Lawrence Partnership

Thank you to everyone who joined us yesterday for the Lawrence Partnership Annual Meeting. Your presence, energy, and commitment to our community made this year's gathering a tremendous success.

We are especially grateful to our keynote speaker, Dave Wheeler, Chief Operating Officer of New Balance, for sharing valuable insights on leadership, innovation, and growth. We were also honored to celebrate this year’s outstanding award recipients whose work continues to strengthen Lawrence and the Merrimack Valley.

Congratulations to Chet Szablak, recipient of the David Tibbetts Economic Impact Award; Rising Star Award recipients Pati Fernandez, Niorka Mendez-Almonte, and Michael Bastien; and Student Recognition Award recipients Amabeli Mejía Mejía (Lawrence High School), Marioly Guzmán (Central Catholic High School), and Engely Geraldino Díaz (Northern Essex Community College).

We also extend our sincere gratitude to Socrates De La Cruz for his exceptional leadership and service as Chair of the Lawrence Partnership Board of Directors. His dedication, vision, and commitment have helped advance our mission and strengthen our impact throughout the community. At the same time, we are excited to welcome Gary Sidell as our new Board Chair and look forward to his leadership as we continue building opportunities for Lawrence's future.

A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors, partners, board members, volunteers, staff, vendors, and everyone who worked behind the scenes to make this event possible. Together, we continue to build momentum for a stronger, more inclusive, and more prosperous Lawrence.

📷 Mike Dean Photos

Looking forward to seeing you all today! 🌟 lawrencepartnership.org/annualmeeting2026

On June 16th, please join us in celebrating our Student Recognition Awardees:
- Amabeli Mejía Mejía of Lawrence High School Campus
- Marioly Guzmán of Central Catholic High School
- Engely Geraldino Díaz of Northern Essex Community College

2026 LP Annual Meeting
Tuesday, June 16, 10:30am-1:30pm
Central Catholic High School

REGISTER 🔹 SPONSOR 🔹 DONATE: bit.ly/LPAnnualMtg26

Are you or do you know a high schooler in Lawrence with big dreams? 📚 The Rising Stars Academy is HERE and it's FREE!

💡 Explore NECC and other colleges, entrepreneurship & career opportunities this summer.

🗓 Apply by June 12th as spots are LIMITED!

Questions? Contact Maria Aybar, NECC at (978) 738-7402 and/or [email protected]

A wonderful evening at the Lawrence Partnership’s Know Your City event last week! 👏 Learn more about the series: lawrencepartnership.org/knowyourcity

A special thank you to Joanna de Peña, M.Ed of Top Notch Scholars for her outstanding job engaging attendees and helping create a welcoming and informative experience for all. We were also grateful to have our partners from UMass Lowell (both One Campus and Online) and Northern Essex Community College (NECC) join us to share valuable educational resources and programs available to our community.

We were pleased to welcome representatives from Bellesini Academy and Lawrence CommunityWorks, who highlighted the impactful services and opportunities they provide to Lawrence residents. Thank you as well to State Representatives Estela Reyes and Francisco Paulino for attending and connecting with community members.

Events like these showcase the power of collaboration and community engagement. Thank you to everyone who joined us to learn more about the organizations, resources, and opportunities that help make Lawrence a stronger, more connected city.

TOMORROW / MAÑANA [bilingual message/mensaje bilingüe] 🗓️ Acompáñenos el jueves 28 de mayo, de 5-7pm, en el edificio Dimitry del Essex Community College (45 Franklin Street), donde hablaremos sobre la Educación en Lawrence como parte de la serie "Conozca su Ciudad," con:

🗣️ Joanna de Peña, M.Ed - Fundadora y Directora Ejecutiva de Top Notch Scholars

Agregue a su calendario: bit.ly/4eYlOZU

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🗓️ Join us on Thursday, May 28th from 5-7pm at Northern Essex Community College's Dimitry Building (45 Franklin Street) as we discuss Education in Lawrence as part of the "Know Your City" series with:

🗣️ Joanna de Peña, M.Ed - Founder & CEO, Top Notch Scholars

Add to your calendar: bit.ly/4eYlOZU

Last Call for Sponsors! (If you want to be included in print materials) 🗓 PRINTING DEADLINE: May 31st

In 2026, we're doubling down on our commitment to make Lawrence a model of economic opportunity and vibrant community life. Our mission remains the same: to create lasting employment opportunities and pathways to upward mobility for our residents.

This year, we’re focused on three strategic priorities:
🔹 Workforce Development – Aligning training programs with industry needs to create direct career pathways.
🔹 Educational Attainment – Expanding early college access and supporting student achievement.
🔹 Community Engagement – Deepening connections among residents, businesses, and civic leaders.

We’ve made great strides—but there’s still more to accomplish. Join us at our Annual Meeting to celebrate progress and help shape what’s next. Your sponsorship fuels real change—let’s build the future of Lawrence, together.

Warm regards,

The Lawrence Partnership Annual Meeting Subcommittee
Socrates De La Cruz
Gary Sidell
Lesly Melendez

Looking for your next career opportunity? Several organizations represented on the Lawrence Partnership Board are currently hiring across a variety of industries and experience levels. From nonprofit and education to healthcare, finance, and community development, there are exciting opportunities to grow your career while making an impact in our community.

Take a look at the open positions and share with someone who may be searching for their next step: lawrencepartnership.org/localjobs

Announcing our 2026 Rising Star Awardees 💫 LP Annual Meeting: bit.ly/LPAnnualMtg26

Pati Fernández is a fundraising leader with more than 17 years of experience advancing mission-driven organizations across education and the nonprofit sector. She has held development roles at Belmont Day School, Elder Services of the Merrimack (now AgeSpan), Esperanza Academy, The Pike School, and Wediko Children’s Services, where she built a strong foundation in cultivating philanthropic partnerships and driving sustainable growth.

Most recently as Chief Development Officer at Esperanza Academy, a tuition-free, all-girls independent school in Lawrence, MA, Pati supported strategy at the intersection of philanthropy, equity, and organizational growth. In partnership with school leadership, she has helped advance key fundraising milestones and support the school’s expansion, including a new building project that will increase access for students and families.

Known for her strategic mindset and relationship-driven approach, Pati is a bridge-builder who brings together individuals, institutions, and the community to invest in long-term change. She is especially passionate about ensuring that growth is matched by deep, sustained support for underserved communities. Her future focus includes expanding educational opportunities and fostering community resilience through strategic partnerships.

A proud Lawrence native and first-generation Dominican-American, Pati is deeply committed to the community that shaped her. She extends her impact through board and advisory roles over the years with organizations including Community InRoads, Greater Lawrence Family Charter School, Greater Lawrence Technical School, Groundwork Lawrence, Essex County Habitat for Humanity, Northern Essex Community College, The Children’s Room, The Women’s Fund of Essex County, and Raising a Reader Massachusetts.