BOSTON INTERNATIONAL TURNER SYNDROME SUMMIT
Meet the BITSS Staff
Co-Director
Lori Harris
(she/her/hers)
Lori is President of the Board of BITSS, and serves on site as co-Director of the Program. In her day job, she's an attorney. Lori lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her black lab Lucy and with lots of family nearby. She is the proud parent of two adults in their twenties, one of whom has Turner syndrome (and is a past camper and Mentor!). Lori loves everything about BITSS, but her favorite part is having the privilege to witness the forming of new bonds and life long friendships!
Co-Director
Sydney DaCosta
Sydney is returning as a co-director of the program this year. She was diagnosed with Turner syndrome in high school and has since loved getting to know people in the community, especially as a part of BITSS. Sydney works as a child therapist in the Boston area and has been doing so for the last four years.
Inclusion Specialist
Stacey Handel
Stacey is a graduate of Brandeis University, where she received her BA in Psychology. She later earned her Masters at Simmons University School of Social Work. Stacey has volunteered at BITSS since its inception and now loves being on the board. Stacey is the auntie to a wonderful person with Turner Syndrome and loves watching them thrive and grow. She has been a psychotherapist for children for many years and now works with neurodivergent teenagers. Stacey lives in Boston and loves being a city girl. In her spare time Stacey enjoys creating one- and two-dimensional artwork.
Nurse Practitioner
Kristen Kowalski
(she/her)
Kristen is so excited to be back as one of your 2025 on site nurses. Kristen is a family nurse practitioner hailing from Avon, Ma. She received her BS from Salve Regina University (Newport, RI) in 2006, and her MSN from the University of Massachusetts/Lowell in 2015. She was diagnosed with TS when she was in high school. She got involved with BITSS in 2018, joined the board of directors in 2019, and the rest is history! She loves cooking, theatre, decorating her condo, and traveling whenever possible. The friendships she developed through BITSS are something she treasures.
Nurse
Holly Bogue
Holly lives in Alabama with her husband, Steve, and their 17-year-old son Ethan. She has been a registered nurse for many years, and enjoys her job working with high school students. She is excited to spend another year working with BITSS and hopes to help young people who also have Turner Syndrome grow and have a great time.
Meet the BITSS Mentors
Mentor
Jeanna Lee
(she/her/hers)
Jeanna Lee is a Floridian native who was diagnosed with Turner Syndrome at 14. She first joined BITSS as a mentor in 2024 and then joined the board only a few months later in December. Jeanna is excited to promote BITSS and help find enthusiastic and dedicated members to further the mission and vision of BITSS. During her free time, Jeanna loves to read, travel, garden, swim, and is the proud pawrent of two shih tzus, Mimi and Miso.
Mentor
Phoebe Rigley
(she/her/hers)
Phoebe was diagnosed with TS at birth. She was previously a camper at BITSS and cannot wait to be a mentor this year. She currently lives in Syracuse, New York. She graduated from Wells College where she was a double major in Political Science and Criminal Justice. She is starting Law School in the Fall. In her free time she loves to read, bike and cook. You can always find her where the sweet treats are :)
Mentor
Cheyanne Shepard
Cheyanne is 25 years old. and was diagnosed with Turner's when she was five years old. She's been part of BITSS for many years starting as a camper for three years and mentoring for the last four years.
She can't wait to see everyone!
Mentor
Megan Spencer
Megan is a 24 year old from New Hampshire! She attended BITTS as a camper in 2015 and 2016! She was a mentor in 2023 and is excited to be back this summer!
Mentor
Caroline Walsh
(she, her)
Caroline is a 25-year-old from Boston, Massachusetts, diagnosed with Turner syndrome at age 2. Her experience with the condition manifests primarily through autoimmune challenges. She currently works as a gynecologic oncology researcher at a local Boston hospital.
The middle child between two brothers whom she describes as the funniest people she knows, Caroline enjoys running and has a deep love for dogs, including her own labradoodle named Keeva.
Caroline's connection with the Boston International Turner Syndrome Summit (BITSS) began when she was 16 as a camper. She has since joined the board and served as a mentor for several years. She welcomes conversations with campers navigating disease-related uncertainty during the camp week, offering support from her personal experience.
Mentor
Kelsey Whittaker
Kelsey Whittaker currently works as a Kindergarten teacher in Tampa, Florida. In Kelsey's free time, she loves to cook, take walks, dance, and attend sporting events or concerts. Kelsey was diagnosed with Turner Syndrome at the age of 17 after her junior year of high school. After being diagnosed, Kelsey was blessed to find BITSS and quickly fell in love with the community that was fostered both in and out of camp. Kelsey is very excited to be returning to BITSS as a mentor and cannot wait to meet everyone!