Creating Opportunities for ACCESSIBILITY Success Stories
OUR MISSION
The Lead Out Foundation is dedicated to empowering individuals and families who are affected by disabilities by fostering a more inclusive and supportive world. Our mission is to lead the way toward a brighter, more accessible future, where every person affected can thrive and reach their fullest potential.
lead out (NOUN): A RACE TACTIC IN WHICH A RIDER ACCELERATES TO HIS MAXIMUM SPEED FOR THE BENEFIT OF A TEAMATE IN TOW
OUR STORY
In March of 2016, we welcomed our first child, Liam, into the world: and this beautiful, happy baby boy welcomed us into the world of parenting and Spina Bifida! Embracing all things “Liam” allowed us to find ourselves connecting with the Spina Bifida community for support and guidance. Very quickly, we realized that we wanted to do everything in our power to help Liam thrive while also being active members of the Spina Bifida community. In the fall of 2016, through a partnership program with The McCourt Foundation (hyperlink to www.themccourtfoundation.org), we participated in their Tour de South Shore (TDSS) bike ride, and Team Liam’s Lead Outs was born. That first year, we won the coveted “McCourt Cup” for raising the most funds for our charity of choice, The Spina Bifida Association of Greater New England. Over the past 6 years, we have raised over $125,000.00 for the Spina Bifida Association of Greater New England by participating in the TDSS and continue to support and partner with them.
Can you guess what our original Team Name in 2016 for the TDSS was? It was Lead Out! This came from the cycling term Lead Out (noun): A race tactic in which a rider accelerates to their maximum speed for the benefit of a teammate in tow. So with a nod to our first Team Name and a race tactic that emphasizes team over self, our foundation was named The Lead Out Foundation.
In 2021, The Lead Out Foundation was formed and dedicated to enhancing the lives of those in the communities we serve by providing Quality of Life grants to support greater independence and engagement. We also help fund self-esteem-building programs for teens and young adults. Our efforts support scientific research focused on cursing paralysis and other mobility-related issues.
“From the moment we launched The Lead Out Foundation, the most amazing thing has been the outpouring of support we have received from our friends, family, and the greater community!”
Meet the LEAD OUT BOARD
DAN HOLLERAN
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Dan Holleran is the founder and Executive Director of The Lead Out Foundation, which was inspired by his son Liam and his previous volunteer work in the Spina Bifida Community, most recently as a Board member of The Spina Bifida Association of Greater New England. Professionally, Dan has spent the past 20+ years in the Information Technology sector as a Sales Executive working with a wide range of clients ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 companies.
Outside of work and volunteering at The Lead Out Foundation, you can find Dan spending time and sharing laughs with his wife Mary and sons Liam and Timmy, ideally lakeside or on a beach. Also a New England sports enthusiast and avid music fan, he enjoys taking in as many live games and concerts as possible each year.
MARY HOLLERAN
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Mary Holleran is the mother of Liam, who was the initial inspiration for this foundation. She moved to New England from Washington D.C. after completing four years of active duty in the U.S. Army. She met her husband, and TLO executive director, Dan Holleran in Boston. Liam, and his adorable little brother Timmy came a few years later.
Mary works as a pediatric nurse practitioner in Bridgewater, MA. She loves working with the pediatric population, and has done so in several different capacities since she graduated from nursing school in 2000.
For fun, she recently joined the local singing club, has a relatively new obsession with indoor plants, and enjoys a hot yoga class a few times a week.
She is incredibly proud of all the hard work her husband, the board, and the TLO community has done so far
What is Your "At Bat Song": Can't Stop - RHCP-for years and years. It pumps me up and makes me feel like anything is possible.
How do you want people to remember you? : I hope I will be remembered as someone who was kind. "Kind words can be short and easy to speak but their echoes are truly endless". -Mother Teresa
Finish this Sentence. On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me.... : begging my kids to go back to sleep.
MEGAN CALABRESE
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Megan Calabrese works in the Commercial Real Estate Industry as the Chief Services Officer for Seyon Management, where she is responsible for the Property and Project Management Departments.
Mother to Izzy and Teddy, and a passionate sports enthusiast, she can often be found on a field or court coaching, using this vehicle to teach important life lessons about working hard towards a common goal, building confidence, and being part of something greater than yourself.
Joining the TLO board has allowed me a platform to apply these same skills, working collaboratively to bring resources and support to very deserving families; proving together we can achieve more.
Song: Fool in the Rain Led Zepplin
Favorite Drink: A really good cup of coffee or wine, with even better company
Vacation Spot: Any ski resort or tropical location with sunshine and my favorite people
Remembrance: Someone that cares deeply about helping others, having fun doing so, and the importance of sarcasm and well timed jokes.
Quote: “Time is a thief, but only if you don't maximize how you best spend it.”
KARA HOLLERAN
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Kara Holleran is a healthcare executive specializing in clinical and revenue cycle application systems, and the proud aunt of Liam Holleran, the inspiration of this foundation. She is a Program Director of Digital Health at Mass General Brigham Health, where she leads and mentors a team of over 20 professionals. Kara finds her joy in being a board member of TLO. Friends often call her the Mayor, and with a love of organizing events & raising donations, you can regularly hear Kara working TLO into almost any conversation, recruiting family, friends and strangers for the annual Tour De South Shore and thinking of creative and festive event ideas to bring together her wide network. Kara was raised in Hingham, but now resides in South Boston.
At Bat Song: Don’t Stop Believing
How do you want people to remember you: My papa Eddy always said “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice”
Finish this Sentence On Sunday mornings, you can usually find me: enjoying a hot cup of coffee
Favorite Vacation Destination: Any tropical beach
