ABOUT US
Meet the SDM TEAM
Our staff is highly trained, extremely patient, and they work at your pace.
Any topic, any time: appointments in person or virtual/online. We use Zoom for our online appointments, but if you are unfamiliar with Zoom, we can guide you over a standard phone call first!
Sara Murray
Executive Directorsara@sdmfoundation.org
Sara moved to Melrose from Scotland in 2012, and joined SDM in 2018. She has a background in engineering design and project management. Moving to the US gave her a chance to explore more creative avenues and she now writes, designs and manages websites, takes far too many photos and spends a lot of time on Instagram. She loves sharing her technical knowledge and helping small businesses and nonprofits learn how to build and maintain their websites, and leverage their online presence. She is a mum to three, which keeps her more than busy when not working.
Kristin Thorp
Associate Directorkristin@sdmfoundation.org
Kristin moved to the Boston area from Minneapolis in 1984. Over the next three decades, her work with Stuart McIntosh focused on the ever-expanding world of online information, and how to make it more accessible to users. She and her husband raised their three children in Melrose, where they participated in schools, clubs and organizations. Kristin served for 11 years as an elected member of the Melrose School Committee. The SDM Foundation is her vision of the embodiment of Stuart’s bequest.
Thatcher Ackerman
SDM Associatethatcher@sdmfoundation.org
Thatcher has been a resident of Melrose for most of his life and has grown up in tandem with technological advancements. Most of his educational background can be credited to Melrose Public Schools however he spent some time at Boston College High School, University of Massachusetts Amherst, and North Shore Community College. His thirst for knowledge and interest in computers thrived outside of the classroom, providing years of experience with both software and hardware. He is a self-proclaimed nerd who plays lots of video/computer games and enjoys teaching others as well as continuing to learn.
Josh Dick
SDM Associatejosh@sdmfoundation.org
Josh is a Melrose resident who has studied digital media and design at the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth, and received a Masters in Computer Science at Northeastern University. He has a passion for technology and teaching people how it can make their day to day lives easier. Josh has a strong interest in developing apps and games and is always looking for new technology to learn. Josh enjoys making complex concepts simple to understand and technology accessible for people at any skill level.
Elaina Rivais
SDM Associateelaina@sdmfoundation.org
Elaina grew up in Western Massachusetts and studied Computer Science and Mathematics at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. She then worked as a software engineer and software product manager for almost a decade. She decided to pivot her career towards her passion for sustainability and started her local business Lend and Mend to make it easier to reuse and repair the things we already have. Elaina has been a member of Zero Waste Melrose since she moved to Melrose in 2019, and a mom since 2021. She is excited to be a part-time member of the SDM team.
Lauren Dick
Office Managerlauren@sdmfoundation.org
Lauren has been a Melrose resident for most of her life. She attended Westfield State University pursuing a degree in Environmental Science, and most of her free time is spent in the woods exploring with her two dogs. She works as a bartender and loves getting to know her regular customers. She is excited to work at SDM, and she is developing her skills with technology, just like you!
Past Team Members
Janet Nevin
Former Staff MemberJanet was one of our original employees at SDM and helped get us off the ground. She continues to be a supporter and champion of SDM and our work, although she is no longer working with us.
Beth Lucien
Former Staff MemberBeth was instrumental in the development of SDM and how the shop was run. She started the newsletter and our lessons for students. Beth passed away in February 2019. She was a wonderful, happy, smart, hardworking addition to our staff. Her patient style was appreciated by so many of our clients. Beth continued learning every day, which made her a great role model, and she took on new challenges with incredible energy. Beth was only with us for two years, but she will always hold a special place in our hearts.
Thomas Galligani
SDM Associatethomas@sdmfoundation.org
Thomas, a long-time Melrose resident, attended Bunker Hill Community College and Salem State University. He is a self-taught coder who furthered his skills at General Assembly, where he obtained certifications in Python Web Development and Data Science. With a lifelong passion for technology, Thomas is dedicated to making it accessible to his community. His interests include game design, web development, cybersecurity, and local history.
Anthony Dantona
SDM Associateanthony@sdmfoundation.org
Anthony was a resident of Melrose for most of his life. He went to Melrose High School and spent some time at UMass Amherst. He is an avid music lover, video editor, and gamer who has been interested in building and using computers from an early age. He enjoys keeping up with the latest hardware technology, learning and using new software.
Aaron Sansone
Former Staff MemberAaron’s family came to Melrose in 1972 and still lives here. Â Raised in Melrose, he studied Information Systems Security at ITT Technical Institute. Â Aaron has filled multiple IT support roles in the past, including working as an IT Specialist for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and most recently as a Data Storage Engineer for Hitachi Data Systems. Aaron is passionate about technology, learning new things, and sharing his knowledge. In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his family.
Rachel Lin
Former Staff Memberrachel@sdmfoundation.org
Rachel graduated from Melrose High School this spring. In the fall, she is heading to Northeastern University to study Computer Science. She loves video games, reading, and exploring new restaurants. She is very excited to be interning at SDM!
Finn Sedan
Former Staff MemberFinn is a Malden resident and has lived there his whole life. He is a graduate of Malden High School and is currently attending Berkeley School of Music. Learning about science and technology is one of his favorite things to do in his free time. Finn worked Saturdays though high school and recently during the summers while he was studying at Berkeley.
Peter Story
Former Staff MemberPeter has been a life-long resident of Melrose a graduate of Melrose High School and is currently attending WPI in computer engineering. Peter was at SDM the summers of 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Collin Gray
Former Staff MemberCollin was at SDM on and off through high school and into college, before he finally was not able to return here in the summers. Collin is patient, energetic and very knowledgable, and left a large hole that is difficult to fill!
Matteo Giovanardi
Former Staff MemberMatteo is a student at Melrose High School as well as a Melrose resident. He was at SDM the summers of 2022 and 2023.
Brigid McCarron
Former Staff MemberBrigid McCarron is a rising Sophomore at Dartmouth College studying Computer Science. She is a lifelong Melrose resident and Melrose High School graduate. While at Melrose High she was captain of the Robotics team and involved in STEM education. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors walking or biking, and being with her friends and family. She is excited to help make technology more accessible for everyone in the greater Melrose community!
Patrick Barosy
Former Staff MemberAn educator and technologist, and self-taught web developer. Photographer. Videographer. Technologist. Educator. His passion is navigating the intersection of education and technology. Patrick was a great addition to SDM and we were sorry to see him move on.