The WellStorm, Inc.
Carla Delacruz Davila
Co-Founder / President
Carla is a MSW graduate, native of Puerto Rico and longtime resident of Worcester, County. As an Afro Latina working mother of two boys, Carla understands the stress that can come with a fully packed life. Learning to balance her roles as a partner, mother, community advocate, board member and social worker, has pushed Carla to becoming a role model for the next generation. Carla being a leader is an avid advocate for women supporting women, loves volunteering, helping others, and giving back to her community. Carla has an extensive history of charitable roles in local programs which help to support the increased confidence and competence of our community. Carla thrives in roles of leadership and being an empathetic caretaker often let's her compassion push her to go beyond her set limits and expectations. Carla has expertise in working with vulnerable individuals providing advocacy and support. Carla has explored positions mentoring children in the foster care system, coaching students, and children on the autism spectrum.
Yesenia Arroyo
Co-Founder / Secretary / Treasurer
Yesenia (Yezii) is a Licensed Certified Social Worker. Yezii has a love for all people, being extremely empathetic and entertaining, Yezii is able to identify, support and connect with many different types of individuals of all ages. Yezii has always had a social worker soul, from volunteering in Sally's Place in Worcester at 15 years old to working in Girls Inc by 17. Yezii has built her professional career working directly with many diverse vulnerable populations. Her expertise being connecting and working with children and adolescents in residential programs, individuals with developmental disabilities, the elderly, and children on the autism spectrum. Yezii is a bubbly energy that is never afraid to go the extra mile to include everyone and make socialization less anxiety producing for others. Yezii is dedicating her life to building a foundation to support our community and specializes in transitional assistance and behavior modification.
Elizabeth Carroll
Board of Directors, Community Resources
With us since our founding, Elizabeth has been involved in the non-profit sector for almost 15 years, in both childcare and disability services. In her current role, she is the Senior Support Specialist at the Seven Hills Foundation Family Support Center in Sturbridge. This program, which she oversees, offers support and resources to adults and children with disabilities and their families. As a single parent, she has seen the benefits first-hand of our amazing local support agencies and has now dedicated her professional and personal life to giving back. She is an avid supporter of the arts and is also on the Board of Directors for the Ruth Wells Center for the Arts. She is a part time employee of the YMCA’s childcare program, mostly so she can still play with the kiddos. Her hobbies include devouring books, traveling, drinking wine, and making art.
Gabriella Diaz
Youth Leader
With us since our founding,
Gabby is currently a junior at Suffield Academy, a high school in Connecticut. Despite living in Connecticut for most of the year, she always finds numerous ways to help the Worcester community over the summer. Some instances include volunteering with United Way, working in soup kitchens, picking up trash, babysitting and more. She also recently worked with the Latino Education Institute to teach middle schoolers about the environment, sustainability, and homelessness.
She values her community and being on the Well Storm board is another example of her involvement with aiding food insecurity. She is always taking steps to help people with everything and anything. Gabby’s desire to be a part of Well storm stems from her overwhelming passion for helping others. When she learned about Well storms mission, she wanted to be a part of such an inspiring journey. She also has a great passion for mental health as she wants to pursue Neuroscience in the future and is excited to see this aspect of Well storm grow.
Nichol M. Figueiredo
Board of Directors, Marketing
With us since our founding, Nichol has over two decades of experience working in state and municipal government; acting as a liaison between government agencies, contractors, consultants, and the communities they serve. She has a keen understanding of how a well-placed message can change opinions, and call stakeholders to action. Since launching Capital Strategic Solutions in 2014, Nichol has been working with municipal clients to implement integrated communications strategies to create a dynamic flow of information. Nichol specializes in building trust through open dialogue and transparency. She is skilled at establishing relationships working closely with the project team and community stakeholders to increase community engagement. By leveraging ever-evolving technology, Nichol measurably improves public relations and community involvement.
Karyn Sanchez
Director, Legal and Finance
Karyn Sanchez, Esq., is a Tax Attorney who has worked as an attorney in Massachusetts for the last five years. The latter two of those years have been as a practicing attorney. Attorney
Sanchez represents clients against the Internal Revenue Service and the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. She also provides tax advice to clients on which business entities are available and which structure may be the best type for a client’s specific needs. She works with clients to incorporate their businesses, create their bylaws and to modify any
existing bylaws. She also provides financial income certification to provide her clients with the backing needed to secure financing. Ms. Sanchez is currently a member in good standing of the Massachusetts and New York Bars.
She graduated from the University of Miami School of Law in 2016 with her Juris Doctorate (JD) and she graduated in 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts in mathematics from Hunter College in New York City. While in Law School, Ms. Sanchez participated in the Immigration Law Clinic where she worked to provide zealous representation. Then in 2019, she began her solo immigration practice
where she has represented clients through naturalization process, providing practice help for
her clients, and represented clients in removal proceedings, as well as helping DACA recipients and Asylum applicants, to name a few.
Ms. Sanchez enjoys serving her fellow Latino community and the Worcester residents. She
resides in Worcester and is invested in her work and her community.
Racquel Knight
Director of Business Development
Racquel Knight is a highly accomplished professional who has significantly contributed to
business development, community engagement, and philanthropy. She currently serves as the
Director of the Center for Women and Enterprise (CWE) in Central Massachusetts, where she is
committed to empowering entrepreneurs, especially women of color. Her role involves leading
the design and execution of impactful programs that align with CWE's mission to facilitate
entrepreneurial success.
At CWE, Knight focuses on fostering collaboration and networking among entrepreneurs. Her
initiatives, such as the Black Entrepreneurs Business Summit and resource-enriching
workshops at The Village Worcester, demonstrate her commitment to equipping individuals of
color with the necessary tools to launch and grow their businesses. She also extends her
influence by forming strategic partnerships with LABO, EForAll of Greater Worcester, The
Venture Forum, WorcLab, and Computer Vault to secure essential resources for aspiring and
existing entrepreneurs.
Knight's passion for service and community enrichment is evident through volunteering with
esteemed organizations like Habitat for Humanity, Community Harvest Project, and Friendly
House. She is also a leader in organizing service-learning trips to Jamaica, highlighting her
commitment to global citizenship and fostering positive change.
Knight extends her impact as a business empowerment advocate through RKnight All About
Business Services, where she offers a wide range of services, including business development,
consultation, marketing, and branding, catering to both for-profit and nonprofit enterprises. Her
multifaceted expertise positions her to guide businesses toward success in today's competitive
landscape.
Furthermore, Knight's philanthropic efforts are highlighted by her role as the Founder and CEO
of the For One Child Foundation. The foundation is dedicated to ensuring quality education for
children in rural and remote areas of Jamaica, creating tangible positive impacts.
Knight's dedication to personal growth is reflected in her educational background, which
includes a diploma in Secondary Teaching, an associate degree in general agriculture, and a BA
in global citizenship with a concentration in management. She is pursuing an MBA specializing
in marketing, exemplifying her commitment to continuous learning to elevate herself and those
around her.
Moreover, Racquel Knight serves as a Board member for The WellStorm Inc. and The
Worcester Caribbean American Carnival Association, further amplifying her impact on
community engagement and cultural celebration.
In essence, Racquel Knight is a beacon of empowerment. She utilizes her diverse skills and
compassionate spirit to drive positive change in business development, community
engagement, and educational equity. Her extensive contributions and unwavering dedication
make her pivotal in shaping a brighter future for individuals and communities.