Who We Are
The Plain Jaine Foundation is a boutique approach to giving. With a focus on children who have experienced trauma and neglect, the Plain Jaine Foundation exists to bridge the gap between those who want to give and those who live in critical need. The hustle of daily life can create a disconnect between our deep desire for service and the organizations that thrive on our participation. Enter: Plane Jaine Foundation, the connective tissue between your heart’s devotion and your brain’s intellect. With years of collective experience volunteering and assisting donors, Plain Jaine Foundation is your charitable spirit guide, here to support your philanthropic experience by piloting your participation and maximizing your positive impact.
FOUNDER & CEO
Lara Durand
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rachel Berry
Jamie Leigh Brown
Jarrett Harper
Karen McCarthy
Katie Moniz
Kaitlin Sands
COORDINATORS
Cassidy Herren, Digital and Programs Coordinator
Amy Lynch, Marketing Connections Coordinator
Jacqie Stathis, Residential Connections Coordinator
Shaye Thomas, Mentor Connections Coordinator
Lara Durand,
Founder & CEO
Lara has over two decades of experience working in real estate development, managing large scale residential projects and overseeing investor funds. Lara manages day-to-day operations for the Back Bay Development Group while also managing her portfolio of independent real estate investments–positions she was well prepared for after receiving her MBA from Boston College. Lara is a volunteer panel member with the DCF Foster Care Review Board and has over a decade of experience volunteering with at risk youth in the Boston area. She also serves as a Life Long Mentor to youth in DCF care. Through her volunteer experience and now as the head of Plain Jaine Foundation, she is extremely skilled at educating and leading donors to maximize their positive impact. Her passion is to give fully each day and guide others to do the same. Lara lives in Wellesley with her husband, where she can be found running after her puppy Freddie. When she isn’t working, Lara enjoys skiing, boating, tennis, cooking and cheering on the Pats (and the Bruins!) or visiting her granddaughters, nieces and nephews.
Board of Directors
Rachel Berry
Rachel is a dedicated leader with over 25 years of experience in the field of child welfare, focusing on improving the lives of youth within the residential care system. As the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Brandon School and Residential Treatment Center, she leverages her extensive experience to enhance program operations and support for children facing emotional and behavioral challenges. Her previous positions, including Chief Operations Officer and Case Management Coordinator, equipped her with valuable insights into both the administrative and practical aspects of residential care.
Rachel holds a Master's in Social Work from Boston College and a Bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Rhode Island. Her educational background complements her commitment to serving young people, helping them navigate difficulties in their homes, communities, and schools.
Outside of her professional commitments, Rachel enjoys an active lifestyle with her husband and children, balancing support to two adult children, and the never ending sports schedule of a teenage athlete. When they get free time they enjoy hiking, riding quads, skiing, and enjoying fun at the lake together. Rachel is currently on the Rise Above Foundation board where she has served for several years, she finds this to be a very meaningful and impactful way to support youth in the foster care system.
Jamie Leigh Brown
Jamie Brown is an experienced educator and philanthropic partner with over 15 years of dedicated service in Boston schools and surrounding organizations. With a strong passion for building inclusive and equitable communities, Jamie has held various roles as a classroom teacher, school leader, and non-profit board member.
Originally a New Jersey native, Jamie moved to Massachusetts for college. Jamie holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and Human Development as well as a M.A in Applied Developmental and Educational Psychology from Boston College. She was previously a member of the Lynch Leadership Academy and The Boston Foundation’s Teacher Advisory Board.
Jamie lives in Wellesley with her husband and children, Piper and Remy.
Jarrett Harper
Caught in the foster care system since infancy, Jarrett’s choices never felt like his own so much as they felt like functions of survival. Jarrett’s ability to influence others to make positive change stems from his own painful circumstances. As Jarrett found forgiveness within himself he made it his mission to transform his life by helping others change theirs. Jarrett is a passionate advocate for criminal justice reform working for positive change in the foster care system, promoting the need for legislative policies to fund and support programs such as trauma training, mentoring, ending life sentences for children, and creating better rehabilitative resources for citizens returning to society.
Karen McCarthy
Karen McCarthy is a dedicated leader with over 30 years of experience supporting children in DCF care. She began her career as a Residential Youth Counselor at Brandon Residential Treatment Center after earning her Bachelor’s in Psychology from Saint Anselm College. She eventually joined the Brandon School, advancing from Assistant to Lead Behavior Specialist. She later earned a Master’s in Special Education from UMass Boston and has held various roles in the school, including Principal and now Chief Academic Officer, where she works closely with senior leadership to oversee the agency and guide programs for children with emotional and behavioral needs.
Karen has served over a decade on the board of the Massachusetts Association of Approved Private Schools. She holds a Certificate in Fundraising and Development from Philanthropy Massachusetts, which sparked her connection with the Plain Jain Foundation and deepened her focus on building supportive relationships. She is honored to join the Plain Jaine board, seeing shared values and a mission aligned with Brandon School's work, and is committed to advancing positive change for children.
Katie Moniz
Katie Moniz lives in South Boston with her new golden retriever puppy, Rosie. She holds a BS in Civil Engineering and a joint Master of Science in Urban and Environmental Planning and Cilvil Engineering from Tufts University She joined the Fort Point Associates, Inc., team in 2019 as a Registered Professional Civil Engineer, Certified Planner, and Certified Floodplain Manager. Katie is LEED AP and BD+C accredited and brings nearly 15 years of experience in civil and site land development. Prior to joining FPA, Katie worked as an engineer and project manager at a Boston-area civil engineering and planning firm, where she gained a deep knowledge of the local, state, and federal project approval processes, designed low-impact stormwater management systems for sites, and oversaw construction administration services. When she isn'’t hard at work, Katie can be found out walking with Rosie at Castle Island, playing tennis, traveling, or watching the Patriots and Celtics. She also loves visiting her family and toddler nephew on Massachusetts' beautiful southern coast.
Kaitlin Sands
Kaitlin Sands holds a BS in Finance and is currently the Senior Director of corporate development at Dell Technologies. Prior to Dell, Kaitlin worked in investment banking and risk management at Morgan Stanley, and managed the leveraged finance analyst and associate program at Citizens Bank. Kaitlin is wildly passionate about the Plain Jaine approach to empowering and supporting underprivileged youth and children impacted by trauma. She also helps lead the charge in fundraising for those impacted by disabilities. Kaitlin’s dedication and devotion to our causes is an invaluable asset to PJF. Kaitlin lives in Boston with her husband where she can be found running, reading fiction, baking or cheering on her favorite sports teams: the Steelers and the Nittany Lions.
COORDINATORS
Cassidy Herren
Digital and Programs Coordinator
Amy Lynch
Marketing Connections Coordinator
Jacqie Stathis
Residential Connections Coordinator
Shaye Thomas
Mentor Connections Coordinator
GIVE WITH HEART
Take the next step. With years of collective experience volunteering and assisting donors, Plain Jaine Foundation is here to support your philanthropic experience by piloting your participation and maximizing your positive impact.
Light It Up
Interested in learning more about how PJ Foundation can ignite your generous spirit?
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