The board of directors
Officers and directors, with a link to the public record behind a credential where one exists. Where it does not, the row says so rather than asking you to take it on trust.
Gary DelislePresident
A Springfield native, Gary now lives in East Longmeadow with his wife. A Westfield State University graduate, he’s led Springfield Together’s growth from a handful of neighborhood events into the citywide slate the organization runs every year — and he’s played both the Easter Bunny and Santa Claus at its events.
No public source yet
Neil PhillipsVice President & Clerk
A practicing attorney since 1979, Neil holds degrees from Westfield State and Western New England Law and is a partner at the Law Offices of Dunn and Phillips, P.C. He also serves with Celebration of Hope of Western Mass.
Dunn & Phillips, P.C. →
Phillip BambaraTreasurer
A CPA and University of Notre Dame graduate, Phillip previously worked at Price Waterhouse & Co. and Aetna and now runs his own accounting practice in Vernon, CT. He also co-chairs Rebuilding Together of Manchester, CT (an unaffiliated home-repair nonprofit).
No public source yet
Jerry NardiDirector
A graduate of Notre Dame and the University of Maryland, Jerry has spent a career on humanitarian and charitable projects, including Cospas-Sarsat (the international satellite search-and-rescue system) and the Christian Appalachian Project, and administers a private charitable foundation supporting children with disabilities and educational needs.
No public source yet
Shatequa “Teka Jones” WatkinsDirector
Founder of Strong Young Minds Inc., whose signature “I Am Me” Kids Fashion Show has grown into a national platform for young people. Appointed to Springfield’s COVID-19 Youth Council, honored by Governor Charlie Baker and the Commonwealth for her community work, and named a 2025 Commonwealth Heroine by the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.
Strong Young Minds →Interested in joining the board?
We add members as capacity allows. If you have skills in fundraising, grant writing, youth programming, legal, or communications and can commit a few hours a month, we’d love to hear from you.