Get to know the NEADS staff in this occasional series. Today, please meet Lori Barrett, Development/Retail & Community Fundraising Administrator.

When did you start working at NEADS?
I started working at NEADS on 9/18/2016

What brought you to NEADS?
I was making a career change and wanted to work for a place that made a positive contribution to society. I saw a job opening at NEADS and jumped on it, plus I love dogs.

What do you do at NEADS?
I work in Development in Retail and Community Fundraising. I get to co-manage the retail shop and come up with new designs for apparel. I also work with people that are raising funds for us by running a marathon or collecting donations instead of gifts for their birthday party.

What did you do before you came to NEADS?
I have a degree in Illustration, but after college I worked in the financial services industry doing Administrative/Marketing & Video Production for a long time.  I also worked at the Worcester Historical Museum most recently before coming to NEADS.

What do you love about working at NEADS?
I love being a part of something that helps people. I also love getting to see the end result of so much hard work such as seeing a client matched with their service dog and seeing how their partnership grows.

Do you have any pets?
I have one black & white rescue cat named Frida.

Share a funny story or weird fact
One of my hobbies is Wildcrafting which is identifying edible and medicinal plants in the wild. It’s like a scavenger hunt and adds a whole other level to a walk in the woods.

Now you know a little bit more about Lori and what she does here at NEADS. Feel free to reach out and say hello anytime! And stay tuned to learn about another staff member in the next post…