Category Archives: Staff

Laura Boogaert

Laura Boogaert

Laura Boogaert
Enterprise Engagement Coordinator
Producer/Engineer
[email protected]

Laura started at CRIS as a volunteer reader in Jan 2017. She is passionate about the CRIS mission and excited about their engaging and expanding programs. Laura brings not only enthusiasm to her role but also an eclectic skill set gained from years as an entrepreneur as well as her work within the nonprofit sector. The combination of her experience with the visually impaired community through her past roles at the Fidelco Guide Dog Foundation her advocacy of volunteers along with her passion for all things voiceover, makes being part of the CRIS team a perfect fit. She’s inspired by the dedicated efforts of staff and volunteers to enhance the lives of so many in Connecticut.

Laura’s volunteerism includes Achilles International, where she serves as on the Connecticut Advisory Board and as a guide for their athletes.  She also serves on the Board of Governors at The Westover School, an independent all-girls school in Middlebury, Ct.

Diane Weaver Dunne

Diane Weaver Dunne, Executive Director

Diane Weaver Dunne
Executive Director
[email protected]

Diane's career has spanned three decades as a journalist and during the past six years, as the head of the nonprofit CRIS Radio. Diane was the news editor of Education World, the managing/interim editor of he Hartford Business Journal; and a reporter for the Hartford Courant. She holds a master’s degree in Communications from the University of Hartford and a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Syracuse University. In addition to working in the news media, she was an adjunct professor in communication at the University of Hartford for several years.

Scott Baecker

Scott Baecker, Operations Director of CRIS

Scott Baecker
Operations Director
[email protected]

Scott has 35 years of experience in the broadcasting industry and is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the CRIS studios. He feels fortunate to be able to combine his skills with those of the dedicated volunteers who read and produce the programs heard on CRIS. Scott is a graduate of Monmouth College (Illinois) and serves on the Board of Directors of the Disabilities Network of Eastern Connecticut.

Keith Sullivan

Keith Sullivan, Program Director

Keith Sullivan
Production
[email protected]

Keith has been the friendly face of CRIS Radio for so many people since 1984.  He is the "man on the board" who makes the mornings run smoothly.

"When I was in school, I had two friends who were blind, so to have the opportunity to have a career that honors them and so many others, and to work with so many great volunteers, I can't put into words what that has meant to me."

 

Lou Morando

Lou Morando, Outreach Coordinator

Lou Morando
Outreach Coordinator
[email protected]

Lou retired in 2009 after spending more than 45 years in industry. A graduate of the University of Connecticut with a Bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, he has held positions from manager of engineering to national sales manager to managing director of a U.S. corporation for a European manufacturer. He started volunteering for CRIS Radio in 2010 and is now the organization's outreach coordinator. In that role he is responsible for contacting, coordinating, and installing CRIS Internet radios in assisted living and long-term care facilities throughout the state of Connecticut. He also continues to broadcast CRIS Radio's morning "Front Pages" program on Mondays and Fridays at 8 a.m.

Suzanne Heise

Suzanne Heize, right, with volunteer Tom Grossi

Suzanne Heise
Grants Consultant
[email protected]

Following her retirement from Oak Hill as Vice President for Development and Communications in 2009, Suzanne joined CRIS as a Grant Consultant. She attributes her success in increasing funds raised from grants to her belief in CRIS’ mission; to the commitment, expertise and vision of the staff; and to the extraordinary growth in programming. It is her firm belief that the services CRIS provides have a tremendous impact on the quality of life for people who are blind or print challenged.