Meet Our Team:
Co-Developer
Paul M. Piwko
Paul is a co-developer of the National Museum of Mental Health Project and has taught in the Grenon School of Business at Assumption University, and at the University of Massachusetts-Lowell and Framingham State University. Paul’s professional background includes new product development experience for companies such as Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc. He co-presented the concept for a National Museum of Mental Health at the 2018 annual conferences of the New England Psychological Association and the New England Museum Association. Paul’s editorials on exhibitions about mental health have appeared in the Des Moines Register, Omaha World-Herald, and other outlets in the U.S. and Canada. A past advocate for NAMI’s CEOs Against Stigma, Paul’s lived experience with depression adds dimension and passion to his work. Read More.
Co-Developer
Alexandra Orlandi
Alexandra is a co-developer of the National Museum of Mental Health Project. She is currently a Mental Health Specialist at McLean Hospital where she works on an inpatient unit for older adults with mental illness. A 2019 Psychology graduate of Assumption University, Alex was awarded a research fellowship for her work related to social entrepreneurship and mental health. Alex co-presented the National Museum of Mental Health concept at the 2018 annual conferences of the New England Psychological Association, and the New England Museum Association. Her editorials on exhibitions about mental health have appeared in newspapers in the U.S. and Canada. Read More.
Board Secretary
Anne Walton
Anne Walton RN, AE-C joined the NMMHP in July 2020 as Secretary of the Board. Anne has a long history of working in academic research on projects that promote health equity for at risk groups including pediatric asthma and elders. As clinical coordinator & project manager, her work has focused on improving health outcomes by addressing unmet needs related to the social determinants of health, working within a community health worker model of care. She is a proponent of Motivational Interviewing and Appreciative Inquiry as tools to facilitate change in health behaviors. She serves as a training consultant to the Boston Public Health Commission and the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and is a past board member of the Association of Asthma Educators. Read More.
Songwriter-in-Residence
Mark Cutler
Mark Cutler is a Rhode Island resident, New England music legend, and founder of The Same Thing Project, one of the first organizations in the United States dedicated to community songwriting. The Project believes everyone is a songwriter, and that music is at the root of some of life’s best emotions, especially when experienced together. The Same Thing Project's workshops include people from all walks of life - musicians, non-musicians, artists, retired folks, people with disabilities, and blue and white collar workers. The same joy, laughter, and tears are experienced by all, with each contribution from each songwriter, however small, having the same importance...as former strangers create community and co-write an original song . Read More.
Historian-in-Residence
Abigail Epplett
Abby joined the National Museum of Mental Health Project in 2024. She has an MA in Museum Education from Tufts University, where she taught courses in history through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Abby’s eclectic professional background includes library services, graphic and web designer, church office manager, National Park Service ranger, and research database management at Waters Corporation. Abby’s historical publications have appeared on the Personal Historians Northeast Network website; Museums Now, the quarterly magazine of the New England Museum Association re online journal; and the National Park Service website; Read More.
Advisor to the Project
Olivia Fenty
Olivia Fenty is a graduate of the College of the Holy Cross who majored in Psychology, with an Africana Studies concentration. Olivia is the creative director of an initiative for Black femmes called the Chocolate Project. Since founding this initiative, she has curated bonding and artistic spaces to promote healing and empowerment in the Black femme community. Olivia is passionate about addressing the impact racism and discrimination have on people of color’s mental well-being through culturally informed therapy. She is planning to be a clinical psychologist. Olivia is from Cambridge, MA, but currently lives with her mom and four siblings in Fitchburg, MA. Read More.
Graphic & Web Designer
Kate Kruzick
Kate Kruzick is an Assumption University Graduate, Class of 2020; She studied Graphic Design, Marketing, and Studio Art. Kate has grown professionally completing internships at The Hanover Theatre and Conservatory, and Reverb Digital and being a featured artist in art galleries in Worcester. She currently is an independent freelance Graphic and Website Designer working alongside small businesses such as Manchester CPR Programs and Structural Graphics and also non-profits such as The National Museum of Mental Health Project and Art in the Park. Kate is an advocate for mental health awareness and is passionate about breaking down stigmas using her creative abilities. Read More.
Communications Associate
Emily Taylor
Emily Taylor is a Psychology major and Neuroscience minor at the College of the Holy Cross in Worcester, MA. At Holy Cross, Emily is an intern for the Donelan Office of Community-Based learning, where she is able to engage with several community partners and volunteer with local schools such as Worcester East and Woodland Academy. As a member of the College Honors Program, she is planning to write her thesis on opioid use disorders. Emily is passionate about increasing accessibility and equity in education, healthcare, and human services, and she is currently planning to specialize as a pediatric Speech-Language Pathologist. She is from Hopkinton, MA, where she currently lives with her parents, her older brother, and their black lab. Read More.