Our Staff
William H. Guenther
Chairman, CEO & Founder
Bill founded Mass Insight Education in 1997. Mass Insight organizes partnerships of states, districts, schools, business and universities with two high-impact goals: using Advanced Placement® as a lever to attain excellence in math and science achievement and to transform 6-12 school culture, and the successful turnaround of consistently under-performing public schools. Bill has led Mass Insight’s work in three areas: (1) Research—as co-author of The Turnaround Challenge (2007) which has received national attention and is credited with shaping state and district strategies on turnaround of chronically underperforming schools; (2) Performance-based partnerships—Bill and Mass Insight have organized research-based initiatives incorporating comprehensive services, including staff and leadership development programs and consulting for states, school districts and schools; (3) Policy facilitation and communication—Bill and Mass Insight have served as advocates, conveners and catalysts for education policymaking. Mass Insight’s national work grew from its successful campaigns and field work that contributed to the success of Massachusetts education reform.
Bill is also president and founder (1989) of Mass Insight Global Partnerships, a Boston-based consulting and research firm that shapes talent- and innovation-based economic development strategies, builds strategic alliances between higher education, industry, and government within the Commonwealth, and seeks opportunities to connect Massachusetts’ assets to the global economy with a special focus on building US-China leadership networks.
Bill, a graduate of Harvard College and the New York University Law School, lives in Beverly with his wife and two children. Previously, he served as chairman of the Salem Redevelopment Authority.
Deborah J. Abbott, CPA
Business Manager
Deb Abbott is responsible for all financial aspects of the organizations including budgeting, reporting, and projecting cash flows. She has more than 19 years of experience in accounting, the majority of it with not-for-profit organizations. Prior to joining Mass Insight, she was the Controller for a privately-held rare coins and collectibles business for almost 2 years. Before that, she was the Controller for BWH Anesthesia Foundation, Inc. for 6 years. Deb has her B.S. in accounting from Bryant College and an M.B.A. with a concentration in finance from Clark University.
Joanna Manikas
Vice President, Business and Information Systems
Joanna Manikas is responsible for information and office systems. She has over 25 years of experience in project management, information technology, print and electronic design, and operations. Prior to joining Mass Insight, Joanna was a business integration project manager at CMGI where she developed toolkits and cross-functional systems to assimilate newly acquired companies into the corporate organization. She has a B.S. from Babson College.
Carol Relph
Events Manager
Carol Relph is responsible for managing events for all of Mass Insight’s divisions. Carol has been a Corporate Event Planner for over 25 years. Prior to joining Mass Insight, Carol planned domestic and international events for Progress Software.
Michele St. Laurent
Director, Human Resources Michele manages all aspects of Human Resources for Mass Insight including: recruiting, performance management, organizational development and staff development. Prior to joining Mass Insight, Michele held recruiting and HR operations roles in a variety of industries including consulting, investment banking and pharmaceutical/biotech. Michele has extensive experience creating comprehensive recruiting strategies to help managers hire top talent and developing internal programs for new hire assimilation and employee growth & development. Michele has a Bachelor of Science degree from Providence College.
Elaine Richardson
Director, Communications
Elaine leads Mass Insight’s central communications and marketing function, which serves the organization’s Global Partnerships and Education initiatives as well as the ACSC. She has over 20 years of experience in strategic marketing and communications in Washington and Boston. Prior to joining Mass Insight, Elaine spent two years as a principal consultant for Wingate Strategic Partners in Boston, providing strategic marketing services and executive coaching for entrepreneurs, small businesses and nonprofit enterprises. Earlier in her career, Elaine served as director of strategic communications and marketing for CIMIT at Partners HealthCare and as director of corporate communications and marketing at the Massachusetts Port Authority. Elaine holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Regis College and an MBA in marketing from George Washington University’s School of Business.
Jennifer Dufore
Executive Assistant to the Chairman, CEO and Founder
Please click here to see the staff of the Mass Math & Science Initiative.
Please click here to see the staff of the School Turnaround Group.