Mark H. Perkins Jr. is the Chief Executive Officer of Journey Found, a leading organization providing developmental and intellectual disability services in Connecticut. Mark joined Journey Found in July 2013 as one of its founding leadership staff. With over two decades of experience in human services, he has held various leadership roles in both the private and public sectors, including the Department of Developmental Services.

Mark’s expertise spans program development, team building, and advocacy for individuals with intellectual and developmental challenges. Under his leadership, Journey Found has grown to serve 74 adults with intellectual disabilities, providing person-centered services that address their unique needs and aspirations.

Residing in East Hampton with his wife and two children, Mark enjoys exploring restaurants, engaging in outdoor activities, and watching his kids’ soccer games. His commitment to enhancing the lives of those he serves is evident in his dedication to Journey Found’s mission and his innovative approach to service delivery.

Rebecca Lemanski joined Journey Found in January 2025, bringing over two decades of nonprofit leadership in program operations, trauma-informed care, and strategic development. She holds a BS in Elementary Education from Central Connecticut State University and a Master of Social Work Administration from UConn.

Previously, Rebecca served as Chief Operating Officer at Prudence Crandall Center, leading services for survivors of domestic violence, and directed Middletown Works, a collective impact initiative empowering single-parent families. Passionate about equity, resilience, and empowerment, she is dedicated to strengthening communities and organizations through innovation and leadership.

Residing in Middletown, CT, Rebecca finds balance through fitness, yoga, reading, and self-development, while also teaching and mentoring social work students. A devoted mother to her 19-year-old son, she brings both heart and vision to her work, striving to uplift individual’s lives and create lasting impact at Journey Found.

Sharon has worked in the Developmental Disability and Mental Health field for over 20 years in both MA and CT. Her non-profit experience includes management training and administration of both residential and day programs. She holds a BS degree in Rehabilitation from Springfield College and a MEd from Cambridge College. Sharon has been with Journey Found, Inc. since 2013 and is one of the founding administrative staff. She enjoys traveling and spending time with friends and family.

Tuesday brings to Journey Found over 13 years of experience working with children, young adults and adults with Intellectual Disabilities, Autism Spectrum Disorder, and Mental Health Disorders in a variety of supportive environments. One of Tuesday’s focus areas is utilizing the foundation of Applied Behavioral Analysis to support people in achieving their goals. Tuesday graduated from Western Connecticut State University with a MS in Applied Behavioral Analysis and has been with Journey Found, Inc. since 2020.

Brian has worked in the human services field, supporting people with intellectual disabilities for 19 years. He has been with Journey Found since its inception, and has worked in a variety of roles including, Direct Support Professional, Assistant Coordinator, Program Manager and now works as a Director in the North Region. Brian holds a BFA from Montserrat College of Art. He lives in Vernon with his family.

Emily holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from University of Connecticut and a Master of Public Policy from UConn’s School of Public Policy. Emily’s expertise and background are focused on nonprofit management and operations, philanthropy and giving campaigns, and grassroots advocacy. She is thrilled to be part of the Journey Found team where through fund development efforts can continue to provide enrichment services to the individuals we serve.

Emily resides in Marlborough with her husband and two rescue rabbits. In her spare time, Emily volunteers with the Connecticut wildlife rescue network. She is an avid knitter a novice on her spinning wheel. Emily also is a tenor drummer with a bagpipe band, Mystic Pipes and Drums.

Natalie has worked in various capacities in the non-profit space through her career. Starting as a job coach and job developer for adults with disabilities, she moved on to support individuals with psychiatric diagnosis, directed programs for people and families experiencing homelessness, assisted blind young adults in finding and maintaining accessible employment, and worked as an operations manager for a USAF contract employing individuals with disabilities to perform Air Force Base building maintenance. In 2025 she landed at Journey found.

Natalie is a Private Pilot and lifelong equestrian. In her free time she enjoys flying small airplanes, riding and spending time with her horses, being outdoors, and traveling.

Eric has been with Journey Found for 3 years. Starting as a temporary employee, he has worked his way up to Finance Coordinator, where he focuses on auditing individuals’ monthly purchases and managing their DSS benefits.

Eric lives in Wethersfield with his wife and two cats. In his free time, he likes attending concerts, bowling, golfing, and collecting baseball cards.

Marie has been with Journey Found since 2025.l She previously retired from SENT where she received a golden handshake with 27 1/2 years of service. She worked in several departments starting as a telephone operator. After the telephone company, she worked in the medical field. Marie will be married for 50 years in 2027 and has 1 son.

Bill has been employed with Journey Found for 10 years and serves as our Supplies Distribution Specialist. He currently resides in Journey Found’s Homestead residence and is an active member of the community. Bill loves volunteering, collecting badges, and photography in his spare time!

Jessica has been part of the Journey Found team since its inception. Throughout her tenure, she has contributed to the agency in multiple capacities, including Program Management, training, and her current role within the Quality Assurance Department.

With more than 25 years of experience in residential services for adults with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Jessica brings a deep well of knowledge to her work. She uses this knowledge to train staff in delivering high-quality, person-centered support that empowers individuals to be all they are capable of being.

Jessica holds certifications across several training disciplines and earned her Bachelor of Science in Rehabilitative Services from Springfield College, with a concentration in pediatrics and Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities.

She resides in Manchester with her adopted cats and dedicates part of her personal time to volunteering as a Special Olympics swimming coach.

Beginning her career in human services in 1999 after earning an associate degree in New Hampshire, she entered the field through forensic work supporting individuals with significant and diverse needs. In these early roles, she worked directly with people with Down syndrome, Acquired Traumatic Brain Injuries, autism, and dual diagnoses, among many other job responsibilities. This experience grounded her in the realities of complex care and shaped her belief that every person deserves individualized support, respect, and opportunities for growth.

Her first position as a direct care staff member laid the foundation for her approach: person‑centered, compassionate, and rooted in dignity and autonomy. She soon advanced into leadership, managing a day program that supported individuals with dual diagnoses. In this role, she discovered her strength in guiding teams, building structure, and creating environments where both staff and participants could thrive.

After five years in New Hampshire, she relocated to Connecticut in 2005 and continued her work as a program manager in group homes serving people with dual diagnoses. Her leadership expanded across several established human services agencies, where she progressed from program manager to program director, consistently recognized for her reliability, clinical insight, and ability to stabilize and strengthen programs.

For the past twenty years, she has also served as a PMT instructor, training staff in protective holds, crisis prevention, and de‑escalation techniques. Her instruction emphasizes safety, respect, and trauma‑informed practice — values that have shaped her entire career.

Her dedication to advocacy extended beyond her day‑to‑day responsibilities. She regularly accompanied one of the individuals she supported to board meetings, traveling across the country to Omaha, helping her communicate, participate, and ensure her voice was heard in organizational decision‑making. This experience highlighted her belief that true inclusion means creating space for people to speak for themselves — and supporting them in doing so.

Today, she serves in an administrative clinical role as a Clinical Coordinator. In this position, she trains staff on behavior data collection, conducts behavior and sleep data audits, and develops visuals and task analyses to support skill building and independence. She also facilitates monthly peer groups, creating opportunities for individuals to build relationships, express themselves, and enjoy shared activities.

Her commitment to self‑advocacy has been a defining thread throughout her career. She has served as a self‑advocacy advisor for more than a decade, including her current work with Journey Found’s Movers and Shakers, where she supports individuals in finding their voice, building confidence, and shaping their own lives. She previously served as a self‑advocacy advisor at another agency for ten years, further deepening her impact in this area. Her dedication to empowerment is also reflected in her credential as a Registered Behavior Technician, strengthening her ability to support individuals through evidence‑based behavioral practices.

Beyond her professional roles, she is also a lifelong artist. A professional singer and songwriter for more than thirty years, she has performed at countless benefits and community events, using her music to raise awareness and support for people with disabilities. Her artistic work is an extension of her advocacy — another way she amplifies voices, builds community, and brings people together.

Across more than two decades in nonprofit human services, she has built a career rooted in service, leadership, creativity, and advocacy. Her work continues to reflect her belief that every person deserves the chance to grow, connect, and be heard — and she remains committed to creating environments where that is possible.

Tonya joined the Journey Found team in 2021 as a Clinical Specialist. She earned her MS in Psychology with a Specialization in Applied Behavior Analysis from Capella University. Tonya brings over 20 years of experience working with children, young adults, and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities across a variety of roles. Her work centers on providing individuals with the appropriate level of support, fostering independence through the principles of Applied Behavior Analysis, and empowering each individual to achieve a fulfilling and successful life.