Board of Directors

Jonathan Machado is a Commercial Loan Officer and Vice President with Enterprise Bank. He is responsible for working with business owners and property investors for their commercial loan needs. Jonathan was born and raised in the great City of Lawrence. Growing up he was very active in the Portuguese community and attended Lawrence Public Schools before going to Central Catholic High School. He went on to receive a Bachelors in International Business from Bryant University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Suffolk University. Mr. Machado joined Enterprise Bank in 2012 allowing him the opportunity to become more active in the community. Currently, he serves on the Board of Directors for LCW, Community InRoads, and Entrepreneurship for All. He also serves on the Development Committee of Central Catholic High School and is very involved with the Lawrence Partnership’s Venture Loan Fund.

Growing up in Lawrence as part of a large tight knit family instilled in him the importance of community. Now, as a commercial loan officer with Enterprise Bank he has the honor of meeting with local business owners and community leaders who share that same passion. Helping these businesses, both big and small bring their businesses to next level has been exciting. He truly feel as if Lawrence is great place with endless possibilities, and he looks forward to helping bring about more positive change to this great place.

Jacoba was born in La Isabella, Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. At an early age, she knew she wanted to work with people. Jacoba studied education and psychology and began working as a teacher in the late 1970s. In 1982 she emigrated to the United States. “When I moved, I did not know any English and moved to a country and a city where I did not know anyone besides my husband’s brothers. We lived in a small apartment in Lawrence and life was difficult during this time because I could not communicate with anyone,” Jacoba remembers.

After a few years, Jacoba began taking English classes at Northern Essex Community College and soon was able to find a job as a housekeeper with a big company and eventually became a manager. “Life was hard and often I needed to work more than one job just to get by … From the beginning, I knew that in order to succeed my children needed to have a good education. I instilled in them the idea that through hard work and effort all things are possible. I also taught them to love, respect, and help those in need in our community both in the United States and in the Dominican Republic.”

In 2010, Jacoba participated in a program offered by LCW and became a volunteer. She is now a full-time student at NECC studying English and on the road to becoming a counselor. Being part of the LCW network has offered Jacoba the opportunity to connect with the community, promote change, and make Lawrence a better city. She was elected to the LCW Board in 2017.

Mariel has been involved with Lawrence CommunityWorks for over ten years and joined the Board in 2019.  In addition to her role on the LCW board, she is a member of Greater Lawrence Community Action Council’s Headstart Policy Council, and is also a member of the Prospect Hill Historic District Commission (PHHDC) in Lawrence. Mariel is a long-time resident of Lawrence.

Nancy was born in Manhattan, where she spent most of her childhood and attended New York City public schools. At the age of 12, she and her family moved to Puerto Rico where she completed high school, attended college and obtained a degree in Early Childhood Education at Cayey University in Cayey, Puerto Rico. While working as an educator in Puerto Rico, Nancy met her husband of 36 years, Saul Torres. She is the mother of three beautiful children, Joshua, Jonathan and Rachel. Since moving back to the United States, Nancy and her family have lived in New Jersey and Florida, before they decided to make Lawrence, MA their new home six years ago. Unfortunately, in 2013, Nancy had to retire from her lifelong career as an early childhood educator to focus on her wellbeing after a cancer diagnosis. Now she is thankfully able to say that she has fully recovered and is currently in remission. Since then Nancy has made it her life’s mission serve her community, which is when she came across LCW and decided to join the Weaver volunteer team in 2017. When asked about her motivation for joining the board at LCW in 2019, Nancy said, “Since becoming involved here at LCW, I feel like me and my family have been welcomed with so much love and support. . .and I feel that joining the board would provide me with the opportunity to give back to LCW.”

Carlos was born in the Dominican Republic where he studied as an electrician and worked as a Presidential Inspector at the National Palace. Since moving to Lawrence he has been an activist and community leader always ready to dive into efforts to improve the city and the quality of life for those who live here.  There are few organizations in the city that Carlos hasn’t dedicated his time and energy as a volunteer. He is a true community leader who is always leading by his actions – wherever there is work to be done, you will find Carlos there dedicating countless hours of his time.

Carlos connected with Lawrence CommunityWorks in 2007 and became involved in NeighborCircles where he has remained as a Lead Facilitator, coordinating many circles throughout the city as well as training and supporting new facilitators. Carlos rarely misses an LCW event or opportunity to be involved – whether its joining the PODER Leadership Institute, facilitating meetings, taking photos, being a Network Weaver, or just helping to clean up after events. Carlos’ dedication has earned him many awards and recognition over the years, including LCW’s Collective Action and Connector Awards. He has served on the Board of Directors since 2018.

Carlos currently works as a coordinator in the Department of Public Works at Lawrence City Hall. He is also a member/organizer for the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 509 where he has played a critical role in campaigns to increase the minimum wage, get paid family medical leave and sick time passed, as well as many other campaigns. Carlos looks forward to continuing serving the community as a member of the LCW board.

Ariorca was born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic – the oldest of six siblings. Family has always played a big role in shaping her into the person that she is today. She was inspired by her mother to set and stick with her goals and her grandfather instilled the values of honesty, friendship, faith, justice, kindness and leadership. As a child her grandfather was the president of their neighborhood association where Ariorca rarely missed a meeting. 

In 2012, she moved to the U.S.A. and Lawrence before ultimately moving to Methuen. The first year in the US was very difficult because the only English word she knew was “Hello.” And she considered going back to the Dominican Republic, but instead decided to set a new goal to learn English.  In 2015 she graduated from Methuen High School with high honors and an award from the ESL Department. She has a passion for Education and plans to graduate from college with a bachelor’s degree in Education and become a teacher.In 2017, Ariorca completed the Early Childhood Program at Lawrence CommunityWorks, quickly fell in love with the LCW family, became a volunteer and before she knew it was facilitating NeighborCircles and the Marketplace. She joined the board in 2018.

Born, raised, and educated in Lawrence, MA to Puerto Rican parents who are longtime local business owners. Mandy attended St. Mary’s Immaculate Conception School and went on to graduate as Female Athlete of the Year from Central Catholic H.S, Class of 1999. Mandy has always had a passion for working in the community and the human services field. As a teen she was an active member of the Lawrence Youth Council attending different youth conferences throughout the state. After attending Worcester State College for two years, she went on to obtain her Real Estate Brokers license while also working as a youth group home supervisor and eventually an Assistant Director for NAFI Youth & Family Community Support Services. Mandy currently works as a Casualty Claims Adjuster for Safety Insurance Company as well as continuing to serve the local community as a Real Estate Broker.

Jonathan was born in Bani, Dominican Republic and emigrated to the United States when he was 13 years old. After living in Boston, Jonathan moved to Lawrence where he has lived with his wife and two children for the last four years. His favorite pastimes are watching baseball, football, and listening to music. Jonathan and his family are very involved in the community and at LCW as volunteers.