Our Team
Jean Nam, Chair and Founder of PlaySudbury - Jean joins PlaySudbury with over a decade of project management experience in the technology sector. As a manager of cross-disciplinary teams, Jean has always tried to bridge the communication gap between different cohorts. Whether translating requests from the sales team into deliverables for the research and development team, or bringing together engineers from competing companies to make their products interoperable with each other, she has strived to be certain that all voices are heard. She has been an active volunteer in several community organization - Sudbury Family Network, First Connections, and the Peter Noyes PTO. She is currently home raising two young boys and was dismayed, and a little embarrassed, that her town and schools were allowing children to sit out outdoor recess because the playgrounds were inaccessible. Together with some friends, she started PlaySudbury to advocate for and work towards bringing equal access to neighborhood playgrounds to all children and their families.
“Nothing brings a smile to my face like the hearty laughter of my boys as they play with friends on the playground.” - Jean
Amy Fedyk, Vice-Chair of PlaySudbury - Amy was inspired to help children with disabilities by her son, who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at an early age. His quick wit and unique perspective motivated Amy to advocate for children with learning disabilities by providing them opportunities to reach their potential and enrich our community. She joined PlaySudbury upon learning that some children in our community couldn’t play on the playground with their friends. A software engineer by training, she is currently serving as vice-chair of the Sudbury Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC.) Previously, she was on the board of the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Learning Disabilities Association, where she served as the Chief Technical Officer and worked on the marketing committee to develop fundraising campaigns.
"Finding the best in each of us, brings out the best in all of us." - Amy
Jim Kelly, Building Commissioner for the Town of Lexington - Together with the Sudbury Public Schools, Jim began working on modernizing the playgrounds in 2016. As the Combined Facilities Director for the Town of Sudbury and the Sudbury Public Schools from 2012-2017, he began the process of accessing the current playgrounds with respect to accessibility. With his background as the Combined Facilities Director in Sudbury, he brings a wealth of institutional knowledge about the Town of Sudbury and the Sudbury Schools. As we navigate through town committees and processes, his guidance has been invaluable.
"All kids deserve to be on the playground at the same time. Let’s set an example for our kids by including everyone and making our playgrounds inviting and accessible to all!" - Jim
Lotte Diomede, President and Co-Founder of SMILE Mass - Lotte brings extensive expertise in accessibility as well as playground design and construction. SMILE Mass brought the first fully accessible playground to the MetroWest region, and PlaySudbury hopes to extend that vision to the Sudbury Public School playgrounds. After completing the playground project in 2009, Lotte co-founded SMILE Mass (Small Miracles in Life Exist). This foundation seeks to enable individuals and families with a disabled member to enjoy a getaway similar to those who have no special needs. Until now, she could only dream of a vacation where they had all the equipment they needed in a place away from home where they could build memories that would last a lifetime. It is this dream that she works to make a reality for many families.
“I feel so lucky to have great friends and family who believe in my mission to change lives, one family at a time.” - Lotte
Susan Brown, Vice-President and Co-Founder of SMILE Mass - In 2008-2009, Susan was part of the SMILE Sudbury Playground Project. She was on the fundraising team and found working on that project to be extremely fulfilling. When Lotte Diomede asked her to co-found SMILE Mass together, she jumped right in. As the mother of a child with special needs, she has a personal interest in improving the lives of special needs children. Her daughter Kristen is a very happy child with a smile that melts hearts. Despite the fact that Kristen is very high functioning, she is not a typical kid. She cannot be left alone without supervision. Kristen loves being in the water and especially loves the beach. Programs supported by SMILE Mass, like the beach wheelchairs, enable Kristen and her family to enjoy beach vacations.
“I could not imagine how sad she would be if that basic joy were not possible!” - Susan
“Nothing brings a smile to my face like the hearty laughter of my boys as they play with friends on the playground.” - Jean
Amy Fedyk, Vice-Chair of PlaySudbury - Amy was inspired to help children with disabilities by her son, who was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder at an early age. His quick wit and unique perspective motivated Amy to advocate for children with learning disabilities by providing them opportunities to reach their potential and enrich our community. She joined PlaySudbury upon learning that some children in our community couldn’t play on the playground with their friends. A software engineer by training, she is currently serving as vice-chair of the Sudbury Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SEPAC.) Previously, she was on the board of the Lake Forest-Lake Bluff Learning Disabilities Association, where she served as the Chief Technical Officer and worked on the marketing committee to develop fundraising campaigns.
"Finding the best in each of us, brings out the best in all of us." - Amy
Jim Kelly, Building Commissioner for the Town of Lexington - Together with the Sudbury Public Schools, Jim began working on modernizing the playgrounds in 2016. As the Combined Facilities Director for the Town of Sudbury and the Sudbury Public Schools from 2012-2017, he began the process of accessing the current playgrounds with respect to accessibility. With his background as the Combined Facilities Director in Sudbury, he brings a wealth of institutional knowledge about the Town of Sudbury and the Sudbury Schools. As we navigate through town committees and processes, his guidance has been invaluable.
"All kids deserve to be on the playground at the same time. Let’s set an example for our kids by including everyone and making our playgrounds inviting and accessible to all!" - Jim
Lotte Diomede, President and Co-Founder of SMILE Mass - Lotte brings extensive expertise in accessibility as well as playground design and construction. SMILE Mass brought the first fully accessible playground to the MetroWest region, and PlaySudbury hopes to extend that vision to the Sudbury Public School playgrounds. After completing the playground project in 2009, Lotte co-founded SMILE Mass (Small Miracles in Life Exist). This foundation seeks to enable individuals and families with a disabled member to enjoy a getaway similar to those who have no special needs. Until now, she could only dream of a vacation where they had all the equipment they needed in a place away from home where they could build memories that would last a lifetime. It is this dream that she works to make a reality for many families.
“I feel so lucky to have great friends and family who believe in my mission to change lives, one family at a time.” - Lotte
Susan Brown, Vice-President and Co-Founder of SMILE Mass - In 2008-2009, Susan was part of the SMILE Sudbury Playground Project. She was on the fundraising team and found working on that project to be extremely fulfilling. When Lotte Diomede asked her to co-found SMILE Mass together, she jumped right in. As the mother of a child with special needs, she has a personal interest in improving the lives of special needs children. Her daughter Kristen is a very happy child with a smile that melts hearts. Despite the fact that Kristen is very high functioning, she is not a typical kid. She cannot be left alone without supervision. Kristen loves being in the water and especially loves the beach. Programs supported by SMILE Mass, like the beach wheelchairs, enable Kristen and her family to enjoy beach vacations.
“I could not imagine how sad she would be if that basic joy were not possible!” - Susan