Staff
Michelle Puzzo, Executive & Co-Founder of UR Community Cares
Michelle practiced physical therapy for 20 years and took her knowledge about the complexity of disability and aging in place independently, and created a website to improve people’s lives.
She graduated from the University of Connecticut in 1998 with her BS in Physical Therapy. She has written 2 children’s books that you can find on Amazon: Oliver’s Adventure: Skiing at Mount Snow and Nora Loves Christmas.
Board Members and Officers
President – Open
Secretary – Christine Kelly
Chris Kelly is a Registered Nurse and highly accomplished senior executive with more than 30 years of success in healthcare administration and consulting. (Accenture, Siemens). Leveraging extensive experience in leadership development, quality performance management, and electronic software implementation, Chris has supported many national and multinational clients throughout the US, Canada, and Europe to achieve operational excellence with innovative best practice strategies that expanded market share.
Having also recently served as the Chief Quality/Patient Safety Officer for a Pennsylvania healthcare system, and previously as Vice President of Clinical Services & Health Policy for a national practice management firm, and a Chief Nursing Officer, Chris brings deep knowledge of the healthcare industry to organizations. Together with her passion for ensuring delivery of quality care to all healthcare communities, a residency in strategic planning/ marketing, and expertise as an executive coach, Chris is a valuable asset with a proven track record.
Chris holds an MBA and, BSN from Widener University in Chester, PA, and is a graduate of Hahnemann Hospital School of Nursing in Philadelphia. Chris is a Board-certified Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives (FACHE), is also certified in health care quality from AHRQ (Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality), and received her Lean/Six Sigma certification from the University of Michigan and Lean Black Belt certification from Purdue University.
Chris joined the URCC Board in 2022, after caring for her parents at home, in the hopes of helping to support aging citizens to maintain their health, dignity and independence in their own home. Chris currently resides with her husband outside Philadelphia in West Chester, Pennsylvania.
Treasurer – Erica Weida
Erica Weida had a 30+ year career in the insurance industry in actuarial, data and analytics, and IT systems development. She has extensive experience in program management implementation, working with partners to create strategic plans, secure necessary resources and technology, and track and manage implementation plans.
More recently, Erica has been involved with multiple nonprofits, helping streamline and manage analytics, financial reporting, and technology selection and implementation.
Erica earned a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and is currently a Fellow in the Casualty Actuarial Society.
Board Members
Bradley Matthew Petty
Bradley Matthew Petty is the Founder and Principal of BP CFO Services LLC and a seasoned Fractional CFO with 15+ years of experience helping high-growth companies and start-ups scale across industries such as Construction, Real Estate, Manufacturing, CPG, Legal, and Automotive. A U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Bradley combines military discipline with executive financial expertise to deliver measurable results.
He holds an MBA in Finance from Pepperdine University, a bachelor’s degree, and a master’s degree in accounting from Columbia College. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Finance with a focus on Quantitative Finance at Johns Hopkins University. His academic and professional background strengthen his skills in financial modeling, data analytics, and capital markets strategy.
Beyond his advisory work, Bradley serves as Board Chair and President of Don’t Forget to Feed Me Pet Food Bank and supports several non-profits with financial oversight and governance. Throughout his career, he has led buy- and sell-side M&A transactions, developed financial frameworks that improved margins by up to 20%, and implemented systems that enhanced profitability.
Bradley’s blend of leadership, technical finance expertise, and commitment to community impact positions him as a trusted advisor and transformative leader.
Soncerae “Missy” Cipriano
Soncerae “Missy” Cipriano has woven herself into the fabric of Southington for over 20 years, embodying the spirit of community service. A loving wife and devoted mother of two, Missy’s journey began with dedicated volunteerism, laying the groundwork for her profound impact. For eight years as Director of Operations at Southington Bread for Life, she masterfully managed the organization’s multifaceted operations, including the soup kitchen, Meals on Wheels, client intake and management, grant writing, and fundraising. Her leadership in volunteer coordination ensured seamless service delivery.
In January 2025, Missy assumed the role of Executive Director at Bread for Life. She leads a team of dedicated staff and volunteers and works closely with the Board of Directors to ensure the mission, vision, and core values of the organization remain strong, vibrant, and relevant to the ongoing needs of those in the community.
Missy was elected to the Southington Board of Education where she served for one term. She currently serves as Vice Chair of the board of directors for Southington Library and Barnes Museum, Chairperson of the Barnes Museum committee, and is a member of the Southington Elderly committee, Activate Southington, and Karen Smith Academy PTO. Missy also currently serves on the Board of Directors of UR Community Cares and the DEI Committee for Alzheimer’s Association of CT, as well as an Alzheimer’s educator. Missy has been appointed by Governor Lamont as a Selective Service Committee member for the state of CT.
Her work at Bread for Life centers on building strong community relationships and providing comprehensive client support and developing programs to empower and uplift those facing hardship. Missy is driven by a simple yet powerful desire: to embody the change she wishes to see in the world.
Jim Lovkay
Jim Lovkay is a seasoned IT professional with over 40 years of experience in supporting Human Resources, payroll, and financial applications for major international aerospace companies and higher education institutions. A graduate of Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA, Jim holds a B.S. in Industrial Engineering. He retired three years ago after a distinguished career in the IT field.
Since retiring, Jim has been dedicated to volunteer work with UR Community Cares (URCC), where he first began assisting with data retrieval and reporting. His early contributions soon expanded to include hands-on service in the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Program, where he mowed lawns, shoveled driveways, and completed various landscaping projects for community members in need.
Jim’s commitment to URCC continued to grow, leading him to play a pivotal role in fundraising initiatives to support the organization’s mission. In his pursuit of new ways to connect with the community, Jim also became involved with the Cycling Without Age program, where he earned his pilot’s license for a rickshaw, giving seniors in the community the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors and the mobility of cycling.
After several years of dedicated volunteer work, Jim was honored to accept an invitation to serve on the URCC Board of Directors, where he continues to provide valuable leadership and support for the organization’s ongoing goals and initiatives.
Natacha Campbell
Natacha Campbell brings over a decade of experience in healthcare, spanning roles from Certified Nursing Assistant and Medical Assistant to administrative and operations leadership within large healthcare systems across Connecticut. She has led both clinical and administrative teams, improved workflow efficiency, and advanced quality initiatives to enhance patient access and satisfaction.
Natacha began her career providing direct care as a CNA, Home Health Aide, and Companion Care provider, supporting older adults and individuals with disabilities in their homes and long-term care facilities. These early experiences shaped her deep commitment to helping vulnerable populations maintain dignity and independence.
Today, Natacha continues her bedside work as a Student Nurse, delivering compassionate, patient-centered care while pursuing her nursing degree. She also mentors community college students, guiding them in professional growth and community involvement.
Her combined experience in healthcare operations, direct patient care, and mentorship aligns seamlessly with UR Community Cares’ mission to help older adults and individuals with disabilities remain safe, independent, and connected within their communities. Natacha is dedicated to using her expertise to strengthen the organization’s vision of building compassionate, inclusive neighborhoods across Connecticut.
Ram Kaza
Ram Kaza is an accomplished IT Principal Senior Manager with more than 30 years of experience in enterprise data management and engineering. Guided by core values of integrity, service, learning and inclusion, Ram is passionate about leveraging technology to empower people and strengthen communities.
Ram is actively involved in volunteer work, dedicating approximately 50 – 60 hours each year to various volunteering activities.
In 2021, Ram joined the URCC Board, inspired by its mission to create a meaningful impact. His commitment is deeply personal experience-witnessing the challenges his parents face in India motivated him to support URCC’s vision and goals.
Ram has been serving as a member of the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) for the past eight years, contributing to local governance and community development.
Ram resides in Simsbury, Connecticut, with his wife and continues to champion initiatives that foster positive change.
Edmund Sambuco
Ed Sambuco is a long-time IT consultant with extensive experience in software development and support, systems integration, and datacenter buildouts and migrations. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Johns Hopkins, a Master of Science degree from MIT, and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Connecticut.
Since he retired from IBM, Ed has been able to spend time on those things he cares about most, including UR Community Cares. “We are at the forefront of assisting our senior citizens as the need for such assistance continues to grow, and I am honored to be in that forefront with this organization. It is about maintaining and enhancing a robust technical platform, selling our capabilities to municipalities and other nonprofits, and building healthy rosters of members needing our services and volunteers excited to provide those services. In all those respects.” Ed looks forward to helping as a board member.
Ed and his wife Joyce are longtime residents of Norwalk, Connecticut.
Advisors
Donna Powell
Betty Walsh
Contributors
Our volunteer network is composed of a diverse group of individuals who are passionate about our mission. They contribute to all aspects of our programs, from teaching and mentoring to strategic planning and fundraising. Their guidance as advisors ensures the organization’s continued growth and success.
We have partnered with American Job Center, MaturityWorks, and other organizations to help support people returning to the workforce. We are working with ReadyCT and universities to host internships.
