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Our Executive Leadership Team is truly the definition of a team. A group of diversely talented individuals, they work creatively, cooperatively and passionately to further the work and the vision of Open Sky.

 

Kenneth J. Bates, MA
President & Chief Executive Officer

Ken Bates has been at Open Sky Community Services since 2016 as President and Chief Executive Officer.  He has extensive leadership experience in non-profit industry.

Prior to his position at Open Sky, he served as CEO at The Bridge of Central Massachusetts and Executive Director of New Business and Financial Growth for the Commonwealth Medicine at UMass Medical School.  He also served as Vice-President of Behavioral Health at Advocates, Inc and as Director of Outpatient Services at Spectrum Health Systems. 

He received his undergraduate degree in Urban Studies from Worcester State University and his Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology from Assumption University.  In 2021 he was awarded an honorary Ph.D. from Assumption University. 

He currently serves as Vice Chairperson on the Board of the Association of Behavioral Healthcare of Massachusetts, Board Member on Parent Professional Advocacy League, Board Member of Harrington Healthcare System, Co-Chair of the Mayor’s Mental Health Task Force (Worcester) and Steering Committee Member for the Coalition for Healthy Greater Worcester.  He was formerly on the board of the New England Association of Drug Court Professionals. 


 


Mary Benvenuto, MS
Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer
 

Mary Benvenuto has been with Open Sky Community Services since 2022 as Chief Financial Officer. She has close to 20 years of experience in the areas of finance, strategy and leadership and most recently served as CFO at Manet Community Health Center in Quincy where she oversaw all aspects of their financial health. She has also held senior roles in finance and operations at Last Mile Health and the United Way of Rhode Island.

Mary holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Bryant University and a Master's of Science degree in Accounting from Nichols College. She has served on the board of the Blackstone Valley Boys and Girls Club, Youth Pride Providence, and the Blackstone Millville School District Strategic Planning Committee. 

 


 

Oliver Joseph, MD
Chief Medical Officer 
 
 

Dr. Oliver Joseph has been at Open Sky Community Services since 2018, first serving as a consulting psychiatrist, and currently serving as Chief Medical Officer. He secured a $100k grant over a two-year period to help fund an Intellectual/Developmental Disability Clinic, which has shown success in reducing medication burden, as well as hospitalization and emergency room visits.

Dr. Joseph takes a person-centered approach to psychiatric care, not only delivering the strongest evidence-based care, but also looking beyond just medication management. He has special interest and expertise in serving those with neuropsychiatric conditions, including intellectual/developmental disabilities, autism spectrum disorders, acquired/traumatic brain injuries and neurodegenerative conditions. 

He graduated magna cum laude from Boston University with a BA in Biology and was inaugurated as a member of the Charter Class and received his Medical Doctorate (MD) from Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. He completed his training at the University of Massachusetts with a dual Chief Residency in Consult-Liaison Psychiatry and Emergency Mental Health Services, and additionally received a Medical Student Teaching Award. He has also completed his Board Certification in Psychiatry.  


 

 

 

 

Kelley Gamble, Vice President of Community Engagement

Kelley Gamble has been with Open Sky Community Services since 1990 and currently serves as Vice President of Community Engagement. She previously held the title of Director of Mental Health Services at Alternatives. Her primary role includes establishing and maintaining partnerships with individuals and organizations in our communities, to ensure we collaborate to resolve community challenges and identify opportunities. She also oversees ValleyCAST, the arts and culture wing of Open Sky.

Kelley leads the implementation of objectives and tasks for two of the agency's strategic priorities: Partner of Choice and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. She also leads the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion work with Open Sky's consultants and has successfully formed multiple partnerships which demonstrate Open Sky’s commitment to building stronger communities.

She holds a BA in Psychology from Providence College. She is currently a Board Member and Co-chair of the Training and Education Committee at the Massachusetts Psychiatric Rehabilitation Collaborative. Kelley is an active member of the Worcester Together Response and sub committees. She has visited over 35 Countries and Caribbean Islands and is still counting.


 


Lisa Jeronymo, Vice President of Human Resources

Lisa Jeronymo has been with Open Sky Community Services since 1991, currently serving as Vice President of Human Resources. She previously held the title of Director of Human Services at Alternatives. Her primary roles include overseeing the finding, getting, developing, promoting and retaining of top talent. She also ensures that our employees are afforded the best conditions, benefits and support that encourages growth and development into a career.

Lisa is actively participating with partner organizations on the development and implementation of the Human Services Career Pipeline Initiative. She also leads Open Sky’s Strategic Priority Area of "Engaged and Committed Team", where employees and candidates experience an inclusive organization where they find meaning in their work and are valued and empowered in achieving goals while providing exceptional services.

She holds a BA in Psychology from Framingham State College and a Professional in Human Resources Certification. Lisa is a member of the Society for Human Resource Managers.  She is known to make the occasional funny video to lighten the mood, and to recognize retirements, hard work and efforts!


 

 

David Lambert, MPA
Vice President of Business Development

David Lambert has been at Open Sky Community Services since 2017 currently serving as the Vice President of Business Development. In his role he leads Open Sky’s sustainment and growth strategy and efforts. He previously was the Director of Business Development and Health Integration and started with the agency when it was The Bridge of Central Massachusetts. He has over 20 years of experience in Health and Human Services in both the private and public sectors in the areas of Operations, Service Development and Growth, Partnerships and Integrated Care. He has had previous roles with Beacon Health Options, UMass Medical School and began his human services career in the 1990’s in residential services. He also served for 10 years in the Massachusetts Army National Guard. 

David holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Clark University and a Bachelor of Arts from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. He is a former board member of Wachusett Greenways and held volunteer leadership roles in the Boy Scouts of America for many years.


 

 

Lorie C. Martiska, MS
Executive Vice President, Chief Advancement Officer

Lorie C. Martiska has been with Open Sky Community Services since 2012 as Executive Vice President, Chief Advancement Officer, previously working at The Bridge of Central Massachusetts. Earlier in her career she held the role of VP of Community Relations and Development for a hospital in the region. Her primary roles include fundraising & grants, marketing, communications and publications. She played a leadership role in strategic communications and naming for the affiliated agency. 

She holds a BS in English from Fitchburg State University and an MS in Healthcare Communications from Simmons University. Lorie currently serves as Clerk of the United Way Service Executives Group, Member of the Foundation Board for Fitchburg State University, and a Member of the Mayor’s Mental Health Task Force.  She has extensive interest and experience in community health improvement, co-leading efforts to launch a Community Health Center, a School-Based Health Center and an oral health initiative in the north county region.

 


 

Liz Olivera-Mustard, MBA, CHPC, CHC
Vice President of Quality Management

Liz Olivera-Mustard has been with Open Sky Community Services since 2017, currently serving as Vice President of Quality Management. Her primary role includes overseeing quality, compliance and IT, and she serves as compliance officer for Open Sky. 

Liz holds a BS in Medical Technology from UMass Lowell and an MBA from Anna Maria College. She is certified in healthcare compliance CHC and privacy CHPC. She has also completed the Leadership Course through the Massachusetts Institute for Community Health Leadership. Liz has served on the Board for The Bridge of Central Mass and on the Board of the Meyers Primary Care Institute. She also served on the PCMHI Steering Committee as Emergency Preparedness Lead and was a MassMAP member (Massachusetts Long Term Care Mutual Aid Association) from 2010 to 2012. She was a Delegate for the Citizens Ambassador Program – People to People Mission to China in June 1997, and her first language is Spanish.