Staff
Julie Romano
Executive Director
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Julie recently joined On Belay and brings with her an extensive background in non-profit leadership, business, education, and human services. In her prior positions, she was responsible for program development and management, stakeholder engagement, grant writing, strategic partnerships, community outreach and marketing. When working with teens in residential programs, she coordinated and facilitated outdoor programs, partnering with the AMC and leading teens on hiking, biking and camping adventures. As a NH native, an outdoor enthusiast and a mother of four, she was drawn to On Belay because of our mission to support children who are impacted by cancer. As a survivor herself, she brings a unique perspective and is excited to expand On Belay’s programs, the families we serve, and continue to build a sustainable program for our future. In her spare time, she enjoys cheering on her kids in their sporting events, cooking and skiing, hiking, fishing and camping with her husband, Jay and children. Julie loves to serve her community in a variety of ways and has coached basketball, was a prior TYB board member, contributes to community suppers, and most recently, was a proud participant of the 2025 Pan Mass Challenge and she can’t wait for next year!
Sean Houston
Program Director
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Born and raised in the hills of western Massachusetts, Sean comes to On Belay with a deep affection for the natural world and a commitment to supporting growth and self-discovery through adventure. He brings more than ten years of experience guiding, managing, and directing non-profit recreation programs for youth and people with disabilities. His work has brought him from New England to Colorado, Utah to Arizona, and as far away as Alaska and Norway. Though he has spent much of his professional life outside of the Northeast, Sean is particularly excited to return to the Seacoast region where he has strong family ties and fond childhood memories of exploring the forests and beaches. In his free time, you can find Sean trail running, backpacking, skiing in the mountains or paddling on just about any type of waterway. He also loves a coffee and cribbage date with his partner, Maeve, game nights with friends, trivia, puzzles, and curling up next to a fire with a good book. A curious individual and life-long learner, Sean is eager to immerse himself in the On Belay community and get to know all the children, teens, families, and supporters at the heart of this organization!
Alison Smith
Program Coordinator
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Alison has spent over a decade designing and facilitating programs for youth, college students, and adults, specializing in leadership development, experiential learning, and social emotional learning. She holds a Master’s degree in College Outdoor Programs Administration from Appalachian State University. When not facilitating or coaching, Alison is typically on an adventure outside with her dog, Huckleberry. She is excited for this opportunity to work more with On Belay and to connect with families through adventure!
Programs@on-belay.org
Mira Disilvestro
Program Coordinator
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Originally from the Ocean State, Mira studied Fine Art at a liberal arts college in Maine before dedicating herself to outdoor education. She has worked as a field instructor with the Cathleen Stone Island Outward Bound School, guiding Boston Public School students through immersive learning experiences on the harbor including, but not limited to, challenge course fun, coastal exploration, sea kayaking, rock climbing, and environmental engagement. When not out in the Boston Harbor Islands, she spends her time backpacking in the New Hampshire White Mountains, surfing on the Rhode Island coast, running along the Charles River, and spending time with family and friends. She has a lifelong passion for sculpting, painting, and pottery and enjoys incorporating art into outdoor exploration. She is excited to bring her creative approach and love for the outdoors to On Belay, empowering youth through challenge and adventure!
programs@on-belay.org
Jen Antocci
Overnight Adventure Co-Leader
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Jen Antocci has over six years of experience in nonprofit program coordination and youth engagement, along with more than a decade of teaching experience. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, specializing in Community Health Education. Jen has worked with an outdoor education nonprofit dedicated to equitable access to outdoor recreation and nature and served on the education team at the National Parks of Boston, where she collaborated with schools and community organizations to design and lead programs that connect Boston-area youth with their public lands. In addition to her full-time work, Jen teaches a public health communications writing course for UMass Amherst public health students. Outside of work, she enjoys singing, dancing, and parking her chair at a beach. She is currently pursuing her Alexander Technique teacher certification through the Mind Body Music School.
Our Team
Board of Directors
Board Member
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Youth and College Program Manager, Project Adventure
Camille joined the Board in 2019 after many years of working On Belay programs from the professional partner side. Her full-time work is with Project Adventure, where she serves as the Youth and College Programs Manager along with her facilitation and training work. She has been in the adventure-based learning field for over 10 years, starting back at Hartwick College, where she studied English and Creative Writing. It was there, at Hartwick’s PA-built challenge course and their Awakening orientation program, that she fell in love with adventure education and the transformative experiences it provides. She has also volunteered for Northeast Association of Experiential Education (AEE) each year since 2015, helping to organize and host the Northeast Regional Conference. In 2021, Camille spent a year as a paraprofessional for students with social emotional needs at O'Maley Middle School in Gloucester, MA. When she isn’t on the challenge course, Camille loves visiting her hometown of Kennebunk, ME, hiking, camping, playing board games, reading sci-fi and fantasy novels, and playing with her dog, Finn.
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Jay joined On Belay’s board in 2025 to support children impacted by the cancer diagnosis of a loved one. He resonates with On Belay’s approach and believes that adventure activities are the most effective and constructive pathways to develop perseverance and community during a fun retreat from the burden of a diagnosis.
Professionally, Jay brings experience in financial analysis, operations management, and data-driven leadership. In the pursuit of adventure, Jay enjoys international travel, skiing, sailing, rock climbing, archery, mountain biking, racing, and more. He was raised bilingual and is currently a resident of Dover, NH.
Jay is committed to leveraging his expertise and passion for adventure to amplify On Belay’s reach.
Baord Member
Board Member
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Current Participant Parent
Vidya joined the Board in 2023 but has been an On Belay parent for four years. Being a cancer survivor herself, she has seen the direct impact On Belay has on her kids wellbeing. She has a background in Apparel Product Management and Project Management and has volunteered with various organizations. She grew up in India and moved to the United States in 2012. She loves to travel, read, play board games, craft and learn new things.
Board Member
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Director of Energy Transition, Clean Energy NH
Chris has a diverse background that spans outdoor trip leading, classroom education, farming, healthcare, and energy & climate policy. He currently advocates for the transition to a clean, sustainable, and affordable energy system, a career that On Belay's founder, Crescentia True, played a pivotal role in launching. As an experienced outdoor educator and adventure trip leader, Chris has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of these activities in fostering resilience and personal growth. After his own family faced the challenges of cancer, Chris gained an even deeper appreciation for On Belay's mission. He saw how community and camps helped his two young children "sail through" the difficult times. He looks forward to ensuring that other families facing similar challenges can access the same sense of community, comfort, and empowerment.
Secretary
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Structural Engineer, Van Hangen Brustlin — Previous On Belay Participant
Before joining the board, Tyler was a participant with On Belay for four years and volunteer for one. He is currently enrolled at the University of New Hampshire and enjoys mountain biking and ultimate frisbee in his free time. Tyler aims to use his experience as a participant to bring a new perspective to the board.
Board Chairperson
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Retired/Independent Consultant
Over the course of her 35+ year career in the educational publishing industry, Anita has held numerous positions from an administrative assistant to sales leader to Senior Vice President. She served on her local school board for two terms and is an educational volunteer for the Blue Ocean Society. Anita loves to read, sing, learn, and walk the beach. She welcomes the opportunity to invest her years of experience in support of On Belay, its community and its mission.
Board Member
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Certified Personal Trainer, Fiori Fitness
Staci is a Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Nutrition Coach with a Master in Social Work. After being a social worker for 10 years, she decided to reshift her career and focus on her own health and fitness. She realized she wanted to continue working on improving the life of others and with her education, knowledge and training she found a new passion in fitness. She moved to Dover, NH in 2021 from Northern California and is enjoying all the new adventures New England has to offer.
Staci joined the On Belay board in April 2023. She has worked with at risk youth, has years of volunteer experience with various agencies and has board member experience.
Board Member
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Retired/Marketing Consultant
A recently retired marketing and communications executive, Jodie has helped nonprofit organizations grow their brand, reputation, engagement, and funding/revenue. With 30 years’ experience in healthcare and human services sectors, she has led marketing departments and teams in promoting cancer care and other services at leading healthcare systems in Massachusetts and nationally.
Jodie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in advertising from Syracuse University and her MBA in marketing from Boston College. With certification and experience in employee and community wellness programs, Jodie is passionate about connecting people to the resources they need to achieve wellbeing. She most recently served on the board of directors for the Worksite Wellness Council of MA, and has also enjoyed coaching in community youth sports programs.
Jodie is an active adventure traveler, hiker and tennis player who loves photography, cooking, and most of all… sharing these activities with her family. She is excited to bring her skills, experience and interests to the On Belay board and contribute to advancing its mission.
Treasurer
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Founder, Human Potential Pathways
Ed joined the On Belay board in October of 2019 after a career in secondary education, coaching, radio, organization development/training, sales and sales operations. He grew up in Philadelphia and moved to New England to attend graduate school in 1982 and never left. He lives in Rye, NH and enjoys the cold, the heat, meditation, QiGong and tennis.
Volunteer Guides
