Position descriptions and information can be found in the MASFAA Bylaws.

MASFAA 2026-2027 Election Candidates

President-Elect Candidate

Jonny Stevens

Associate Director of Financial Aid Operations, Endicott College

Statement of Candidacy:

I’m running for MASFAA President because I believe deeply in the value of the financial aid profession and the people who choose to do this work. My own path into financial aid started with my personal college experience, where I unknowingly made just about every mistake possible when it came to financial aid and affordability. That experience stayed with me and ultimately shaped my commitment to helping students, families, and colleagues navigate this work with more clarity, confidence, and support.

Over the past decade, and nearly nine years with MASFAA, I’ve seen firsthand how much this profession demands of us as we continually adapt to change. I’m running because I believe financial aid needs strong mentorship, thoughtful coaching, and collaborative leadership; especially for those stepping into leadership roles themselves. As President, I want to help reinforce a positive, people-centered financial aid culture; one where professionals feel supported, proud of their work, and energized by the impact they have. I’m also passionate about promoting early access, affordability, and informed decision-making, so students and families don’t have to learn the hard way like I did. MASFAA has shaped my career, and I’m excited about the opportunity to give back by helping strengthen the profession and community that has given me so much.

Treasurer Candidate

Photo by Nic Czarnecki

Kristen Fitzgerald

Assistant Director of Financial Aid, Babson College

Statement of Candidacy:

I am the Assistant Director of Student Financial Aid at Babson College in Wellesley, MA. I am also a Certified Public Accountant in MA with extensive finance and accounting experience. I started my accounting career at the “big six” accounting firm of Coopers and Lybrand in the audit/assurance area. I went on to work for Boston Consulting Group where I traveled globally analyzing and enhancing business operations before transitioning to a career in accounting and finance in higher education. I have been at Babson College for 14 years and held various financial positions at the college including Senior Endowment Accountant, Senior Budget Analyst, and Manager of Operations and Finance for IT. My strong desire for utilizing my financial skills to help students drove my transition into Financial Aid at Babson 4 years ago. I have two sons who recently graduated from Babson and my daughter is currently a Junior at Babson.

As an active MASFAA member, I attended Just the Facts training along with various tax trainings. I recently completed the MASFAA Leadership Academy as an active participant in the 2024-2025 Cohort and I have attended multiple MASFAA annual conferences. I would be honored to serve on MASFAA’s Executive Council by bringing my vast financial knowledge to the MASFAA Treasurer role while supporting the financial needs of the MASFAA community.

Member at Large- 4 Year Private Candidate

Adrian Martin

Assistant Dean of Financial Aid and Diversity Outreach, Amherst College

Statement of Candidacy:

I am running for Member at Large – 4-Year Private because I value careful listening, clear thinking, and collaboration across the financial aid community. I first began my financial aid career in 2022 as a financial aid assistant, and I now serve as Assistant Dean of Financial Aid and Diversity Outreach at Amherst College. As a first-generation, low-income student and person of color from Hawaiʻi, I bring lived experience that informs my commitment to access, transparency, and the work of financial aid. As a Member at Large, I would represent the 4-year private sector by listening closely to colleagues and contributing thoughtfully to MASFAA Council discussions and professional development.

Member at Large- 4 Year Private Candidate

Erica Lewis

Associate Director of Financial Aid, Training and Development, Boston College

Statement of Candidacy:

My name is Erica Lewis and I am running for Member at Large to represent the 4 year private sector.  I’ve been part of the MASFAA community for over a decade, and actively involved with the Professional Development & Training Committee for the past two years. This year I served as one of the Tri-Chairs on PD&T, with a focus on coordinating and instructing our NASFAA credentialing events and coming up with new ideas for future events and programming that is relevant to all career stages within our MASFAA membership.  I am running for Member at Large because I am interested in representing the interests of 4 year private colleges and universities in our state during MASFAA Council discussions, planning, and activities.  I’ve spent my entire career in financial aid working at a 4 year private (Boston College), and am passionate about helping students and families in this sector navigate the ever-changing federal landscape we find ourselves in and simplifying what those changes mean for financing college.

In my current role as Associate Director of Financial Aid, Training and Development at BC, I oversee onboarding for new financial aid counselors, coordinate training for the undergraduate aid team, and build collaborative relationships with campus partners to educate about the work the financial aid office does and create a more student-centered experience.  I am eager to bring that enthusiasm for professional development, training, and collaborative relationship-building to this MASFAA position if elected.  I am excited about the possibility of providing MASFAA training sessions specifically for 4 year private aid professionals, creating a space for conversation and sharing best practices, as well as partnering with other MASFAA Members at Large to plan a great Year End Event for our membership.

Member at Large- 2 Year Public Candidate

Erika Callahan

Coordinator of Financial Aid, Northern Essex Community College

Statement of Candidacy:

Hi! I am Erika Callahan and I am running for Member at Large, 2-Year Public. I currently serve as the Financial Aid Coordinator at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill, Massachusetts, where I have worked for nearly 13 years. I am deeply committed to the mission of community colleges and the diverse student populations we serve. With the expansion of free community college, I have seen firsthand how access to higher education has opened doors for students who once believed college was out of reach.

I am actively involved in MASFAA, serving on both the Professional Development and Training Committee and the Early Awareness and Outreach Committee, where I am currently an acting co-chair. I played a key role in the re-establishment of the Early Awareness and Outreach Committee after several years of inactivity and am also a member of the current MASFAA Leadership Academy cohort.

Outside of work, I enjoy traveling with my family, cheering on my son at his hockey games, and rooting for all New England sports teams.

Member at Large- 2 Year Public Candidate

Samantha Moran

Coordinator of Financial Aid, Massasoit Community College

Statement of Candidacy:

I am a financial aid professional with nearly nine years of experience working in both community colleges and public universities, and I currently serve as the Coordinator of Financial Aid at Massasoit Community College. As a first-generation Latina in higher education, my work is grounded in access, equity, and student advocacy, shaped by both my professional experience and personal journey. I am running for the Member at Large – 2-Year position because I care deeply about advocating for the unique needs of community colleges, supporting the voices of those working directly with students, and helping create meaningful opportunities for professional growth and collaboration. I look forward to working closely with MASFAA leadership to promote inclusive engagement, mentorship, and impactful programming, including training initiatives and the planning of the Year End event.

Member at Large- 4 Year Public Candidate

Brianne Sarabaez

Financial Aid Counselor, Westfield State University

Statement of Candidacy:

I am writing to express my interest in serving as the 4-year Public Member at Large on the MASFAA Executive Council for a two-year term. MASFAA plays a critical role in supporting financial aid professionals, such as myself, advancing access and equity in higher education and fostering collaboration across institutions throughout Massachusetts. I would be honored to represent the four-year public sector in this capacity.

In this role, I would bring a strong commitment to advocacy, communication, and thoughtful representation. I understand the unique challenges and priorities facing four-year public institutions, including regulatory complexity, resource constraints, and the responsibility to serve diverse student populations. I would be honored to serve as a voice for colleagues in this sector and to help ensure their perspectives are conveyed to the Executive Council.

I am committed to maintaining open communication with peers, sharing relevant updates, and bringing forward ideas and concerns that support MASFAA’s mission and strategic goals.

As a financial aid professional, I approach service with integrity, professionalism, and a student-centered mindset. I am motivated to support initiatives that promote professional development, equity, and strong member engagement across all sectors of MASFAA. If selected, I would serve with dedication and respect for the association and its members.

Thank you for your consideration and for the opportunity to contribute to MASFAA’s continued success.

Member at Large- Graduate and Professional Candidate

Chad Brock

Assistant Director of Financial Aid for Graduate Programs, Regis College

Statement of Candidacy:

I’m running for Member at Large – Graduate and Professional Institutions because I want to ensure the Graduate/Professional sector is strongly represented in MASFAA. I’ve been in financial aid since 2009, with the last decade focused almost entirely on graduate and professional students. After many years in the for‑profit sector with limited opportunities to participate, my role at Regis College—and having a bit more room in my life—has opened the door for me to get more involved. I’m eager to contribute through committee advising, sector‑specific training, and advocating for the needs of the graduate and professional community.

Member at Large- Associate Member

Photo credit: Amanda Maglione

Shawn Morrissey

Director of Student Financial Services, MEFA

Statement of Candidacy:

I am excited for the opportunity to run for the Member at Large, Associate Member position on MASFAA.  Throughout my 30-plus year career in financial aid in Massachusetts, I have been involved volunteering for MASFAA having served as co-chair of Technology, Archives, Executive Council Member at Large, Treasurer, EASFAA Representative and President.  It is because of the valuable relationships I have developed through MASFAA that I have remained passionate about the financial aid profession.  Within the last few years, I have transitioned from working as a financial aid administrator to working at MEFA as Director of College Relations.    With all of the recent changes to education financing through federal regulations, I think it’s more important than ever to have strong representation and communication between financial aid administrators and the business partners within MASFAA. If elected, I look forward to the opportunity to represent the associate members of MASFAA at executive council.

Member at Large- Associate Member

Rich Neilsen

Lending Products and Partnerships Manager, Granite Edvance

Statement of Candidacy:

I am honored to be nominated for the MASFAA Member-at-Large position representing our associate members. Currently serving as the Lending Products and Partnerships Manager at Granite Edvance, I bring over 13 years of industry experience and a deep-rooted commitment to association work.

My leadership background includes over a decade on the NHASFAA Council and six years on the EASFAA Council. These roles have equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of association operations and the expectations of council leadership. Furthermore, my involvement with various other state associations allows me to bring a broad, multi-state perspective to the table.

MASFAA is a robust, vital organization. As your representative, I will leverage my regional insights to ensure that the voices and contributions of associate members are effectively represented and integrated into our shared mission.