Takodah YMCA Leadership Team

Chris Burke (he/him) started his journey as a camping professional in 2001
when he joined the Y movement. Over the years, he’s had the privilege of serving in leadership roles at YMCA Camp Coniston, Southern District YMCA/Camp Lincoln, and Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA. Before his Y career, he learned valuable lessons working for the Houston Independent School District and Marriott.

His passion lies in community development, strategic thought and leadership. Chris is thrilled to join the Takodah YMCA community, where we are about to embark on our next strategic planning process. Together, we will continue to deliver industry-leading programs for youth and families, positively impacting the lives of those we serve, with
an eye towards the future of camp.

At home, he is married to wife Katie, and together, they have three wonderful children – Colin, Grace, and Ella. Our Labrador retriever, Ollie, completes our household. When they’re not in the beauty of the woods, you’ll often find them enjoying time on a sports field or court.

Having come full circle, Chris is thrilled to be back in the Granite State, ready to contribute to the Takodah YMCA community. He believes in the power of collaboration, and is looking forward to creating his own Takodah story with the support of many dedicated individuals. He is always open to new connections and collaborations. Feel free to reach
out, to work together to shape the future of the Takodah YMCA through programs that serve the needs of today’s children and families.

Sarah Cunningham (she/her) serves as the Camp Director of Camp Takodah. A Fitzwilliam native, she grew up on the shores of Laurel Lake. Summers not spent swimming in Laurel lake were spent at Camp Takodah. When Sarah was 10 years old she spent her first week at Camp Takodah, since then she has held many camp positions from camper to Camp Director. Taking a brief sabbatical from Takodah, Sarah worked as the Assistant Director at Fleur de Lis Camp. She is thrilled to be back spending summers on the shores of Cass Pond.

Sarah has her Bachelors in Child and Family Studies. She is also an active member and volunteer for the American Camp Association, as both an accreditation visitor and New England conference committee member. In 2021 she was awarded the ACA Service and Leadership Award. In her downtime, you can usually find her enjoying the sunshine with friends, family, and her dog.

Sarah Dowd (she/her), the Assistant Director, has a wealth of experience in camping and childcare across the Northeast. Sarah discovered her passion for camp in 2019 as a camp counselor at Camp Hazen YMCA in Chester, CT. From that summer on, Sarah knew that she would pursue a professional career in camping. Since 2019, Sarah has gained a plethora of childcare experience as an Americorps Teacher in Derry, NH, the Assistant Director at TEiAM Corps in Brooklyn, NY, and most recently as the Camp, Youth and Family Director at the Lynch van Otterloo YMCA in Marblehead, MA where she directed Children’s Island Day Camp. With her multitude of camp and childcare experiences, Sarah excels in connecting with campers, families, and staff and has a keen eye for developing camp programming. When not at camp, you can find Sarah curled up with a good book and an iced coffee. Sarah is beyond excited to start her new journey at Camp Takodah!

Shawn Rowcliffe (he/him) spent over 20 years working for the YMCA of Greater Rochester, mostly as the Facility Director of YMCA Camp Cory on Keuka Lake in New York State. Shawn was involved in the renovation or reconstruction of almost every main building at this 100-year-old camp, setting the camp up for success for the next 100 years. He worked closely with the YMCA and camp team on creating and implementing an aggressive strategic plan, including the acquisition of additional acreage, the creation of a standalone Day Camp on the property, as well as design and construction of a completely new Leadership Village. Shawn’s artistic love contributed to many unique touches seen around the property. Shawn moved to MA last winter and has been working on the Groundskeeping team at Groton Academy this past year. When not working Shawn enjoys fishing, cooking, playing euchre, and spending time with family. Shawn is excited to be a part of Camp Takodah and looks forward to making an impact on all campers and guests that pass through its gate.

Aline Ferris (she/her) has over 12+ years of experience in office administration and summer camp registration. Most recently being in her role at Becket-Chimney Corners YMCA, where she served as the Senior Registrar and Financial Aid Administrator. As you get to know Aline, you’ll learn that she has a passion for building strong supportive relationships with camper families and staff.

Aline resides in Windsor Massachusetts with her husband, John. They have four children and six grandchildren, many of whom participate in overnight camp each summer. Outside of work, Aline enjoys a variety of outdoor activities with her family and has a strong connection to nature. Their 12-acre property serves as a space for cultivating blueberries and raspberries, cooking on an outdoor pizza oven, pressing cider in the fall and snowshoeing during the winter months.

Carolyn Billington (she/her), the Director of Philanthropy and Communications, brings a wealth of experience and a lifelong passion for camping to her role. Growing up as a camper and staff member at Camp Hazen YMCA in Chester, CT, Carolyn’s love for camp life has fueled her dedication to providing children with transformative camp experiences. Her professional background includes pivotal roles such as Development Coordinator for Camp Hazen YMCA, where she significantly increased donor contributions and managed the camp’s 100-year celebrations. Additionally, she served as Senior Program Manager for Parent Giving at the University of Colorado, Boulder, excelling in managing large-scale events and donor relations. With a Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from DePaul University, Carolyn excels in donor stewardship, grant writing, and digital communication. Her strategic approach and dedication are invaluable assets to the Camp Takodah community. Carolyn recently moved to Massachusetts with her husband, Matt, and their dog, Sunny.