Staff & Board of Directors

Senior Staff

Executive Director

Michelle Persson Reilly

Michelle began at DCH as the Executive Director in May 2007. She graduated from Smith College with a B.A. in American Studies and a minor in Economics. In 2001 she earned a Masters in City Planning with a concentration in Housing, Communities and Economic Development from MIT. Michelle has held a variety of positions in nonprofit organizations ranging from direct service, legislative advocacy, fundraising, event planning and program management. She was thrilled to bring this experience to an organization she cared so much about in her own community. Michelle resides in Dedham with her husband and three children.

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Assistant Director

Joshua Walther

Joshua Walther is a 1998 graduate of Bridgewater State College where he received his B.S. in Physical Education and Recreation Management. He is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Administration from Suffolk University. Josh came back to DCH as the Program Director in June 2008, but his history with the organization began much earlier. As a Dedham native, Josh attended DCH summer camp as a child and then began working as a DCH Camp Counselor after he graduated from Dedham High School in 1993. After graduating from BSC, he began a 10 year stint at the YMCA of Greater Boston where he ran after school programs and summer camps in Dedham (including 2 years at DCH), Canton and Walpole before moving on to member operations at YMCAs in Roxbury and Dorchester. Josh was promoted to Assistant Director at DCH in July 2012. Josh is an Eagle Scout and brother of the Sigma Tau Gamma national fraternity. Josh and his wife reside in Walpole with their new baby boy.

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Preschool Director, Retiring

Cynthia Nemet

Cindy was born and raised in Montreal, Quebec. She graduated from the University of New Brunswick with a B.A. in French and Spanish and a minor in Psychology. She continued her education at McGill University with graduate work in Early Childhood Education. Cindy taught first grade for several years and preschool as well, but her real area of expertise lies with childcare administration. In 1988 she was instrumental in starting and operating a for-profit childcare center and growing it into a very successful business. After five years she joined DCH in 1993 as Preschool Director and has been here ever since! Cindy and her husband Frank reside in Needham. They have two children and five grandchildren. After 20 enjoyable and successful years, Cindy will be retiring in June 2013.

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Preschool Director, Incoming

Katrina Tober

Katrina A. Tober grew up in the Midwest but her family roots are here in Dedham. She received her B.A. in History from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in 1994. She moved to the Boston area after college to pursue a career in teaching and received her Master’s in Early Childhood Education from Lesley College. Katrina has over 17 years of experience teaching and directing in preschools in Belmont, Brookline and Weston, as well as in Providence, Rhode Island. She also serves on the board of a nonprofit day camp located on the coast of Maine. Katrina and her husband Ben live in Dedham with their son. She is thrilled to be the next director at the Dedham Community House Preschool!

Preschool Assistant Director

Elizabeth Mulroy

Elizabeth began at the Preschool in 1998 as a student teacher. She graduated from Massbay Community College with an Associate’s Degree in Early Childhood Education. She continued her education at Lesley University where she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development. Elizabeth has been teaching at the preschool in the three year old group for fourteen years and also has been the Assistant Director for the last seven years. Elizabeth and her husband live in Norwood with their son and are expecting their second child in July 2013.

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