Fill-A-Need Foundation

Board of Trustees

Kathleen Cancro, Founder

Katie holds a Bachelor of Architecture, with a minor in Construction Management from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn, New York. Most of her work has been a combination of architectural design and construction management. Some of her projects included commercial and residential renovations in New York City, and high-end residential new construction projects in New Jersey. She also was a project manager for Pratt Institute campus renovations before becoming a Co-owner of a design build firm in New York City called Realtime Design. In 2005 she closed Realtime Design to spend her days with her children. She and her husband Robert reside in Massachusetts with their three children. Their oldest has Autism, which brought her to become the founder of Fill-A-Need Foundation.

Robert Cancro, Founder

Robert is a Fixed Income Broker currently working for ICAP PLC. He has spent the majority of his career working for JP Morgan Securities in Institutional Sales. He is a graduate from Seton Hall University with a degree in Business Finance. Prior to his career in banking, Robert worked in the family construction business. He is a father of four children. He and his wife Katie reside in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Erin McGee, Vice-President

Erin holds a B.A. in Political Science, Public Policy, and Women's and Gender Studies from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey. She has focused her studies and work on how non-profit organizations can create social change within the United States and abroad. Before joining the Board of Fill-A-Need Foundation, Erin was the Director of Education for an emerging non-profit in Ghana, West Africa. As the Director of Education, Erin lead an employment initiative for local entrepreneurs and tradesmen to continue sustainable development in the rural areas. Erin currently resides in Mountainside, New Jersey.

Board of Advisors

Ashley Taylor

Ashley Taylor is a Human Resources professional specializing in the consulting industry. She is currently a Northeast Manager at Boston Consulting Group and was previously the lead of Talent Management for Fidelity Business Consulting. Ashley is an expert in building and growing teams. Her experience also extends to leading employee onboarding initiatives, engagement strategies and learning and development programs. Ashley received her MBA from Babson College and holds a B.S. in Marketing from UMass Amherst. Outside of work, Ashley is passionate and dedicated to supporting children and families with Autism. She is an avid runner, and has run the Boston Marathon twice raising over $20,000 for charity.

Marilyn Donovan, RN

Marilyn is a certified RN for over 40 years. She has spent most of her career taking care of the elderly while working in nursing homes. For the past 10 years she has held the position of Executive VP of Quality Assurance and Education in hospice. Her current position is for Fidelis Hospice and Palliative Care in Haverhill, Massachusetts. Marilyn also holds a degree in Hotel and Resort Management from Newbury College in Brookline Ma. She currently resides in Lowell, Massachusetts.

Peter Ypsilantis

Peter is the Director of Sustainable Design and Engineering for Integrated Green Technologies Inc., a resource solutions provider for affordable green building management, design and construction. Holding a Bachelors of Science Degree in Engineering from Polytechnic University, he draws upon over 25 years of construction related experience. His notable projects have earned LEED platinum designations and awards for energy efficiency and sustainability. Mr. Ypsilantis is passionate about educating owners, professionals and trades people on his methods and materials for creating affordable zero energy living spaces.

Lina Slim-Topdjian, PhD, CCC-SLP, BCBA

Founder and Executive Director of Educational and Behavioral Service of ASAP-A Step Ahead Program, LLC (ASAP)

Dr. Slim is a Certified and Licensed Speech-Language Pathologist and Board Certified Behavior Analyst with over 25 years specializing in the diagnosis and management of children with neurodevelopmental disorders, Autism, Apraxia, sensory-processing disorders, and behavioral disorders, with a focus on interprofessional collaboration and training. Dr. Slim is the Founding Partner and Executive Director of ASAP – A Step Ahead Program, LLC, since 2004. Dr. Slim is recognized for her innovative interprofessional, community-based, transdisciplinary approach supporting families of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities. Dr. Slim is the recipient of the 2005 Children Empowerment Award, and the 2014 NJSHA Distinguished Clinical Achievement Award. She serves on NJSHA’s Board of Directors, is the Chair of NJSHA Private Practice Committee, a board member of Fill-A-Need Foundation, an advisory board member of Judith Wharton Music Center, and a member of ASHA, BACB, NJSHA, MCSHA, UCSHA, JABA, ABAI, and APBA. Dr. Slim presented nationally and internationally, in the areas of autism, apraxia, speech-language assessment and interventions, interprofessional approaches, collaboration, parent and staff training. Dr. Slim earned her bachelor’s degree in Premedical Studies from The American University of Beirut, her master’s degree in Communication Sciences and Disorders from The University of Pittsburgh, and her doctoral degree in Leadership and Interprofessional Health Sciences and Health Administration from Seton Hall University.

Mallory Zieger

Mallory graduated from Ridge High School in 2006 then attended the County College of Morris. While she was still a student herself, she worked with special needs children in elementary grades both during the school year and the summer vacations. As someone who was diagnosed with Aspergers syndrome in 2005, Mallory is passionate about helping people with developmental disabilities. She has an inner perceptual ability and a kind heart which enables her to connect in a unique and special way with children and adults on the Autism spectrum.