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 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 facilitate 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.
Jim Flaherty
Board Member
Jim is a physical therapist from New Jersey. After graduating from the University of Scranton in 1992 he started working in the outpatient/orthopedic field of physical therapy. He currently works as a regional director for Atlantic Physical Therapy Center, a long standing sponsor and supporter of the Denise Marie Flaherty Foundation. Jim always felt he had a calling to help people, and the addition of working with the DMF foundation was a easy choice for Jim to continue fulfilling that calling while also honoring his late mother. Jim has been married to his beautiful wife Molly Flaherty for 25 years and together they are raising three amazing children. His wife Molly has also been a long and faithful supporter of the foundation, often working tirelessly behind the scenes to help with the New Jersey event.
Christina Flaherty
Board Member and Lead Advocate
Christina graduated from Fordham University with a bachelor’s degree in communications and spent several years in marketing before discovering her passion for childbirth and lactation. For the past 15 years, she has dedicated herself to working as a birth doula and lactation counselor.
When Brian expressed interest in starting the DMF Foundation 20 years ago, Christina stood by his side every step of the way. From supporting his century bike ride in Austin, TX, to initiating their own golf outing in NJ, Christina’s commitment mirrored Brian’s passion. Witnessing the foundation’s growth over the years has been an incredible experience for her.
Christina is the proud mother of two sons: Shane, 19, who is studying marine biology in Hawaii, and Brian, 15, who aspires to follow his father’s path by working internationally and leading the foundation. Christina’s mother lives nearby in a cottage on their property in Mebane. The Flaherty family, dispersed across NJ and AZ, holds a special place in Christina’s heart. ‘Big J,’ Brian’s affectionately named father, and his wife Shelley are strong supporters of their endeavors. Growing up as an only child, Christina always dreamed of having siblings. Now, she enjoys close relationships with her four brothers-in-law and four sisters-in-law.
Christina’s love for her Certified Therapy Dog, Beckett, is evident to anyone following her on Facebook or Instagram. Together, they visit various places to spread joy, and Beckett is a beloved presence at many of our foundation’s events.
Frankie Francese
Board Member and Finance Committee Member
Frankie Francese is the Managing Partner at Fortis Consulting Group, an executive recruiting firm specializing in accounting and finance. He also serves as the Finance Council Chairperson at St. William the Abbot Catholic Church and is the Head Coach of Trinity Hall High School’s Ice Hockey team.
Frankie earned his BS in Accounting from Rutgers University and an MBA from Monmouth University. He has also earned his CPA and CMA licenses.
He lives with his wife, Dena, their son, Zachary, and daughter, Riley, along with their dogs: Dakota and Nala. Frankie enjoys various hobbies including ice hockey, skiing, golf, riding ATVs, jet skiing, and playing the guitar.
Marie Hoofnagle
Board Member
Marie Hoofnagle volunteers and serves on the board of the DMF Foundation. Additionally, she coordinates and volunteers for Christ in the City’s Lunch in the Park program for the homeless in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is involved in the Homeless Ministry at St. Patrick Catholic Church.
Marie pursued and completed her psychology degree and master’s degree because of her passion for assisting those struggling with mental health issues. She also enjoys strength training, reading, sailing, running, walking, creating stained glass, and actively helping at DMF events.
Marie, along with her spouse and their children, calls Philadelphia home. She also has a fondness for dogs and acknowledges that none of her endeavors would be feasible without her devoted husband Ron’s assistance.
Heidi Benjamin
Board Member and Finance Committee Member
Heidi has been in the trucking industry for 41 years, currently employed with Wm Benjamin Trucking & Kuhnle Brothers. Her role encompasses operations, including dispatch, recruiting, marketing, and sales.
She is blessed with four adult children and two granddaughters who keep her busy with activities such as softball, 4-H, showing cattle, and truck pulling. This marks her eighth year volunteering as a board member and Chair of the Ohio Golf Outing and Truck Pull for the DMF Foundation, with many more years of service ahead.
Brendie Fitzgerald
Board Member
Bio Coming Soon
Gerald Wilkie
Board Member
Bio Coming Soon
Erin Cosentino
Board Member and Finance Committee Chair
Erin is the President of Hiraeth Hope and Healing at the Toms River Education Foundation, in addition to serving as a special educator at Toms River Regional Schools. She currently teaches in a stand-alone program for children who struggle with emotional regulation.
Erin earned her MA in Educational Administration from the University of Scranton in 2008 and her BA in Special Education from William Paterson University in 1998. She is presently enrolled in Rutgers University’s Master of Social Work program.
Her interests include event planning, yoga, reading, and attending retreats. Erin resides on Road Tom Rivers, NJ, with her three sons and husband.
Rudy Casanova
Board Member and Finance Committee Member
Bio Coming Soon
Melva Sharpe
Board Member, NC and
Angels of Alamance Committee Member
Melva is a board member of the ARMC Charitable Foundation, Pink Ribbon Luncheon, Black and White Ball, Christmas Cheer, and the DMF Foundation.
She studied at the University of North Carolina and Loyola University. Melva also had a distinguished career in Global Logistics Sales spanning 28 years.
Melva and her family were longtime residents of Burlington, North Carolina. She resides there with her husband Stan, their three boys, and four grandchildren. Melva enjoys traveling, golfing, cooking, reading, and volunteering. Her favorite pastime is spending time with her grandchildren, creating wonderful memories.
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 2022. She brings 14 years of marketing, event planning, and development experience gained from several organizations in the Alamance County, NC area. Originally from Mebane, she earned a bachelor’s degree 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 now have the honor of assisting cancer patients financially and emotionally, supporting them through what is inevitably the hardest times of their life.”
She is a member of the Alamance Chamber Ambassador Council and is actively involved in the local community. Jordan loves spending time with her family, being outdoors, reading, and enjoying all types of sports.
Featured Stories
My son, Frankie is 2 years old! The past 6 1/2 months of our lives have been riddled with stress, pain, depression, and financial strain. What doctors thought was a horrible case of strep throat, was actually a developing brain cancer tumor. He went from a rambunctious, healthy little boy, to one who couldn’t walk, talk, eat, or play. After the third trip to the ER in two days, Frankie was diagnosed with sarcoma of the brain in August 2023, a very rare and aggressive brain cancer. He is only 1 of 3 children in the tri state area to have fought this type of cancer.