2024 Board of Directors
Brian A. Flaherty
Founder & President
Bio Coming Soon
Ken Flaherty
Vice President
Bio Coming Soon
Andrew Fitzsimmons
Board Member
Andrew Fitzsimmons is a former business owner and entrepreneur. He has been a part of the DMF Foundation since its inception and has served on the board since its creation. Andy has been a Diamond sponsor for the NJ event for over a decade and has also supported DMF events in other states as well, as a donor and a volunteer. Serving as Finance Chair for the DMF Foundation for 5 years, Andy worked directly with beneficiaries to gather information, present it to the board, and make payments. Andy is passionate about philanthropy and also serves as a Knight of Columbus and as a Vincentian. An avid golfer, Andy now resides in the golf capital of the USA, Myrtle Beach, SC with his wife and two children. He could not do any of these things without the loving support of his wife, Deb.
Jen Andrus
Board Member
Bio Coming Soon
Frankie Francese
Board Member and
Finance Committee Member
Frankie Francese was former Managing Partner in Fortis Consulting Group. It is an Executive Recruiting Firm for Accounting and Finance. He is currently a Finance Council Chairperson in St. William the Abbot Catholica Church and a Head Coach of Trinity Hall High School Ice Hockey.
He obtained his MBA, CPA, and CMA titles from Monmouth University after earning his BS in accounting from Rutgers University.
He lives with his wife Dena, son Zachary and Daughter Riley with their dogs Chocolate Lab, Dakota, Black Lab, and Nala. His hobbies are Ice Hockey, Skiing, Golf, Riding ATV’s, Jet Skiing and playing guitar.
Heidi Benjamin
Board Member and
Finance Committee Member
Heidi has been in the trucking industry for 41 years. She is currently employed with Wm Benjamin Trucking & Kuhnle Brothers. Her title is operations, which consists of dispatch, recruiting, marketing, and sales. She is blessed with four adult children, and two granddaughters that keep her busy with softball, 4-H, showing cattle, and truck pulling. This is year 8 serving as a volunteer, board member and the Chair of the Ohio Golf Outing and Truck Pull for the DMF Foundation (with many more ahead).
Brendie Fitzgerald
Board Member
Bio Coming Soon
Erin Cosentino
Board Member and
Finance Committee Chair
Erin is a President of Hiraeth Hope and Healing at the Toms River Education Foundation in addition to being a special educator at Toms River Regional Schools. She is currently a special education teacher in a stand-alone program for kids who struggle with emotional regulation.
She received her MA in educational administration from the University of Scranton in 2008 and her BA in special education from William Patterson University in 1998. She is presently enrolled in Rutgers University’s Master of Social Work program.
She enjoys planning, yoga, reading, and retreats. Erin resides at Road Tom Rivers, NJ, together with her three sons and husband.
Melva Sharpe
Board Member, NC and
Angels of Alamance Committee Member
Melva is a board member of ARMC Charitable Foundation, Pink Ribbon Luncheon, Black and White Ball, Christmas Cheer and DMF Foundation.
She studied at the University of North Carolina and also at Loyola University. She was also in Global Logistics Sales for 28 years. Melva and her family were longtime residents of Burlington, North Carolina. She is with her husband Stan, her 3 boys and 4 grandchildren. She loves travelling, golfing, cooking, reading, volunteering and her favorite was spending her time with her grandchildren that makes wonderful memories..
Jim Flaherty
Board Member
Bio Coming Soon
Christina Flaherty
Board Member and Lead Advocate
Christina graduated from Fordham University with a bachelor’s degree in communications. She worked for several years in marketing before finding her passion in childbirth and lactation. For 15 years, Christina worked as a birth doula and lactation counselor.
When Brian expressed interest in starting the DMF foundation 20 years ago, Christina was right by his side, from flying to Austin, TX to support him in his century bike ride, to starting their own golf outing in NJ. Brian’s passion became her passion and it has been amazing to see how the foundation has grown over the years.
Christina has 2 amazing sons, Shane, who is 19 and studying in Hawaii to become a marine biologist, and Brian, who is 15, and wants to follow in his Dad’s footsteps by working internationally and running the foundation. Christina’s mother also lives close by, in her own little cottage on their property in Mebane. The Flaherty family, spread out in NJ and also AZ, are very much Christina’s family. Big J, as Brian’s dad is affectionately called and his wife Shelley are big supporters of everything they do. As an only child growing up, Christina dreamed of having brothers and sisters. She now has 4 amazing brothers-in-laws and 4 even more amazing sister-in-laws.
Anyone who follows Christina’s FB or Insta knows that she is obsessed with her Certified Therapy Dog, Beckett! They love to visit different places together to spread joy. Beckett is a staple at many of our foundation’s events!
Marie Hoofnagle
Board Member
Marie Hoofnagle volunteers and serves on the board of the DMF Foundation. She also coordinates and volunteers for Christ in the City’s Lunch in the Park program for the homeless in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, as well as the Homeless Ministry at St. Patrick Catholic Church.
She pursued and completed her psychology degree and master’s degree because she is passionate about assisting those who struggle with mental health issues. In addition, she enjoys strength training, reading, sailing, running, walking, creating stained glass, and helping extensively at DMF events.
Marie, her spouse, and their kids call Philadelphia home. She likes dogs as well. And none of these would be feasible without her devoted husband Ron’s assistance.
Gerald Wilkie
Board Member
Bio Coming Soon
Rudy Casanova
Board Member and
Finance Committee Member
Bio Coming Soon
Patty Brothers
Board Member, NC Committee Member,
Chair of Angels of Alamance
Bio Coming Soon
Jordan Wood
Staff, Director of Development
Jordan has been with DMF since September of 2022. She has 14 years of marketing, event planning and development experience with several organizations in the Alamance County, NC area. Originally from Mebane, she earned a bachelor’s in communications from Peace College, with a concentration in public relations and minors in Spanish and business.
Jordan was drawn to the DMF Foundation after her father valiantly fought cancer three times. She says “Our family played golf together every Saturday morning and I treasure those times! Through the mission, I will now have the honor to be a part of assisting cancer patients financially, emotionally, and supporting them through what is inevitably, the hardest times of their life.”
She is a member of the Alamance Chamber Ambassador Council and is active in the local community. She loves spending time with her family, being outdoors, reading, and enjoys all things sports.