Dot, Jason’s mother, is the managing director of the Jason Hayes Foundation and driving force behind the its creation. She is passionate about helping children who have been in foster care or have been adopted as she knows firsthand the struggles they face. She hopes that the Foundation can make a small difference in the lives of even a few children.
She holds a Masters of Education in Counseling Psychology and has counseled victims of domestic violence and coordinated/facilitated groups for parents of adoptive children.
She is also the Vice President and Human Resources Director for a Massachusetts real estate firm.
A successful businessman, entrepreneur, and philanthropist, Jason’s father, Mike, has worked tirelessly on behalf of many non-profit organizations including food pantries, children’s charities, and shelters.
He was voted 2005 Citizen of the Year in Medford, MA for his altruistic endeavors and is a past president of the Medford Kiwanis Club, an organization which provides fundraising, community services, and assistance to enrich the lives of children worldwide).
Additionally, he is a member of Easter Seals, an organization that strives to improve the way in which people living with autism and other disabilities can live, learn, work, and play. He contributes years of practical business experience and expertise to the Foundation.
Tara Finnegan is a seasoned nonprofit financial consultant with over 20 years of experience dedicated to the social impact sector. She specializes in helping organizations scale with integrity by building robust financial systems, managing complex grants, and developing sustainable internal infrastructure.
Her commitment to this work is deeply personal. As Jason’s older sister, Tara grew up with an intimate knowledge of the issues Jason struggled with, a perspective that fuels her dedication to the Jason Hayes Foundation. By combining her professional expertise with her lived experience, she ensures that mission-driven organizations have the structural stability to create real change.
Beyond her work with the Foundation, Tara serves on the board of Literations, a Boston-based organization striving to improve early childhood literacy. Her career in service began with a year in AmeriCorps*VISTA and is backed by a B.A. in Financial Economics from Saint Anselm College and an M.A. in Urban Economics from Northeastern University. Tara is the proud mother of four children: Jason (named in his uncle’s honor), Owen, Riley, and Mikey.
Alanna, Jason’s cousin, has been a board member of the Jason Hayes Foundation since its inception. Growing up alongside Jason gave her a firsthand understanding of the challenges faced by children with early childhood trauma, and she is deeply committed to honoring his memory by supporting the Foundation’s mission to help children who have had less than an ideal start in life.
Alanna brings more than 20 years of experience in wealth management and financial planning to the board, where she contributes to the Foundation’s financial oversight. She is a Partner at Cerity Partners, a national wealth advisory firm, where she provides comprehensive investment and financial planning solutions to individuals, families, and organizations, incorporating estate, tax, and philanthropic strategies. She holds a Bachelor of Science from Salem State University and an MBA from Bentley University, and holds the CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® designation. In addition to her service on the Jason Hayes Foundation board, Alanna serves on the Finance Committee of Literations, a Boston-based organization dedicated to early childhood literacy.
Alanna has a son, Dominic Jason (named in honor of Jason), and a daughter, Colette.
