Board of Directors
Anita Sarro, Board Chair
Born in New Jersey (and proud of it!), Anita has lived in Amherst since 1976. She moved to the area after graduating from Rutgers University with a degree in Medical Technology. Soon after, she got married and started a family, having two children - Michael and Kim.
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After moving to Amherst, Anita received her second Bachelors' and a Masters' in Nursing from UMass Amherst. She then began working in community nursing before graduating from the Western New England School of Law! She was clerked in the Federal District Court in Springfield and practiced health law for a number of years. After, she joined Risk Management at Baystate Health System.
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Now, Anita enjoys her time in retirement traveling and visiting friends throughout the United States and Europe! She loves to spend time with her granddaughters and find interesting places to walk in the Quabbin Reservoir. Her commitment to the Fisher Home has been evident as she has spent many years on the board, contributing to our mission. As she puts it, "being on the Board of Hospice of the Fisher Home is my highest priority and my way of giving back for the service that my family and I received during my mother's last weeks of life."
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Benjamin Viens, Vice Chair
Benjamin Viens has been on the Board of Directors since 2023, and was appointed as the Vice Chair January of 2024. As an integral part of the Fisher Home, he aims to spread word of their good work, which he was personally affected by when his grandmother passed away at the residence. Additionally, his sister-in-law is a current staff member! Benjamin’s background as a credit analyst in banking over the last 5 years gives him the tools he needs to help with navigating the ever-important financial aspect of running a nonprofit! His degree in business administration with a minor in marketing from Salve Regina University makes him an incredibly well-rounded board member and vice chair.
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Outside of work and the Fisher Home, Benjamin is an avid fan of the Real Housewives franchise and anything on Bravo! He stays active by teaching a spin class at the YMCA, traveling, and spending time with his friends and family. In his opinion, the best thing about the Fisher Home is that “they make everyone feel like family and work to assist anyone as they navigate the passing process”.
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Stacy Wenczel, Secretary
Stacey Wenczel lived just around the corner from the Fisher Home when she finished her BS in Marketing and Art at UMass – little did she know that she would eventually join the organization! After completing her BS, Stacey earned an MS in Human Resources and Labor Relations from Rutgers University. Here, she started her long career in HR as a manager and consultant. Through her career and education, she has acquired skills that bring value and insight to the Fisher Home!
As a Pioneer Valley resident for over thirty years, Stacey is extremely committed to the community and is passionate about the caring staff at the Hospice, who, in her words, provide “such a blessed service to dying people and their loved ones.” In fact, she was introduced to the Fisher Home by Executive Director, Maria Rivera, whom she met when their eldest children attended school together nearly twenty years ago. Since joining the Board of Directors in late 2020, she has been excited to “support Maria and her goals in leading this unique and valuable program.”
Outside of the boardroom and work, Stacey enjoys fitness activities like biking, hiking, and strength training. She can happily be found spending time with her family, growing and fermenting food, and experimenting with crafty, elevated mocktails!
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Dina Stander
Dina Stander has spent the last two years on the Board of Directors at the Hospice of the Fisher Home focusing on education and outreach. But, her experience with the Fisher Home started much earlier, when her mother-in-law passed away at the hospice in 2006.
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As an end-of-life navigator, poet, funeral celebrant, and burial shroud maker she is passionate about quality death care in her community. Her background spans many modalities, all of which are centered around communication and care. From Dina’s mediation and conflict resolution degree from the University Without Walls at UMass to her experience in elder services, coaching, and end-of-life doula training, she is enthusiastic about the Fisher Home’s impact. In her words, it is “a peaceful place to die while supported by gentle caring hands.”
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When she is not advocating for the Fisher Home, you can find Dina coordinating the Northeast Death Care Collaborative, writing, cooking, and collecting stones on the beach. For more information on Dina, head to www.dinastander.com!​
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Mary Fago
Mary Fago has dedicated over 40 years to healthcare, specializing as a nurse practitioner certified in adult medicine. Her career journey led her to work in diverse settings, but her passion truly flourished during her three years in community development and as the clinical director of Hospice of Hampshire County. Mary supported the early days of the dream of Fisher Home becoming an inpatient hospice, helping to shape the compassionate care model that continues to serve the community. Her dedication to our well-being is evident — one summer she even filled in when staffing was low!
Mary holds both a master’s in nursing and a master’s in public health. Now, she is honored to be a part of the board of the Hospice of the Fisher Home, where she actively champions the hospice model of care. In her free time, Mary enjoys yoga, traveling, hiking, and the company of good friends.