Autumn Auction 2025
Pathway to Possible's annual Autumn Auction is our largest community fundraising event of the year and brings together over 200 guests in celebration and support of our clients and families. Please join us for an inspiring evening of connection, possibility, and impact! This festive cocktail-style event features exciting raffles, thrilling bidding opportunities in both our silent and live auctions, and food & drink with one shared vision - strengthening our community by empowering individuals with developmental disabilities.
Please contact Meredith Wood at mwood@pathway2possible.org or 617-546-3326 with questions or for more information about your impact on our work.
Liz Hiser
2025 Carol Beard Visionary Community Leader
We are thrilled to announce Liz Hiser as the recipient of the 2025 Carol Beard Visionary Community Leader Award—an honor that recognizes exceptional individuals whose commitment, advocacy, and leadership uplifts our mission and community.
Liz is a cherished friend of the organization and a familiar face at P2P events like the Autumn Auction and the Community Dog Show. A longtime Newton resident, Liz—alongside her husband, Charlie Hoban—has led with unwavering support for P2P’s individuals and families. (Two of their children have even served as summer interns in our administrative offices and houses, continuing a family tradition of service!)
Like past honorees and Carol Beard herself, Liz embodies the spirit of this award: a deep-rooted connection to our community and a relentless dedication to advancing our mission. Liz’s tireless behind-the-scenes efforts run the gamut from advocacy to errands, and everything in between. We are deeply grateful for how she consistently shows up for our community in both heartfelt and hands-on ways.
Beyond her work with P2P, Liz is currently serving as a Board Member for the Newton Beacon. She has also served as Chair of the Board of the New Art Center; on the boards of Newton Schools Foundation, Wellesley College Alumnae Association, and The Second Church Nursery School; and the advisory boards of The Second Step and Wellesley Centers for Women.
Carol Beard Visionary Leader Awardees
We are thrilled to announce that this year’s Carol Beard Visionary Staff Leader awardees are Joas Mushabe & Maureen Nabakiibi!
Joas and Maureen have been outstanding leaders among the staff at Orchard Ave. for many years, always keeping our clients’ safety, well-being, and quality of life at the forefront of their work. They are supportive and enthusiastic colleagues, good-natured in the face of inevitable challenges, and collaborative, respectful partners with our families. Joas and Maureen were nominated by their colleagues, who shared the following:
“Joas and Maureen are steadfast advocates for the individuals at Orchard Ave. Never have I heard Joas or Maureen speak to an individual with frustration in their voice or lose any patience. They both have an amazing ability to walk into work each day with a positive attitude, ready to meet the needs of everyone.”
”Joas and Maureen have consistently blown me away with their knowledge, communication skills, and advocacy. They both truly make a difference in the lives of the individuals at Orchard Ave.”
Thank you to our event sponsors!
Visionary
The Hiser-Hoban Family
Champion
Anonymous
Advocate
Anonymous
Katherine Read & John Houston
Madelyn G. Torchin, PhD & Robert P. Torchin, MD
Patron
Patricia Baker
Margie & Buzz Birnbaum
Nancy Dann, in honor of Allan Dann
Charlotte Dietz & Adolfo Perez
Janice & Stanley Goldstein
Highbridge Concierge
Hal Hiser
Rhanna Kidwell & Dan Silver
Anna Kordan & Steve Buchbinder
Mark Development, LLC
Karen & Anthony O’Reilly
Claudia & Dan Quinn
Patricia & Mark Whitehouse
Neighbor
Shannon Armstrong & Gregor Rohda
Catherine Clement, in memory of Wayne A. Gonnerman
Crowley Cottrell Landscape Architects
MaryAnne Gucciardi & Rick Waechter
Mary Ann Hill & Patrick Dober
Kari & Peter Horstmann
Rita J. and Stanley H. Kaplan Family Foundation, Inc.
Anne Larner
Dr. Nancy Machemer & Kurt Machemer
Beth & Jeffrey Mendel
Newton Schools Foundation
Brenda Noel & Dean Fairchild
Non Profit Capital Management
Asli & Duncan Scott
Risa Shames & Neil Silverston
Claire Sokoloff & Rob Gifford
Emilie & Ben Tucker
Amy & Jeff Werner
Friend
Leah Andrews
Anonymous
Cabot’s Ice Cream & Restaurant
Marlene & Mort Cohen
Sally & John Dias
Mary-Ellen Efferen
Toni Elka
Nick Foresti
Linda Lancz
Leadership Brainery
Patty & Brian McCabe
Trix Oakley
Maureen & Brian Oates
Kate Olmsted & John Grossman
Mary Margaret & Bill Pappas
Barbara & Bill Pemberton
Representative Alice Peisch
Stacey & Jason Penniman
Kristina Pongratz & Vivek Chander
John Quatrale
Linda Rinearson
Lori & John Siracusa
Phyllis & Robert Tobin
Peggy Ueda
Meredith Wood & Mark Arbonies
Auction Host Committee
Jamie & Paul Montgomery-Hyde
Brenda Noel & Dean Fairchild
Sherwood Norton*
Maureen & Brian Oates
Karl O’Hara
Patrick O’Hara
Julie O’Neill & Thomas Evans*
Barbara** & Bill Pemberton
Dan & Claudia* Quinn
Katherine Read & John Houston
Asli* & Duncan Scott
Lori Rutter & Jeff Behrens+
Phyllis Tobin
Madelyn G. Torchin, PhD & Robert P. Torchin, MD
Emilie & Ben Tucker
Amy Werner
Gretchen Wilson*
Shannon Armstrong* & Gregor Rohda
Patricia Baker*
Margie*+ & Buzz Birnbaum
Alicia Bowman
Lily Brooks* & Chris Barber
Sue Chapman
Charlotte Dietz
Mark Dorfman
Claudia Dumond
Jeff Dias*
Nick Foresti*
Janice & Stanley* Goldstein
MaryAnn Hill & Patrick Dober
Charlie Hoban
Nissa & Patrick Knight
Anna Kordan & Steve Buchbinder
Dr. Nancy Perkins Machemer & Kurt Machemer*
Melanie Manning
*Board of Directors
**Board Emeritus
+ Past Carol Beard Visionary Community Leader Honoree