Our Kindness Team
Connor Wright – Founder
Connor is the founder of CKP, a 13-year-old from Lynnfield, MA is often balancing his academic life (at Pike School in Andover) and his passion for hockey, playing at an elite level for the Boston Junior Eagles, golf, and giving back. When Covid-19 hit, things changed for all of us, and Connor was maturely in tune to contemplate what was happening. After discussions with his mother and grandmother, he decided to find a positive spin and launch a non-profit. His plan was to help children of all ages that were in vulnerable situations. It is Connor’s belief that kindness is contagious, good for your heart, and is an act that has a ripple effect. In his words, “kindness is important because everyone deserves to have joy in their lives.”
Erica Wright – President
Erica, a resident of Lynnfield, MA, is a graduate of the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst. She spent 23 years at Cummings Properties, where she held numerous roles and gained extensive experience in business operations, strategic management, and client relations. During her tenure, she became known for resolving complex client matters and driving business development initiatives.
Currently, Erica volunteers part-time at Connor’s Kindness Project (CKP), contributing to grant writing, strategic planning, event management, and business operations. She plays an active role in decision-making for the organization alongside Executive Director, Sharon and in full support of her son, Connor Wright, the founder of CKP, in his mission to spread kindness by uplifting children who are faced with a challenging situation and inspiring our youth to care for others, be inclusive and engage in community service.
Sharon Marrama – Co Founder/Executive Director/Board Member
Sharon is a graduate of Salem State University. She spent years as an educator in the healthcare field at both Middlesex Community College and Brandeis University. As an advocate of kindness and well-being she will bring her strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively across diverse audiences to communicate the organization’s mission. Sharon enjoys reading, walking, and most importantly, spending time with her grandson Connor, the founder of Connor’s Kindness Project.
Jill Carrera – Board Member
Jill is a Lynnfield resident, mother of two, wife, and partner of a small business in Woburn. For the past 12 years, she has been active in the incubation and successful growth of a transient vehicle wrapping and marketing company, Wrap Solutions. During her previous years, Jill spent nine years working in media after graduating from UMass Amherst.
Jill’s time at Wrap Solutions has given her an opportunity to help other small businesses succeed in their communities with creative marketing and branding solutions. Whether it’s media, Wrap Solutions, or her personal life, Jill has always prioritized helping others prosper, personally and professionally. She looks forward to connecting more organizations and individuals with Connor’s Kindness Project.
John Geraci –
Board Member
John Geraci is the managing partner of accounting firm LGA, LLP and is responsible for the firm’s direction, its growth, both organic and through M&A, and its move toward providing more consulting and advisory services. Under his leadership, LGA has risen in the Boston Business Journal’s Largest Accounting Firms ranks from 45th in 2013 to 17th in 2023, a move of 28 positions. John leverages his extensive experience to advise clients on the financial, operational, and cultural aspects of running a successful business and provides coaching, leadership training, and consulting.
John signed the CEO Action Pledge to promote and cultivate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) at LGA and across the accounting industry, and is deeply involved in the firm’s DE&I initiatives. He also uses his role on the Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Society of CPAs (MassCPAs) to serve as a catalyst for change with other member firms.
John holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and a Master of Science degree in Taxation from Bentley University. He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Manning School of Business Advisory Committee; a Board Member of the Massachusetts Society of Certified Public Accountants (MSCPA); and recognized as Accounting Today’s 2020 Managing Partner Elite List.
John lives in Haverhill with his wife Wendy and has two adult children, Gianna and Rocco. You might hear John often quoting movie lines and music lyrics.
“I am beyond excited to be joining the board of Connor’s Kindness Project. I am a raving fan of authentic compassion and humanity, which Connor and the CKP team radiate. The opportunity to promote and support the continued impact that CKP has on individuals and society as a whole is too great to pass up, and I was honored to be considered.”
Ed Doherty – Board Member
Edward has been part of the Stoneham Bank team since 2009 and is a valuable asset to the institution as President & Chief Executive Officer. Serving in this role since 2018, Ed is responsible for the Bank’s strategic direction and management of the Bank and understands the impact and responsibility that his organization has on the communities that it serves. He is motivated by seeing the dedication that the Stoneham Bank Team has outside of its branches and how their efforts can truly make a difference. Ed currently serves as a Trustee on the Melrose Wakefield Hospital Board of Directors, as a Director on the Cooperative Bank Employee Retirement Association and Stone Zoo, as a Committee Member on the ICBA National Cybersecurity Committee and was a former President of the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce, Vice President of the Woburn Boys and Girls Club, and a Director for the Billerica Alliance. Ed completed his undergraduate studies at Babson College and is also a graduate of the ABA Stonier Graduate School of Banking. When away from the Bank, Ed enjoys spending all of his spare time with his family in Hanover, MA.
Linda Bonfanti – Board Member
Linda has always had a passion for early childhood education and has been in the industry for over 30 years. She started with a successful family daycare in her home before her two children were born. In the year 2000, she transitioned to center-based childcare when she opened Magical Beginnings. Linda’s goal was to combine the close-knit feeling of a family daycare with the advantages of a center-based program. Her staff has always included dedicated, supportive, energetic staff who really want to make a difference in early childhood education, and with their help, Magical Beginnings grew from one school to now seven locations.
Linda recently married and now resides in North Reading with her husband and stepdaughter. Linda also has two children who recently moved into their new homes this year.
Rob Toro – Board Member
Rob is a Woburn resident, father of two beautiful daughters, Ella and Olivia, and Owner of Woburn based Toro Construction. Rob founded Toro Construction in 2018 to bring confidence back to the remodeling industry. This has resulted in a reputation rivaled by no other throughout Massachusetts, specifically Middlesex, Suffolk, and Essex county. Prior to founding Toro Construction, Rob served as a Special Agent with the Department of Defense and an Investigator with the Internal Revenue Service.
Rob also serves as a City Councilor at Large in Woburn, serves on the Board of Directors for Woburn Youth Hockey and the Woburn Host Lions Club. During his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family and working out. He also enjoys giving back to the community through Toro Construction via events such as their annual Ice Cream Social, Back to School backpack event, Toro Construction trade scholarships, and many others events.