Board of Directors
Steering our future
Our Board members are the fiduciaries who steer the organization towards a sustainable future by adopting sound, ethical, and legal governance and financial management policies, as well as by making sure we have adequate resources to advance our mission. They are passionate about the women we serve and everything they do is based on that mission and the goal of creating long-term sustainability. Our board meets bi-monthly and volunteers a significant amount of time serving on committees and fundraising.
If you are interested in joining our board of directors, contact us for more information.
Our Board of Directors
Caroline Raynis, Chairwoman
Caroline Raynis is a wife, mother, and avid volunteer. She first began serving the New Britain community, in college, under the guidance of CCSU English Professor Dr. Aimee Pozorski. Her time as a volunteer Girl Scout leader at Holmes Elementary School, was life-changing, as the Troop wasso impoverished that the girls could not afford vests, and shared one book. This inspired her continued work in the New Britain community. Upon graduating CCSU with a B.A. in Communications, emphasizing in Public Relations/Promotions, and minoring in Journalism and Criminal Justice, Caroline worked for the New Britain Department of Labor. While there, she became active in volunteering and aiding the homeless community, concentrating in career services. Always encouraged by the office’s director, Mike Bartley, and supervisors, Sandy Mello and Carl Walczewski, as a young professional she played a pivotal role in organizing homeless resource fairs, in a leadership position. Through liaison efforts with the local Job Center, Caroline also participated in Project Homeless Connect. It was during her time working for the Department of Labor that she met herhusband, a (now retired) New Britain Police officer. Together they continue to serve the New Britain Community in volunteer capacities. Most active in her church, St. Sebastian of Middletown, Caroline is President of Saint Theresa’s Guild and on the Feast Committee. Her volunteer work also includes previous school board roles at her children’s school, Holy Trinity in Wallingford, where she organized and ran many events, and is still involved. She holds an MBA in marketing, from SCSU, and is a Certified Professional Résumé Writer (CPRW). She is most proud of her beautiful family, husband Allan, Jr., and their children: Abigail, Nathan, Lila, Lara, and Baby Al III. She enjoys yoga, a good plate of pasta, and her beloved fur children: cats Valentine, Smokey, Bandit, and Luciana, and dog Ammo. She lives by the motto of sharing. She looks forward to sharing her time, expertise, knowledge, and resources with Coram Deo.
Sara Piatti
Sara Piatti was first introduced to Coram Deo as a client of the program. After spending 4 years successfully navigating her recovery, she obtained her Recovery Coach Certification in 2016 and received additional certifications over the next six years as a Recovery Support Specialist, a Trauma Healing Facilitator, Mental Health First Aid, and Mental Health First Aid.
Sarah joined Coram Deo in 2021 as a full time Outreach Recovery Coach, providing recovery support and resources to people struggling with SUD/co-occurring disorders in New Britain. Upon completion of that grant program, she continued in the same role at The Central Connecticut Health District and has been most recently working for the past five years as a Womens Recovery Navigator at The Village for Families and Children.
Cindy Pough
C\Cindy Pough started as a resident of Sarah’s House in 2007 before becoming a valued employee in 2008.
She proudly assisted the newly formed Coram Deo grow from one mutli-family recovery home for women, to four.
Although her profession passion has taken her on a different career path, her on going passion for recovery, growing herself while mentoring others, has always remained a personal priority.
Cindy and her husband have been in their home in New Britain since 2008 where they raised their three
children and currently enjoy their three grandchildren.
Although her profession passion has taken her on a different career path, her on going passion for recovery, growing herself while mentoring others, has always remained a personal priority.
Cindy and her husband have been in their home in New Britain since 2008 where they raised their three
children and currently enjoy their three grandchildren.
Dayna R. Snell
Dayna R. Snell, LCSW is a champion for humankind and has devoted her life using her talents to help others. Ms. Snell earned a master’s degree in social work from Southern Connecticut State University and a postmaster’s certificate in clinical supervision from Smith College. Her “heart work” blends social work expertise, insight, and artistic abilities which inspire others to reach their fullest potential. Ms. Snell is the founder and executive director of Queen Ann Nzinga Center, Inc., (QANC) a 35+-year-old nonprofit that infuses arts, humanities and culturally centered programming to at-risk children and youth. In addition, the program model she developed is rooted in informed togetherness, social justice, education, empowerment, valued community, and liberation for all. This is realized by bringing talented people together from diverse disciplines, cultures, and experiences to create a multicultural and multigenerational community of support and empowerment.
Ms. Snell retired from the State of Connecticut Department of Children and Families after more than 35 years of dedicated service as a program supervisor. She began her work as an entry level child protective services social worker and swiftly moved into the role of supervisor in that domain. Her desire to make a difference by simply ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children, youth, and their families wasn’t enough. A combination of drive, skills and abilities afforded Ms. Snell multiple opportunities to service specialized populations across the department. Notably during her tenure, Ms. Snell created and implemented a Formal Rites of Passage program for 27 girls in the state’s custody and development DCF’s first and only Arts and Music Academy.
As a retiree, Dayna R. Snell continues to use her skills to make pathways that positively impact the lives of others in her community. Currently, she works part-time for the Town of Plainville as a Youth Services Coordinator. Bringing her expertise, she provides clinical supervision for student interns, has developed a leadership response to local high school bullying, is the chair of the antiracism task force and has hosted Plainville’s first Juneteenth Celebration in 2023. At Queen Ann Nzinga Center, Inc., retirement has afforded her the opportunity to build capacity and solid connections in the greater community.
Ms. Snell was immersed in music from a very young age which built her foundation to use music as a modality for healing. Following the footsteps of her grandmother, she directed multiple choirs. With an ability to see potential in others she also mentors both amateur and professional artists. She creates platforms to bring performing artists of all genres, generations, and levels of professionalism together to showcase their talents. She has a 30+-year history of producing professional performances at multiple venues on state, national and internationally levels. She continues to do so today.
Dayna R Snell’s highest honor is having the privilege to be the mother of 5 amazing resilient adult children and a proud grandmother of two grandsons. She gives all the glory to God who is the head of her life and much credit to her amazing mother, her maternal grandmother and grandfather that stood in the gap. She is grateful for her church foundation, her aunts and uncles, a complicated school system, support received from elders, mentors and believers along the way.
Ms. Snell retired from the State of Connecticut Department of Children and Families after more than 35 years of dedicated service as a program supervisor. She began her work as an entry level child protective services social worker and swiftly moved into the role of supervisor in that domain. Her desire to make a difference by simply ensuring the safety and wellbeing of children, youth, and their families wasn’t enough. A combination of drive, skills and abilities afforded Ms. Snell multiple opportunities to service specialized populations across the department. Notably during her tenure, Ms. Snell created and implemented a Formal Rites of Passage program for 27 girls in the state’s custody and development DCF’s first and only Arts and Music Academy.
As a retiree, Dayna R. Snell continues to use her skills to make pathways that positively impact the lives of others in her community. Currently, she works part-time for the Town of Plainville as a Youth Services Coordinator. Bringing her expertise, she provides clinical supervision for student interns, has developed a leadership response to local high school bullying, is the chair of the antiracism task force and has hosted Plainville’s first Juneteenth Celebration in 2023. At Queen Ann Nzinga Center, Inc., retirement has afforded her the opportunity to build capacity and solid connections in the greater community.
Ms. Snell was immersed in music from a very young age which built her foundation to use music as a modality for healing. Following the footsteps of her grandmother, she directed multiple choirs. With an ability to see potential in others she also mentors both amateur and professional artists. She creates platforms to bring performing artists of all genres, generations, and levels of professionalism together to showcase their talents. She has a 30+-year history of producing professional performances at multiple venues on state, national and internationally levels. She continues to do so today.
Dayna R Snell’s highest honor is having the privilege to be the mother of 5 amazing resilient adult children and a proud grandmother of two grandsons. She gives all the glory to God who is the head of her life and much credit to her amazing mother, her maternal grandmother and grandfather that stood in the gap. She is grateful for her church foundation, her aunts and uncles, a complicated school system, support received from elders, mentors and believers along the way.
Jessica Fillback
I am a wife and a mother from Portland, CT working as a photographer and a legal secretary. Volunteer work has always been important to me and recovery is an important issue as addiction has touched some of my close family members. I have been involved in Celebrate Recovery for many years and have worked the 12 steps several times. I am excited to be a part of the Board of Directors at Coram Deo and look forward to lending my experience and expertise to the mission. In my spare time, I enjoy raising ducks and chickens, traveling with my husband and I am committed to replicating my grandmother’s pasta sauce!
Building a better tomorrow one day at a time.
