Meet our Social Chase Board of Directors
Board President
Arianna Baret Peralta is the manager of Asset Management Technology at Eversource Energy, she’s been with the company since 2009 and has held various roles in the Engineering and Operations organizations. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from INTEC (Dominican Republic) and a Master of Engineering in Electrical Engineering from WPI. Born and raised in the Dominican Republic, she moved to the US in 2006 and has been a CT resident ever since. Arianna believes in the positive impact volunteering work has in our communities and has volunteered with several nonprofit organizations across CT (Special Olympics, Autism Speaks, Operation Fuel, JA of Southwest New England, United Way, American Heart Association) and now Board President, Social Chase, Inc. She is an animal lover, big fan of laughs and enjoys life with her husband.
Arianna is the 2024 Eversource Volunteer of the Year!
Board Vice President
Jane Natoli is a passionate educator and friend of the Autism community. Formerly an English teacher, she is now an instructional coach who works with teachers to implement techniques that support and challenge all learners in the classroom. She has worked in large and small, urban and suburban districts with teachers in grades preK-12 for the past 12 years. She has supported Chase and Friends events and fundraisers for years, having met Chase and his family when he was a student in her middle school English class. Jane is an advocate for equitable education for all students and reinventing education.
Jane also write grants for the Social Chase.
Secretary
Board Treasurer
Andrienne Ashmeade earned an MBA from University of New Haven, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Johnson and Wales University. She is currently a Supervisor for the CT and Western MA Transmission Project Planning Group at Eversource and services on the Eversource Special Olympics Winter Games Planning Committee for the annual hosted event. Andrienne gives back to her community through volunteering for various nonprofits and supports fundraising events. When she is not engaged in community involvement, Andrienne enjoys travelling, golfing, attending live performances and spending time with family.
Member/Backup Secretary
Sarah Martello is a Social Chaser. Her brother is on the autism spectrum. Sarah has volunteered with Waterbury PAL Special Olympics for over six years. Sarah is also a host on the Social Chase Show and Social Squad Show on Skye Cable XIII in Waterbury.
Founder/President
Volunteer/Advocate
Helen Taylor, M.B.A. is married to Alan with their two sons, Chad and Chase. Inspired by their son, Chase Taylor, who is on the autism spectrum, Helen has made incredible strides as an advocate to support autism awareness, acceptance and inclusion since
2006.
Helen is the founder of the 100% volunteer 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, The Social Chase, Inc. The Social Chase (www.thesocialchase.org) provides an inclusive, social
activities (“Free to Be Me”), support to connect to resources, collaboration with other organizations, and provide a community of support in the underserved and uninformed community.
She is the executive director and producer of “The Social Chase Show” and podcast, which airs monthly on Skye Cable XIII and on YouTube.
Helen has also started and organized the FREE Autism and Education Awareness Forums which provides an all-day of workshops, speakers, and resources for the underserved autism community since 2016. The next Free forum is April 26 at Waterbury Arts Magnet School.
Helen is volunteer certified trainer for the State of Connecticut regional police department for autism safety and awareness class. She collaborated with the Waterbury police department to provide Autism Registry events, including registration in
the computer emergency database for vulnerable citizens for a positive community and police relations.
Helen coached for Special Olympics Waterbury PAL for 10 year and continues to volunteer as a photographer for Special Olympics Connecticut. She is the CT FEAT board president, a board member of Focus Center for Autism and former board member for SEEK CT. She is a member on the Governor’s Work Force Council and CONNECT –
Connecting to Care Steering Committee.
She, along with her husband Alan, founded and brought to Waterbury a national walk for autism, the Western Connecticut Autism Speaks Walk in 2010. Helen also was Autism Speaks Ambassador Volunteer, including traveling to D.C. multiple times, to advocate with Congress representatives, including getting the support of the Autism Cares Act passed. She is a member of the Connecticut Autism Advocacy group and continues to advocate for legislation to provide better support of the autism community.
Helen collaborates with other non-profit organizations such as Sun, Moon & Stars, Torrington Area Families for Autism, Autism Families CONNECTicut, and Families United in Newtown to support families. She also volunteers her photography for non-
profit organizations.
Helen supports Chase’s aspirations to be a famous author and illustrator. Chase is the author and illustrator of The Letter Critters series (www.thelettercritters.com) and is currently completing his fourth book. Helen also supports her husband’s business,
ACTJamsproductions.com, to bringing quality jazz and R&B shows including the free Brass City Jazz Fest (www.brasscityjazzfest.com) to Connecticut. The next jazz fest is
August 2, 2025.
Helen is the Manager of Project Solutions at Eversource and has been an employee for 20 years. She is the Connecticut lead for the AdaptAbility Business Resource Group and a committee member of the Multicultural Business Resource Group. Helen has been the
recipient of many community awards for her volunteering commitments.