Our Team

Jane Bolles

Jane and her husband, Keith, live in Essex and own and manage Saybrook Home. They have three children Lindsey, Kara, and Keith. Jane grew up around horses most of her life and learned of High Hopes (then LCVERA) while looking for a place for her then six-year-old daughter (who is hearing impaired and intellectually challenged,) to learn to ride and be safe around horses. Now at age 35, Lindsey is still a participant in the program, is a highlight in her life! Jane has Co-Chaired Symphony in the Meadows, the Concert in The Barn and the June Gala. She Chairs the Program Task Force, through which she has coordinated a variety of programs for the families and participants. Jane serves on the Human Resource Advisory Committee, and is a past Secretary and past Vice-Chair of the Executive Board. In 2016 Jane was the recipient of the Sally H. Aubrey Award. Jane is a Graduate of The University of Connecticut.

Affiliation – Saybrook Home

Nancy Bulkeley

Nancy Bulkeley is the Senior Community Affairs Representative for Dominion Nuclear Connecticut.  Nancy has been in the Nuclear Industry for 23 years, in the areas of human resources, communications and public affairs.  In her current position, Nancy is responsible for representing her company and its policies and programs in the community.  She is the primary interface to local governmental and community groups not only in nuclear related discussions but as a key interface for the local charities that are part of Dominion’s focus as a responsible member of the community.  Nancy has served on committees and boards for several non-profit organizations in her community. She supports education programs through tours, community outreach, special events, and establishes and promotes minority outreach programs. Nancy and her wife, Kristine, live in Pawcatuck. They have four children and five grandchildren.

Affiliation: Dominion Power

John Catlett

John spent more than 26 years with the consulting firm Accenture before retiring as a senior partner. During his 14 years as a Trustee, John has served as Chair of the Board, Chair of Strategic Planning, Development and Governance Committees and continues to serve on the Development, Finance and HRAC Committees. He holds degrees from Drew University and Lehigh University. John lives in Lyme with his wife, Athana, and three daughters, Sarah, Sabrina and Anna.

Sarah Kitchings Keenan

Sarah and her husband Christopher reside in Essex with their three children, Ryan, Maggie and Ashley. Her son, Ryan has been an active High Hopes participant for five years, both of her daughters have attended the High Hopes Summer Camp. Sarah has served as a member of the High Hopes Development Committee and is currently Treasurer of the Essex Elementary School Foundation. Sarah attended Miss. Porter’s School, followed by the University of Oregon. She received her Juris Doctor from Quinnipiac University School of Law. Sarah then practiced as an Attorney specializing in real estate law, trusts and estates. She has worked as a realtor at William Pitt Southerby International Realty and currently works for the Essex Marine Group.

Affiliation: Essex Marine Group

Todd Machnik

Todd grew up in Old Lyme and and received a C.Eng. from Vermont Technical College. Todd is owner and President of Machnik Bros., Inc., established in 1957. Todd has been a member of the Old Lyme Fire Department since 1970 and has served as an Officer for ten years. He also served on the Town of Lyme Flood & Erosion Control Board for 20 years (five years as Chair) and is a member of the Planning Commission and the Shellfish Commission. Todd is currently a Trustee of Essex Savings Bank, and has served on the High Hopes Building & Grounds Committee for five years, two years as Chair. Other committee positions have included the Southeastern CT Youth Hockey Board where he was President for five years and St. Bernard’s School Hockey Manager for 12 years. He married his wife, Becky Machnik, in 1978 and has three sons: Tom, Kevin, and Peter. Becky and Todd have been the Lord Creek Horse Trials course designers and builders for five years.

Affliation: Machnik Bros., Inc. and Essex Savings Bank

Mac (Margaret) Mummert

Mac and her husband, Earl, are veterinarians and have owned four small animal practices. Her special interests include internal medicine and oncology. She has served in many of the area’s civic organizations including the Lyme Garden Club, Child and Family Agency and is a Past President of the SE Connecticut Professional Women’s Network.  She has served on the vestry of St. Ann’s Episcopal Church ,and was District Commissioner of the Connecticut Valley Pony Club. Mac has two children, Brian and Anya. Anya has been a participant at High Hopes since she was five and now works as a volunteer twice weekly. Mac earned a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1977 from Auburn University and resides in Lyme.

Gregory Varga

Greg is a Partner at Robinson & Cole LLP, Hartford CT, a national law firm with offices throughout New England, New York, California, and Florida. As Chair of the firm’s Insurance & Reinsurance Practice, Greg represents property and casualty insurance companies and other clients in high-exposure litigation and arbitration arising from contract disputes, claims for punitive and statutory damages, and related matters. Greg also counsels and assists clients in pre-litigation dispute resolution, and advises clients regarding open claims. He is a fellow of the American College of Coverage Counsel and a member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel. He has been honored by his peers with an “AV Preeminent” ranking by Martindale Hubbell®, has been honored by Connecticut SuperLawyers® since 2011, and named to The Best Lawyers in America® in the field of insurance law since 2012. Education: Boston College Law School, Juris Doctor, 1995; Boston College, B.A. in History, magna cum laude, 1991; Fairfield College Preparatory School (1987)

Affiliation: Robinson + Cole, LLP

Deborah Welles

Debbie is a semi-retired CPA living in Old Lyme.  Married to John, Debbie spends most of her spare time traveling to be with their six grandchildren. Debbie has been a Trustee at High Hopes for many years, currently finishing up her second term.  She has served as Secretary, Treasurer, Chair of the Audit and Finance Committees and as a member of the Development and Human Resource Advisory Committees.

Affiliation: Exencial Wealth Advisors

Barbara Willkens

Barbara is enjoying her retirement after 38 years in the nuclear power industry.  The majority of her professional career was spent at Millstone Power Station in Waterford, CT where she was a member of the senior management team.  She earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Tennessee, and completed post-graduate courses at MIT. Before joining High Hopes, Barbara served on the Board of Directors at Big Brothers/Big Sisters and was a “big” for ten years. She is still in close contact with her “little.” Barbara has been actively involved at High Hopes for over eight years as a member of the Development Committee, a Co-Chair of the June Gala, co=chair of the Holiday Market and most recently as Co-Chair of the Auction Committee. Barbara is an avid knitter, gardener, and chef.  With her husband Wilhelm they enjoys traveling to his native home of Austria.  Barbara and Wilhelm live in Lyme with their Rhodesian Ridgeback, Jack.