Laura Banks

Laura works primarily in-person at the VentureWell office in Hadley, Massachusetts, where she transfers calls; mails packages; coordinates in-office retreats; orders supplies, swag, and business cards; and provides general upkeep of the office space. She also provides crucial support to the Events team, planning events, sending supplies, and printing materials. Previously Laura was a professional cake decorator and an LGBTQ+ student advocate, and recently she led an adolescent sexuality education program in Holyoke, Massachusetts. She holds a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in psychology and a post-Master’s certificate in Holistic Sexuality education, and is a certified sexuality educator.

Elizabeth Heald

Shaheen Mamawala

Shaheen leads internal communications, strategic support, and Board of Directors content development and engagement, and provides oversight for VentureWell’s grants administration and Hadley, Massachusetts, office management. She enthusiastically embraces the role of intrapreneur, and previously applied her passion for creating positive social change through cross-disciplinary collaboration as Health Policy Advisor to the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services at the New York City Mayor’s Office. Shaheen is the original project director for the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Leadership Network and earned a B.A. from The College of New Jersey and an M.P.A. from CUNY – Baruch College.

Janna Walters-Gidseg

Janna collaborates with Programs staff, Shared Services staff, and external constituents to manage end-to-end grant and competition program timelines and processes. Janna has worked in the nonprofit sector for over 10 years across multiple fields, including innovation and entrepreneurship, social services, education, and performing arts; she has a proven track record of developing and implementing successful programs to uplift and champion underrepresented voices. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Earlham College and a Master’s of Public Ethics from the University of Ottawa.