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OUR TEAM
About Me
Marisa Pedron, Executive Assistant
Marisa has held several positions at The Connecticut Women’s Consortium, with her current title being Executive Assistant. In this position, Marisa works closely with the Executive Director, the Board of Directors, and other members of the The Consortium's team to make sure all aspects of our daily operations are running smoothly. She also coordinates the Women’s Services Practice Improvement Collaborative and the Trauma and Gender Learning Collaborative. When Marisa isn’t in the office, you can find her with her nose stuck in a book or frequenting a local thrift store for some secondhand goods.
Alicia Feller, Executive Director
Alicia spent almost 30 years of her career at the Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (DMHAS) where she last served as the Chief Executive Officer of the Southwestern CT Mental Health System. Alicia obtained her MSW from Southern CT State University and is an LCSW. She obtained a Master of Arts in Integrated Health and Healing in 2019. As the Executive Director, Alicia oversees and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of The Consortium. Her favorite things about working at The Consortium are the ability to create new training opportunities for the behavioral health professionals of CT, and knowing that the work done at The Consortium helps create better care for the residents of CT. Alicia’s favorite quote is by Maya Angelou, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
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Jaquanna (Quanna) Soules, Director of Marketing & Administration
Quanna is the Director of Marketing & Administration for The Consortium. In this role, she manages core marketing, development, and HR responsibilities, including building The Consortium’s website, designing the training catalogs, fundraising, benefits, and developing promotional materials. She holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Clark Atlanta University. Quanna’s favorite thing about working at The Consortium is being surrounded by “strong, accomplished women”. Her passion is photography, and she cannot live without family, faith, and technology.
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Jordan Reda, Assistant Marketing Coordinator
Jordan Reda is the Assistant Marketing Coordinator at The Connecticut Women’s Consortium. She manages social media content, edits the quarterly newsletter, and creates branded materials for trainings and events, while supporting event coordination. Jordan enjoys the strong sense of community at The Consortium and the impact of its mental health education. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends and relaxing by the beach or a lake.
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Alexandra (Allie) Caruso, Director of Programs
Allie has spent multiple years working for The Consortium as an Administrative Training Specialist and brings Director of Operations experience to her role as the Director of Programs. Allie graduated from Southern in 2021 with her masters in exercise science, and also from Eastern in 2019 with her bachelor's in social work. Allie loves working at The Consortium because she is surrounded by empowering women everyday. She also loves having the opportunity to learn from the community that The Consortium provides. Outside of work, Allie enjoys playing tennis and weightlifting in her free time.
Chaniya Jackson, Administrative Training Coordinator
​Chaniya Jackson is a recent graduate of Southern Connecticut State University with a bachelor's degree in psychology. In this position, she collaborates with trainers on preparing for upcoming training, processes CECs for workshop participants, and assists the Director of Programs in preparation for the upcoming training catalogs. Chaniya thrives in the warm and growth-oriented atmosphere at The Consortium. Her favorite quote, "Everything meant for you is always on time," reflects her positive outlook. Beyond her professional role, she enjoys listening to music, writing fiction, and cherishing quality time with her best friends.
Paris Robberstad, Education & Training Specialist
Paris Robberstad is an Education and Training Specialist at The Connecticut Women's Consortium, who values education, teaching, and lifelong learning. They have spent several years working with children and specialized groups in the area of Environmental Science, and earned their Bachelor's of Science in Environmental Geography from Southern Connecticut State University in 2020. As Paris moves through their career, they lead with compassion and enthusiasm at the chance to create change and drive educational opportunities forward in their community.
Aven Kelley, Education & Training Specialist
Aven is an Education and Training Specialist at The Consortium. Their role involves training coordination and supporting both trainers and participants. Aven got their Bachelor’s degree in Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies and their Master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Connecticut. They enjoy The Consortium’s collaborative environment, and are excited to be working in a place where they can see the intersection of different systems. In their free time, Aven enjoys hiking, creative work, and playing Dungeons and Dragons.
Rachael Burs, Assistant Project Coordinator
Rachael is The Consortium’s Assistant Project Coordinator. She is responsible for project support, research, and liaising with state agencies. She holds an A.B. from the University of Chicago in English Language and Literature. Rachael is excited about working in a close-knit team of multitalented women doing work that strengthens communities. She is a native plant gardener, rescue dog fanatic, and the fortunate favorite aunt of four perfect humans.