About / Board of Directors
Robert E. Nicolay, Chairman, is a retired executive from ExxonMobil Corporation. He served on the Board of Directors of the Boys Scouts of America. He also served on the Board of the John L. Deaton Medical Center. Robert serves as a Commissioner of the Maryland Health Care Commission. Robert was Joanna’s husband for over 50 years.
Regina Bodnar, Vice Chairman is the Director of Clinical Services for Gilchrist Hospice. Regina is a registered nurse by profession with a specialization in the care of cancer patients and their families.
Denise Nicolay Safko, Secretary is a Senior Program Manager with Arbitron, Inc. Denise holds a M.S. Degree from Johns Hopkins University and a B.S. Degree from West Virginia University in Computer Science. Joanna was Denise’s mother and a huge inspiration throughout her life.
Nancy A. Nicolay, Treasurer is a retired Assistant Vice President of Provident Bank of Maryland where she coordinated customer service, quality control operation and corporate strategic planning. She is past president of the Baltimore chapter of the National Association of Women and member of the Board of Directors for the Augsburg Lutheran Home.
Greg Safko, President prior to serving as President of the Joanna M. Nicolay Melanoma Foundation, Greg was President of the Board of Orthotist/Prosthetist Certification (BOC) and formerly served the State of Maryland as the Deputy Secretary of the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation. His non-profit management experience is also highlighted in his 15-year executive service for a national trade association and attainment of the association management designation, Certified Association Executive, awarded by the American Society of Association Executives.
Susan Bancroft is a graduate of Randolph-Macon College in Ashland, Virginia. Susan was a close friend of Joanna’s and lost her father to skin cancer.
Debbie Brown is the Events/Communications Manager at Meals on Wheels of Central Maryland, where she has worked since 2006. Prior to 2006, Debbie was the Public Relations Manager at the Fire Museum of Maryland and Public Information Specialist for the Maryland State Highway Administration with direct report to Governor Schaefer. She received a B.A. in Communications from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. Debbie is a stage II melanoma survivor.
Nancy Crawford works as a Physician Assistant in the Preoperative Evaluation Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital. She is married with two children. Her 23 year old daughter has a history of stage 1 melanoma.
Sara England-D’Ovidio is a graphic artist and owner of a boutique in New Market, Maryland. She holds a B.S. Degree from the University of Maryland. She lost her sister to melanoma in 2004.
Martha Rushford Herman is a graduate of the University of Maine Orono. She is an avid athlete and participates in marathon and triathlon events. Her Mother was diagnosed in 2007 with Stage 4 Melanoma.
Esther Hoffberg is a graduate of Skidmore College, Saratoga Springs, NY with a BSN in Nursing, specializing in pediatric intensive care. She’s been a La Leche League leader for over 25 years, and a District Advisor for the Montgomery County area for over 13 years. She’s discovered the "Sprint triathlon" thru the Melanoma Foundation, which has led to marathon running & 1/2 century biking.
Jennifer Martin attended Towson State University and earned her Paralegal Degree from Villa Julie College. Jennifer is a member of the Coalition for Skin Cancer Prevention of Maryland. Jennifer is a Stage III melanoma survivor.
Donna Nicolay works for LifeBridge Health as a medical secretary for a surgical oncologist. In her current position, Donna works closely with melanoma patients. As a niece of Joanna, Donna seeks to bring awareness and support to melanoma patients through the Foundation.
Jane B. Shapiro is a Product Manager with Arbitron, Inc. She is the third generation in her family to have melanoma. The disease claimed her father and her grandmother. Jane is a melanoma stage III survivor.
