How a dream to support women became a reality.
In 1996, Mary E. Maloney had a vision to help others. Over 25 years and $1.46 million later, a community of women-supporting-women has flourished.
Discover Fresh Start through the years.
1996
Mary and Joyce Hayes (the 1996 WWB board president) started the program with a small group of women. Soon, the first scholarship was awarded to Delia, an accounting major. After leaving an abusive marriage, she was living in her car with four children. With the Fresh Start scholarship, she graduated with an Associate's Degree in accounting with a 4.0 average and started a new career.
The Team Behind the Fresh Start foundation
Our all-volunteer board is passionate and committed to supporting women of Delaware.
Lisa-Marie Jackson is an award-winning digital marketing trailblazer with a broad background in creating, implementing, and managing impactful marketing programs for corporate and nonprofit clients in a variety of industry sectors. Prior to launching Sociable Consulting, Lisa-Marie was a strategic business consultant at Trellist Marketing, a Delaware-based firm that integrates data with marketing, design, and digital services.
Lisa-Marie Jackson is an award-winning digital marketing trailblazer with a broad background in creating, implementing, and managing impactful marketing programs for corporate and nonprofit clients in a variety of industry sectors. Prior to launching Sociable Consulting, Lisa-Marie was a strategic business consultant at Trellist Marketing, a Delaware-based firm that integrates data with marketing, design, and digital services.
Nanci Mayer-Mihalski has retired from a career in pharmaceutical consulting and research. She is currently a member of the Breast Cancer Community Research Advisory Board at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, a former Board Trustee of Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition and past President of the Wilmington Women in Business. Nanci has been involved in Fresh Start since 2018.
Nanci Mayer-Mihalski has retired from a career in pharmaceutical consulting and research. She is currently a member of the Breast Cancer Community Research Advisory Board at the Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, a former Board Trustee of Delaware Breast Cancer Coalition and past President of the Wilmington Women in Business. Nanci has been involved in Fresh Start since 2018.
After a long career in advertising working for some of the world’s leading brands, Donna spends her retirement through mentoring, artistic endeavors, and giving back to the community with organizations like Fresh Start. She joined in 2021.
After a long career in advertising working for some of the world’s leading brands, Donna spends her retirement through mentoring, artistic endeavors, and giving back to the community with organizations like Fresh Start. She joined in 2021.
Marisa is active in the Delaware community and holds several positions across various boards, including the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware, the Christiana Care Hospital, and Archmere Academy.
Marisa is active in the Delaware community and holds several positions across various boards, including the Boys and Girls Club of Delaware, the Christiana Care Hospital, and Archmere Academy.
Kelsey brings her experience as a tax planner and CPA to the Fresh Start Scholarship. She believes women are the strength and backbone of our families and community, and that an investment in a woman’s education has an exponential effect. She has been a proud board member since 2019.
Kelsey brings her experience as a tax planner and CPA to the Fresh Start Scholarship. She believes women are the strength and backbone of our families and community, and that an investment in a woman’s education has an exponential effect. She has been a proud board member since 2019.
Board of Directors
Leilani Decena-Shepherd
Dafina Blacksher Diabate
Courtney Johnson
Kelli Kilbride
Ralandré Lacy
Deneen Law
Samanta Lopez
Mary E. Maloney
Sharon Mossman
Sandy Scheibe
Ex- Officio, Betty Sweeny
Pauline Tartaglia
Advisory Board
Vernita Dorsey
Sharon Kelly Hake
LaVerne Harmon
Karen M. Ingram
Jan Jessup
Rita Landgraf
Colleen Perry Keith
Paula Swain
Michele Whetzel
Rita Wilkins
Margo Ewing Woodacre
Read our feature in Delaware Today
“We aren’t just transforming women’s lives,” Maloney says, “but also positively impacting the lives of their children, family and the community."