Get to know the team...
Scarlett Lewis
Founder & Chief Movement OfficerScarlett Lewis founded the nonprofit Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement in honor of her son, Jesse, who was murdered during the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy in December 2012. Shortly after his death, Scarlett decided to be part of the solution to the issues that we’re seeing in our society — that also caused the tragedy — and turned it into an opportunity to build a culture of love, resilience, forgiveness, and connection in our communities at a time when it is needed the most.
Scarlett became a Character Social-Emotional Development Advocate to help children manage their emotions, feel connected, and have healthy, meaningful relationships. She created the Choose Love For Schools program, a no cost, comprehensive, lifespan, next generation character and social emotional development (CSED) program that teaches children how to thoughtfully respond with love in any situation by using the Choose Love Formula (Courage + Gratitude + Forgiveness + Compassion-in-Action), and offer ways for children to handle adversity, have courageous conversations, and to respond with love.
Shannon Desilets
Executive DirectorShannon’s journey is a powerful example of what happens when passion aligns with purpose. As one of the first leaders in the Movement which would become Choose Love, Shannon found her calling helping individuals and communities heal, grow, and flourish through the power of Choosing Love.
Working out of both the Governor’s Office and NH Department of Health and Human Services, Shannon went on to spearhead New Hampshire’s first-in-the-nation, statewide Choose Love initiative, embedding the Choose Love Formula (Courage + Gratitude + Forgiveness + Compassion-in-Action) across schools, corrections, juvenile diversion, law enforcement, first responders, municipalities, and community programs. Her unique background bridges trauma-informed practice, state-level leadership, and grassroots relationship-building. Through providing post-trauma therapy to the Newtown/Sandy Hook community for 12 years, along with her dedication for Choose Love, Shannon brings extensive experience and unwavering commitment to post-traumatic growth (PTG), safety and connection.
Megan Marques
Chief Financial & Operating OfficerMegan comes to the Choose Love Movement after 30 years of banking, bookkeeping, accounting, and management experience. As a former outsourced Accounting Manager & COO at a local CPA firm; she is knowledgeable in dozens of different industries, and brings an innovative and entrepreneurial mindset to the table. With a B.S. degree in Organizational Leadership and as a compliance and systems design specialist, she’s a key part of a core leadership team driving strategy and communication.
Having grown up in Southbury CT, and with her only son born just four months before the tragedy, once she heard Scarlett speak in person – Megan knew The Choose Love Movement was where she needed to be. Since coming on board in 2024 she’s never felt more inspired or more grateful to be part of the team empowering others and fostering well-being in the kids, educators, and parents we support across the world.
Sarah Caro
Director of DevelopmentSarah Caro brings more than two decades of nonprofit fundraising leadership to her new role as Director of Development with The Jesse Lewis Choose Love Movement. Throughout her career, she’s led transformative growth for organizations across public health, education, and conservation—building trusted partnerships with foundations, Fortune 500 companies, and individuals who want to make a difference.
Most recently, Sarah served as Director of Charitable Giving for the Stew Leonard III Water Safety Foundation, where she helped grow annual giving from $370K to more than $1M, spearheaded major campaigns, and created fundraising events that exceeded goals, all to help support drowning prevention initiatives. She’s also held leadership positions with Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE), Burke Rehabilitation Hospital, Food Bank for New York City, and the National Audubon Society, always with a focus on creating meaningful connections and turning bold visions into reality.
At the Choose Love Movement, Sarah is excited to meet our incredible donors and partners and to welcome new supporters into the family as we expand our impact.
When she’s not building relationships for a cause she loves, Sarah enjoys life in Westport, CT with her husband, their two kids, and a spirited rescue schnoodle. She’s happiest cheering from the sidelines at her kids’ soccer games, having dinner at the beach with friends, planning her next travel adventure, or tracking down the perfect slice of pizza.
Betsy Carlson
Director of Data & Support
Rick Rood
Outreach & PD CoordinatorRick Rood has been on the front lines of Education for nearly 30 years, working directly with children and front-line staff. With degrees in Education, Afterschool Care, and Applied Mathematics, Rick is a student of the thought leader movement, distilling lessons from master teachers like Jack Canfield, Tony Robbins, and Brendon Burchard – giving them practical application to education professionals. Participants have described his workshops as “fascinating” and “life-changing.”
Rick is a classroom teacher, and in the past he has run afterschool programs, taught music, computer programming, and youth leadership workshops. Rick is a contributor to “Youth Today!” and is the author of “Games Teachers Play Before the Bell Rings”. Rick is a Certified High Performance CoachTM and works privately and in groups with education professionals to help them achieve higher levels of performance in their work and personal lives.
Rick is the driving force behind Transforming Teachers, Transforming Education, an organization rooted in the Positive Youth Development philosophy dedicated to training and inspiring youth-serving professionals. Through Transforming Teachers, Rick has delivered workshops and keynotes to thousands of education professionals, helping teachers transform their “inner game” of teaching to better serve youth, children, and families.
Rick and his team created the Beyond School Time Conference for Out-of-School-Time Professionals in 2018 as a way for California’s OST Professionals to connect, learn, and gather inspiration.
Jan Pierret
Director of Marketing & PR
Elisa Ketter
Hawaii Ambassador/FacilitatorAloha! I’m proud and excited to be the Hawaii Ambassador/Facilitator for Choose Love. Ironically, I was born in Connecticut but moved away at a very young age since I’m a military brat. I lived in Hawaii from 7-11 years old and I’m fortunate that I’ve been back over 4 years now.
I have professional values and morals and I’ve taught Choose Love online and in the classroom. I want to help instill, in all, the fundamental ways they can be prepared for now and their future by Choosing Love. Being an attentive, motivated and dynamic individual is what I convey, and this connects me to the students, teachers and staff members. I promote and encourage questioning, persistence, and confidence. I enjoy teaching and boosting critical-thinking skills and understanding of the human condition. I’ve been giving Choose Love professional development courses and assemblies for students and the staff at many schools on a number of our Hawaiian islands.
I’ve been an educator for many years and been fortunate to share my diverse lifestyle in many classrooms. The privilege has also been mine because I’m always learning too. I strive to teach citizenship, friendship, and responsibility. My capabilities and experience help create lifelong learners. Each student has a wide range of growth areas including social, physical, mental, and emotional.
On my journey to becoming a teacher I had two strong female mentors. They helped me develop high standards for myself. They mentored me through the trials that helped me learn to communicate effectively within my student teaching timeframe. They taught me to embody the role of a facilitator and create a community where everyone feels included. They also directed me toward a growth mindset. I do my best to instill community and global consciousness, leadership and excellence. I also have been very lucky to have my most recent mentor, Phyllis Unebasami, guide me here on Oahu and the neighboring islands. Phyllis highlights culture, character and identity as extremely important at this stage in student’s lives. I continue to support the growth of integrity and curiosity. In addition, I have had the opportunity and pleasure to spend time traveling and learning from Scarlett Lewis, the founder of Choose Love.
Lastly, my credentials include wife, parent, military spouse, former Peace Corps Volunteer, certified yoga teacher, certified Lifecoach, and I have a Master’s Degree in Multicultural Education with an emphasis in English. I’ve taught EFL, ESL, and TOEFL in Belgium, Japan, Russian, Kyrgyzstan, and S. Korea. Some of my interests include traveling, hiking, pickleball, outrigger canoe paddling, cooking, reading, tea, chocolate, meditation and journaling.
Email: elisa@jesselewischooselove.org
