Staff & Board

STAFF

Corin Nava | Executive Director | Co-Founder

Corin is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of Project Sweet Peas and formerly a Division Coordinator for the Southern New England division. She also served as Treasurer to the Board of Directors for 12 years.

Corin is the mother of six 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. In addition to raising her children, she is an active volunteer at Women & Infants Hospital and a member on the Women & Infants NICU Advisory Committee.

Sarah DelSesto | Office Assistant

Sarah is the mother of 2 children, Caleb and Parker. After a loss in early 2019, Parker was born with a surprise heart defect. He had a short stay in the local NICU before being transferred for surgery and had a month long CICU stay.

Sarah has her CNA license and teachers assistant certificate. She is also active volunteer at Women & Infants Hospital and a member on the Women & Infants NICU Advisory Committee.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sarah King Bhetaria | President

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 nine-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 Indiana University.

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.

Diane Hrenko | Secretary

Diane is the Project Sweet Peas Secretary and formerly the 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.

Al Hannon | Treasurer

Al is the father of three beautiful girls, including twin girls born at 25 weeks, one who came home following an extended NICU stay and another who became her sister's angel along the way. He was drawn to Project Sweet Peas because of their mission to support both families of premature or sick infants and those affected by pregnancy and infant loss, both of which are near and dear to him. Al wants to use his experiences to empower families facing similar challenges, ranging from complicated multiple pregnancies to navigating the NICU as parents and infant loss.

Al received a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Southern California and is a licensed Certified Public Accountant in California.

Kelcey Farr | Director of Volunteer Outreach

Kelcey is the mother of 1 child. After a difficult pregnancy Kelcey’s daughter Eleanor spent 33 days in the NICU after being born at 35 week and 2 days old weighing 2 lbs 11 ounces. She is now a healthy and spunky 2 and ½ year old little girl and is the reason for her passion of supporting other families in the NICU.

Kelcey has a Bachelors of Science in Athletic Training from Indiana State University. She currently works as a Pharmacy Operations Manager.

Amanda Fisher

Amanda found Project Sweet Peas after her daughter Amelia's 126 day NICU journey in 2020. Eager to help others not feel lonely and scared in life's loneliest and scariest moments, in 2022 Amanda joined Project Sweet Peas as an Advocate for Morristown Medical Center where Amelia received amazing care after being born at 24 weeks, on Amanda's birthday of all days. She delivers monthly care packages to provide comfort to the families in the unit. In 2023, Amanda became Division Coordinator and added Overlook Medical Center in Summit as well as joined the Board of Advisors. Amanda looks forward to continually supporting NICU families in any way possible.

Melodie Scott

Melodie Scott has been married for 12 years and is a mom of 2, ages 14 & 8. She is a graduate of Alabama A&M University with a bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education. Melodie became a SAHM mom when her 8 year old was delivered at 29 weeks. She started volunteering with Project Sweet Peas Alabama in 2020 and became an official volunteer in 2022.

BOARD OF ADVISORS

Aleksandra Popkowska
Carrie Tyler
Eileen Gay
Maria Bentin
Morgan Lituchy
Nathan Diamond
Read McCarty
Shelly Hopkins

Kate Crawford | Board Emeritus | Co-Founder

Kate is a co-founder and former President for Project Sweet Peas and Division Coordinator of the Pittsburgh Division. 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.

In loving Memory of Stephanie Olivarez | Board Emeritus | Co-Founder

Stephanie was a co-founder of Project Sweet Peas. Stephanie also was a division coordinator for the Indianapolis division which was started in honor of her daughter, Shelby. Shelby was born with a rare birth defect (CDH.)

Stephanie became a friend to everyone she met, and she was a source of strength and hope to all of our families. We will truly miss her wonderful heart, her smile and optimism, and the light she brought to this world.