Deborah Pepper became Executive Director of Hospitality Homes in early 2020, stepping in during a particularly challenging time. Hospitality Homes is a Boston-based nonprofit that offers free and low-cost short-term housing in volunteer homes for patients and caregivers traveling to Boston for medical care. Since 1983, it has helped reduce the emotional and financial burdens of treatment by providing a welcoming home-away-from-home to all, regardless of background or diagnosis.

Deborah brings over 25 years of nonprofit experience, along with a background in corporate and higher education. Known for her strategic insight and entrepreneurial spirit, she has led numerous initiatives and enjoys hosting guests herself—something she’s done for nine years. Outside of work, she loves to entertain, write, and spend time with loved ones

Natalie Mazzarella is a seasoned marketing, media relations, and brand executive with over 17 years of experience. She’s worked with top global brands like Tiffany & Co., Gucci, Virgin Hotels, and Curaleaf, blending PR expertise, strategic thinking, and content savvy to craft compelling brand stories.

As Vice President of Media Services at Advantage Media—the exclusive publishing partner of Forbes Books, Entrepreneur Books, and SXSW Books—Natalie leads public relations, digital media, branding, and content strategy to help authors build thought leadership.

Previously, she was Executive Director of PR and Strategy at Skoog Co., where she expanded the agency’s reach across fashion, food & beverage, CPG, tech, lifestyle, and cannabis. She also worked on PR for LOFT’s market expansion and began her career in Chicago as a visual merchandiser and salon owner.

Natalie brings an entrepreneurial spirit to every role and values creativity and collaboration. She lives in the Boston area with her husband, Tony, and their son, Elias.

Lizzie Johnson is the founder and creative force behind Lizzie’s Bakery, a custom dessert brand known for its whimsical designs, indulgent flavors, and Instagram-worthy treats. She graduated from Brigham Young University with a degree in Advertising and always imagined herself climbing the ladder at a big-time ad agency. But life had other plans—after getting laid off from her marketing job, Lizzie turned her passion for cake decorating (which started as a fun side project) into a full-time business. What started as a creative outlet quickly grew into a thriving bakery brand, proving that sometimes the most unexpected detours lead to the sweetest destinations. Lizzie is passionate about helping others believe in their dreams—even the messy, out-of-the-box ones—and loves sharing her journey of turning setbacks into success.