Ken Baranowski
Board Member
Ken Baranowski started out after college climbing poles working as a telephone installer for NJ Bell Telephone. From there, he learned technical and design aspects of the telecommunications networks and moved into sales of telecommunications solutions for businesses. During his 25 + years in the industry, he worked for several communications companies in sales and management and is now an account director for Lightower Fiber Networks.
Ken has been involved in giving back to the community since his days as a volunteer fireman where he held positions as President and Assistant Fire Chief in Vorhees Township, New Jersey. After moving to Tabernacle, New Jersey, Ken continued his volunteer activities working with his wife, Denise, to fund raise for Saint Jude’s Children’s hospital. Ken also held volunteer positions in the local athletic association and local Cub Scout groups. In addition, Ken and Denise have been active in their local church running the altar server group, while Ken was also a reader at weekend masses. Ken has held elected positions with the local municipal government and the School Board, where he rose to President. He was also appointed to the local land development board.
Ken has been on the Board of Directors with the Luca John Foundation since its inception. He and Denise continue to live in Tabernacle, where they enjoy summers in Ocean City, New Jersey, and spending time with family. They have two sons who have families of their own. Ken is the grandfather of eight fantastic, active grandchildren.
Mike Sullivan
Board Member
Mike Sullivan is an Information Technology leader with more than 20 years of experience with global companies. Mike currently manages a $20 million technology portfolio for Bristol-Myers Squibb and is responsible for technology strategy and implementation for two Research and Development divisions. Prior to Mike’s move to the Life Sciences industry, he ran the consulting services division of a technology consulting startup where his clients included numerous Fortune 500 companies in both the Property & Casualty and Professional Services industries.
Mike’s passion for giving back was most recently highlighted by his multi-year term on the St. Paul School of Princeton school board, where he chaired both the Technology & Administration and the Strategic Planning committees. Mike earned his B.S. from Drexel University and his MBA from Northeastern University, with a dual concentration in High Technology and Innovations Entrepreneurship.
Mike lives in central New Jersey, where he and his wife, along with their son and daughter, can often be seen teeing-off in the late afternoon and golfing until sunset. Mike coaches his son’s baseball team, and the family enjoys attending as many Phillies games as possible. An annual destination is Lake George, where they swim, wake board, kneeboard, waterski, and even jump off a few cliffs – in addition to golfing on a course carved out of the Adirondack mountains.
John Flynn
Board Member
John has held various management and senior leadership roles in his Sales and Marketing career, all of which have been in the Food Industry. He has worked with such food companies as Kraft, Johnsonville Sausage, Cargill, and JBS S.A. Prior to his working career, John earned a B.A. in Economics and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, as well as Executive MBA from the Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota.
Community involvement and volunteering has always been part of his life. This has included Big Brothers Big Sisters, Habitat for Humanity, Food Bank, church activities, and most recently a Founding Board Member of The Luca John Foundation.
The Luca John Foundation has allowed John and his family the opportunity to fill a large hole in their lives by raising funds and supporting those that have experienced a very similar loss.
John and his wife, Barb, have been married for almost 30 years, and have three grown children: daugh-ters Nickie and Lindsey, and son Jake. They have also been blessed with three beautiful grandchildren, Brayden, Noah, and Lyla. Having been born and raised in Northern Wisconsin, and then having lived in New Jersey, North Carolina, Georgia, Kansas and now Colorado, John and his family have had the pleas-ure of many great experiences together over the last 30 years.
Marissa Grosso
Volunteer Manager
Marissa Grosso, MSW, LCSW is the Volunteer Manager at the Luca John Foundation. She assists with the human resource needs for the organization as well as provides administrative support. Marissa received her Masters in Social Work from Rutgers University and worked for many years as a licensed psychotherapist. She currently works on a research project at The Cancer Institute of NJ. Marissa first became interested in grief and loss through her professional experience in hospice care at the age of eighteen, and more personally after the passing of her mother. Marissa knows firsthand that we can never eliminate grief but there are ways to support one another through the process, and she is so proud to be part of an organization that does just that.
Herlinda Graviola
Case Manager
Kristen Fortunato
Case Manager
Emily Weiner
Volunteer Manager
My name is Emily Weiner and I am very excited and grateful for the opportunity to participate with the Luca John Foundation! I attended Rutgers University for both my undergraduate and graduate studies, obtaining degrees in HRM, psychology and social work. I have a background in social work and have worked with a multitude of populations throughout my career, all of which have influenced my desire to assist those in need. I am passionate about working with individuals and communities to combat various social barriers and challenges. I am looking forward to working with the Luca John Foundation and I am hopeful to be able to positively impact parents and families in their time of need.