Meet Our Team
The board provides direction and leadership to ensure Opening Doors for Westerly’s Children’s long- term viability overseeing organizational structure, strategic direction and annual goals and objectives. Members represent all areas of the Town of Westerly, demonstrate commitment to Opening Doors’ mission and bring a range of skills and experience to their role on the board.
Executive Committee
Sergio Cherenzia
President
I first became involved with Opening Doors through my Young Professionals Network leadership. We wanted to give back to the community by supporting young people through scholarship toward our mission. We recognized that a solid education foundation in literacy is key to developing into a successful young adult, so we felt it appropriate to contribute to primary education. I became more involved with Opening Doors when joining their Board, and now I am excited to take a leadership role as President of the Board. I am looking forward to continue to work with a group that is enthusiastically dedicated to making a difference in the lives of local children; many of who will be the next generation to work and live in the community and continue to make a great place to live.
Donna Simmons
Co-Founder
I am passionate about the education of our community’s children and when Nancy Loney mentioned the idea of helping fill the gap with books, then backpacks and now with after school and summer scholarships, I jumped at the chance to help her found this great organization!
Tracy Regan
Secretary
Opening Doors co-founder Nancy Loney made me aware of the link between book ownership and literacy development. How could I say no when she asked me to get involved? Reading with the children and helping them choose their “forever” books has been so rewarding.
Jenn Ansay
Treasurer
As a member of the community, I have always felt it is my civic responsibility to give back. Some of my favorite childhood memories involve reading books and trips to the library. ODWC has given me a way to enrich the lives of the next generation, one book at a time. “Today a reader. Tomorrow a leader.” – Margaret Fuller
Board Members
Harriet Crane
How could I resist joining a program that lets me read to kids and give them their own books and backpacks? As a retired high school history teacher, I had time. I love kids and can’t bear that they should be without opportunity to realize their unique potential. It was a “no-brainer!”
Caitlin Williams
ODWC is a powerful program making a tremendous difference for the children in the Town of Westerly and I am proud to be a part of it. I am looking forward to what the future holds.
Robin Knisley
I was interested in helping the children in Westerly, and in educating others about their situations. So many people are unaware of how many families in Westerly are struggling, and that they can make an incredible impact on the lives of so many, with so little effort. It has been rewarding to see the accomplishments that Opening Doors has made in just a short time.
executive Staff
Jodie Kluver Koretski
Executive Director
I am thrilled to be the executive director of Opening Doors for Westerly’s Children. I have spent the majority of my life on an academic campus, teaching in the classroom, working with students, and reading many books and articles over the years. My relationship with ODWC allows me to express my life's work and to give back to the community where I live. I believe through the passion and devotion of our leadership, volunteers, and staff, we open the doors to the world for our young friends in the community through our programs, donations of books, and summer camp sponsorship. It is my hope that our young Westerly friends will fall in love with reading and will carry that love into their bright futures.