ETHAN'S TEAM
Dedicated to Ethan's Memory
Ethan was only on this earth for a short while but made a tremendous impact on people who have crossed his path, especially his resilience to keep fighting during tough times through his difficult medical journey.
JULIE HOWARD-LECOURS
President & Founder
Professional experience:
Julie graduated from Johnson and Wales University with a bachelor’s degree in international business, while working full time at Fidelity Investments. She has been with Fidelity since 1997 and is currently a Director.
What the foundation means to Julie:
“The Ethan Henry Lecours Foundation means the world to me. It provides me with a special connection to my son, a very special boy whom I miss so dearly. Ethan was truly a commendable little soul who exemplified determination and a will to fight on a daily basis. This foundation is our way to honor him and to carry on what he was just starting to do: to show people that special needs kids are truly just that—special.Ethan was a blessing and a miracle. He had a will to live and I believe was given to us to teach us a lesson and to pass it on. He opened my eyes and taught me so much more than I ever had the chance to teach him. On many levels, he taught me acceptance. Through the work of the foundation, I hope we can inspire others the way he inspired me. Tavares Pediatric Center was our home for almost two years and was instrumental for Ethan and for our family. This foundation is a way for us to give back and to honor all of our special friends at Tavares Pediatric Center.”
JOHN BAXTER
Vice President
Professional experience:
John is employed by the state of Rhode Island Senate in two capacities: He is reading clerk of the Senate and director of constituent services for the office of the president of the Senate. He also serves in a number of civic capacities, including the board of directors of the Pawtucket Redevelopment Agency, member of the Pawtucket Riverfront Commission, executive director of the 2011 Pawtucket Arts Festival, and president of the St. Anthony Church Holy Name Society. John was also a member and past president of the Pawtucket Jaycees and a member of the Woodlawn Community Development Organization.
What the foundation means to John:
“I sincerely hope my personal and professional experience will help to advance the cause and the mission of the Ethan Henry Lecours Foundation. Ethan was a unique and special child who had an extraordinary gift of touching the lives of all who met him while also bringing people together for the good of others. We should all walk in those same footsteps. With this foundation he provides our path.I have known Steve Lecours for more than 35 years. More than friends, I consider Steve, Julie, Zachary, and Ethan to be family. I am proud and humbled to be a member of the board of trustees for the Ethan Henry Lecours Foundation. I believe in the mission of the foundation to help provide support for families and organizations caring for children with special needs. The values of the foundation and its mission are ones we try to instill in our own children. As a former Jaycee, it speaks to our creed that “Service to humanity is the best work of life.”
GUIOMAR PIMENTEL
Secretary
Professional Experience:
Guiomar has been employed by FM Global since 1999 and is currently employed as a Principal Business Intelligence Analyst. She also previously worked in various departments including Human Resources and Enterprise Learning. Additional community service includes teaching CCD in Providence RI. She has also served on a United Way Committee at FM Global and volunteered for Days of Caring with the United Way.
What the foundation means to Guiomar:
“I am serving as a trustee on the Ethan Henry Lecours Foundation because of the love for my godson, Ethan. Ultimately, my goal is to keep Ethan’s memory alive and, God willing, to make a difference in the lives of these special children. Ethan gave me a different view on life about what really matters. To see his fight for life, his perseverance and dedication, gave true insight to having trials and tribulations. Every day we may complain about working too hard, life being too hard and not having enough time for everything. However, we should be grateful for all those opportunities and everything we have. Life is not easy, but every day that you don’t have to be in a hospital and you are able to live life to the fullest is a gift that should be treasured. For a young child who went through so much in his short life, his smile showed the true meaning of life and why it is worth living. He will be forever missed. His perseverance gives me the desire to move on and fight for a happy life–one worth living.”
RICK MARCHANT
Co-Treasurer
Professional experience:
Employed by Fidelity Investments for more than 20 years, Rick is a fund administrator in Smithfield, R.I. Throughout his tenure at Fidelity, Richard has held a variety of roles, which provides him with agreat background for the foundation.
What the foundation means to Rick:
“I am honored to serve on the Ethan Henry Lecours Foundation board of trustees to support its efforts to honor Ethan, whom I will always think of as “the little guy.”
MICHAELA ALDRIDGE
Co-Treasurer & Website
Professional experience:
Michaela has been employed by Coastal1 Credit Union since 2016 and is currently the Community Outreach & Employee Development Coordinator. She also works in the Executive Office as an Administrative Assistant to the CEO. She has more than 20 years’ experience in childcare development, beginning as a nanny and eventually becoming certified as an infant, toddler, and preschool teacher. She was a kindergarten assistant and operated her own home day care. It was during that time she had the pleasure of working with teachers and physical therapists from Meeting Street School to incorporate different types of activities (physical and speech therapy) for children with delayed physical and developmental challenges such as crawling, walking, and speaking. Michaela has a Bachelors in Business Administration and also holds a Paralegal degree.
What the foundation means to Michaela:
"I have been friends with Julie and then Steve since high school. Watching them go through the experiences they have has been both heart-wrenching and warming at the same time. They inspire me to be a better person. What better way is there to honor a courageous little boy, Ethan, than to work with the foundation his courageous family began? I am honored and humbled to be a part of the Ethan Henry Lecours Foundation!"
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ALEXIA GROSSO
Social Media
Professional Experience:
Alexia has been employed by FM Global since 2016 and is currently an AFM - Production Underwriter. She was previously in the martial arts and fitness industry from 2010 - 2016. Community service includes youth cheer-leading coach for Johnston recreational sports.
What the foundation means to Alexia:
“This foundation will forever hold a special place in my heart. Although I remember the days of sadness, they will never outweigh the days of happiness I witnessed through Ethan’s life. Ethan’s smile was always able to light up a room and through this foundation it still does. Even being so little he taught me so much about love, strength and courage. Now being able to share his story while helping families through their difficult times is a magical feeling I cannot describe. I am not only honored to have a place on this board I am honored be able to call Ethan my cousin.”
STEVE LECOURS
Events Coordinator
Professional experience:
Steve graduated from Rhode Island College in 1991 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management. I have been in the retail grocery business for over 30 years and currently employed at Dave’s marketplace for the last 10 years as a manager. Also, I have volunteered and coached for Special Olympics for past 13 years.
What the foundation means to Steve:
"Creating the Ethan Henry Lecours Foundation was very important to me because it was a way to keep Ethan’s memory alive and to pay tribute a courageous and valiant fighter. The 2 best days of my life were when my sons were born and worst day of my life was Tuesday January 25th, 2011 when my precious son Ethan lost his battle. Ethan’s death has left an incredible hole in my heart but forming this foundation is allowing me to grieve for the loss of my son while carrying out our mission which is to provide support to families and organizations caring for individuals with developmental disabilities and special needs just like Ethan."