About The MollyB Foundation
The MollyB Foundation was established to provide children in need the opportunity to find their voice and create happiness through participation in activities that support positive mental health and inclusion. Molly’s mission was to make people happy and her foundation assures she can continue to do so.
Our Board of Directors
Aimee Szumiesz
Aimee is a driven individual who enjoys learning new skills. She has a Master’s Degree in Education with a concentration in behavior analysis. She currently holds a license as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Aimee’s focus on helping others is exemplified in her experiences in special education as well as a javelin instructor and church volunteer where she works closely with the homeless population.
Aimee’s connection with Molly stems to a time before she was born. Barb Higgins was her high school track coach and mentor. In spring of Aimee’s freshman year, little Molly came into this world. From there, Molly became a regular attendee at Concord High meets and Barb’s track camp (by the same name). Following graduation, Aimee lost touch with Molly and her family. It was one day on Facebook that Aimee saw a post by Barb. Molly had been rushed to Dartmouth Hospital with an undiagnosed brain tumor. Aimee and her mom visited Molly during her time at the hospital to say good-bye and support her family. Since Molly’s passing, Aimee has remained close with the family, doing projects for The Little House on Lyndon St.; an associated organization. While Molly is no longer alive, her spirit lives on through the workings of her remaining family, Barb, Kenny, and Gracie.
Aimee jumped at the chance to be a part of the Molly B Foundation to continue Molly’s purpose: bringing joy to people’s lives. She would like to take the tragedy of Molly’s passing and transform it into a national fixture of awareness and hope for others sharing a similar experience.
Aimee currently resides in Stratham, New Hampshire with her roommate Jacob and many plant babies. She enjoys carpentry, gardening, hiking, camping, and board games.
Clint Klose
Clint lives in Concord, NH. He works as a Theatre Teacher at Concord High School and as the Artistic Director for RB Productions. Clint’s interests include Family, Theatre, Cooking, Travel, and All Things Broadway. He met Molly when she participated in theatre productions.
Clint joins as a founding member of the board because, as he said, “I would like to help the foundation raise money and carry out the mission of the Molly B Foundation.” When asked what he hopes to accomplish as a board member, he described that he wants to “bring community members joy and happiness — as a way to give back the same joy that theatre has given to me.”
Bridget Ferns
Bridget Ferns, a long-time friend of Molly’s mother comes to the board providing financial and legal expertise. A graduate of Boston College and Boston University School of Law Bridget was an Estate Attorney at Upton and Hatfield in Concord NH for 25 years. She has also provided travel planning since retiring from active law practice and is a certified Disney travel planner which is a nice Molly connection. Her sons Tim and Patrick are active collegiate athletes in Track & Field at Notre Dame and Football at Middlebury respectively and her husband Paul works in finance. She comes to the MollyB Foundation as someone who understands the importance of family and friends and who wants the best for the Molly’s Family.
Maria Iozza Taylor
Maria comes to the MollyB Foundation as a champion of children expressing themselves through athletics and the arts. A collegiate basketball player at Southern Connecticut State College and lifetime dancer Maria has coached and taught both of these activities throughout her adult life. Her children Kayla and Derek both danced with Molly at CDA. Having earned her MBA at Emmanuel College Maria is currently the Marketing and Office Manager at M.S. Walker Inc. She teaches hip hop to children and adults evenings at CDA and follows the achievements of her children. Derek is currently a student at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee studying Musical Theater and Dance while Kayla is at Concord High School playing Field Hockey and Dancing. Maria is a part of the MollyB Foundation not only because she loved Molly but because she represents what Molly loved, singing, dancing, acting and making others happy!
Barbara Higgins
Barbara Higgins is Molly’s mother. An educator at heart she also loves athletics, music, theater and the arts. Barb (as she is called) graduated from Boston University in 1986 with a Masters in Education. She also has a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (C.A.G.S.) from Plymouth State University in Education Leadership through Arts Integration. She has taught elementary, special, and physical education as well as health. She has coached cross-country and track and field for over 30 years. A Division One All American in Track and Field at BU in 1983 Barb was a competitive runner for many years competing for Nike before returning to her hometown in 1989.
Barb currently teaches PE to elementary school students at The Virtual learning Academy Charter School, Coaches (and participates in) Crossfit and has a Podcast called A Thousand Tiny Steps. Creating The MollyB Foundation helps to keep the best parts of Molly alive and helps others to achieve their goals.
