Our Board & Staff
Staff
Dr. Brian L. Morris, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
A transplanted New Yorker, Brian is first and foremost an active and grateful member of the Martha’s Vineyard recovery community. He is a recent recipient of a Doctorate of Social Work from USC’s Suzanne Dworak-Peck School of Social Work; and earned a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling from UMass Boston’s School of Global Inclusion & Social Development in 2018; previously, Brian graduated with a BA in Sociology from Princeton University. Brian is also a Certified Peer Recovery Coach, facilitates the Vineyard's very own HUB table, and was awarded a Martha’s Vineyard Vision Fellowship in both 2016 and 2019. Personally, Brian follows with a passion certain New York sports teams, mans a very hot mic and plays lead guitar in a Black Norwegian Death Metal band, and lives in Edgartown, MA with his hound, Dylan...as in the Welsh poet, not the folk singer from Hibbing, MN.
Lisa Belcastro, Winter Shelter director
Lisa Belcastro is the Martha's Vineyard Regional Coordinator for the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Lisa is in her second year as the Winter Shelter Coordinator for Harbor Homes. Prior to the pandemic, Lisa volunteered with Houses of Grace for the first five years. Lisa served as a volunteer in the Island schools when her daughters were attending, and is currently leading two Island-wide youth groups and is the president of Cornerstone Youth. Lisa writes for Vineyard Style Magazine and has written numerous novels set on Island. Lisa is also the vice president of the Martha's Vineyard Surfcasters Association and prefers to spend her time standing on the shore with her toes in the sand, the sun on her face, and a fish on the line.
SHARON BROWN, Director of Homeless Services
Sharon Brown serves as the case manager for all Harbor Homes programs, and provides Dukes County with homelessness prevention services. She graduated from the College of New Rochelle with a Major in Guidance and Counseling and a Minor in psychology. She has counseled at numerous non-profits in New York, Philadelphia, and Delaware, working with veterans, homeless men, young mothers, chronically homeless seniors, and students of all ages. Sharon has been a dedicated Islander since she arrived in 2018. After serving as the Program Coordinator at the Island Food Pantry for 4 years she recently transitioned to the Martha’s Vineyard Community Services as the Disability Coordinator and STEP coordinator. Sharon has a passion for helping others and providing happiness, everywhere she goes.
Chrissie laury, Director of operations
Chrissie Laury has lived on Cape Cod & the Islands since 2011; Martha’s Vineyard becoming home to her and her now adult children after a few years residing in South Yarmouth. Chrissie has an extensive background in research, planning and organization skills, serving as Librarian Associate at several libraries on Cape Cod, as well as the Oak Bluffs Public Library; and as the Aquinnah Wampanoag Tribe Records Management Coordinator for 4 years. Currently, a student for a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling and Art Therapy degree, Chrissie is experienced at project and program management, serving as both Program Coordinator and DEI Coordinator for Martha’s Vineyard Community Services. Chrissie was awarded the Best Community Partners Award in 2022. Chrissie enjoys sculpting, reading non-fiction, and island-hopping between MV, Nantucket (ACK), and the Cape. Besides traveling, she is working on publishing a poetry book, painting, and helping individuals reach their goals.
Board of Directors
Jennifer Frank, President
Jennifer Frank is an artist living in New York City. A mother of three, she and her family have spent the summers on the Vineyard for the past 20 years. Having observed and been moved by the growing homeless population both on the island and throughout the country, she has made helping find a solution a priority. She became a board member in the Fall of 2019.
Sue Kantrowitz, vice president
Sue worked at WGBH for forty-two years, most of her professional career. She graduated from BU School of Public Communications, with a BS in Communications in 1977 and from Boston College School of Law in 1980. She worked in tv production at a small public television station, KOCE in California. She joined WGBH as a lawyer with tv production experience. Over the years, Sue became the Vice President and General Counsel leading the department as it grew to a team of 9 senior lawyers, paralegals, and administrative support. Sue retired in October 2023. She has been coming to the Vineyard for almost 50 years and a homeowner for 25 years. She moved to permanent residency in 2023 and is eager to be most useful to the people and habitats of this island which we love so much. Sue joined the Harbor Homes board in 2024.
Dorie Godfrey, Secretary
Dorie Godfrey is a retired special education administrator who moved to the Island in 2008. Her career was devoted to ensuring rights and services to persons with disabilities. She worked in both public and private special education settings, the NY State Education Department, the NY Governor’s Early Intervention Council, and the Center for Disability Services of Albany, NY. Since her retirement, she has provided pro bono education advocacy to Island families and helped create the volunteer-led winter shelter, Houses of Grace, serving as one of the coordinators since its beginning. When the pandemic made running an all-volunteer shelter not feasible, she helped plan for a COVID safe shelter to be administered by Harbor Homes of Martha’s Vineyard. She joined the board in 2020.
W. Eric Adams
Eric is a Marriage and Family therapist in private practice and is a member of the Resident Support Committee of Vineyard House. He also owns and manages W. E. Adams Painting and Restoration and is the Painting Supervisor of D. Best Construction. Eric graduated from Temple University with a Bachelor of Social Work and attended the University of Massachusetts Marriage and Family Therapy program.
Eric has been committed to this community and assisting youth and adults with mental health,substance use, or lack of suitable housing. He is a council member of the Hub providing assessment and crisis intervention strategies for the police and community and works with highschool youth weekly. He served on the board of directors for Vineyard House from 2014 to 2023. Eric joined the Harbor Homes board in 2024.
David Epstein
David is a founding partner of The Abbey Group, a Boston-based real estate development company. David and his wife Betsy live in Boston and have been life-long visitors to Martha’s Vineyard. They have three grown children and eight grandchildren. They have been property owners in Chilmark for over 25 years and now spend about 6 months a year on the island.
David is a former chairman of the board of the Huntington Theatre Company, a Boston based regional theatre company and is former Chairman and trustee emeritus for the Stratton Mountain School, a school to educate aspiring high school aged winter athletes. David is a co-managing partner of the Boston Celtics.
David has been impressed with the community support of Harbor Homes and hopes to contribute to the mission and vision with his real estate expertise. David joined the Harbor Homes Board in 2024.
Canieka Fleming
Chef Canieka Fleming is an entrepreneur whose journey from humble beginnings to culinary success serves as an inspiring tale of resilience and personal growth. Growing up in challenging circumstances, Chef Canieka faced numerous hardships and had limited knowledge about the significance of mental fortitude. However, fueled by her passion for cooking and an unwavering determination, Chef Canieka transformed her life through the power of stability and a supportive community. She is the owner/chef of Loud Kitchen and runs a thriving catering business. She also volunteers for many Island organizations that serve the people of the Island.
Today, Chef Canieka stands as a testament to the transformative power of stability, mental fortitude, and a nurturing community. She was one of the first participants in Harbor Homes congregate house for women. She is a shining example for aspiring individuals, demonstrating that with resilience and the right guidance, anything is possible. Her story serves as an inspiration for aspiring chefs and individuals seeking to overcome adversity, reminding us all that with resilience and the right support, we can turn our dreams into reality with the right foundation. Canieka joined the Harbor Homes board in 2024.
Katrina Lima
Katrina is a real estate agent on the Island and has been a long-time supporter of initiatives to eradicate homelessness in our community. Katrina earned a BA in Political Science from Boston University and is working towards an MA in Strategic Communications from American University. In addition to her real estate experience, she has extensive experience in communications, development, and marketing. Katrina has been a volunteer with the Harbor Homes shelter since it began as Houses of Grace and is excited about sharing her real estate and communication expertise with Harbor Homes.
Marjorie mason
Marjorie Mason has been a resident of Chilmark since 1987. She is a noted professional artist and has exhibited her work on the Island since 1981. She is a member of the Vineyard Friends Meeting as well as its Clerk of the Ministry and Council. Marjorie serves as liaison between Homeless Not Hopeless of Hyannis and Harbor Homes of Martha’s Vineyard. She has also been a liaison between Houses of Grace winter shelter and Belonging to Each Other shelter program in Falmouth. She has been a volunteer at Houses of Grace from 2013 – 2019.
ardell otten
Ardell Otten is the Founder and President of ACO Patient Advocacy, Inc. located in Oak Bluffs, MA. As a patient advocate, Ardell recognizes the relationship between housing insecurity and health outcomes. Ardell's career has spanned more than 20 years in healthcare management and administration. She has served on Institutional Review Boards responsible for ensuring ethical practices in research at the Univ. of California, Los Angeles, and the Harvard School of Public Health. Ardell currently serves on the Board of the Mass. Patient and Community Review Board. She has served as board member of several organizations including The Cottagers, Inc., YWCA of The Harbor Area, The Black Health Leadership Council (Founding member), Friends of Brigham & Women's Hospital (Former President); and The Dividend Investment Group (Founding member/Former President). As administrative director of the Los Angeles County-USC Medical Center's Emergency Department, Ardell played an active role in establishing the multipurpose Weingart Center, which provides health, social services, and housing support for the "skid-row" area of Los Angeles. Ardell's professional skills are organizational development/management; grants administration; and resource management. Ardell is married and lives in Edgartown, MA. She joined the board in January of 2025.
Maura fitzgerald
Maura joined the board on 1/1/25. She is an entrepreneur and business consultant who founded, managed, and grew two successful marketing communications companies focused on the fields of technology, clean energy, and healthcare. She specializes in helping visionary companies create a unique brand identity and then driving awareness of that brand among key stakeholders and audiences. Her first communications agency, FitzGerald Communications, was named to the Inc. 500 list, and she has been honored by other Boston-based business leaders with the John J. Molloy Crystal Bell Lifetime Achievement award for her work. She loves leading teams of smart people who enjoy creating campaigns and thoughtful leadership initiatives that enable client companies to achieve their business goals. She has been a member of the Vineyard community for more than thirty years and splits her time between homes in Boston and Aquinnah.
sabrina williams
Sabrina Williams, who joined the board in January of 2025 is a Senior Human Resources Executive and serves currently as Chief People and Culture Officer for New England Sports Network (NESN). She is best described as an HR change management leader for workforce and organizational remodeling. She has been involved in several nonprofits; served as the President/Board Chairman for the Roxbury Community College Foundation; Board Chairman for Boston's South End Settlements; Board member/Treasurer for the Urban League of Eastern Mass.; Board member for the Girl Scouts of Eastern Mass. Sabrina holds an MBA from Simmons School of Management, Simmons College and BA from Brandeis University. She is a member of LINKS, the Boston Club, several civic societies; and serves as an Oak Bluffs Union Chapel Trustee. Sabrina is married and lives in Roslindale, MA.