Meet Our Board of Directors

At Kidneys for Kindness, our Board of Directors is the heart behind our mission to support living kidney donors before, during, and after donation. Each member brings unique expertise, leadership, and a deep commitment to kindness—working together to ensure that no donor ever feels alone on their journey.

Kelly Dyer

Founder of Kidneys for Kindness | President

Kelly Dyer is a dedicated licensed insurance agent with New York Life Insurance Company, where she guides clients in securing their financial futures. Beyond her professional work, Kelly is deeply committed to making a difference in her community. She serves as a board member for Best Buddies International in New Hampshire, championing inclusion and friendship for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. As a “Big” for Big Brothers Big Sisters of New Hampshire, Kelly actively mentors young people, empowering them to reach their full potential.

Kelly’s passion for giving back led her to found Kidneys for Kindness, an organization that supports kidney donors and raises awareness about kidney donation. She is also a proud living organ donor, exemplifying the values of kindness and compassion in every aspect of her life. Additionally, Kelly is a Klemmer graduate, continually striving to be the best leader she can be by prioritizing personal growth and service to others.

Stephen DePalma

Board Member | Vice President

Stephen DePalma grew up in Farmington, a small town in New Hampshire, where he developed a deep sense of community and service. During his school years, he was a member of the National Honor Society and excelled as a scholar-athlete. Stephen’s commitment to giving back is evident through his volunteer work with the Farmington 500 Boys and Girls Club. A graduate of the Klemmer Leadership Program, he also proudly supports Best Buddies of New Hampshire.

Professionally, Stephen has been a dedicated member of the GMI Asphalt team for over 11 years, known for his strong work ethic and dedication. Beyond his career, he is passionate about helping others, a quality that he brings to his role on the Kidneys for Kindness board. Stephen’s genuine desire to make a difference and his unwavering support for the community make him a valued part of the organization’s mission to support kidney donors and raise awareness.

Kerri Dexter

Board Member | Secretary

Kerri Dexter became involved with Kidneys for Kindness through her lifelong relationship with founder Kelly Dyer, whose personal kidney donation and passion for helping others inspired her to join the mission. As someone who has worked in the medical field, Kerri has witnessed firsthand the financial hardships kidney donors often face, making her deeply committed to helping ease their burden.

Her passion for healthcare advocacy and donor support aligns perfectly with the mission of Kidneys for Kindness, ensuring that donors receive the assistance they need throughout their journey. By bringing her professional insight and compassion to the board, Kerri helps shape programs that directly impact donors in meaningful ways.

Beyond her professional and philanthropic commitments, Kerri enjoys boating, spending time outdoors, and cherishing moments with family, friends, and her beloved dog, Bonkie. Her dedication, warmth, and firsthand knowledge of the challenges donors experience make her an invaluable asset to the Kidneys for Kindness team.

Cassandra Farley

Board Member | Treasurer

Cassandra Farley is a dedicated Board Member and Treasurer for Kidneys for Kindness, bringing extensive expertise in commercial real estate, investment sales, and financial management. As a managing partner of 3375 Capital Investment Group, she specializes in advising investors, business owners, and property owners on commercial real estate sales, leasing, and development, with a focus on industrial properties, office spaces, and car washes.

She holds a BA from the University of New Hampshire and is licensed in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Cassandra is actively involved in several professional organizations, including the NH Commercial Investment Board of Realtors (NHCIBOR), National Association of Realtors, New Hampshire Association of Realtors, and the NH Real Estate Investors Association (NHREIA), where she serves as Vice President. She is also a member of the Women in Business League and serves on the NHCIBOR Education Committee.

Her commitment to education, mentorship, and financial advocacy drives her work with Kidneys for Kindness, where she ensures financial resources are effectively managed to support kidney donors across the U.S. Her leadership, business acumen, and dedication to giving back make her a vital part of the organization’s mission.

Hillary Blevens

Board Member | Director

Hillary Blevens serves as a Director for Kidneys for Kindness, where she brings a strong passion for community service, operational leadership, and relationship building to the organization’s mission of supporting kidney donors and their families.

With a background in business development and operations, Hillary plays a key role in helping Kidneys for Kindness grow its outreach, strengthen partnerships, and build sustainable systems that allow the organization to expand its impact. Her collaborative leadership style and detail-oriented approach help ensure initiatives are both mission-driven and effectively executed.

A New Hampshire native, Hillary has long been deeply involved in community-based efforts and believes that meaningful change begins at the local level. Her commitment to service is rooted in a genuine desire to support individuals and families navigating some of life’s most challenging moments with compassion, dignity, and care.

Hillary holds a degree from Southern New Hampshire University with a focus in Business Administration and Organizational Management. Outside of her professional and nonprofit work, she enjoys traveling, painting, and staying actively engaged in causes that strengthen and uplift her community.

Erica Kinney

Board Member

Erica Kinney is a seasoned business development professional with more than 20 years of experience helping organizations build meaningful relationships and identify creative solutions for growth and success. She is passionate about community involvement and dedicates her time and talents to several nonprofit organizations, including Kidneys for Kindness, Best Buddies New Hampshire, and Eliot Connects.

As a childhood bone cancer survivor, Erica understands the importance of resilience, advocacy, and prioritizing one’s health. Her personal journey has inspired her to empower others to trust their instincts, find their voice, and overcome life’s challenges. She recently shared that message on the TEDx stage at TEDxPortsmouth, speaking about resilience and adaptability.

Guided by her motto, “What have you done today to earn your air?”, Erica strives to make a positive impact in both her professional and personal life. Her passion for service and commitment to helping others make her a valued member of the Kidneys for Kindness Board of Directors.

Danielle Bellefleur

Board Member

Danielle Bellefleur is a wife, mom, and someone who truly enjoys connecting with and helping others. She and her husband, Eric, are raising their three boys—Carson, 10, and 5-year-old twins Connor and Colby—who keep life busy, fun, and full of adventure. Their family also includes their dog, Kayne, who is always along for the ride.

Danielle loves spending time outdoors, especially during the warmer months. Whether she’s enjoying a day by the lake, taking in a beautiful sunset, or exploring the peaceful trails up north on ATVs with family and friends, she appreciates the simple moments that bring people together.

She is honored to be part of Kidneys for Kindness and is passionate about supporting its mission of bringing hope, kindness, and assistance to individuals and families facing difficult circumstances. Danielle believes that a caring community can make all the difference and is grateful for every opportunity to help others.

Tara Foster

Board Member

Tara Foster is a registered nurse, educator, mother of three, and passionate advocate for organ donation and patient-centered care. As a living altruistic kidney donor, Tara donated a kidney to a pediatric patient in Massachusetts December 2, 2025 – an experience that strengthened her commitment to service, compassion, and improving the lives of others.

Professionally, Tara works as a registered nurse and teaches adult education programs that prepare students for careers in healthcare. She is dedicated to mentoring future healthcare professionals and helping others achieve their goals through education and support.
Outside of her professional roles, Tara is an active volunteer in her hometown of Bethel, Ohio, where she supports youth sports programs and works to strengthen her local community.

As a board member for Kidneys for Kindness, Tara brings a unique perspective shaped by her experiences as a healthcare professional, educator, mother, and living Kidney donor. She is passionate about advocating for patients, raising awareness about organ donation, and finding opportunities to put more good into the world through service and community engagement.

Kyal Pokraka

Board Member

Kyal Pokraka is one of the newest board members of Kidneys for Kindness, a cause that is deeply meaningful to him.

He was first introduced to the organization through a close friend’s benefit, an experience that left a lasting impression and inspired him to get involved. After attending and volunteering at the organization’s biggest fundraiser, Kyal was emotionally moved by the outpouring of love and mission to help living kidney donors.

Kyal has a huge heart, a deep sense of compassion for others, and a genuine passion for helping people through connection and storytelling. He enjoys building others up and sharing stories that are inspirational.

He is honored to support the mission of Kidneys for Kindness and to advocate for kindness, awareness, and community through this important work.

Maureen Gouveia

Board Member

Maureen Gouveia is a Licensed Massage Therapist, Certified Personal Trainer, Licensed Clinical Mental Health, and Licensed Drug and Alcohol Counselor. She has been in the behavioral health field for over 17 years with experience in outpatient, residential, criminal justice, and emergency room services.

Maureen has been an advocate in prevention to include most recently in a partnership in Warwick, Rhode Island for the last 6 ½ years where she was an embedded clinician providing crisis response, emergency assessments for all community members, outreach, and mental health and substance use education. She provided monthly education series for the community regarding mental health or substance use to include Mental Health First Aid Training for Adults and Youth.

Maureen chose to join the board of Kidneys for Kindness because she deeply believe in its mission to support living kidney donors and raise awareness about kidney health.