Deb is the founder of Annie C. Annie was Deb’s grandmother and hero. One of Deb’s projects is managing a regional community coalition of foster care agencies which she has done for over 9 years. Prior to that, she was a case manager for families involved with the Department of Children and Families preparing to reunite with their children. IN years past, she worked as an advocate for foster, adoptive and kinship families; taught pre-licensing classes to prospective foster and adoptive parents for 10 years; worked as a case manager in a reunification program and is, herself, an adoptive mother of 3 young men adopted through the CT foster care system. Deb’s passion is helping older youth find and maintain permanent connections. Currently, Deb serves on the board for QUEST, the Queer Unity Empowerment Support Team, a grassroots organization in Waterbury serving the queer community. She is also a voting member of the Statewide Advisory Council for DCF and chairs the Regional Advisory Council for “Region 5” in northwestern CT. In the past, Deb has served as a board member for other CT community organizations and commissions and enjoys giving back to her local community.

Tom spent over 45 years producing and directing films/videos and large corporate events throughout the world. He is an Emmy award winning producer and has coordinated events for over thousands in New York, Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Bruxelles, London and Copenhagen. Along with being involved with all creative aspects, he is also keen on budgets, logistics, social media and marketing.
Recently, Tom decided to leave his passion for “live” performances to travel on another path that he is passionate about. This passion is to work with children and youth that need a supportive family to let them aspire to their potential. He enjoys networking with others and hopes to find many families who will be supportive of, and participate in, foster care, adoption and the Annie C mission.
Tom is married, has a son that is 24, another son 45, raised through kinship care as well as a college-age daughter who is adopted from Guatemala. In his spare time, he loves organic gardening, photography, raising Great Danes and appreciating the beauty of the planet.

After 20+ years working in corporate, Selina decided to follow her true passion to work with children that are at risk, improving their lives and strengthening their families. Over the last 10 years, her mission has been to advocate, engage the community, create collaborations, partnerships, developing new initiatives and programs that will educate, strengthen families and focus on the needs of our youth. She has coordinated support groups, organized community service projects and hosted community events that educate and support families. Selina is a long-term licensed therapeutic foster mom, currently for Boys and Girls Village.
Selina is most passionate about advocating for and beside older youth. She also volunteers for her church community as the youth advisor.

Trayvonn joined Annie C in 2021. He wants to give back in ways he wished he could have received support during his 9 years in the CT foster care system. His experience during that time shaped his passion for serving and uplifting communities through connection.
Trayvonn studied Political Science and Philosophy at the University of Connecticut, graduating in 2015. His passion for politics led him to the world of public service where he now works in a U.S. Senate Office and serves as a Commissioner for the City Planning Commission of Waterbury. Trayvonn was also a part of UConn’s premiere First Star Academy program for mentoring and supporting a group of 25 youth in the foster care system achieving Mentor of the Year for impact on the lives of the students. Today, he hopes to reach foster youth feeling uncertainty in their journey for identity and one day elevate from a former foster youth to a Foster parent. What you might not guess at first glance: Trayvonn is a local property manager, is an uncle to 8, and can solve a Rubik’s cube in 90 seconds.

James A. Higgins, a Naugatuck resident, is a distinguished leader who serves as chairman of the borough’s finance board and the tax increment financing committee. He also collaborates on special initiatives under the direction of Mayor Hess and participates in the state-wide foster care system through DCF.
James has a profound commitment to youth advocacy. As a licensed foster parent since 2019, he has welcomed over 28 youths into his home, adopting seven of them. His personal mission is to be the mentor and support system he needed as a young person.
A champion for civic engagement, James serves on the boards of several organizations, including the Connecticut Community Foundation, Young Professionals of Waterbury Region, Jane Doe No More, United Way of Naugatuck and Beacon Falls, and the Naugatuck Exchange Club. He has previously held board roles with the Exchange Club of Waterbury, Main Street Waterbury, Habitat for Humanity of Greater Waterbury, and others. His contributions exemplify his core values of commitment, leadership, and integrity.
James’s dedication has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the 2017 Volunteer of the Year award from the Malcolm Baldrige Chamber Awards, the 2020 Outstanding Young Credit Union Professional award from the Credit Union League of CT, Best Dad By Par from the Department of Children and Families in 2023, and a leadership award from
the Waterbury Regional Chamber’s CEO in 2024.
Professionally, James serves as the President and CEO of Skyline Financial Federal Credit Union in Waterbury, CT, a role he assumed at age 33, making him the youngest CEO of a financial institution in Connecticut. Under his leadership, the credit union has undergone 20 years’ worth
of modernization in just his first two years of leadership, including virtualizing operations, integrating advanced technology, negotiating cost-saving contracts, and enhancing member services. His professional philosophy is encapsulated in his mantra: “We did not come this far to come this far.”
James graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Business (2013) and a Master of Business Administration in Business and Leadership (2016) from Albertus Magnus College. He was recognized in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges in 2016.

Details to come

Jill retired in 2023 from full time employment in the Health and Human Service industry, having worked over 40 years in that sector. Her most recent position was as Chief Development Officer for Apex Community Care, based in Danbury. Most of her career she worked with youth in the foster care system and other young people at risk in organizations such as Living In Safe Alternatives, Waterbury Youth Services, Child Guidance Clinic of Greater Waterbury (now Wellmore Behavioral Health), and StayWell Health Center. She is passionate about helping disadvantaged youth, especially those experiencing homelessness and LGBTQ+ young people. To that end, she served on the DCF Regional Advisory Committee for Region 5, on the Governance Committee for the Bridge to Success Community Partnership, Chaired the Waterbury Homeless Youth Committee, and was on the Executive Advisory Committee for Waterbury based Queer Unity Empowerment Support Team. Jill holds a B.S. degree in Occupational Therapy from Tufts University, and an MBA from the University of Connecticut.

Jill is an avid knitter and a published knitwear designer for books, magazines, yarn and pattern companies in the hobby knitting industry. She also engages in many other crafts including weaving, crochet and jewelry making, and loves to go for walks and to read, especially science fiction books.

Originally from Massachusetts, she lives in Middlebury CT with her husband West and their misunderstood wheaten terrier. They have two adult daughters of whom they are very proud.

Rachael Levine is a Connecticut attorney and former foster youth with a longstanding commitment to supporting children and families. Adopted at age 17 after spending much of her teenage years in foster care, Rachael’s personal experiences have helped shape her dedication to advocacy and community service.

A graduate of Danbury High School and Western Connecticut State University, Rachael earned her J.D. from Roger Williams University School of Law. Her legal career has focused significantly on child protection and family matters, including five years with the Connecticut Office of the Attorney General representing the Department of Children and Families. She has also practiced extensively in the areas of family and juvenile law. Beginning in March of 2026, Rachael joined the team at Wolf & Shore Law Group as a Senior Associate.

Outside of her legal work, Rachael is passionate about community involvement, fundraising, and creating meaningful connections in support of organizations serving children and families. She brings that enthusiasm to the Annie C. Courtney Foundation, where she serves on the fundraising committee and helps support the organization’s fundraising initiatives.

Ken Cabral returned to the provider community after a 25-year career in state government including Connecticut and Washington, DC. His career has focused on person centered and family center service in the field of Autism, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and Child Welfare. He has a passion and commitment to supporting people and their families.

Since returning to Connecticut, Ken has served as the Regional Administrator for both Region 5 and Region 1 at the Department of Children and Families and the Director of Family Services Strategy at the Department of Developmental Services.

Ken is currently the President and CEO at Benhaven, Inc whose mission is: Enabling people with autism and pervasive developmental disorders to participate in community life, exercise productive control over their own lives, have meaningful relationships and associations, be gainfully employed, and experience happiness and personal satisfaction.

Ken and his husband are avid animal lovers and spend most of their leisure time with their two Standard Poodles, Benjamin and Lena.

Lynn Alvey Dawson graduated from Boston University and began her professional career as a sexual assault counselor and advocate for children and adults involved in the criminal justice system in Norfolk County, Massachusetts.

After graduating from law school, Lynn practiced criminal defense and child protection law in Central Massachusetts while raising her three children. After moving to Connecticut in 1994, Lynn opened a solo practice focused on criminal defense, family law, and child protection. For 16 years she represented children and adults in the Waterbury Juvenile Court.
After her appointment to the Superior Court bench in 2023, Judge Dawson oversaw child protection and delinquency matters in Middletown and New Haven. In 2025 she was assigned to the Family Court, where she continues to hear child custody and divorce proceedings.

In her spare time, Lynn is a fitness enthusiast, teaching spin classes, and getting out on her paddle board as frequently as the weather permits.

Details to come