Tommy's Place Founder and team

Tim O’Connell

A Quincy, MA, and Falmouth resident, Tim is the founder, visionary, and president of Tommy’s Place Foundation, Inc.  Tim founded and established the 501 (c) 3 Tommy's Place non-profit in 2018 in order to bring his decades-old dream of opening a magical vacation home for kids fighting cancer to reality.  Tim is a passionate advocate for kids going through the horror of a pediatric cancer diagnosis and has made it his life mission to give these kids and their families a safe and private respite to relax, make memories and most importantly have fun during the most challenging time in their lives. 

In addition to being a lifelong entrepreneur, he is also a real estate investor and developer who has been buying, selling, building, and rehabilitating single and multi-family properties in the Boston and Martha's Vineyard markets since 1996.  Tim has extensive experience with building new homes, rehabilitating 100+ year old buildings as well as building and restoring homes within historic districts.  

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Jennifer Caruso

Jennifer is our Tommy's Place Family Coordinator and works directly with the families prior to their stay at Tommy's Place. "Jen" is a tireless advocate for kids fighting cancer and has dedicated countless hours volunteering for a variety of organizations; beginning in elementary school as a girl scout and continuing into the present day as co-founder of her own non-profit - A True Difference Maker.
Throughout her college years at Northeastern University and with her busy schedule as a graduate student in the Physician Assistant program at Temple University, Jennifer continued to find time to give to others, specifically supporting pediatric cancer warriors and their families.  Jennifer is now a graduated and certified Physician Assistant and is currently employed in the oncology unit at New York-Presbyterian Hospital - Columbia.
The foundation for Jen's giving spirit truly began when her cousin Matthew was diagnosed with Ewing Sarcoma, a cancer that claimed his life in 2013 at the age of 19. In his memory, Jen began the Swirls Around the World Foundation to honor Matt (whose nickname was Swirls) and to continue his life.   What began as a small gesture of people taking Swirls Strong bracelets on their travels to spread Matt’s story and raise awareness for Ewing Sarcoma, has evolved into a nonprofit foundation raising funds for scholarships and delivering special Swirls packages each month to pediatric and young adult cancer warriors as well as finding ways to remember and honor those warriors who are no longer with us.

What sets Jennifer apart is that she always takes the initiative and her insatiable desire to help others. She is always the first to reach out to a family battling cancer or undergoing a difficult time.  Behind the scenes, she is quietly and constantly looking for ways to help families in need.

Some highlights of Jen's giving:
- An honoree of Mass General Hospital for their “100 Everyday Amazing” recognizing individuals, organizations, and foundations work towards a cure and care for cancer patients. 

- A member and regional manager of the Love Your Melon campus crew program to engage and network college students and unite these students in the fight against pediatric cancer.
- Established a Children's Miracle Hospital Dance Marathon chapter at Northeastern University where she was ultimately awarded with the 2019 Miracle Network Distinguished Leadership award.  A distinction awarded to only 22 college students across the country. 

- The Frozen Lemonade Cup benefiting Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation Board of Directors
- New England Patriots Difference Maker Award Recipient

Susan Fuller

Sue manages behind-the-scenes administrative duties for Tommy’s Place and she is also the captain of the Sunday Volunteer Hospitality Team at Tommy's Place in Falmouth. Growing up she was a “summer girl” until her parents moved down year-round in the 1970’s. After graduation from college she worked in Boston in the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services before moving to Denver, Colorado . In Denver she volunteered for the USO at the DIA Airport as well as several other local nonprofit organizations. She retired from a position at a financial institution in Denver and returned to Falmouth to be near family, friends and the ocean.

Emily Zeien

Emily Zeien is the Grant Writer for Tommy's Place and brings 10+ years of experience in grant writing and management in both the public and non-profit sectors. Emily has helped organizations in various service areas secure and oversee multi-million dollar grants from federal agencies including the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor, the Corporation for National and Community Service, as well as from private foundations and businesses including the Tillotson Fund, Eastern Bank, and the Woods Hole Foundation. Emily has a Bachelor degree from American University and a Master degree in Public in Administration from the University of New Hampshire. Emily lives with her family in New Hampshire, and is fortunate to spend summers on Cape Cod.