FY25 Executive Committee

Dr. Anthony Mangiafico, Director: Wallingford Adult Education, President of CAACE

Heather Pelletier, Director: Naugatuck Adult Education, Vice-President of CAACE and Conference Co-Chair

Melissa Iles, Director: Vernon Regional Basic Adult Education, Treasurer

Linda Blakesley, Program Facilitator: Manchester Adult Education, Secretary, and Conference Co-Chair

Angela Thomas-Graves, Director: Stamford Adult Education, Chair Board Development and Nomination Committee

Kristin Hempel, Director: EASTCONN Adult Education, COABE Region 1 Representative

Michelle Bonora, Director: New Haven Adult Education, Chair Public Policy Committee

Rick Raucci, Regional Director: Western Connecticut Regional Adult and Continuing Education, Chair Finance and Personnel Committee

2025-2026 CAACE Board

Mayela Aguirre, Director, Windsor Adult and Continuing Education

Dr. Nasreen Al Omari, ESL Facilitator and State Advocate for Adult Education Fellowship: East Hartford Adult Education

Veron Beaulieu, Acting Superintendent, Unified School District #1, Dept. of Corrections

Linda Blakesley, Program Facilitator, Manchester Adult Education*

Michelle Bonora, Director, New Haven Adult Education*

Kymbel Branch, Manager of Career Development Services, Workforce Alliance, New Haven

Andrea Byrne, Program Manager: Literacy Volunteers at Family Centers

Ralph D’Amato, Director, Middletown Adult Education

Brenda Donlin, Director: Farmington Continuing Education

Gina Eller, Director: New Britain Adult Education

LuAnn Gallicchio, Director, Hamden Adult Education

Dr. John Glover, Director, Norwich Regional Adult Education

Kristin Hempel, Director of Adult and Community Programs, EASTCONN*

Melissa Iles, Director of Vernon Regional Adult Basic Education

Anthony Mangiafico, Director, Wallingford Adult Education*

Homa Naficy, Executive Director, The American Place, Hartford Library

Heather Pelletier, Director, Naugatuck Adult Education*

Rick Raucci, Director: Danbury and Milford Adult Education

Lynn Stephens, Director: Bridgeport Adult Education

Angela Thomas-Graves, Director, Stamford Adult Education*

Cindy Tolin, Director of Workforce Development, CT State Community College, Naugatuck Valley

Christine Valdez, Facilitator, Middletown Adult Education

CAACE Board Consultants

Lawrence Covino: Executive Director

Lori Wyrebek, Treasurer/Bookkeeper/Conference Assistant

Attendance Policy – Directors with more than two consecutive, unexcused absences from meetings of the Board may forfeit their membership on the board, and such positions may be declared vacant by the President.  Notice of such action shall be sent to the member concerned.

*Executive Committee Member


Conference Attendee’s Comments

  • Great workshop this year! Lunches were fabulous! Awesome awards show!

  • I actually submitted this form already, but wanted to add that the keynote speaker was AMAZING and made the whole experience worthwhile.

  • Great keynote and AI workshop

  • Very happy with the professionalism of all speakers.

  • Excellent conference overall with a variety of speakers and vendor products. Thank you.

  • I thought Michelle's awards were fantastic! What a wonderful way to recognize the achievements of both our staff and students. I especially appreciated the video introductions, as they helped me focus on the person speaking (I know that might sound silly). In the past, I didn’t really understand why people were nominated. The videos made a difference, and I really liked them.

  • Overall the conference was inspiring. Also, I took away more tools to use in my classes and some new connctions to other people, resources, and opportunities that are invaluable to my teaching.

  • The workshops were all great! I took home tons of practical great ideas I can use right away. Every workshop I attended was excellent!

Proud Sponsors of our 2025 CAACE Conference