About the Institute

The Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate is dedicated to educating the public about the important role of the Senate in our government, encouraging participatory democracy, invigorating civil discourse, and inspiring the next generation of citizens and leaders to engage in the civic life of their communities.

The Institute’s Staff

  • Sue Heilman

    Interim Executive Director

    Sue Heilman is an experienced nonprofit leader having spent over 25 years growing and leading mission-based organizations. In recent years, Heilman has served as the interim executive director of The Lenny Zakim Fund, Alternatives for Community and Environment, Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, MassEquality, and the Hull Lifesaving Museum. Previously, Heilman served as the executive director of Horizons for Homeless Children for 18 years, and Thompson Island Education Center for 5 years.

    Sue Heilman’s consulting practice has included strategic planning, board development and fundraising planning for a number of nonprofit organizations, including the Victim Rights Law Center, Steps To Success, School on Wheels, New Hampshire Black Heritage Trail, Massachusetts Advocates for Children, Family Nurturing Center, Piers Park Sailing Center, and Kurn Hattin Homes for Children. She also currently facilitates Empower Success Corps’ Nonprofit Executive RoundTable, a monthly leadership development gathering of nonprofit leaders. Heilman earned a B.A. in government from Wheaton College in Massachusetts and resides in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

  • Caroline Angel Burke

    Vice President of Education, Visitor Experience & Collections

    Caroline Angel Burke is responsible for all educational programs, exhibits, interpretation, media development, and curatorial collections at the Institute. Angel Burke has worked in and for museums for over twenty years, and believes passionately in the power of informal educational experiences.

    Prior to her arrival at the Institute, she was senior project manager in exhibits at the Museum of Science, Boston; program manager for the Museum’s adult and special programs; and has worked in curatorial, project management, educational, and visitor service management positions at a variety of museums and their support industries in the United States and the UK. She has a BA in history and anthropology from Northeastern University and a master’s degree in Museum Studies from the University of Leicester, UK.

  • Meet the Rest of our Team

    by Department

    Department Staff Member Title
     
    Development Lauren Janes Senior Adviser
    Development Tara Rendon Alumni Relations Manager
     
    Education & Programs Caroline Angel Burke Vice President, Education, Visitor Experience & Collections
    Education & Programs Nate Gundy Manager of Educational Programming
    Education & Programs William Foster-Nolan Lead Educator
    Education & Programs Sara Tess Neumann Program Assistant
    Education & Programs Lauren Scribi Director of Programs & Government Relations
    Education & Programs Sarah Yezzi Director of Education, Family & Youth Programming
     
    Executive Office Sue Heilman Interim Executive Director
     
    Technology & Infrastructure Jason Eliot Senior Managing Director of Technology & Infrastructure
    Technology & Infrastructure Kevin Boothby Facilities Manager
    Technology & Infrastructure Eileen Driscoll Cape House Project Manager