Board of Directors
Julie Hickey, Board Chair
Julie has been involved at Power of Flowers Project as a Board member since 2019 and will
serve as the 2023 Board Chair. As Board Chair, Julie will work to share the mission of Power of Flowers Project more widely with a goal to make it “household name” in the community.
Julie Hickey graduated from Merrimack College in 1985 with a BS in Accounting and spent 10 years in accounting software sales. She recently retired after 10 years as a CPA.
Julie actively serves her community. Currently, she holds the role of Treasurer for the Board of the Chelmsford Garden Club, and for the past 8 years, she has been a Board member of the Chelmsford Historical Society.
Previously, she served on the Board for the Central Co-Op Nursery School and as member of the Chelmsford PTO. She was active in the Tewksbury Rotary Club for 11 years where she and her husband shared the role of Treasurer.
Julie is an avid gardener. She and her husband raised two daughters in Chelmsford where they have lived for the past 28 years.
Andrea Jackson, Board Vice Chair
Andrea joined Power of Flowers Project as a Board member in 2016, she served as Board Chair from 2020-2022 and in 2023 assumes the role of Vice-Chair. She says, “Once you share the compelling mission of Power of Flowers Project with others, everyone can’t help but support it.”
Andrea works for Lowell General Hospital as the TeamWalk manager (the largest one-day
fundraiser in the Greater Merrimack Valley region). She earned a B.A. from Wheaton College and has served as a board member for the New England Quilt Museum, Girl’s Inc. of Lowell, and Suitability.
Ritu Juneja
Ritu Juneja holds Master’s degrees in Math and Computer Science and was employed in the technology field for 15 years. Looking for a change, in 2021 she obtained her Master’s degree in Social Work (MSW) from Boston University. She currently works as a Licensed Social Worker in the community and enjoys her new career.
A valued volunteer since 2017, Ritu has supported Power of Flowers Project in various roles including: technology expertise, fundraising assistance, and daily workshop activities (making bouquets, flower pickups). Her enthusiasm for Power of Flowers Project mission and people is unmistakable and she is delighted to join the Board to lend her support in an additional capacity.
Ritu lives in Westford with her family and two cats. She enjoys doing yoga and spending time in nature.
Kat Kanaan
Kathleen (Kat) Kanaan is the Co-owner of Designs by Don Florist in Wilmington where she has gained unparalleled experience in the Floral space and was first introduced to the Power of Flowers Project. A lifelong Wilmington native and proud mother of two, Kat is known throughout the community for helping, educating, and supporting her loyal customers in every aspect of their floral and gardening needs. Driven by a passion for helping others, she takes pride in being a dependable voice in her local community with her firm belief that the world is always in need of a little more love, kindness, and compassion.
Kat is a graduate of UMass Lowell, where she received her bachelor’s in Criminal Justice and Psychology and was recognized by the NCAA as an All-American for her extraordinary accomplishments on the soccer field; even having the rare privilege of playing professional soccer overseas in Finland before becoming a mother and a business owner.
Sue-Ellen Kazanjian
Sue-Ellen Kazanjian is a wife, mother of four, and a retired dental hygienist. An avid gardener and former member of the Chelmsford Garden club, she grew up in North Tewksbury, has lived in Lowell and is now a Dracut resident. Her family is civic minded with a record of public service in both Tewksbury and Lowell. She has been a mentor for Girls Inc., a “big sister” with The Big Brother/Big Sister Organization of Greater Lowell, a softball coach for both Lowell Youth Softball and Highland Sports Association, and is committed to the promotion of Autism Awareness in honor of her adult son.
Sue-Ellen joined the board because she relishes the mission of Power of Flowers Project and believes it is important to give back to her community. She is proud to be part of an organization that engages with seniors and veterans through the beauty of flowers. She recognizes that sharing our message is a key to success, and she enjoys introducing new faces to our organization.
Dr. Courtney L'Hussier
Courtney was introduced to Power of Flowers Project through a Buds & Blooms event. As a Doctor of Physical Therapy, she is excited to join the Power of Flowers Project team and hopes to incorporate rehabilitative concepts into the Flower Therapy Program. Courtney received her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Rhode Island and has experience in a variety of settings including outpatient orthopedics, skilled nursing, pediatrics, and acute care. Courtney lives in Chelmsford and enjoys hiking with her Border Collie, Luna.
Donna McMahon
Donna McMahon is a retired Cosmetology teacher from Nashoba Valley Technical High School (NVTHS) where she played an active role. She served as Senior Class Advisor, Advisor of SkillsUSA, and Volleyball Coach. She initiated the Dress for Success and Cut it Out programs and was known as the “queen of fundraisers.”
Drawing on her many years of experience with Career and Technical Education, Donna stays busy as The Director of The SkillsUSA Championships and is the newly elected President of Mount Pleasant Golf Club in Lowell.
Donna lives in Lowell with her partner Marty Finnegan and her furry friend Roo. She enjoys playing golf and continues to work part time as a hairstylist in a local salon. She is excited about joining the Board because she enjoys contributing to local communities and looks forward to sharing in the fulfillment of our mission.
Professional Staff
Michelle Silveira, Executive Director
Michelle joined Power of Flowers Project in 2015 as a member of the Board. After a successful 35-year career in the local Financial Service Industry, she was hired as the Executive Director in 2019.
Michelle is a graduate of UMass Lowell with a degree in business and received a Non-Profit Management Certificate in 2020. Michelle loves the work of non-profits, especially the mission of Power of Flowers Project. Throughout her career, she has been a member of numerous boards and committees which have given her insights on managing a non-profit. Her award-winning expertise in marketing, business and product development, image enhancement and community outreach support
her ambition to increase visibility of the organization.
Lisa Fabin-Bett, Ph.D., Director of Administration
Lisa Fabin-Bett, Ph.D. has been the Director of Administration at Power of Flowers Project since 2019. She earned her Doctorate in Psychology at the University of Notre Dame. Lisa has over a decade of experience in research development and implementation. She has worked in academia as a researcher and course instructor, and in the private sector developing and directing custom marketing research projects.
Lisa holds a Non-Profit Management Certification and has spent over fifteen years dedicated to volunteer programs for the elderly, and for educational and youth initiatives. In addition to her work at Power of Flowers Project, she has served on the Educational Advisory Boards of both public and private schools, spent six years as an officer for a Parent Teacher Organization, coordinated numerous fundraising initiatives, and supervised a troop with completion of the Girl Scout Silver Award.
