Jeanne Dasaro, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer
Jeanne is a social entrepreneur and activist who is interested in using her skills for social change. She has extensive experience in nonprofit management, event planning, project planning, and community journalism. In addition to her work with the New Prosperity Initiative, Jeanne is owner of Plan-It Green Consulting and Events, a meeting and event planning company that delivers environmentally conscious meetings to mission driven organizations and is a former board member of FAMILY Movement.
Jeanne studied Anthropology and Economics at the University of Michigan-Dearborn and is currently enrolled in the Professional Writing Program at U-Mass Boston. She has been featured in O Magazine as one of “Tomorrow’s Leaders” and The Boston Globe as a “Leading Woman” specifically for her social entrepreneurial spirit. When she isn’t pursuing professional interests, Jeanne can be found cooking in her kitchen or venturing off to get a new stamp in her passport.
Email Jeanne at jeanne[at]thenewprosperity.org. Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JeanneDasaro.
Alexis Schroeder, Co-Founder and Executive Director 
Lex is a freelance writer and editor with a knack for connecting people and ideas. Originally from Old Orchard Beach, Maine, she holds a B.A. in Government from Smith College. Prior to NPi, she worked on the publishing team at the Lean Enterprise Institute in Cambridge, Mass., a research and publishing company dedicated to teaching the lean business method.
Lex is a weekly columnist for BostInnovation.com, an innovation and tech blog, where she writes on such topics as entrepreneurship, leadership, and creativity. She serves on the board of directors of The Writers’ Room of Boston and is proud to be a “Connector” for Boston World Partnerships. In addition to developing the NPi business, she serves as NPi’s Managing Editor. These days she’s very interested in things like systems thinking, health and wellness, humor writing, poetry, and design.
Email Lex at alexis[at]thenewprosperity.org. Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/LexSchroeder.
Austin Briggs, Media Production Volunteer
Austin Briggs graduated from Flagler College in St. Augustine, Florida with a degree in Media Production & Cinema and Media Studies in 2009. His experience with production includes shooting, directing, and editing 16mm film and high definition digital video. In March 2007 his 16mm short film, “A Search for Truth” was shown in Symbiotic Media’s “The Dig” art show in St. Augustine, Florida.
Social and environmental issues are two areas Austin is particularly interested in sharing through the media. His 2009 short: “You Live Here” is a documentary on urban sprawl and deforestation in South Florida wetlands. Austin also recently launched his own website ABriggsFilm.com, and in addition to interning at NPi, is working as a freelance video/film editor in Seattle, Washington.
Laurie Herschman, Graphic Designer
Laurie Herschman is a freelance graphic designer who uses her creativity and skills for social change. She works for non-profits and social businesses that support a more equitable and sustainable world. Her design work includes invitations, posters, event signage, Web design, brand identities, fact sheets, greeting cards, and annual reports. Check out some of her work at www.laurieherschman.com, and visit www.laurieherschman.wordpress.com to see what she is currently working on.
Some of Laurie’s freelance design clients have included, NPi, America SCORES, AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps, Brookview House, Up2Us, and New Voices magazine. In 2007-08, Laurie was a Corps Member of AVODAH: The Jewish Service Corps in Chicago. She worked for America SCORES Chicago as both a Community Resource Manager, planning outreach and programming for youth and their families, and as an in-house graphic designer.
Laurie was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and studied Mass Communication with a concentration in Advertising at Boston University. While at BU she split her time between creative advertising courses in the College of Communication and graphic design courses in the College of Fine Arts, while also pursuing a minor in art history.
.
Steve Silverman, Video Production
Steve Silverman wants to utilize his interest and experience in media production to help effect positive change in society. He has taken video/television production classes and done work at Boston-area public access stations. Steve is also a composer. In addition to shooting and editing video, he has done scoring on many projects. A website featuring his videos, photography, and music will soon be available. He works as a software/web developer and has studied Oriental Medicine.
Steve’s interest in health care, the environment, and helping disadvantaged people is what brought him to The New Prosperity Initiative. He feels that technology, when used properly, can be a powerful tool and that NPi’s blend of various types of media creation, communication via the web, and in-person dialogues can help spread the word about great organizations, creating momentum and synergy amongst these groups and with the general public.
For a complete list of contributors, click here.
Join Us!
NPi is looking to expand the leadership team! If you live in the Boston area (and perhaps if not) and are interested in working with NPi in the areas of development and/or fundraising, technology and design, or communications in a leadership role, please email us at info[at]thenewprosperity.org for more information. For the time being these are part-time, unpaid positions.
