Staff
Marisa Giarnella-Porco, Co-founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer
Co-founder and President of the Foundation, Marisa has worked in human services since 1985. Her employment experiences range from the CT Department of Children and Families to various positions with local mental health authorities in Eastern Connecticut. Marisa has actively volunteered for decades in her community and is currently an active member of the CT Suicide Advisory Board. Marisa enjoys cooking, gardening, water sports, and snuggling with her dog Valentina.
Email Marisa at mgiarnella-porco@jordanporcofoundation.org
Jared Buchanan, Development Associate
Jared Buchanan has been a suicide prevention activist after losing his father, Officer. Paul S. Buchanan in 2013. Jared has found much healing by running 100- and 200-Mile Ultramarathons in his father’s memory and by helping serve others struggling. Jared served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2010 to 2014. Jared graduated in 2023 from Southern Connecticut State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and is currently awaiting graduate school. Jared has two purebred Bengal cats named Kuja & Maya and enjoys traveling, being outdoors, and eating pizza!
Email Jared at jbuchanan@jordanporcofoundation.org
Mike Daly, Office Manager
Mike was introduced to the Jordan Porco Foundation as a volunteer on the Hartford Resource Development Committee (RDC) and has served on that committee for over a year. Mike has a Bachelor Degree in Marketing and Organizational Behavior from Central Connecticut State University and a JD from Western New England University. He enjoys being part of the team, supporting the staff and helping the foundation operate efficiently. Mike will continue to work with the RDC and believes it is very important to share our mission with the community. In his spare time, Mike enjoys working around the house, reading, writing, and volunteering at his church.
Email Mike at mdaly@jordanporcofoundation.org
Beth Holcomb, Community Engagement Coordinator
Beth earned her Bachelor of Science/Arts degree in Accounting from the University of Hartford and her Masters degree in Finance from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Hartford. She has worked as a CPA in a public accounting firm and an Assistant Treasurer of a Fortune 500 company. Her breadth of experience in event planning and working with volunteers comes from years of volunteer service at her church, her children’s schools and the Greater Hartford Open (currently, Travelers Championship).
Beth resides in South Windsor with her husband Steve, her children Juliana and Michael, and her cats Penny and Abbie. She enjoys the company of others, working out, shopping, day trips, and most of all spending time with her family.
Email Beth at bholcomb@jordanporcofoundation.org
Leah Nelson, Director of Programs
Leah Nelson earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies with a minor in Women’s Studies from the University of Connecticut, where her passion and experience with mental health advocacy began. She joined the Jordan Porco Foundation in 2012 and serves as the Director of Programs, overseeing the growth, development, and integrity of the organization’s critical programs. Leah is a Certified QPR Trainer and has also presented her lived experience with mental health and suicide to a number of audiences. Outside of her professional endeavors, she has been an active member of her community, volunteering over the years for organizations such as Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters and Paws New England. A nature lover, Leah can usually be found hiking in the mountains, camping in the National Parks, snowshoeing in her woods, or on the lake on her stand up paddleboard.
Email Leah at lnelson@jordanporcofoundation.org
Nick Marinelli, Senior Program Coordinator
Nick Marinelli earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychological Science at Central Connecticut State University and recently earned a Graduate Certificate in Nonprofit Management from UConn Hartford. While at CCSU, Nicholas developed a passion for mental health advocacy joining groups on campus such as Active Minds and the Psychology Club. He’s committed to furthering his education in the nonprofit sector as a current MPA candidate at the University of Connecticut. Joining the Jordan Porco Foundation in 2018, he has become an integral part of the evaluation, development, and operations of Jordan Porco Foundation programming. Nick has also played a significant role in JPF’s grants process, both researching and writing proposals for the further development of the organization.
Nick lives an active lifestyle, enjoying the outdoors while hiking and camping. He’s also an avid cook and loves to read while hanging out with the best girl in the whole wide world, Acadia (his pup).
Email Nick at [email protected]
