Executive Leadership Team
Laurie Anne Spagnola
President & CEO
Laurie Anne always dreamed of being a social worker, and loves it each day she comes to work. Quick with a smile, her healthy sense of humor and encouraging demeanor are cornerstones of her personality. As a leader, Laurie Anne is always thinking about connections. She wants to see networks and partners come together to build stronger families and communities, and to do it in a way that is both durable and measurable.
Kelly Berger
Executive Director of the Caminos Program
Kelly oversees the Caminos Programs in MD, WV, and PA, as well as Caminos Nacional and the Home Study/Post Release Services Program. Kelly will focus on developing and strengthening the newest Caminos service lines while also supporting the existing integration of Caminos residential and community-based services within the Everstand continuum of care. Working with youth and families for over 20 years, Kelly is excited to continue her journey by providing leadership to the Caminos program. Outside of work, Kelly enjoys living in Baltimore City with her partner and their dog. She balances city life with a love of travel and frequent excursions to the woods, where she can likely be found wandering along a trail or climbing a mountain.
Michelle "MJ" Jones
chief human resources officer
Michelle “MJ” Jones is committed to team engagement, culture and service. Her extensive background in human resources and education has allowed her to serve a diverse community of academic, social services and hospitality professionals as a department head, a professor and an executive leader. MJ is an Illinois native with family ties in Maryland. She enjoys spending time with friends and family over a good cup of tea and solving complex problems through wit and compassion. MJ lives with her daughter and their incredibly enthusiastic Yorkie.
Martín Lespada
chief financial officer
Martín brings 20+ years of experience in finance, business management, and financial services to Everstand. Martín is originally from Argentina (yes - he loves soccer and steak), where he started his career and got his Accounting degree. He moved to the US in 2000 to advance his career and got an MBA from George Washington University. Martín lives in Montgomery County with his wife, Mariana, and has joined the "empty nester" group as his daughter and son are attending college. In his spare time, Martín enjoys swimming and grilling in his backyard. Fun fact: in the early 2000's, Martín played underwater hockey (yes, apparently that is a thing).
Kristian Sekse
Chief Operating Officer
Kristian has spent almost his entire career in the non-profit world. At Everstand he manages a variety of teams: marketing, fundraising, training, and quality improvement. His work is mostly focused on the digital transformation of Everstand's operations, which includes deployment of electronic records and systems that replace paper-based processes and charts. He lives in Baltimore City with his better half and three children (two human, one canine).
Nicole Smith
Executive Director of domestic Programs
Nicole provides leadership and strategic direction to Everstand’s domestic programs. She is a fierce advocate for post-foster care services, and her work at Everstand includes ensuring there are comprehensive services available during the critical transitions years to adulthood. A lifelong Baltimorean, Nicole loves crabs, the Ravens, and the O’s. She and her husband have passed this love of all things Maryland to their two children.