Meet The Staff

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Julio Zayas is a proud U.S. Air Force Veteran who served as an Enlisted Security Forces (Military Police) Airman from 2009 to 2013. After completing his military service, Julio committed himself to community improvement through human services, educational outreach, project management, and veteran support initiatives.

In 2025, Julio became a licensed real estate agent to educate first-time homebuyers—an effort inspired by his own experience of not knowing the process, which delayed his path to homeownership. His mission is to ensure others are better informed and empowered in their journey to owning a home.

That same year, he founded Veterans Support Services (VSS), a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping veterans access education, navigate state and federal benefits, and receive critical support in areas such as mental health, housing, medical care, and community reintegration.

Julio also mentors incarcerated veterans at the Veterans Essex Courthouse in Lawrence, MA, providing guidance to those preparing to reenter civilian life. His mentorship helps ensure these individuals have access to the tools and support necessary for a successful transition.

He holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Project Management and a Master’s degree in Management from Colorado Technical University. He is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Leadership.

Susan Dunshee is the President of the Board of Directors at Veterans Support Services and a proud Worcester-based business owner for over 10 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Worcester State University.

A devoted mother of two teenagers, Susan is also an educator, volleyball coach, and volunteer marketer for a hospice organization in Central Massachusetts. She is a strong advocate for women’s empowerment and brings that same passion for service into every area of her work.

With several years of experience in Human Services and Education, Susan’s dedication to veterans began when she assisted homeless veterans in accessing life-changing support services. That moment ignited a lifelong mission to make serving the veteran community a priority.

Her leadership, compassion, and drive continue to guide the vision and impact of Veterans Support Services.

 Andres Benitez is a seasoned Senior Loan Officer with over 25 years of experience in the mortgage industry. Throughout his career at Rate, Andres has worked closely with numerous veterans, providing expert guidance and successfully processing VA loans to support their homeownership goals.  His commitment to serving the veteran community is deeply personal—many of his close friends are veterans, and he holds the utmost respect for those who have served. Andres takes great pride in ensuring veterans receive the financial support and loan options they deserve. 

Cornel Boothe proudly serves on the Board of Directors at Veterans Support Services, where he also fulfills the role of Clerk. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and Management from Worcester State College.

With over 13 years of experience in transportation and supply chain management, Cornel has held key leadership positions at industry-leading companies such as FedEx, Fresh Express, and Walgreens. His career has been defined by a focus on strategic planning, process optimization, and building efficient, results-driven delivery systems.

Deeply committed to service and community, Cornel now dedicates his expertise to supporting veterans. Through logistics coordination, outreach programs, and operational support, he plays a vital role in helping the organization deliver impactful, streamlined services to those who served our nation.

Daniel Dow, a long-time resident of Central Massachusetts, is deeply committed to community-focused work. As the parent and primary caregiver of two young children, Dan understands firsthand the value of strong support systems. Over the past year, he has put this belief into action by joining the Fitchburg Cultural Council and serving as its Grant Coordinator. This role has helped him better understand the diverse needs of the community and given him the opportunity to support a wide range of organizations and individuals.

Although Dan resides in Fitchburg, he is also very familiar with Worcester. During his time working for Wachusett Brewing Company, he spent much of his professional life in Worcester, building relationships with local businesses. His role at Wachusett allowed him to promote a regional product while forming lasting connections throughout the community.

In 2021, as he prepared for the birth of his first daughter, Dan shifted his focus to family. During this period, he earned a degree in Writing and Communications from the University of Wisconsin–Superior. Concentrating on grant writing, he began helping local nonprofits and artists with their funding needs. This work led him to launch his own business, Grants By Dan, which now supports nonprofits throughout Central Massachusetts with grant writing, strategic planning, and budgeting.

Dan is excited to bring his skills and experience to Veterans Support Services."

Charlie Hash is excited to bring her passion for creating meaningful gatherings to her role as Director of Events with Veterans Support Services. As a business owner, she has years of experience planning and managing large-scale events, and she loves using that background to build programs that bring people together and strengthen community.

Charlie comes from a proud military family, and works closely with service members in her professional life. That connection gives her a deep appreciation for the challenges and triumphs of military life, and she pours that understanding into every event she helps create.

 Alba brings over a decade of dedicated experience in Veteran Affairs, having spent 10 years at Quinsigamond Community College helping Veterans successfully navigate their higher education journeys. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong passion for networking and event planning, which she has used to develop and maintain meaningful partnerships with a wide range of Veteran organizations and Veteran friendly businesses throughout Worcester. These connections have been vital in supporting Veterans facing challenges or crises, ensuring they have access to critical resources to enhance both their academic success and personal well-being.

Drawing on her 17 years of service in the U.S. Army and Army Reserve, Alba has a deep understanding not only of the needs of Veterans themselves but also the unique challenges faced by Veteran families. This perspective allows her to provide comprehensive support that strengthens both Veterans and their loved ones as they navigate transitions in education, employment, and life.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, Alba is deeply rooted in the Worcester community. As a QCC and Becker College alumni and proud mother of three, she balances her family life with her current role at Worcester Public Schools. She continues to be an active and engaged community member while coaching her middle school volleyball team. Alba’s dedication to service, both in and out of uniform, reflects her unwavering commitment to supporting Veterans and their families at every stage of their journey.

Glenda Rodriguez brings over 11 years of experience in higher education and community based engagement. With a deep commitment to building inclusive spaces, she has dedicated her career to supporting diverse student populations and strengthening connections between academic institutions and the communities they serve.

As a bilingual professional, Glenda values the power of language and cultural understanding in fostering equity and belonging. She is also passionate about supporting Veterans, ensuring they have access to the resources, guidance, and advocacy needed to thrive in education and beyond.

Known for her approachable leadership style, Glenda combines professional expertise with compassion and vision, inspiring others to pursue growth, resilience, and meaningful impact.