MACA Staff

Thomas M. King, LICSW

Executive Director

Our Executive Director since 2006, Tom got his passion for the CAC movement when he served as the child forensic interviewer for Hampden County District Attorney back in 1997. “Seeing the impact of systems working together to better the lives of children is something that fuels me everyday to ensure our work knows no bounds. Child victims deserve nothing less than the amazing response of a Children’s Advocacy Center to help them on the road to healing, hope and justice.” Tom holds a certificate from the Institute for Nonprofit Management & Leadership at the Boston University School of Management, in addition to a Master of Social Work degree from the Smith College School of Social Work, and a BA in Psychology from the College of the Holy Cross.

Gina Hargrave-Amodio

Director of Grants and Finance

Gina joined MACA in 2008, bringing a background in child and victim services. Gina oversees the administration of our state and federal funding to the CACs. She completed the Leadership Exchange and Coaching (LEC) program convened by the Northeast Regional Children’s Advocacy Center (NRCAC). She previously served at the YWCA in her hometown of New Britain, Connecticut, as an early childhood educator and a volunteer counselor/advocate with the YWCA Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services (CONNSACS) program, providing hotline crisis counseling and medical accompaniment to survivors of sexual violence. Gina holds a BA in Psychology from Mount Holyoke College. 

Christa M. Collier, M.S., LSW

Director of Operations and Strategic Initiatives

Christa oversees the training and educational needs for the CACs in our state. She brings a wide range of experience in the backgrounds of social work, child advocacy and philanthropy to her role. Most recently, she served as the Executive Director of Northern Berkshire United Way. She has previously served as the Executive Director of a CAC, Berkshire County Kids’ Place. Prior to her role at the CAC, she worked at a large multi-service nonprofit organization, the Gladys Allen Brigham Community Center, in ascending direct service and managerial positions for thirteen years.

She holds a B.S. in Criminal Justice from Southern Vermont College and a M.S. in Communications and Information Management with a concentration in Nonprofit Management from Bay Path University. She is also a Licensed Social Worker in the state of Massachusetts.

Daniel Macura, M.S.

Communications Manager

Daniel Macura joined the MACA team in February of 2023 as our new Communications Specialist. After previously working within digital marketing and communications, he is looking forward to enhancing the MACA brand and its message not only to the child advocacy field, but to an expanded audience. He is excited to bring his communications skills to help elevate MACA’s mission driven work. Daniel received his M.S. in Communications along with a B.A. in Media, Culture and Art and a concentration in Comparative Race and Ethnic Studies from Clark University.

Shivani Patel

Program Manager

Shivani joined MACA in 2023 and works with training, education and special initiatives programming, and grant management. She brings experience in advocating for victims of abuse and violence, human rights policy development, and working with nonprofits in India and the US. She holds a BA in Political Science and Sexuality, Women’s and Gender Studies from Amherst College. She strongly believes in using an anti-oppressive approach to her work at MACA. Shivani enjoys painting, photography, and spending time in nature.

Christina Paskewicz, LCSW

Manager of Mental Health Initiatives & Training

Christina joined MACA in 2024 as the Service Navigator. Christina holds a dual masters degree in social work and public administration from Grand Valley State University. Over the past decade she has worked with families and children in many capacities. Her experience includes adoption and reunification, international development, crisis counseling, as well as intake and referral coordination at a child advocacy center. She is excited to utilize her skills and knowledge to support child advocacy work in Massachusetts. In her free time she enjoys exploring New England, camping trips, and yoga.

Latirah Cisero

CSEC Statewide Program Manager

Latirah Cisero is a lifelong advocate for children, families, and community empowerment. Her journey in human services began at just 14 years old, working at a summer camp for children with special needs—a role she proudly continued for 23 years. This early experience sparked a deep and enduring commitment to equity, care, and service.

Latirah holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and an Associate’s degree in Sociology from Temple University, as well as a Master’s degree in Education from American International College. Her academic background has laid the groundwork for a career centered on holistic support and advocacy.

She spent over a decade as a paraprofessional in Springfield Public Schools, where she built a strong foundation in educational support and student engagement. Her passion for working with families led her to Square One, where she coordinated outreach efforts for first-time parents, youth in need of wraparound services, and parents navigating recovery.

Most recently, Latirah served as the Commercial Sexual Exploitation of Children (CSEC) Coordinator for Hampden County—one of the largest counties in Massachusetts. In this role, she led county-wide initiatives to safeguard vulnerable youth, promote trauma-informed practices, and foster collaborative community responses.

Born and raised in the community she now serves, Latirah’s work is deeply rooted in compassion, equity, and empowerment. She continues to dedicate her life to uplifting others and creating safe, supportive spaces where children and families can thrive.

Madeline Bacon, LICSW

Service Navigator

Madeline rejoined MACA in 2026 in the role of Service Navigator. Madeline is a Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker and received her Bachelor’s of Social Work from the University of Vermont and her Master’s of Social Work from the University of Denver.

Madeline’s educational and professional background has focused on supporting children and families impacted by trauma and abuse, increasing access to resources and mental health care, and providing high-quality training and consultation to professionals and caregivers about child sexual abuse and/or problematic sexual behaviors. Madeline has had the privilege of working in a variety of Children’s Advocacy Center-based roles, including Family Advocate at Blue Sky Bridge in Colorado, Training and Education Coordinator here at MACA, and most recently, as Mental Health Clinician at the Children’s Advocacy Center of Suffolk County.

Madeline is trained in Problematic Sexual Behavior - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (PSB-CBT), Child & Family Traumatic Stress Intervention (CFTSI), and Trauma Focused - Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) and is excited to bring her experience with both direct service and systems-level collaboration to her work at MACA.

Maya Grant

Communications Associate

Maya Grant joined the MACA team in January of 2026 as our Communications Associate, where she supports digital communications, storytelling, and outreach efforts that amplify MACA’s mission to protect children and strengthen multidisciplinary responses to abuse.

She is a recent graduate of the University of Delaware, where she earned a B.A. in International Relations with a concentration in Diplomacy & Global Order and a minor in Journalism.

Most recently, Maya worked in political communications and outreach, serving as a Political & Coalitions Electors Intern on the Harris for President campaign, where she supported voter engagement, coalition outreach, and strategic communications. She has also held communications and marketing roles with PATCAM Ltd., a London-based creative PR and marketing firm, and as a campus ambassador and student journalist at the University of Delaware.

She is excited to bring her background in advocacy, media, and community engagement to support MACA’s work across Massachusetts.

In her free time, Maya enjoys photography, traveling, and exploring Boston’s creative and nonprofit spaces.

Zoe Oelkers

Northeastern University Co-op Intern

Zoe Oelkers is a Northeastern University Co-op at MACA, currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and Psychology, with an expected graduation in May 2027. Most recently, she worked at Monte Nido Walden Behavioral as a mental health counselor, providing patient-centered care and crisis intervention. She has held several additional child-centered roles, working as a substitute teacher, camp counselor, teachers assistant and coach. She is also currently volunteering as a clinical coding assistant at UMass Chan Medical School on a research study exploring infant-maternal attachment.

Zoe is passionate about child welfare and trauma-informed care, and is excited to use her background to help support MACA’s mission. In her free time, Zoe loves scrapbooking and volunteering with Boston youth sport programs.