Womenade of Greater Squamscott

Lisa Calandra

Lisa lives in Stratham with her husband and son. A graduate of UNH, she is originally from Massachusetts but has lived in New Hampshire for 27 years, and in Stratham for 20 years. With a degree in Child and Family Studies but a career in the Customer Service field, Lisa has always been a “helper” and service to friends, family, and community has always been a priority. That’s what she likes most about Womenade, the ability to help those in need in a simple yet effective way that can be life changing. “I feel honored to be a part of such an amazing organization and to work along side a group of talented and giving women.”  When not helping out with Womenade, she works part time , loves to spend time in her yard in the Summer and skiing & snowshoeing in the Winter.

Susan Drinker 

Susan lives in Exeter with her husband Nick. They have three grown children and besides being with her family and friends. Susan loves to travel, knit, and read, and teaches at Main Street School in Exeter. She first heard of Womenade at the Mamapella’s benefit concert last spring.

“I was touched by what they accomplished and knew I wanted to be a part of it somehow. In my job, I see so many families in crisis and it is awesome that there are women in our community who recognize this and come together to help.”

Robin Drunsic

Robin recently joined the Board of Womenade and is thrilled to be a part of an organization that she has been a supporter of and admired for many years. She has been interested in Womenade ever since first reading the article years ago about the first Womenade group that was formed in Washington, DC. Robin lives in Exeter with her husband, Mike, and her three young children - Aiden, Dylan, and Josie, as well as her lively chocolate lab Emmy! Robin loves spending time with her family - whether it be at the beach, taking bike rides, skiing, sledding, or just hanging around on a lazy Saturday watching movies and playing board games. "My family means everything in the world to me and being a part of Womenade allows me the opportunity not only to help other families who may be going through a difficult time, but also to teach my own children how simple acts of kindness and generosity can truly change lives".

Moya Joosten

Moya Joosten and her husband Lindsey raised their three boys in Stratham.  She is a financial executive who has held several positions in the Seacoast area.  Moya has served on a number of non-profit boards.  A supporter of Womenade since its inception, Moya  was delighted to join the board.  A lifelong skier,  she has recently taken up hiking and is currently making her way through the 48 4000+ foot mountains in NH.

Carol Keating

Carol, a Stratham resident since 1994, enjoys acrylic/oil painting, jewelry making, hiking, reading, the ocean and spending time with her husband Jack, and two daughters, Caitlyn and Meghan.

Her work experience includes managing a high volume retail store in the heart of Boston, an Art Illustrator for a conservation/recreation area in Massachusetts and an Administrative Officer with Bank of Boston for 12 years. Most recently she worked on a project with a nonprofit group to build a multi-generational community center.  

“100 percent of donations made to Womenade go directly back to our community..  I really love that fact and it is one of the many reasons I joined this amazing organization.”

Mary Jane Keane 

MJ is the rainmaker. She read the article in the Boston Globe about the Washington Womenade and saw the need to act.  She rounded up the board, put the wheels in motion and continues to be the one who makes things happen.

In addition to Womenade, MJ volunteers with Families First in Portsmouth. With two sons, two stepsons and her husband, Tom, MJ has become an avid golfer. “It was sink or swim,” she says. She also loves to garden.

“I love the simplicity of Womenade,” she says. “A small group of women can make such a big difference; it is the power of pooling our energies.”

Kari Lazerowich

Kari is Womenade’s graphics guru. She knows how to make things look good: our website, invitations, posters, brochures, and don’t forget the gorgeous logo. A degree in Zoology from the University of New Hampshire, combined with studies in wildlife management prepared her well for raising two boys. Her passion is horseback riding and most days you can find her “at the barn.” Kari lives in Stratham with her husband, Howie, their college-age boys, and Corgie, Cooper. 

“I wanted to be involved with a charity that was home-based and in Womenade found a great opportunity to help people in our community.”

Karen Monaco 

Karen, Womenade of Greater Squamscott’s  number cruncher, provides up-to-the-minute reports on how much money is in the bank, how much Womenade made, how much we gave out. With an accounting degree from Boston College, she’s well prepared. 

Karen also loves activity, whether it’s walking, hiking, biking or skiing (snow and water). She and her husband, Bob, live in Stratham, with their three daughters.

“I joined Womenade when MJ asked because I love the efficiency and speed that a request gets processed.  Also it is fantastic that 100 percent of donations go right back into the community.”

Judy O'Reilly 

Recently retired from teaching kindergarten. Judy is finding more time to do the things she loves: spending time with her family, traveling, walking, dancing and reading. Another passion she now devotes more time to is community involvement.

“As a teacher, I had the opportunity to help families in need through Womenade,” she says. “I saw the immediacy of the help and I am so proud to be part of such a wonderful hands-on organization.”

Now as a Womenade board member, she takes minutes of meetings. Judy lives in Exeter with her husband, Sean. 

Dianne Vandermale 

Dianne sends out the e-mails keeping everyone informed of the latest news and events for Womenade.  She lives in Brentwood with her husband, Jim and teaches first grade at Swasey Central School. Before moving to New Hampshire she taught at an inner city school in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

After attending several Womenade events she was impressed with how quickly they were able to give the support needed to help families get back on track. When asked to serve on the board she said, "Yes!" without hesitation. 

Dianne and Jim have three sons. If it's winter, you can find them watching the boys play hockey. In the off season, Dianne enjoys reading at the beach.