I started this group for 21 to 30 year olds in 2019 with the simple concept that if we bring together people wishing they had more friends, they would have friends.
​I saw my niece struggle to make and keep friends in college, and I knew that if she was having difficulty, there must be others having difficulties as well. ​I created the original Friends Group by marketing on Facebook and inviting local young adults who wanted to make friends to a biweekly dinner and/or activity.
I saw the impact of the Friends Group, which inspired me to write the Making & Keeping Friends guides to share with others.​ There is an obvious need for more Friends Groups.
My academic background is rooted in an Occupational Therapy Degree from Tufts University enhanced with a graduate degree in Health Care Administration from Framingham State University.  In 2000, I founded Thalheimer Insurance, which specializes in long-term care planning.