FY24 Executive Committee

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

Heather Pelletier, Director: Naugatuck Adult Education, Vice-President of CAACE

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

Linda Blakesley, Program Facilitator: Manchester Adult Education, Secretary

Angela Thomas-Graves, Director: Stamford Adult Education

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

Michelle Bonora, Director: New Haven Adult Education


2024-2025 CAACE Board

Term Expires June 2025

Mayela Aguirre, Director, Windsor Adult and Continuing Education

Linda Blakesley, Program Facilitator, Manchester Adult Education*

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

Angela Thomas-Graves, Director, Stamford Adult Education*

Ralph D’Amato, Director, Middletown Adult Education

Term Expires June 2026

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

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

Christine Valdez, Facilitator, Middletown Adult Education

Term Expires June 2027

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

Michelle Bonora, Director, New Haven Adult Education*

Anthony Mangiafico, Director, Wallingford Adult Education*

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

Heather Pelletier, Director, Naugatuck Adult Education*

Term Expires June 2028

Rick Raucci, Director: Danbury and Milford Adult Education

Brenda Donlin, Director: Farmington Continuing Education

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

Andrea Byrne, Program Manager: Literacy Volunteers at Family Centers

Lynn Stephens, Director: Bridgeport 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