Meet the Foundation’s new Trustees and Corporators for 2025-2026
Derek Costa, Trustee
Derek is a dedicated educational leader with over 25 years of progressive experience in supervision, strategic planning, and operational management. Since 2022, he has served as Superintendent and Director of Bristol County Agricultural High School, where he leads district operations, policy implementation, and financial oversight to support the school’s mission of excellence in agricultural education.
A proud alumnus of the University of Massachusetts Lowell, Derek holds a Master’s in Education Administration and a Bachelor’s in Psychology. His passion for experiential learning and youth development is deeply rooted in his longstanding support of 4-H. He believes strongly in the values of hands-on learning, leadership, and community engagement that 4-H fosters, and he continues to champion programs that empower young people to grow as skilled, confident, and responsible citizens.
Stacey Gallaway, Trustee
Stacey is the Founder and Managing Director of Gallaway Consulting Group, a WBE-certified social impact firm working nationally to accelerate leadership capacity in the nonprofit sector. For 20+ years she has joyfully supported organizations across social, civic, and environmental focus areas to more effectively reach their missions, tell their stories, and engage their stakeholders. Stacey grew up in rural Iowa on the oldest Hereford cattle farm west of the Mississippi and is a proud 4-H alum. The practical leadership skills developed through the 4-H program, along with the support and encouragement received from her club and community, informs her energized commitment to growing the reach and impact of the Massachusetts 4-H Foundation today. Stacey graduated Summa Cum Laude with a BS in Performance Studies from Northwestern University and holds a MPS in Arts and Cultural Management from Pratt Institute.
Mateo Rull Garza, Trustee
Mateo joins the Board of Trustees having completed a term as Corporator including serving on the Nominating Committee as the Corporators’ representative. Mateo Rull Garza was raised in Mexico but immigrated to Massachusetts in 2016. He graduated from UMass Lowell in 2022 with a B.S. in Biology and attended the Stockbridge School of Agriculture at UMass Amherst for a master’s degree in Agricultural Sciences degree. As part of his Agricultural Extension research, Mateo worked with dozens of fruit growers across New England to develop sustainable pest management practices. In May 2023, Mateo co-founded the first chapter of Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS) in New England, an organization he led as President until December 2024. Mateo also serves on the Extension Board of Public Overseers and is a former Fellow of the National Association of States Department of Agriculture. Mateo’s involvement with 4-H began with the Urban Extension program at UMass Amherst. Having met dozens of urban youth who benefit from 4-H, Mateo is excited to advocate on their behalf as a 4-H Foundation Trustee. Currently, Mateo works to advance urban agriculture and nutrition programs in the Massachusetts 7th Congressional District, where he serves as the Constituent Advocate of Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley.
Terry G. Taylor, DVM, Trustee
Dr. Terry Taylor returns to the Board of Trustees having served two terms as a Corporator, following previously served as Vice President of the Board of Trustees for three terms until 2019. Terry currently serves on the Club Grants Committee. Professionally, she graduated from Tufts Veterinary School, prior to which she received a Master’s degree in Public Health and worked as an epidemiologist. She currently works as a Veterinary Diagnostic Pathologist with Antech Diagnostics.
Terry is also the proud parent of a 4-H alum. Her involvement with 4-H began when her six-year- old son Tucker joined the Sunny Rock 4-H Rabbit club. From there he moved on to the Goat club, and Terry was a group leader during that time. It was also at this time she joined the Foundation. She still has goats today!
Michael Williams, Trustee
With a career spanning nearly 37 years, Michael has been a stalwart in the technology sector, providing support to a diverse range of businesses, from small firms to large enterprise clients. His 14-year tenure at an independent school in Brookline was marked by the implementation of a pioneering technology program. This initiative transformed the educational landscape by fostering a ‘learn anywhere, teach anywhere’ environment.
The impact of this program was profound, not only altering the delivery of education but also empowering students and teachers to steer their own personal development. The design of this program was inspired by Michael’s years of experience in nurturing the personal growth of his colleagues and clients.
Now, Michael is thrilled to explore new opportunities within the 4H program after serving a term as Corporator and is eager to build upon his past achievements. He is enthusiastic about initiating new programs and outreach efforts to further the objectives of the 4H youth program. His vision is to enable and empower youth, shaping the leaders of tomorrow. He currently serves as the Chair of the Foundation’s IT/Network Committee.
Jeanne Tippett, Corporator
Jeanne joins the Massachusetts 4-H Foundation Corporators with more than three decades of involvement with Massachusetts 4-H in a variety of roles including with the Hampden County 4-H Fair where she is the Recording Secretary, the 4-H All Stars, the K-9 Wizards 4-H Dog Club, and the Camp Howe Goshen Board of Directors. Jeanne currently works in the Education Department at Elms College in Chicopee, MA, where she resides.
