Ted Benford

Executive Director
ted@communityrowing.org

Ted started his relationship with CRI over 25 years ago as a volunteer and coach and then went on to serve as president of the board and as a trustee. In May of 2016, Ted was hired as Director of Operations and served as Interim Executive Director until his selection as Executive Director in August of 2018.  Outside of CRI, Ted has worked extensively in higher education, started his own company and worked in consulting and special project partnerships with senior level leadership of Fortune 1000 companies. He has an extensive coaching resume spanning club rowing, corporate rowing, adaptive coaching as well as coaching and leading Division III and Division I Lightweight and Division I Heavyweight men's rowing programs.

Kane Larin

Director of Operations
kane@communityrowing.org

With more than 2,500 registrations each year, 110 rowing shells, 28 coaching launches and smooth running of our award winning facility and grounds, CRI is a beehive of activity every day. Kane has extensive experience in the sport as a leader, athlete, coach, and administrator, which he brings to a broad array of CRI's operations and strategy. 

When CRI needs a deft hand at solving everything from the simplest improvement to our services to representation to local government or state agencies to unique organizational challenges, Kane brings CRI an experienced voice and steady guidance.  

Nonna Giunta

Director of Programs
nonna@communityrowing.org
(617) 504-0207

Nonna grew up in Cambridge, just a block from the Charles, and is a graduate of Tufts University. Arriving at CRI as an adult looking to learn rowing, when a chance to work at CRI presented itself she jumped on it. Nonna is proud mom to Kira, Sia and Barrett.

Nonna is one of CRI's most essential, reliable and experienced members of our staff. She has touched nearly every level of the CRI administrative evolution. Her areas of focus at CRI include (but are not limited to!) oversight and management of the CRI registration processes, managing the array of CRI's communication channels, supporting our incredible coaches and their schedules as well as overseeing records tracking, front desk operations, and our ever improving customer service efforts. 

Since becoming Director of Programs, she has made profound improvements at CRI through her innovative and responsive leadership - it has enhanced the rowing experience for nearly every person who rows at CRI.

Shawn Cote

Director of Development
shawn.cote@communityrowing.org

Shawn's background includes a wide range of fundraising, corporate partnership, and marketing experiences. He holds a bachelors in Sports management marketing from Thomas College in Waterville, ME and a masters in Sports Leadership from Northeastern University. Shawn is also a veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving overseas from February 2004 to March 2005.

Shawn began his career in minor league hockey with the Lowell Devils, as the manager of corporate partnerships, successfully establishing marketing and community partnerships with local, regional and national companies. In a similar role, Shawn continued his career with at Lowell General Hospital, where he worked to grow individual and corporate philanthropy for the hospital, while establishing the hospital’s first corporate wellness program, and managing a variety of large scale marketing partnerships. Returning to the world of sport, Shawn began working at Northeastern University, as the lead fundraiser for NU athletics. It’s there that Shawn first got involved with the sport of rowing and came to understand the passion and comradery that exists within the rowing community. While at NU he managed a record setting, million dollar fundraising effort for the men’s program, in honor of their 50th anniversary.  

Shawn also worked at Bentley University, supporting fundraising efforts for university priorities. He also worked at Community Funded, a leading digital fundraising platform, where he managed sales for the east coast.

Shawn lives in Burlington, MA with his wife Tiffany, daughter Mia, and dog Riley.

Theresa Welsh

Director of Youth Development
theresa@communityrowing.org

Theresa started to row in her early twenties in graduate school, followed by time competing with Rivanna Rowing in Charlottesville, VA. She arrived at CRI in 2011 and rowed or volunteered her way through nearly every program. She has been a member of the Women’s Competitive Team since 2016, and served as a co-captain from 2019 through 2022.

In her 'non-rowing' life, Theresa was a Director at Fidelity Investments for 15 years where she led large teams and projects, across the US and India, to ensure that both employees and customers had outstanding experiences. In 2022, she left the world of finance and shifted her focus to coaching as a passion. She has coached youth crew league, youth and adult learn to row, novice sweeps, general sweeps, military rowing, para rowing, and a women’s team from Power Rowing, as well as a host of corporate events.

Theresa holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Maine, and a master’s degree from The Johns Hopkins University. She lives in Waltham with her partner (and on-water pair partner) Andrea, and loves to cycle as part of Team Kinetic Karma—a Pan Mass Challenge team—or eat nachos with friends. She also shifts frequently between holding her breath or feeling intense pride for her son, Brian, who currently serves in the 101st Airborne Division of the US Army.

Tara Coleran

Controller
books@communityrowing.org

Tara is a finance professional, and as Controller, she ensures the completion of CRI's complete financials, including accounts payable, accounts receivable, bi-weekly payroll, and the administration of employee benefits.

She works closely with external auditors providing the pertinent information required to conduct the annual audit. Tara also partners with the development team in assembling the data required for grant submissions and also assists on the appropriation of grant funds received.