How a dream to support women became a reality.

Betty founded business Development Associates in 1998 and has held senior positions with some of the nation’s top financial institutions. Now retired, she additionally serves on the boards of the Bayad House, the Delaware Chapter of the MS Society, and the Forum of Executive Women. She joined the Fresh Start board in 2019.

After a 30-year career in advising and development, Barbara is an avid member of several non-profit outreach activities with her church. She strongly believes in the Fresh Start mission and finds great fulfillment in her interactions with scholars, members, and board members during her tenure. She became a part of Fresh Start in 1997.

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.

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.

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.

Kelli joined Fresh Start board in 2015. Her passion for Fresh Start stems from her own personal experience of raising a family while working and going to school. She strongly believes in the Fresh Start mission and the importance of working toward educational goals. Kelli's career is in higher education compliments her commitment to the program.

Ralandré is a 2016 graduate of the Fresh Start program. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education (K-6) and a certificate in Child Advocacy Studies from Wilmington University. Today, she is a single mother, passionate about God, and teaches kindergarten at Kuumba Academy.

Samanta is an award-winning educator who’s passionate about mentoring and education, and has a 10+ year involvement in community roles. As a Fresh Start Scholarship board member aligns with her passion and belief that everyone deserves access to education for the betterment of their lives and community. She joined in 2018.

As founder and President of the Fresh Start Board for seventeen years, Mary Maloney realized her dream of establishing an organization dedicated to helping adult women return to college to improve opportunities for themselves and their families. Ms. Maloney is a retired Sr. Vice President of an international consulting, training & development firm headquartered in Boston.

Valerie is a CPA and Principal with Belfint, Lyons & Shuman, P.A., and serves on council with several organizations across the state. In 2012 the Delaware Society of Certified Public Accountants named Valerie a “Woman to Watch.” She joined the Fresh Start Board in July 2019 and serves as Treasurer.

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.

Sandy joined Fresh Start in 2007 after retiring from the University of Pennsylvania, and a previous career in the pharma industry. She is passionate about giving back to her community, empowering women, and seeing the transformative impact Fresh Start has on scholars.

A longtime volunteer, Pauline Tartaglia is the principal interior designer of the kitchen and bath division for Somethings Unique. She's passionate about the Fresh Start mission and is committed to its growth and sustainability. She joined the board in 2016.

Sharon is a compassionate educator focused on helping students meet their goals through their academic journey. She has mentored many students throughout her career understanding their personal obstacles and encouraging them to see the value of persistence as they obtain their degree. She continues to focus on raising scholarship money to alleviate financial obstacles for her students and supports fundraising efforts in the community through various organizations.

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.