness. We are about fostering a kindness mindset. We are about education. We are about inspiration. This is a way of life that you can live.
Carolyn M. Walker
Newtown Kindness Role: Director, Marketing
Day Job: CEO and managing partner of Response Marketing
Education: Graduated magna cum laude from Northeastern University in Boston, with a BS in Business Administration (with a dual major in Marketing and Management).
Fun Facts: Under her leadership, Response has landed on Inc. Magazine’s 500/5000 list of fastest growing private companies in the United States in 2012 and 2013; oversaw the marketing of Sandella’s, a 125-unit quick-service restaurant brand targeting non-traditional locations; is a member of POPAI and is one of less than 25 people worldwide to hold the MaRC (Marketing at Retail Certified) distinction from POPAI, the American Marketing Association, the Public Relations Society of America, the Ad Club of Connecticut, and Ad Women of New York; shares her life with her partner, John, and his two amazing kids, Jack and Julia.
On Kindness: “In the end, only kindness matters.”
Dan Bacon
Newtown Kindness Role: Director, Outreach
Day Job: Retired; consultant on leadership development with churches and various Christian organizations
Education: Graduated from Whitworth College in Spokane, Washington with a BA in psychology in 1961; received a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary in 1966; was ordained as a minister in 1966 and later, received a Doctor of Missiology from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School near Chicago in 1983.
Fun Facts: Is the grandfather of Charlotte Bacon; has amassed over 40 years of experience in intercultural leadership training and development in Christian non-profit organizations; extensive missionary work in Asia through OMF International; moved with wife Lindie to Sandy Hook, CT in July 2012 to be closer to his son Joel Bacon; has three grown children and 7 grandchildren.
On Kindness: Dan is looking forward to sharing his skills and expertise to spread the vision of Newtown Kindness and honor his granddaughter Charlotte.
Christiann Carlson
Newtown Kindness Role: Director, Engagement
Day Job: Stay-at-home mom; formerly taught 1st and 2nd grade
Education: Graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a BA in Marketing; received her Master’s Degree in Education at Bridgeport University.
Fun Facts: Is the mother of two daughters, Ava and Lyla; Active in the Newtown Mom’s Club, is a Daisy Troop Leader, and is active within the school system; her pillowcase drive resulted in 1,000s of pillowcases reaching youth in Newtown; has been active with Ben’s Bells Newtown, and a lead organizer of Newtown Kindness activities.
On Kindness: Christi believes that kindness starts with our kids and she remains a positive community influence throughout Newtown.
Ken Murdoch
Newtown Kindness Role: Director, Program Support
Day Job: Oversees IT strategy as well as all Agency Building Operations for both Westport and Washington DC headquarters for Save the Children
Education: Graduated North Adams State College, BA in English/Communications.
Fun Facts: He and his wife Dorene are married 30 years and both of their children, Erin and Daniel, attended Sandy Hook Elementary School, graduated from Newtown High School; played baseball in the Can-Am league after college. Coached Baseball and Softball in town and has a long history of giving back to the Newtown community; spent 25 years in the CPG sector holding CIO positions for two of the world’s largest international CPG companies- Nestlé Waters North America and Pepsi-Cola North America; was Save the Children’s First Responder to the December 14, 2012 tragedy and set up the Child Friendly Space at the Reed School; primary member of CIO4Good for Save the Children, Primary member at NetHope for Save the Children, Advisory Board member of Fairfield/Westchester SIM, and Vice Chairman- Christ the King Lutheran Church Council.
On Kindness: Ken is honored to be a member of Newtown Kindness and firmly believes in its mission.
Donna Albano
Newtown Kindness Role: Director, Education
Day Job: Newtown Elementary School teacher
Education: Graduated Western Connecticut State University, earning her Bachelor of Science in 1996, and a Master of Science in 2000.
Fun Facts: Teaching career began as a student teacher in 1996 at Sandy Hook Elementary School, and she followed that up as an Educational Assistant the following year, becoming a first grade teacher after that; in 2003, after the birth of her second daughter, she took a five-year hiatus to stay home with her children, and returned to Newtown in 2008; has served on a variety of teams and committees including Language Arts, Technology, Action Research, and is currently the grade level leader for her kindergarten team; is married with two daughters, Madison and Morgan, and lives in Danbury, Connecticut; loves going to the beach and spending time with her family and friends.
On Kindness: Donna is a proud board member of Newtown Kindness and continues to work on fostering kindness in children.
Tom Krapf
Newtown Kindness Role: Director, Treasury
Day Job: Nestle Waters North America as Director of Finance in the Supply Chain organization
Education: Graduated from University of Delaware with a BS in Finance and Marketing.
Fun Facts: Resides in Newtown, CT with his wife of 20+ years, Lisa, and their two teenage sons, Joshua and Timothy, who both attend Newtown High School; has served as the soccer coach and baseball manager of countless teams, and has also served as Cub Scout Den Leader and Treasurer of the Pack; a resident of Long Island, Tom was raised by his mother and role model, Ann Nekerman, who lives her life every day as a true Ambassador of Kindness.
On Kindness: Tom is a firm believer that developing true kindness begins at home and starts with the parents, and that as kindness becomes part of a child’s norm, this will blossom into creating a kind adult.
Peter Fearon
Newtown Kindness Role: Director, Legal Affairs
Day Job: Lawyer, but also a retired law enforcement officer who started his career with the Newtown Police Department in 1982.
Education: Quinnipiac University School of Law JD, University of New Haven BS
Fun Facts: Resides in Shelton with his wife for the past thirty years; has served as a Special Deputy Assistant State’s Attorney in 2012 and in 2013 opened the Law Office of Peter D Fearon, a solo general practice with a concentration on criminal related matters; in 2011, he retired from the Division of Criminal Justice for the State of Connecticut as an Inspector.
On Kindness: Peter is excited to give back to his community and he is a big advocate of Newtown Kindness’s slogan, “think kindly, act boldly.”
Joel, JoAnn, Guy, and Charlotte Bacon
OTHER KEY LEADERS OF KINDNESS:
- Joel Bacon, Kindness Advisor
- JoAnn Bacon, Kindness Advisor
- Lindie Bacon, Operations
- Peter Salzman, Finance & Tax Advisor
- Keith Spencer, Event Planning
- Rhonda Feuz, Event Planning
- Joe Sullivan, Corporate Affairs
- Brian Jackson, Social Media
- Dorene Murdoch, Operations
- Ruth Thomas, Public Relations Advisor
- Lisa Krapf, Merchandise
- Jessica Kensek, Corporate Relations