MEET THE BOARD
Dan Donato
President
Dan Donato founded OctoCog Marketing & Design after nearly two decades of freelance work for clients across many industries. He designed and launched his first website for a paying client in 1999. He helps new and established businesses understand their identities and translate them into consistent narrative frameworks that help brands resonate with customers and focus employees on what's important. Scalability depends on getting the foundational aspects of a business right. Dan has worked with clients large and small, including several James Beard Award winners and large brands like Chipotle. Dan holds a masters degree from Harvard University where he studied the effects of a growing digital landscape on human behavior. He recently traveled to Naples, Italy, to learn more about the Neapolitan pizza style. He dined at 28 pizzerias in 5 days and regrets nothing. Dan lives on the North Shore of Boston with his wife, two children, and a dog named Ruff Waldo Emerson.
Erin Truex
Vice President
Erin joined the board of Behind You in 2019 and brings over ten years of fundraising experience through her past roles in non-profits, universities, and foundations. Erin is currently the Director of Development and Communications for the Mabel Center for Immigrant Justice, a legal services non-profit that supports asylum-seeking families. Aside from LEAP, Erin bartends at Deacon Giles Distillery and serves on the board of Healing Abuse Working for Change (HAWC). Erin received her Masters in Social Work from Boston University and Bachelors of Social Work from Pacific Union College. Erin is a former board member of the National Association of Social Workers- Massachusetts Chapter and the Young Nonprofit Professionals Network. In her free time, Erin plays for the Boston Renegades, the reigning national championship semi-professional women's tackle football team that plays in the Women's Football Alliance.
Ian Hunter
Treasurer
Born and raised in St. Louis, Ian moved to Salem in 2001. Ever a tinkerer and having never been one to let minor details like knowledge and experience prevent him from following his passions, he has worked as a musician, a teacher, a network manager, an instrument manufacturer, and an accountant.
After getting into homebrewing, Ian started writing a business plan to open a craft brewery, which is when he first encountered the story of Deacon Giles. Years later, on a fateful trip to Bermuda with his wife, it finally dawned on him that a craft distillery was just what Salem needed. Shortly thereafter, during a serendipitous conversation over some drinks with Jesse, the two of them realized that together they could make Deacon Giles Distillery a reality.
Tim Brown
Clerk
Tim’s passion has always been assisting people to succeed. Currently, Tim is the Director of Innovation and Strategy at the Northeast Arc, where he is part of a dynamic team that helps positively change the lives of 15,000 people with disabilities. Recent projects include the development of ArcWorks Community Art Center, Breaking Grounds Café, Peabody’s Black Box and CuriousCity Children’s Museum. Tim developed and implements the annual Arc Tank, an international social innovation challenge that has awarded over $650,000. Tim actively participates in 11 non-profit boards and committees throughout the Commonwealth.
Judith Coughlin
Founding Board Member
Judith is a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty. Judith has lived on the North Shore her entire life and Salem for the better part of 40 years. She was the owner of Sweetcakes, a pastry business in Salem and a line cook for a number of restaurants on the North Shore, before hanging up her apron and becoming a Realtor. In addition to being a Founding Member of Behind You! The Elizabeth Bookholz Memorial Fund, she is also the Vice President of Salem Arts Association. As a founding member of Salem Jazz and Soul Festival, Judith has devoted the past 11 plus years volunteering for Salem’s non-profits. Giving back to the City and Community she loves is what makes her the happiest.
Jenna Lovely Buonfiglio
Board Member
Jenna Lovely Buonfiglio joined the Behind You, Inc. team in 2019. Born, raised, and currently living in Salem, Massachusetts, Jenna is a privately practicing attorney, with a focus in real estate transactions, probate and family law, and small business development. She also works as a real estate broker and holds her license at MerryFox Realty in Salem. Previously, Jenna externed at a leading public relations consulting group in Boston, working on fundraising for political campaigns. Jenna earned her B.A. in International Affairs and East Asian studies from Northeastern University and her law degree from the Massachusetts School of Law, receiving a CALI Award for Excellence. Jenna currently serves on the board of the Salem YMCA, and is a former board member of Northeast Clinical Services. In her free time, Jenna loves eating at local restaurants with her husband, Andrew, and spending time with their yellow lab Maddie.
Kate Hammond
Founding Board Member
Kate was the chef and Co-owner of The Grapevine in Salem for 24 years. She is now the executive chef at Shubie's in Marblehead. She has cooked for and donated to hundreds of charities during her career. Kate is an original board member of the EBMF/ Behind You. Feed your head.
Virginia Rosenblatt
Board Member
Gini began her hospitality career in 2003 after graduating with a B.A. from Rivier University. A true “rock star” bartender, known by many throughout the North Shore, she is the longest-tenured employee at the award-winning Blue Ox restaurant in Lynn, MA. Prior to working at the Blue Ox for nearly a decade, she bartended at the Edgewater Café in Salem, MA for many years.
In addition to her unbridled enthusiasm and sincere care for the well-being of others, Gini brings years of philanthropy and volunteering experience to the board. She has worked with Salem-based nonprofits for years, such as The Salem Jazz & Soul Festival and The Yellow Umbrella.
Gini is a long-time Salem resident and her knowledge, positive attitude, networking skills, genuine compassion for others, and deep ties to the local community are just some of the great assets she brings to the Behind You! Board of Trustees.
Beverly Nataupsky
Founding Board Member
Beverly has been in the Hospitality industry for over 40 years in many different capacities having worked both front and back of the house. Beverly is currently the Bar Manager at The Corinthian Yacht Club in Marblehead, MA. She was the food and beverage director of a corporate incentive travel company and the assistant food and beverage director of a private golf club in Middleton, MA. She is on the board for Behind You! The Elizabeth Bookholz Memorial Fund. When not mixing great cocktails for the members the members and their guests she can be found swimming on Preston Beach, kayaking in the harbor, and enjoying food and drink with friends in the local establishments. She has a chef's certificate from the Cambridge School of Culinary Arts and has volunteered at Hawc in Salem MA.