Our Team

Joan is an experienced clinician and administrator. She holds dual Masters Degrees - one in Administration of Special Education with an emphasis on Learning Disabilities and the second, a degree in Social Work from Adelphi University. She served as the Administrator of Special Education for the Berkshire Hills Regional School District in Stockbridge. She worked in the area of early intervention with infants and toddlers, and is an experienced group worker. Joan has been the executive director at Riverbrook Residence for the past 30 years. This continuity enhances the stability of the program encouraging residents to learn and grow from a stable and emotionally solid base.

Joan is known widely in the Berkshire community and beyond. She was honored as part of the Stockbridge Women's Project as someone who has made a difference in her community and served as a local role model. In 2002 she was the recipient of the Milestone Award, presented by Community Access to the Arts. She is a recipient of the Women's Venture Fund of NYC's Highest Leaf Award.

Ruth Hanley - Human Resource Manager and Human Rights Officer
Ruth has been working with people with developmental disabilities since 1995 and has been Riverbrook's Human Rights Officer since 2002. She has had extensive training in this field through the Department of Developmental Services. Ruth is very passionate about human rights and says that watching the women advocate for themselves is her favorite part of her job.

In 2008, Ruth was excited to also take on the role of Human Resource Manager through courses with the Associated Industries of Massachusetts. When not at Riverbrook, Ruth can be found volunteering for Double Dog Rescue where she is a foster Mom for homeless dogs. The Riverbrook ladies love to meet the dogs and often help choose which home they should be adopted to. Ruth is always touched by their ability to look beyond their own limitations in order to help others.

Rebecca Amuso - Day Program Coordinator
Rebecca Amuso holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Service Management from the University of Massachusetts. She also completed a graduate certificate program at Clark University in Not-for-Profit Management. Rebecca first began her career at Riverbrook Residence in 1998 at the age of 20 years old as a direct care staff. In 2005, she took on the role of Day Program Coordinator.

Becky says, “Riverbrook’s therapeutic environment not only encourages growth in its residents but has also served as loving, supportive environment for young women beginning careers in Human Services. The personal growth that I have experienced as a part of the Riverbrook community is immeasurable. I know irrefutably that I would not be the same person I am today had I not been embraced by the many loving people at Riverbrook Residence. I am deeply grateful on a daily basis that I am given the opportunity to do work that I know makes an enormous difference in the lives of the others. It truly is a gift.”

Deborah Francome - Program Director

Deb holds a Master of Science degree in Nonprofit Management and Philanthropy from Bay Path College, MA and brings many years of experience both in the business community and the field of human services to her new position as Program Director at Riverbrook. Deb is a naturalized citizen from England who has lived in the Berkshires for almost thirty years. “Riverbrook is a wonderful and unique community built on a philosophy of shared experience and kindness. I am both delighted and honored to be welcomed into the Riverbrook family."

Tanya Ward - Assistant Health Services Coordinator
Tanya has been in the Human Services field since 1998. She became Riverbrook's Assistant Health Services Coordinator in 2007 and says she loves the position. "It's rewarding to see the women interact with their doctors and take such an interest in their own health care." Tanya has been instrumental in setting up the medication system online and instructing other staff in its use. The residents enjoy it when Tanya brings her baby daughter, Cadence, to visit, making it very much a family atmosphere.

Anne Roy - Community Outreach and Vocational Coordinator, Riverbrook-on-Main Program
Anne M. Roy was born and raised in Boston MA, graduated from Beaver Country Day School in Brookline, and attended Berkshire Community College. She has worked in many capacities in the Berkshires, including as a Girl Scout and Cub Scout leader, a Bible Study leader at Riverbrook, and Deacon at The First Congregational Church of Stockbridge. In 1983 Anne and her husband opened The Floor Store where she still works. .As Director of the Housekeeping Department at the Red Lion Inn, she first met women from Riverbrook who worked at the Inn. Anne’s aspiration became a reality when in January 2010 she was hired to be the Community Outreach and Vocational Coordinator at Riverbrook-on-Main.

Toni Bessette - Cook/Kitchen Manager
Toni Bessette is the cook/kitchen manager at Riverbrook Residence. She has been an integral part of Riverbrook's team for ten years beginning with direct care work and moving into her current position. Toni's job is complex and involves not only cooking, but menu planning, inventory, shopping, maintaining special diets and keeping our new kitchen in top shape.Prior to Riverbrook Toni has had much experience in the food industry as a business owner, caterer, baker and dietary supervisor. Toni has a certification in both Culinary Arts and baking and is currently in the process of securing her BA through the University Without Walls program at UMass. Amherst. "Working with the ladies at Riverbrook is the most fulfilling, enjoyable and challenging job I have ever had. I love it and wouldn't trade it for the world."