Board Officers & Directors

Jim Cavan 
CO-FOUNDER & VICE-CHAIR OF THE BOARD

Jim was long convinced he would never be more proud than he was the day his baby boy arrived.

But through Everett’s brave battle with cancer, his dad’s pride, like the many tears, only swelled. And while the pain of losing his firstborn will never fully subside, Jim finds strength in knowing Rett’s Roost has a truly special spirit watching over it.

Expect to see Jim doing a little bit of everything around the Roost: wrangling the Board of Directors, writing extraordinary stories of strength, conjuring up various family adventures, and cooking the best breakfasts this side of mom’s kitchen—a laughing, loving little owl on his shoulder all the while.

Kate McCary INTERIM CHAIR OF THE BOARD

Kate has an extensive health communications background. She worked for the communications and marketing team at the American Cancer Society for six years, helping to draw media attention to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, Relay For Life and Daffodil Days.

Kate McCary’s son James was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (T-cell Lymphoblastic Lymphoma) in July of 2020. In October of 2021, he suffered a relapse, and underwent additional intense chemotherapy, radiation, and a bone marrow transplant. Kate and her family have come to find great comfort in the services offered through Rett’s Roost. They participated in two survivor retreats, as well as the Behold the Cold Polar Plunge and Superhero 5K events.

She is currently a healthcare PR freelancer and enjoys running and spending time with her family. Kate lives in Brentwood, NH with her husband Mike, two sons, Nathaniel and James, and daughter Anna. 

Maureen Dowst TREASURER

Maureen is a certified public accountant that owns her own firm in New Boston, NH.

She has essential experience in small business finance, ethics, and accountability. Maureen is Rett’s step-grandmother and she believes furthering the mission of Rett’s Roost as a way to honor her first grandchild and the other families that are forced to face pediatric cancer and child loss.

She has been a generous donor since start-up, and watching us grow into a thriving organization has sparked her recent drive to help Rett’s Roost succeed by joining our Board of Directors as the Treasurer.

Leah Bares SECRETARY

Leah Bares has a background in environmental, business, and civil law, although she is currently focusing on her art career and raising her children in Kennebunk, ME.

She is also the bereaved mom of Laurel Pearl, who died of Neuroblastoma in 2018. Leah has recently moved to Kennebunkport, ME and reached out in hopes of helping Rett’s Roost with fundraising and advocacy, which has become her passion since Laurel’s death.

With her legal background and an unbridled drive to help families facing pediatric cancer and child loss, Leah has taken on the role of Secretary for the Rett’s Roost Board of Directors.

Brent Austin BUSINESS ADMIN/IT

Brent has an MBA from the University of New Hampshire and over 20 years of experience in the Information Technology industry.

In 2019, Brent’s son Evan, was diagnosed with DIPG, a terminal brain tumor. Evan battled for three years before he passed away in June 2022. Brent is familiar with the services offered by Rett’s Roost, as they have provided continuous support to his family since Evan’s diagnosis. Because of this perspective, he is motivated to assist in furthering Rett’s Roost’s mission and helping to find creative ways to provide support for families like his. 

When not at work as Sr. Director of Engineering for Liberty Mutual, you will most likely find him on the basketball court, coaching his daughter’s basketball teams. Brent lives in Hampton, NH with his wife (Jess) and daughter (Avery).

David Sullivan FINANCE

David is a wealth management advisor able to optimize businesses through quick decision-making, strategic thinking, and problem resolution skills.

David was introduced to the cancer community in 2014 when his niece Kiley was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer with Rhabdomyosarcoma. David became eager to get more directly involved in helping charities like Rett’s Roost in their mission to be a safe place for families to gather, grieve, and learn how to live in a world after child loss or cancer diagnosis. After being inspired by the Rett’s Roost Superhero 5K, he trained and successfully completed 3 Boston Marathons, raising a great deal of money for people facing cancer.

“Even though I never personally met Rett, he has been one of the biggest motivators for me in my life and I will be forever thankful for my introduction to Rett’s Roost as they have helped improve my life in countless ways.”

Jonas Amberger COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Since 1996, Jonas’ professional life has been focused on growing a vibrant and sustainable yoga community throughout the seacoast of NH and ME. 

Currently, Jonas and his wife Amylyn own and direct Shilo Farm eco retreat in Eliot, ME. Along with offering daily yoga classes, they bring folks together for seasonal gatherings and through the cultivation of a community herb and flower garden.  Shilo Farm has already been the home for a handful of Rett’s Roost retreats and for a fundraising dinner in 2015. Through Jonas’ connection to the larger seacoast community and through the use of Shilo Farm, he is excited to deepen his relationship with Rett’s Roost for fundraising purposes, community outreach and through nurturing families at the farm.