Board of Directors
Thomas Sannicandro, President
Tom Sannicandro is the President of the Board of Directors and a nationally recognized advocate for individuals with disabilities and their families. He brings decades of experience as an attorney, nonprofit leader, and parent advocate focused on long-term planning, financial security, and inclusion for people with disabilities.
Tom is the founder of Disability Resources for Families, Inc., a Massachusetts-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to affordable, reliable planning tools and educational resources for families navigating disability-related legal and financial issues. He also created SpecialNeedsTrustsOnline.com, a national platform designed to make special needs trusts and related estate-planning documents more accessible, understandable, and affordable for families across the country.
As an attorney, Tom has worked extensively in the areas of special needs planning, trust administration, guardianship, and disability-related advocacy. His work is informed not only by professional expertise, but by lived experience as the parent of a son with Down syndrome. This dual perspective shapes his commitment to practical solutions that protect benefits, preserve dignity, and promote lifelong stability.
In his role as President of the Board, Tom provides strategic leadership, governance oversight, and mission-driven vision to ensure the organization remains focused on transparency, compliance, and meaningful impact for the families it serves.
Laura Devine, Clerk
Laura Devine serves as Clerk of the Board and brings to our leadership a wealth of legal experience and a deeply personal commitment to advocacy and inclusion. As a Shareholder and trial attorney at Boyle | Shaughnessy Law, a respected Boston-based litigation firm trusted for handling complex, high-stakes matters across the Northeast, Laura has built a distinguished career representing clients in state and federal courts and at the appellate level. Her practice spans a wide range of civil litigation areas, including transportation-related accidents, professional negligence, employment disputes, class actions, and municipal and education law. She has successfully tried cases before juries, secured defense verdicts, and argued before appellate courts, including the Vermont Supreme Court.
Before returning to private practice, Laura served in public service as an Assistant Attorney General for the New Hampshire Department of Justice, where she represented state agencies and employees in civil matters and managed complex class action defense. She received her J.D. from Northeastern University School of Law, where she contributed to the Law Journal and served as a teaching assistant in constitutional and criminal law, and she graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. in history.
Laura’s professional achievements are matched by her commitment to community service. She has served on boards including the Charles C. Doe American Inns of Court and the Steering Committee for the New Hampshire Bar Association Leadership Academy, and previously on the board of Special Olympics New Hampshire.
Laura’s dedication to families affected by disability is deeply personal—she has a brother with Down syndrome, an experience that inspires her advocacy and strengthens her empathy for individuals with diverse abilities and their caregivers. This perspective adds invaluable insight to our Board’s work and mission.
Pete Perkins, Treasurer
Pete Perkins serves as Treasurer of the Board, bringing deep expertise in financial strategy, business operations, and organizational growth to the leadership team. With over three decades of experience helping companies optimize performance and achieve sustainable growth, Pete combines analytical rigor with strategic vision to strengthen financial oversight and long-term planning.
Pete began his career in corporate operations with major global companies, including PepsiCo and Wyeth Consumer Health, where he focused on supply chain optimization and category management foundational experience that shaped his analytical and systems-driven approach. He later co-founded a boutique strategy consulting firm in Cambridge, dedicated to driving growth for software, SaaS, and consumer product companies. As an entrepreneur and investor, Pete has founded and guided multiple ventures across a range of industries, giving him a rare blend of leadership, financial insight, and practical business acumen.
In his role as Treasurer, Pete oversees fiscal planning and reporting, budget integrity, and financial risk management for the organization. His commitment to strong financial governance supports the Board’s mission and ensures resources are managed responsibly to deliver maximum impact.
Outside of his professional work, Pete is known for his community involvement and mentorship of emerging leaders in business and nonprofit sectors.
David Sannicandro, Director
David Sannicandro serves as a Director on our Board, bringing lived experience, authentic perspective, and an inspiring example of independence and community engagement. David is the son of Tom Sannicandro and has Down syndrome, and his life reflects the very mission and values our organization advances empowering individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live fully, with dignity and self-determination.
David lives independently in his own apartment and plays a meaningful role in his family and community, including as godfather to his niece. His accomplishments and daily life illustrate what is possible when barriers are reduced and supports are in place for people of all abilities to thrive.
Drawing on his personal experience not just as someone with Down syndrome, but as a neighbor, family member, and community member David brings insight to the Board that shapes our strategy, strengthens our understanding of lived disability experience, and ensures that our work remains grounded in the real lives of those we serve.