Aspire Living & Learning adds Cadmium CFO John Barrett to board

By AI, Created 1:01 PM UTC, June 04, 2026, /AGP/ – Aspire Living & Learning has named Cadmium CFO John Barrett to its Board of Directors as the nonprofit rolls out its 2026-28 strategic plan. The move adds more than 25 years of financial leadership as Aspire looks to diversify revenue and expand services for neurodiverse children and adults across multiple states.

Why it matters: - Aspire Living & Learning is trying to strengthen the financial oversight behind its growth plans. - The appointment adds a board member with experience in M&A, restructuring, IPOs and scaling complex organizations. - Aspire is expanding services for neurodiverse children and adults across Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maryland, New Hampshire and Vermont.

What happened: - Aspire Living & Learning appointed John Barrett, chief financial officer of Cadmium, to its Board of Directors. - Barrett joins as Aspire launches its 2026-28 strategic plan. - Aspire said the plan is aimed at diversifying revenue and investing in people and programs.

The details: - Barrett brings more than 25 years of financial leadership. - At Cadmium, Barrett leads financial strategy for a growing technology company. - In a previous role as corporate controller, Barrett built finance teams and operational infrastructure for scalable growth. - Barrett has led financial transformation across public and private companies. - Barrett has held senior finance roles across multiple sectors. - Barrett earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. - Barrett is a licensed CPA in Connecticut. - Board chair Katie Franco said Barrett’s background fits Aspire’s need to grow without losing financial footing. - CEO Erica Hare said Aspire’s clinical excellence depends on intentional, financially sound growth.

Between the lines: - The board move signals that Aspire is treating the next phase of expansion as a finance-and-operations challenge, not only a programmatic one. - Barrett’s background suggests Aspire wants board-level guidance on capital structure, scaling and organizational change. - The nonprofit is positioning its strategic plan around resilience as well as growth.

What’s next: - Aspire will move ahead with its 2026-28 strategic plan. - The nonprofit will continue working to broaden its reach and deepen services across its multi-state footprint. - Barrett is expected to help guide the organization as it pursues growth that is both intentional and financially sound.

The bottom line: - Aspire is betting that stronger financial leadership at the board level will help it expand its impact without sacrificing stability. - More information: Aspire Living & Learning