I founded Magic Lamp Consulting in 2020 with the mission of providing a creative and innovative approach to development services and helping grant the wishes of hard-working Executive Directors of small to mid-sized nonprofit organizations. The business model is designed to provide services and opportunities locally to our friends and neighbors throughout Massachusetts, is committed to providing a living wage and flexible work environment for staff, believes in education and partnering with local colleges to provide internship opportunities, and reinvests in our community.
The catalyst for me to change careers and focus my energy on helping nonprofits get the money they need was my personal experience with the Healing Garden when my mother-in-law, one of my closest friends, was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The Healing Garden provides services not only to cancer patients but also to their families and caregivers. In a caregiver support group meeting, the facilitator suggested that I write Ann a love letter sharing the impact she had made on my life. The story transcended time, covering our memories and adventures over the past 34 years. I wrote about our travels, love of photography, family, and our very dear friendship. I can not express how meaningful sharing that letter was for both of us. Ann left this world knowing she was loved, and the act of writing and sharing my feelings was the first step in healing for me. After she passed, it was important for me to give back. I was inspired to help the Healing Garden raise the funding they needed to ensure they would continue to be there for other families. There are many nonprofits making a meaningful impact in the communities they serve; I am passionate about helping them too.
I am proud to say that in the first 7 months of 2022, we have raised 1.7 million dollars in partnership with our nonprofit clients. We are well on our way to reaching our 2022 goal of 3 million dollars for Central Massachusetts nonprofits.
In my free time, I enjoy spending time with my family exploring our nation’s wonderful National Parks.
Please tell us about your current career and what you love most about what you do?
I am a nonprofit business consultant. I love working with small to mid-size nonprofits providing business development services, helping them expand their organization while raising the money they need to fulfill their mission and expand community impact. In turn, those nonprofits assist our friends and neighbors, strengthen our communities, and improve society.
What is your favorite restaurant in Worcester, and what is your favorite dish?
Livia’s Dish has so many amazing breakfasts!
Who is the most interesting person you’ve ever met?
My grandfather, he was brilliant and always knew the answer to every question I ever asked him. He was gentle and kind and his love for my grandmother was the kind they make movies about.
If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
Ireland. I need a do-over, we were there in 2019 when COVID shutdown air travel around the world.
What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Queen
What is your best advice?
“You are never to old to dream a new dream”
What is one of the top three items on your Bucket List?
Visit Italy
What current/former local business makes you the most nostalgic about Worcester?
The Hanover Theater
Choosing anyone alive and a non-relative with whom would you love to have lunch? Why?
Barack Obama, his is intellegent, kind, and led with grace
Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
I will still be working with regional nonprofit partners to ensure there are opportunities for youth and workforce development, cancer care, veteran services, housing, and food access.
What is something interesting that most people don’t know about you, even your friends or family.
I donated about 500 oz of milk to the International Breast Milk Project which provided milk to orphaned babies in Africa.
What 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Family, Comfort, Love
If a motion picture was made of your life, what actor/actress would you choose to play you?
Cortney Cox, when she played Monica on Friends she was responsible, practical, loyal and caring
What is your favorite thing or something unique about Worcester?
Going to watch Professional Bull Riding (PBR) at the DCU Center every year is my guilty little pleasure.
What is your favorite smell?
Apple Pie
Who inspires you to be better?
Tom Herald, he is my mentor from the Small Business Development Center at Clark University. He has helped me focus on making a bigger impact in the community by expanding my business in order to help more nonprofit organizations.
