Kassidy has over 20 years of experience in the special education field, having served in numerous capacities including job trainer, paraprofessional, community mentor, life coach, and residential program director. Kassidy is a certified CT Department of Education School Business Administrator and received his Masters of Business Administration. Working in the non-profit sector, Kassidy has developed a comprehensive understanding of the strategic, operational, and managerial aspects of running a non-profit. He has extensive experience in both special education and non-profit management, specializing in strategic, cross-functional roles. With a history of successful and progressive leadership, Kassidy utilizes his spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship to match aspirations with finite resources.

As Executive Director, Kassidy’s role encompasses strategic planning, business development, and organizational leadership. He has a deep passion for social entrepreneurship and is a firm believer in the idea that there are always ways to do things better. He thrives on the opportunity to create change and enjoys being able to see a problem, create a solution, and bring ideas to fruition. He believes The Light House not only provides a space for our students to grow but our staff as well. From 9 to 5, he gets to work with some of the most amazing people in disability services who share his vision of creating supports that allow participants to thrive. In his free time, you can find Kassidy working on his house, listening to podcasts, or going on adventures with his daughter.​​

Kellie has an Associate's Degree in General Studies with a Biology focus and came to The Light House with over 20 years of bookkeeping experience in both corporate and non-profit settings. As bookkeeper and office manager, she enjoys the collaborative spirit of The Light House as well as having the opportunity to use her office skills to assist the company in its mission to serve individuals with disabilities. She says that watching clients succeed in their daily lives and being a part of that success has been very meaningful. In her free time, Kellie enjoys live music performances, traveling, entertaining friends and family, and going to the beach.

Samantha Martinez is a dedicated Student Transition Specialist at The Lighthouse, where she began her journey in 2023 as a paraprofessional. Throughout her career, she has consistently demonstrated a passion for supporting students and helping them navigate key transitions in their lives. In her current role, Samantha works closely with transition students aged 18-22 across all sites, providing the guidance and support they need as they step into the next phase of their education and careers.

Samantha earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Health from Southern Connecticut State University, where she also minored in Wellness. When she's not working, Samantha enjoys traveling with her family and making lasting memories. Her passion for helping others, both personally and professionally, is the driving force behind her career. 

Rebecca graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. She comes to The Light House with 20 years of various Administrative experience in the business and education fields. In her role, Rebecca assists in the day-to-day operations of our Central Office. Rebecca was one of the founding parents of a non-profit chapter of Hands & Voices in Hawaii. She has a love and passion for not only advocating for children but for parents as well. In her free time, Rebecca enjoys spending time with her husband and two boys, playing card games, baking, making jam, bowling, and reading. She has two feisty cats that compete with her kids to keep her life interesting.

In 1987, when Kathy started working as a paraprofessional at the Little White School House in Mystic, she had never worked with anyone with a disability. She quickly realized how much passion she had for the work, and in 1992, recognizing the need for an inclusive place for individuals of varying ability, Kathy founded The Light House with the goal of providing community-based functional academics for students with disabilities. Kathy believed that it was important to integrate students directly into the community through vocational training, social programming, and regular outings. The program started out in a rented church space with only two employees. Between 1992 and 2017, she expanded The Light House to three campuses that now serve over 100 individuals from all over Southeastern Connecticut and integrate the community in every aspect of learning. 
 
Since leaving The Light House, Kathy has continued on her mission of creating a more diverse community. She founded the Girl Power Collaborative, a fundraiser for non-profit agencies dedicated to advancing women’s rights in our community. She also works closely with Horses Healing Humans, assisting them with finding funding for Equine Assisted Activities and Therapy for people with physical, cognitive, and emotional challenges.
 
Kathy is a leading advocate for inclusivity in Southeastern Connecticut and has spent her life creating opportunities and advocating for individuals regardless of their perceived ability. Her work has undoubtedly changed countless lives for the better and has made our community a better place to live and work in.

Marlise first joined The Light House in 2019 as an HR Generalist and has advanced to the Director of Human Resources, taking on greater responsibilities in policy development and strategic HR initiatives. As the Director of Human Resources, she plays a pivotal role in recruiting, employee engagement, and organizational development. Marlise holds a bachelor's degree in communications from St. Cloud State University. Her professional background includes experience in human services, having worked as a residential counselor at a psychiatric residential facility, a paraprofessional, and a job coach before transitioning into HR and recruiting. This unique combination of skills allows her to blend her passion for helping people with her expertise in human resources.

Beyond her work at The Light House, Marlise is actively involved in a local HR chapter and frequently volunteers her time assisting community members with resume writing and interview preparation. She also conducts mock interviews within the agency to help individuals build confidence as they prepare for employment opportunities. Outside of work, Marlise enjoys traveling, hiking, and spending time at the beach with her family. She values work-life balance and finds joy in exploring the outdoors while creating meaningful memories with her loved ones.

Jeremy comes to The Light House with a background as an Art Instructor, Operations Supervisor, and Operations and HR Manager. In his role as the Director of Operations, he oversees both the transportation and facilities departments and is in charge of all operational issues within our campuses. He likes the constantly changing challenges he faces each day, the wonderful and caring staff that work at The Light House, and the amazing students. In his free time, Jeremy enjoys the outdoors and traveling.

Sarah joined The Lighthouse in 2020 as a dedicated paraprofessional, driven by a passion for supporting individuals with diverse needs. With a keen interest in accessibility and technology, she worked her way into the role of the Assistive Technology Specialist, where she now helps individuals maximize their independence through innovative solutions. Sarah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Worcester State University. Her background in advocacy and support services, coupled with her expertise in assistive technology, enables her to create personalized strategies that empower individuals to communicate, learn, and engage more effectively in their daily lives. In her free time, Sarah enjoys kayaking, hiking, and spending time with friends and family.

Stephanie joined The Light House in May of 2022 as a Paraprofessional. When the opportunity for advancement arose she applied and is now the Transportation Coordinator. Stephanie is responsible for managing, training, and supporting staff on transportation, as well as overseeing and coordinating all transportation for program activities and transportation to and from the Learning Campus. In addition, she is responsible for maintaining the fleet of vehicles across all locations. In her free time, Stephanie enjoys hiking, the trampoline park, going to the beach, fishing, and spending weekends in her home state of Maine with her two beautiful children.