Leadership | Baby Basics Inc.

Jennifer Haggerty

Co-President

Jennifer Haggerty has two children and her background is in Human Resources. She is grateful to have the opportunity to work with these families who are facing very tough decisions and be able to make a meaningful difference in their lives. She has seen how those families then “pay it forward” and help others when they can. She is glad to have her children involved in helping as well so that they too learn the importance of giving back.

Alicia Stedman

Co-President

Alicia Stedman, a mother of four children, has experienced first hand the costly and important role that good hygiene means for babies. She seized the opportunity to stay at home to care for her son and three daughters and feels very privileged to have had that choice. Alicia’s background is in Social Work so Baby Basics is a natural fit and a very fulfilling endeavor. She is passionate about her involvement in Baby Basics, giving back to the community, and being a role model for her children.

Board of Directors

Mya Fonarov

Board of Directors

After a few years as a volunteer diaper driver, Mya Fonarov joined the board in 2018. Mya works as a clinical social worker and is the mother of 3 boys. She is committed to promoting racial, economic, and social justice both personally and professionally. She knows how critical the early years of parent-child attachment are to mental health. Mya believes providing diapers to hard working families can mitigate stress and encourage healthy parent-child attachment. Mya is excited to share the importance of giving back with her children by involving them at diaper distributions.

Jennifer Griffiths

Board of Directors

Jennifer Griffiths joined the board in 2015 after several years as a volunteer. Having lived in South Boston for 8 years, she appreciates the opportunity to help the community in such a simple, yet impactful way. Outside of Baby Basics, Jen works in product development for a financial services firm based in Boston and lives in Milton with her husband, Ian.

Gail Hvidsten

Board of Directors

Gail Hvidsten joins the board with experience in design and marketing. She and her husband Kyle live in Needham with their three children.

Amy Kennedy

Board of Directors

Amy Kennedy has three children and worked in sales and marketing in the health care field before deciding to be at home as a full time mom. She has been a long time supporter of Baby Basics and is thrilled to be part of the team. Amy is happy to have the opportunity to give back and help families with young children in need.

Melinda Mitchell

Board of Directors

Melinda Mitchell, a mother of three, joined Baby Basics in 2008. She believes in teaching her children to give back, and Baby Basics is a charity her whole family has enjoyed being involved with. “Leading by example is something I’ve always strived to do as a parent, and by becoming an active member of the Board, I’m not only helping a really great cause, I’m teaching the importance of commitment and service to my children.” She is excited to assist the Board in expanding their program to include communities in the greater Boston area. Melinda has a background in Higher Education Administration.

Jennifer Sanders Kapp

Board of Directors

Jennifer Sanders Kapp is very excited to be a part of Baby Basics. She has a background in law and has always enjoyed serving her community, especially children and families. As a mother, Jennifer appreciates the simple, but often overlooked mission of Baby Basics — to provide hard working parents with something as basic as diapers. She especially enjoys getting to know the inspirational families Baby Basics serves. In addition to the satisfaction Jennifer has experienced from her involvement with Baby Basics, her children have also discovered the gratification that comes from giving back and discovered some of the needs that exist in their community.

Ganashree Naidoo

Board of Directors

Ganashree Naidoo, came to Boston (Plum Island) in 2003 to work as an Au-pair for two years. Originally from South Africa, she thought this experience would be an eye-opener and she would gain more experience and wisdom – she did! She met Co-President, Alicia Stedman in 2013, whereby learning of the organization and the assistance they offered Parents and Children. It captured a feeling and she wanted to make something of it – she was thrilled when she was asked to be on the Board. She is passionate about children and especially their right to basic needs and intends making every effort to give back.

Founder:

Jean Ann Lynch, Executive Director & Founder of Baby Basics, Inc. is a consultant in the field of Volunteer Administration. Jean Ann Lynch also founded Baby Basics in Ridgewood, NJ, Hyde Park, MA, Wilmington, VT and Collier County, FL. The Ridgewood Baby Basics has 4 sites and assists over 100 babies while maintaining a large waiting list. The Collier County program has ten sites and 400 babies. ” As a former teacher, I have always been interested in child development. All the recent studies indicate the importance of the first 18 months for brain development. I realized that the children in near poverty situations were the most at risk for failure to thrive. Baby Basics, Inc. was born to support these struggling families.”