The Board of Directors of the Massachusetts Alliance of Portuguese Speakers (MAPS) has announced the election of its four officers for 2016 to 2018. Three women and one man representing the Brazilian, Cabo Verdean and Portuguese communities will be leading the Board of Directors of the private, non-profit health and social services organization.

Paula C. Coutinho, LICSW, of Pawtucket, RI, will continue serving MAPS as Board President. Coutinho is a native of Portugal of Cabo Verdean descent who works as Director of Admissions for the School of Social Work at the Rhode Island College.

Susan Pacheco, of Arlington, MA, joined the MAPS Board of Directors in 2015 and now takes on her first Officer role as its new Vice-President. Pacheco is the Executive Director of the Cambridge Council on Aging and will be replacing Filipe Zamborlini as Vice-President, though Zamborlini will keep on serving MAPS and the community as a Board member.

Raymond Estrella, MBA, will continue to serve the MAPS Board of Directors as its Treasurer. Estrella, a Somerville resident of Portuguese background, is a Corporate Finance Manager and joined the MAPS Board of Directors back in 2012.

Patricia de Oliveira of Everett, who joined the Board in 2014, was once again chosen as Board Secretary. She is originally from Brazil and works in Community and Citizenship Services, as well as a Personal Assistant position.

“We are very grateful for our Board Members’ continued support and leadership as well as their willingness to serve as officers,” said Paulo Pinto, MPA, MAPS Executive Director. “I also want to thank Filipe Zamborlini for his dedication, knowledge and many contributions to MAPS and our communities as Board Vice-President these past couple of years.”