Board of Directors

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 five 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.

Diane Hrenko | Secretary | Division Coordinator

Diane is the Project Sweet Peas Secretary 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.

Laine Culbreath | Assistant Treasurer

Laine is Assistant Treasurer for Project Sweet Peas and is the mother of one child. She was admitted to the hospital with severe preeclampsia and delivered her son Jackson at 30 weeks. Jackson spent 64 days in the NICU. During his stay they received a Halloween care package from PSP. Jackson is now a thriving 18 month old and Laine is excited to be able support families experiencing the same difficulties that her family faced.

Laine received Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in Accounting from Wake Forest University. She is a Certified Public Accountant.

Meghann Helman Bedell | Director of Volunteer Outreach

Meghann is the mother of twins born premature at 24 weeks 5 days. After a difficulty getting pregnant, Meghann conceived twins through IVF. When Hurricane Irma passed through Florida, her twins were born early. While in the NICU, her daughter, Ellie James, passed away of an infection when she was five days old. Her son, Daxton, spent 113 days in the NICU and came home with a g-tube. Daxton had his g-tube for approximately one month and he is now a healthy, thriving toddler. From her experiences in the NICU, Meghann has grown passionate about helping others who find themselves in similar situations and the importance of being able to celebrate all events no matter how small.

Meghann received a Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management from the Florida State University, and a Master of Business Administration from Saint Leo University.

Christopher Baldridge | Board Advisor

Chris' 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.

Janice Forester | Board Advisor | Division Coordinator

Janice is a Board Advisor and a Division Coordinator for our New Hampshire division, which was created in memory of Aiden and to honor Adam. Her grandsons were born at 26w 4d. Adam spent 103 days in the NICU. Sadly, Aiden passed after his first few hours of life. After this experience Janice became passionate about giving back to the families who are faced with this difficult journey in the NICU.

Molly Fraust Wylie

Molly is a Board Advisor and volunteer with the Southern New England division. After going into premature labor at 26 weeks and landing on bedrest for six weeks, Molly delivered her first son, Max, 2 months early and had a NICU stay that changed her forever. Molly left her career in Marketing to become NICU Family Program Manager - a parent advocate and educator on the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center. Molly's passion is to integrate families into every aspect of the NICU experience and to empower NICU families through community support and shared experience. Molly believes the greater NICU community is the silver lining of her NICU stay and is grateful to be able to give back.

Molly holds an MA from Emerson College in Integrated Marketing Communication and is a graduate of Dickinson College.

Stephanie Olivarez | Board Emeritus | Co-Founder

Stephanie is a Co-Founder of Project Sweet Peas. Stephanie also 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). Kate remains an active volunteer.