Laura Drake, Co-President and Volunteer Coordinator

Laura moved to Amherst in 1980 with her husband and raised a daughter and a son in the Valley. Her work life included almost 30 years working at McKesson Corp in the IT division, as the contract administrator and sales operations manager, and then almost 15 years working in a private primary care practice, working in the front office with responsibilities that included working with patients, companies and local hospitals. She retired (the first time!) in 2020 to help her 2 grandchildren navigate the "new world" of hybrid schooling, went back to work part time in 2021, and retired for good in 2023. Laura is an avid reader and enjoys traveling, baking, gardening, and being with family and friends. She is excited to take on her new role as Volunteer Coordinator with Amherst Neighbors.If you would like to reach Laura, please contact her at laurad43@gmail.com.

Susan Crim, Co-President and Clerk

Susan moved to the Pioneer Valley from the Washington, D.C., area in 2015 after a teaching and college administration career. In retirement she gives back to various parts of the community with Amherst Neighbors, the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts Education Committee, as a Highland Valley Elder Services Ombudsman, and at the Amherst Survival Center. She disagrees with those who call 7 trail cameras an addiction as she captures photos of our four-footed neighbors that live near Lawrence Swamp.

Seren Derin, Treasurer

Seren moved to Amherst with her late husband and her daughter in 1981. She worked at Stavros Center for Independent Living for almost 34 years, mainly as Fiscal Director and later as Fiscal Intermediary Program Manager for 3 years before finally retiring. Being disabled with mobility impairments, she continues to serve in the Town of Amherst Disability Access Advisory Committee, advocating for the rights of people with disabilities that reside in Amherst. Among other community involvements is her being a member of Zonta Club of Northampton for the past 10 plus years, serving women and girls locally as well as internationally. She also sits on the Board of Trustees for Tempus Unlimited, an agency that provides PCA services for all disabled residents of Massachusetts, participating in their Scholarship and Finance Committees. After her retirement, she found her calling once again after discovering and joining Amherst Neighbors. She first started in Membership, and later in the Finance and Fundraising Committees. Since January 2024, she has been serving as AN Treasurer, which fulfills her and keeps her very busy.

Sandford Roth

Sanford (Sandy) Roth has lived in the Pioneer Valley for over 50 years, coming to Amherst to do graduate work in education at the UMass School of Education. He has had a 45 year career in education working as both a classroom teacher and education-al consultant for the Collaborative for Educational Services in Northampton. Sandy is the proud grandfather of six, and currently lives in Pelham. For the past 14 years he has been a self-taught artist and is currently making assemblages using wood, metal, paint, and wire. Sandy has had several exhibits of his art work at various venues in the Amherst area. Sandy is thrilled to be a member of the AN Board, is the Chair of the Programs Committee, and looks forward to serving its members in a productive manner.

Austin Sarat

Austin Sarat has lived in Amherst since 1974. He teaches law and politics at Amherst College and primarily writes about America's death penalty. His volunteer and public service includes coaching in Amherst baseball, being president of the Board of the Common school, chairing the Amherst Zoning Board of Appeals, being president of the Jones Library Board of Trustees, and co-chairing the Dana Farber Patient and Family Advisory Committee.

Christine Sonnhalter

Christine lived in Amherst for 28 years while raising 2 daughters and many pets! Prior to Amherst, she lived in Boston for 25 years. Her varied occupational background included teaching, criminal justice, travel and tour guiding, development for nonprofits, politics, special events, and arts management. She now takes art and exercise classes, volunteers at the Survival Center, loves mysteries, finds music magical, and jazz feeds her soul! She looks forward to participating on the Board of this marvelous organization.