Board of Directors
Marcia Fowler | Chair
Marcia Fowler, former Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, is the CEO of Bournewood Health Systems which provides inpatient and outpatient psychiatric and chemical dependency treatment for adults and adolescents. Marcia has extensive background and expertise in clinical programs and human service management in both the public and private sectors, including more than 18 years of service with DMH.
A lawyer and a clinician, Marcia is a committed advocate for adults, children, adolescents and families whose lives are affected by serious mental illness, emotional disturbance and chemical dependency. Her work in the human services sector includes experience in direct care and supervisory roles with agencies and organizations such as the Department of Developmental Disabilities, Fernald State School, New England Home for Little Wanderers, Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries, the Foundation for Children with AIDS, and Polaris Healthcare Services.
Marcia Fowler, former Commissioner of the Massachusetts Department of Mental Health, is the CEO of Bournewood Health Systems which provides inpatient and outpatient psychiatric and chemical dependency treatment for adults and adolescents. Marcia has extensive background and expertise in clinical programs and human service management in both the public and private sectors, including more than 18 years of service with DMH.
A lawyer and a clinician, Marcia is a committed advocate for adults, children, adolescents and families whose lives are affected by serious mental illness, emotional disturbance and chemical dependency. Her work in the human services sector includes experience in direct care and supervisory roles with agencies and organizations such as the Department of Developmental Disabilities, Fernald State School, New England Home for Little Wanderers, Morgan Memorial Goodwill Industries, the Foundation for Children with AIDS, and Polaris Healthcare Services.
Michael Ferullo | President | Director
A Clinical Social Worker and Addiction Specialist in private practice in Brookline, "Coach" Mike has dedicated himself to his strong vision for the Boston Bulldogs since he founded the club back in 2008. Mike's personal and professional passion is helping others to find the kindhearted warriors within themselves through wellness and recovery. He continues to seek opportunities to expand the Bulldogs Club and broaden its impacts throughout the Greater Boston community.
A Clinical Social Worker and Addiction Specialist in private practice in Brookline, "Coach" Mike has dedicated himself to his strong vision for the Boston Bulldogs since he founded the club back in 2008. Mike's personal and professional passion is helping others to find the kindhearted warriors within themselves through wellness and recovery. He continues to seek opportunities to expand the Bulldogs Club and broaden its impacts throughout the Greater Boston community.
Kristin MacDougall Sullivan | Clerk/Secretary
Kristin, an early member of the Boston Bulldogs, is a runner and a lawyer who has brought her skills and her enthusiastic support to to the Club in a variety of ways. A graduate of University of Connecticut Law School, Kristin is Counsel for National Grid.
Kristin, an early member of the Boston Bulldogs, is a runner and a lawyer who has brought her skills and her enthusiastic support to to the Club in a variety of ways. A graduate of University of Connecticut Law School, Kristin is Counsel for National Grid.
Drusilla Pratt-Otto | Treasurer
Dru is a CPA (5 years at Price Waterhouse Coopers) with an MBA from Simmons Graduate School of Management. In her consulting practice, Dru provides interim and part-time Chief Financial Officer services to both for profit and not for profit entities. Dru is a resident of Brookline with twin 24 year old boys who both ran all three seasons and 4 years for Brookline High. As a result of their dedication, Dru became a regular runner, running with Liberty Athletic Club, the oldest women’s running club in the country. She is currently the President of that Club and has become a distance runner.
Dru is a CPA (5 years at Price Waterhouse Coopers) with an MBA from Simmons Graduate School of Management. In her consulting practice, Dru provides interim and part-time Chief Financial Officer services to both for profit and not for profit entities. Dru is a resident of Brookline with twin 24 year old boys who both ran all three seasons and 4 years for Brookline High. As a result of their dedication, Dru became a regular runner, running with Liberty Athletic Club, the oldest women’s running club in the country. She is currently the President of that Club and has become a distance runner.
Catharina Armstrong, MD | Director
Catharina Armstrong MD/MPH is Associate Director of the Newton-Wellesley Hospital Substance Use Services and
an infectious disease and addictions physician at the Lemuel Shattuck hospital. Dr. Armstrong graduated from University College Dublin School of Medicine. She completed Internal Medicine residency training at Massachusetts General Hospital and a fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Dr. Armstrong was awarded a Masters in Public Health from Harvard Medical School in 2015.
Dr. Armstrong is the Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital in Boston. She has an HIV clinic caring for women who are currently incarcerated in Framingham women’s prison. She is a Principal Investigator (PI) for the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital site CorECT study; a community HIV re-engagement study. She is board certified in Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Addiction Medicine and is an Assistant Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine. Her clinical and research interests are in prevention and management strategies to support high risk groups with infectious diseases, particularly co-infection with Hepatitis B and C and HIV.
Catharina Armstrong MD/MPH is Associate Director of the Newton-Wellesley Hospital Substance Use Services and
an infectious disease and addictions physician at the Lemuel Shattuck hospital. Dr. Armstrong graduated from University College Dublin School of Medicine. She completed Internal Medicine residency training at Massachusetts General Hospital and a fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Dr. Armstrong was awarded a Masters in Public Health from Harvard Medical School in 2015.
Dr. Armstrong is the Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases at the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital in Boston. She has an HIV clinic caring for women who are currently incarcerated in Framingham women’s prison. She is a Principal Investigator (PI) for the Lemuel Shattuck Hospital site CorECT study; a community HIV re-engagement study. She is board certified in Internal Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Addiction Medicine and is an Assistant Professor at Tufts University School of Medicine. Her clinical and research interests are in prevention and management strategies to support high risk groups with infectious diseases, particularly co-infection with Hepatitis B and C and HIV.
Alison Ballbach | Director
Alison was a retail store manager of Marathon Sports when she first became involved with the Bulldogs. As a certified personal trainer and Pilates instructor Alison is well acquainted with the benefits of fitness and wellness and has been instrumental in the development of the Boston Bulldogs. Alison was co-race director for the inaugural Boston Bulldogs Run for Recovery in May 2016.
Alison was a retail store manager of Marathon Sports when she first became involved with the Bulldogs. As a certified personal trainer and Pilates instructor Alison is well acquainted with the benefits of fitness and wellness and has been instrumental in the development of the Boston Bulldogs. Alison was co-race director for the inaugural Boston Bulldogs Run for Recovery in May 2016.
Sarah Cloud | Director
Sarah is currently the Director of Social Work at Beth Israel Deaconess in Plymouth MA. Utilizing her MBA and an MSW, she has been instrumental in creating and contributing to numerous successful community collaborations to improve services and programs for a range of substance use and health services. Sarah has been a key partner in the development of the Boston Bulldogs South Shore and is an active member of the Club.
Sarah is currently the Director of Social Work at Beth Israel Deaconess in Plymouth MA. Utilizing her MBA and an MSW, she has been instrumental in creating and contributing to numerous successful community collaborations to improve services and programs for a range of substance use and health services. Sarah has been a key partner in the development of the Boston Bulldogs South Shore and is an active member of the Club.
Lori Griffiths | Director
A graduate of NYU in 1972 with a BS in Education, Lori taught school in NYC and organized community outreach to strengthen school-child-home partnerships. She later developed an aftercare program for Levine Chapels, a large funeral home in Brookline where she developed an expansive bereavement program to reach to families who have suffered loss, including self help groups for widows , encouraging those who were suffering from the sadness of grief to reach to others for support and friendship.
With her late wife, Lori raised four children in Brookline. The Bull Dogs have brought love, support and hope to her family. "My love for the club runs deep."
A graduate of NYU in 1972 with a BS in Education, Lori taught school in NYC and organized community outreach to strengthen school-child-home partnerships. She later developed an aftercare program for Levine Chapels, a large funeral home in Brookline where she developed an expansive bereavement program to reach to families who have suffered loss, including self help groups for widows , encouraging those who were suffering from the sadness of grief to reach to others for support and friendship.
With her late wife, Lori raised four children in Brookline. The Bull Dogs have brought love, support and hope to her family. "My love for the club runs deep."
Shelley Isaacson | Director
A marketing professional with experience in the public and private sectors, Shelley has an MBA from Boston University and brings her extensive strategic planning, program management and marketing skills to the Bulldogs.
A marketing professional with experience in the public and private sectors, Shelley has an MBA from Boston University and brings her extensive strategic planning, program management and marketing skills to the Bulldogs.
Michael Papile | Director
Michael is a Managing Director at Covington Associates LLC, a specialty investment banking firm based in Boston.
He has an undergraduate degree from Villanova University and an MBA from the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Italian Home for Children and most recently served as Board Chair. In his work at Covington he has advised numerous behavioral health organizations including several that treat substance use disorders. Michael is a casual runner and while it does not come easy to him, the therapeutic benefits of running have had a profound impact on his well being.
Michael is a Managing Director at Covington Associates LLC, a specialty investment banking firm based in Boston.
He has an undergraduate degree from Villanova University and an MBA from the Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Italian Home for Children and most recently served as Board Chair. In his work at Covington he has advised numerous behavioral health organizations including several that treat substance use disorders. Michael is a casual runner and while it does not come easy to him, the therapeutic benefits of running have had a profound impact on his well being.
Lisa Yarussi | Director
Lisa is currently Vice President of Human Resources for the New England Sports Network (NESN). A graduate of Leslie and Assumption Colleges, Lisa also completed the Harvard University Executive Education Program and has been an active and enthusiastic longstanding member of the Boston Bulldogs Running Club. Lisa is a performance driven human resources executive, linking HR initiatives to business strategy known for her strong work ethic, approachability, service excellence and ability to drive change.
Lisa is currently Vice President of Human Resources for the New England Sports Network (NESN). A graduate of Leslie and Assumption Colleges, Lisa also completed the Harvard University Executive Education Program and has been an active and enthusiastic longstanding member of the Boston Bulldogs Running Club. Lisa is a performance driven human resources executive, linking HR initiatives to business strategy known for her strong work ethic, approachability, service excellence and ability to drive change.
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