PROJECT SWEET PEAS BOARD OF DIRECTORS

​Sarah King | President/CEO

Sarah is the mother of 2 children. After a difficult birth, Sarah's son Avi was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and later passed away. Her second child, Lila, was born 18 months later, and is now a happy, healthy seven-year-old. From her experience, Sarah is passionate about empowering parents faced with life’s most fragile and difficult of moments.

Sarah received a Bachelor of Science in Neurobiology and Physiology from Purdue University, and a Master of Arts in Philanthropic Studies from the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She is employed with the Indiana University Foundation. 

​Gina Anetakis | Vice President

Gina joins the Project Sweet Peas board as Vice President and offers vast experience and knowledge. After her own experience with the NICU, Gina wanted a way to give back and pay it forward. Gina received her JD from University of Pittsburgh School of Law and currently practices at Walsh, Barnes, Collis & Zumpella, P.C.

​Corin Nava | Treasurer/CFO | Co-Founder

Corin is the Treasurer and Co-Founder of Project Sweet Peas and a Division Coordinator for the Southern New England division. Corin is the mother of five children.  Her first child, Gabriel, spent 55 days in the NICU before he passed away in the loving arms of his parents. Gabriel is the inspiration and drive behind her passion to make sure NICU and bereaved families receive the support that they need. 

Corin received an Associates in Baking and Pastry Arts from Johnson and Wales University and has returned to college to pursue a degree in Social Work. In addition to raising her four children at home and attending night classes, she is currently serving as Secretary on the Women & Infants NICU Advisory Committee, and an active volunteer at the hospital. 

Christopher Baldridge | Director of Grant Development

Chris serves as the Director of Grant Development. His son Adrian Burke “AB” was born at 23 weeks and after 131 days in the NICU has continued to grow and thrive. Out of gratitude for the community that offered unwavering support during Adrian’s hospital stay, Chris and his wife Jes have worked to identify opportunities to give back to the NICU community. Chris is motivated to identify and capture funding to ensure that Project Sweet Peas can continue engaging and supporting this community.
 
Chris received a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from Athens State University and is currently completing a Master’s in Business Analytics at the University of Alabama at Huntsville. He is employed as a Program Manager for Hexagon Safety & Infrastructure.
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​Megan DiTommaso | Secretary

Megan resides in Pittsburgh, PA with her husband and daughter. She is happy to bring several years of professional writing and communications experience to the Project Sweet Peas team. Several of Megan's friends' children have stayed in the NICU, and she is proud to work with an organization that supports families going through difficult situations. 

Diane Hrenko | Board Advisor | Division Coordinator

Diane is a Board Advisor and a Division Coordinator for our Southern New England division, which was created in honor of her twin boys, Justin and Collin, who were born prematurely at 33 weeks and spent 6 weeks in the NICU. Diane, along with her husband, sons, and daughter Ashlyn, aspire to pay it forward to other NICU families.

Diane received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Northeastern University and a Masters in Business Administration from Suffolk University. She is currently employed with the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

Peg Ricardo | Board Advisor 

Peg is a Board Advisor and division volunteer for our Southern New England division. She is the mother of two boys. Her youngest son was born at 33 weeks and spent 8 weeks in the NICU.  Peg is passionate about supporting other NICU families because she knows first hand how difficult and overwhelming the NICU can be.

Peg received a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Fitchburg State University.  She is currently employed as a photographer

​Stephanie Olivarez | Board Emeritus | Co-Founder

Steph is Co-Founder of Project Sweet Peas. Steph is the Division Coordinator for the Indianapolis division which was started in honor of her daughter, Shelby. Shelby was born with a rare birth defect (CDH.)

Kate Crawford | Board Emeritus | Co-Founder

Kate is the Co-Founding President for Project Sweet Peas. Kate was a major contributor in the creation of Project Sweet Peas in memory of Shannon Crawford (01/16/07-01/19/07), who passed away from two birth defects (CDH & HLHS).

She still remains an active volunteer. 
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