What is a team? Webster's Dictionary defines it as "a group of people working together in a coordinated effort." At Hebrew SeniorLife, the "team" approach takes on special significance. With its 100+ year tradition of care, HSL cherishes the individual and the contributions that each brings to the success of the organization. At NewBridge on the Charles, we believe that we have the "right" people to lead the team - people who care about seniors and people who are committed to providing outstanding, best-in-class care and service. Each member of the Executive Operations Team has brought their own wide-ranging set of skills, background and talents. Together, we have created one of the country's most outstanding continuing care retirement communities.

Cara Spalla 
Vice President, Housing and Hospitality Services
In her role as HSL VP of Housing and Hospitality Services, Cara oversees the management and operation of NBOC housing and campus services. At a point in the future, Cara will incorporate Center Communities of Brookline, Jack Satter House, Simon C. Fireman Community and Orchard Cove into her oversight as well. Cara brings more than 20 years of experience in the hospitality industry to her position. Prior to joining HSL in 2008, Cara held managing director and general manager positions with Hilton in Boston that included the company's first regional sales and marketing center, HOTEL@MIT, Hilton Boston Logan Airport and the Doubletree Club Hotel. She has also managed the Boston Park Plaza Hotel and The Drake Hotel in Chicago. She holds a BS from Western Illinois University and is a native Chicagoan.

Steve Colwell  
Executive Director, Operations
Stephen Colwell, NBOC Executive Director of Operations, is responsible for creating and maintaining an exceptional living environment on the NewBridge on the Charles campus. He oversees activities, programming and services provided in the community center, food and beverage areas and physical maintenance operations on the campus. Steve has over 24 years of experience within the hospitality industry, most recently as the Executive Director at Cabot Park Village, an assisted living community in Wellesley. He also held various managerial positions with the Hilton Hotels Corporation. Stephen has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Rochester and a BS from Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration.

Rhonda Glyman 
Director of Community Life
 Rhonda Glyman, Director of Community Life, is responsible for directing and delivering exceptional quality of life and services to NBOC's independent living community including intellectual, cultural, social, multigenerational, spiritual and wellness-related programming. Prior to joining the NBOC team, Rhonda served as Project Director of The Adelson Educational Campus in Las Vegas. She has held management positions in the telecommunications, hospitality and healthcare industries, and has served on the Boards of the Jewish Community Center of Southern Nevada, Jewish Federation of Las Vegas, and UNLV College of Education. Rhonda founded the national award-winning Nevada Partnership for Inclusive Education and was inducted into the Clark County School District's Excellence in Education Hall of Fame. She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Economics (Magna Cum Laude) from UCLA.

Carmine Bruno 
Director of Facilities
As Director of Facilities, Carmine Bruno is responsible for the management, operation, maintenance and repair of the physical plant and grounds of NewBridge on the Charles. Carmine has 30 years experience in corporate real estate services and a wide range of experience in strategic planning and project delivery. Prior to joining the NewBridge staff, Carmine held the positions of Assistant Vice President of Corporate Real Estate with John Hancock Financial/Manulife Financial in Boston, Director of Business Development of Wilson Group Architecture, Inc. in Norwell, and Assistant Vice President with MetLife/New England Financial, where he managed the construction of the company expansion at 500 Boylston Street. He received his Bachelor of Architecture degree from Pratt Institute of Technology.

Michael Hefron 
Director of Finance
As NewBridge Director of Finance, Michael Hefron guides and directs the finance operations of the Independent Living and Assisted Living programs on the campus. He prepares and reviews the financial analyses of operations, including developing strategic planning models, conducting high-level financial analyses, maintaining NBOC's Table of Organization, coordinating financial reporting processes and financial projections. Mike has over 12 years experience in the field of finance and operations accounting. His previous positions include Director of Finance for HEI Hotels and Resorts, Director of Finance for the Hilton Hotels Corporation and Service Director for the Marriott Corporation. Mike holds a Master of Professional Accountancy degree, a BA in Public Administration and a BA in Political Science from Rhode Island College.

Ruth Stark 
Director of Marketing
Ruth Stark is the Director of Marketing for NewBridge on the Charles. She has been with HSL for 14 years, having previously served as the organization's Director of Corporate Communications. In her current role, she oversees the sale of independent living units at NBOC and is responsible for all NBOC marketing activities, member stewardship, community building and outreach to the Dedham community. Prior to HSL, Ruth served as the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for MetroWest Medical Center in Framingham. Ruth holds a Bachelor's Degree in Government from Boston University and a Masters Degree in Public Health (Magna Cum Laude) from Boston University Medical School.

Adam Pagan 
Executive Chef
Adam Pagan, NBOC's Executive Chef, is a Culinary Arts graduate of Johnson and Wales University in Providence, Rhode Island. With 15 years of experience in the culinary field, Adam is an expert in menu development, whether it is writing a menu for 20 people or 2,000 people. He has catered events ranging from 10 to 1,000 people including the Boston Celtics draft party and a lobster bake hosted by Boston's Mayor Thomas Menino. In his last position as executive chef for Aramark, Adam played a major role in the success of many high-profile events, including the Detroit Auto Show, the Democratic National Convention press party as well as many private events within the Hynes Convention Center. Adam has been a Featured Chef in Food Service Director Magazine.

Ruth Raposo 
Housekeeping Manager
As Housekeeping Manager, Ruth Raposo is responsible for maintaining the highest standard of cleanliness of the NewBridge campus. She leads the team that provides weekly resident cleaning services as well as the annual "deep clean" of each independent home. She also ensures that all of the common spaces, the Community Center, the grounds and any other place the public may walk, is spotless and beautiful. Ruth comes to NewBridge with a 15 year career in hotel housekeeping, most recently having served in the position of Director of Housekeeping and Laundry Operations at the Hilton Boston Back Bay. Ruth has an Associate Degree from Bay State College where she majored in Hotel Management.

Sheila Waxman 
Director of Sales
Sheila Waxman is Director of Independent Living Sales for NewBridge on the Charles. Prior to joining the NBOC team, Sheila served as both Director of Resident Services and Director of Marketing at Lasell Village in Auburndale. Sheila also worked as Corporate Director of Programs for Cordia Senior Living, a division of Boston Financial, where she created programming for retirement communities in Massachusetts, Utah and California. She holds a Doctorate in Music and was an Instructor of Music at Northeastern University and M. I. T.