OUR STAFF
What is our goal in the long run?
To help family go away with positive memories of one of the most difficult times they face. We inspire hope, compassion and love at Christopher's Haven.
As a team, we work hard to know each and everyone of our families on a personal level. We want to provide the most loving atmosphere for them to feel safe during this difficult time.
MEET the STAFF
Joyce Duvall
Executive DirectorJoyce Duvall was named as Executive Director of Christopher’s Haven in 2011. Originally assisting with conceptual development and initial fundraising from day one, she quickly become devoted to the Christopher’s Haven Mission on a full-time basis.
Prior to her work at Christopher’s Haven, Joyce worked in nonprofit and program development for more than 20 years on behalf of various companies including METCO, Inc. and The Longfellow Club. Duvall attended Northeastern University and Greenfield College.
Joyce is from Sudbury,MA and now lives in Atlanta, GA with her husband Bill. The couple have four children, five grandchildren, and one great grandchild.
“Every day I go to work at CH and get hugs and thanks from the families that stay with us, but it is I that am thankful for the amazing gift of working for them. It has rewards beyond imagination.” Joyce Duvall
Maria Ciriello
Business ManagerMaria Ciriello joined the Christopher’s Haven Management Team in January 2013. Maria is responsible for the day to day financial operations and human resources of the organization.
Maria has a strong background as a financial consultant and has previously worked at Parson Consulting and Brigham & Women’s Hospital. Maria also worked in financial services at Deutsche Bank, Brown Brothers Harriman & Company and State Street. Ciriello holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Suffolk University and a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Salem State College. She resides in Stoneham, MA, with her husband and three children.
“I am so appreciative to be part of such a wonderful organization. The support Christopher's Haven provides to its families is priceless, and to have a small role in it, is beyond gratifying” Maria Ciriello
Catie MacWilliams
Managing DirectorCatie MacWilliams was named Family Service Manager of Christopher’s Haven in 2016. Catie’s Family came to Christopher’s Haven in 2014 when her son was receiving Proton Radiation Therapy at Mass General. After his treatment was completed, Catie and her family returned to CH as volunteers, creating programs for families to enjoy and organizing volunteers to clean the apartments.
Prior to her work at Christopher’s Haven, Catie worked in local schools teaching Drama and Improvisation. She also enjoyed chairing The Recreation Commission, creating programs and activities for her town to participate in. MacWilliams attended The American Academy of Dramatic Arts in NY, NY.
Catie is originally from Woodstock, Connecticut and resides in Boston, Massachusetts with her Partner and their children.
“When you are facing cancer treatments, your world can feel so small. Everything is hospitals and waiting. When you are at Christopher’s Haven your community can feel BIG! A “new normal” is possible. We are here to help.” Catie MacWilliams
Haley Keeffe
Family Service ManagerHaley Keeffe was named Family Service Manager of Christopher’s Haven in 2022.
Prior to working at Christopher's Haven, Haley worked as an Infant and Toddler teacher throughout college and her first year after graduation. Haley graduated from the University of Rhode Island with a Bachelors of Science in Human Development and Family Sciences in 2021.
Haley is originally from Gorham, Maine and now resides in Boston, Massachusetts with her abundance of house plants.
“It’s rare to find a job that doesn’t feel like work. I walk into the loft at CH every morning feeling excited for what the day will bring, and what memories will be made. I am constantly in awe of our families strength and resilience, and feel honored to play a small part in making their time in Boston feel more like home.”
OUR BOARD of DIRECTORS
Diana Knightly
President, DirectorDiana Knightly was named to the Christopher’s Haven Board of Directors in 2012. Currently retired, she formerly served as a Managing Director and Partner at Imperial Capital in Boston where she sells fixed-income securities and specializes in high-yield bonds. Before Imperial Capital, Diana spent 13 years at Lehman Brothers in New York. She has a BA from the University of Pennsylvania and an MBA from Columbia University. Diana lost her mother and brother to cancer and believes strongly in the work of Christopher’s Haven. Knightly lives in Dedham, MA, with her husband and three children.
“Cancer had a devastating effect on my own life. It is an honor to give back not only to children suffering from this disease, but to be able to ease the burden for the families as well.” Diana Knightly
Emily Taylor Whittemore
DirectorEmily Whittemore is mother of two small children, ages six and three, a former preschool teacher and sculptor, and a recent cancer survivor. She is originally from Richmond, VA, and she has lived with her husband Alex Whittemore settled in Boston since 2006. She taught at the Apple Orchard pre-school for 4 years until the birth of her first child, Lucy. She was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma six months later. She approached cancer with a positive attitude and total resilience, and after chemotherapy and 5 years of remission, she was recently declared 'cured'!
Emily and her husbandAlex, whose mothers have both also been affected by cancer, have been involved with Christopher's Haven for over 3 years. Supporting families touched by this disease is near and dear to their hearts and they are passionate about supporting CH families!
In addition to her work with Christopher’s Haven, Emily has also been on the Apple Orchard annual auction committee, as well as host committees for Room to Grow, a Boston and New York-based charity focused on providing single mothers from disadvantaged backgrounds with the support and tools necessary to raise their children.
David Lane
DirectorDavid is the Vice President of Property Management for Equity Residential in Boston, Massachusetts. Equity Residential, the landlord and a long-term benefactor of Christopher's Haven, is the owner of apartment properties in the major coastal US cities. David is responsible for the day-to-day operations and execution of business strategy for Equity Residential's multi-family holdings in the New England market. David is a veteran in the multi-family housing industry and has enjoyed a career with Equity spanning 20+ years, beginning in Orlando, Florida in 1998.
David is a graduate of the University of Central Florida, and moved his family from the warm confines of Florida in 2016 to reap the benefits of working in the City of Champions! Outside of work, David is a devoted father of two young children and an avid sports enthusiast! He and his wife Nancy live in Wakefield, MA and are passionate about teaching their children the values of kindness, philanthropy and acceptance.
"Equity Residential's commitment to community service is exemplified by it's long-standing support of Christopher's Haven's critical mission to provide housing and compassion to those who are in great need."
Stephen Rothwell
DirectorStephen Rothwell is the co-founder of Inspired Technology and Communications. He has exceptional experience in business management and Computer Information Systems with a track record of success leading the business.
Stephen was always involved in his family business. As a child, he would spend time at the office with his dad, playing with circuit boards and solder wires. During the summer months while in college, Stephen would work in the office on sales and marketing projects as well as help management define policies and practices to better help the business. During his senior year at Bryant University, Stephen split his time between managing the business and attending his college classes. In 2009, Stephen and his brother Brian decided to expand the family business. They created Inspired Technology with a focus on integration and educating new and existing customers on what services and technology they could offer.
William O'Neill
DirectorWilliam O'Neill (director)resides in Gloucester Ma with his wife. Father of four children and eight grandchildren one of which stayed at Christopher's Haven. William is the former Dean of Sawyer Bussiness at Suffolk University.
Having a unique relationship with Christopher's Haven due to his granddaughter's cancer William has seen CH from the inside out. We are honored to have him on our board.
Shannon M. MacDonald, MD
DirectorDr. Shannon M. MacDonald is a radiation oncologist in Boston, Massachusetts at MassGeneral Hospital and MassGeneral Children’s Hospital. She received her medical degree from Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine and did her residency at New York University Medical Center. She holds American Board Certifications in Radiation Oncology from the American Board of Radiology.
Joyce Duvall
ClerkJoyce Duvall was named as Executive Director of Christopher’s Haven in 2011. Originally assisting with conceptual development and initial fundraising from day one, she quickly become devoted to the Christopher’s Haven Mission on a full-time basis.
Prior to her work at Christopher’s Haven, Joyce worked in nonprofit and program development for more than 20 years on behalf of various companies including METCO, Inc. and The Longfellow Club. Duvall attended Northeastern University and Greenfield College.
Joyce lives in Sudbury with her husband Bill. The couple have four children and one grandchild. She lists her hobbies as cooking, traveling and reading.
“Every day I go to work at CH and get hugs and thanks from the families that stay with us, but it is I that am thankful for the amazing gift of working for them. It has rewards beyond imagination.” Joyce Duvall