TEAM

Veronica Collins-Lucas spent more than a decade with BlumShapiro serving as their Organizational Development Manager, Human Resources Specialist, Supervisor, and Administrator before finally becoming the Human Resources Manager. Her time in these positions allowed her to accumulate a vast amount of knowledge and skills that she brings to BGCH as the VP for Human Resources.  

Veronica is responsible for helping with leadership of the club, strategic planning, talent and resource management, partnership development, marketing and public relations, and much more. She looks to keep a healthy and happy work environment by establishing and implementing policies and procedures for effective management of BGCH while complying with federal, state, and local regulations. Veronica is certified as an SPHR as well as a SHRM-SCP and obtained her B.S. in Business Administration from Albertus Magnus College. 

Chantel has been involved with several Boys & Girls Clubs since 2003 and has more than 20 years of experience as a youth development practitioner. Her extensive time with the program and wide variety of experience allow her to excel in her position as Vice President of Program services where she is responsible for collaborating with development to secure grant and corporate partnerships, as well as supporting and establishing new initiatives. She has recently identified opportunities and created significant partnerships that align with the organization’s vision, resulting in funding worth $20,000 for the RKIDZ Parent Group. Chantel is very passionate about her job, grateful that she can witness BGCH’s mission in action every day and is committed to serving our youth and their families. She earned her B.S. in Social Work from Western Connecticut State University and was also awarded Connecticut’s Association Professional of the Year in 2012. Outside of work, Chantel enjoys writing and participating in charity events for her church. 

John Rollins has taken on the role of Vice President of Finance at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford since December 2025. He brings with him an impressive 35 years of diverse experience in financial and strategic planning, along with business affairs and operations within the sports industry.

In his position, John is responsible for overseeing all financial and business functions at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford. This includes developing financial strategies, engaging in strategic planning, and driving key internal initiatives. He is also tasked with modernizing and streamlining fiscal processes while acting as the staff liaison to both the Executive Committee and the Finance Committee of the Board of Directors.

Prior to joining the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, John held several executive finance leadership positions at notable organizations including Beat the Streets Wrestling in NYC, the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC), the New York Athletic Club (NYAC), the University of Hartford's Department of Athletics, and most significantly, the National Football League and ESPN.

John earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics from Fordham University, where he is also recognized as a member of the Fordham Athletics Hall of Fame for his achievements in men’s soccer.

Mary Beth Kiernan-Gonzalez brings more than 20 years of dedicated service to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Hartford, where she has built a career rooted in mission, impact, and community connection. A Hartford native, Mary Beth began her journey with BGCH as a volunteer and has since held several progressive leadership roles, including Unit Director and Grants Manager.

In her current role as Director of Grants & Continuous Improvement, Mary Beth leads the organization’s grant strategy, overseeing proposal development, compliance, and reporting for public and private funding sources. She plays a critical role in advancing organizational sustainability by researching and cultivating funding opportunities, strengthening cross-departmental collaboration, and ensuring alignment between programming, outcomes, and funder priorities. She also oversees data tracking and analysis efforts that demonstrate BGCH’s impact on youth and support continuous quality improvement across all program areas.

Mary Beth is deeply committed to the success of Hartford’s young people and is known for her institutional knowledge, strategic thinking, and collaborative leadership style. Her longstanding dedication to BGCH, combined with her passion for equity and youth development, continues to drive meaningful outcomes for the organization and the communities it serves.