Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation names new board members

The Fresh Start Scholarship Foundation, a statewide Delaware nonprofit, welcomed new board members July 1.

Michele Whetzel was elected president. Kelsey Callaghan, Valerie Middlebrooks, Kimberly Reid and Betty Sweeny joined as new board members. 

Whetzel is president of Revise LLC. She also serves on Delaware’s Public Integrity Commission and has been an active volunteer for over 25 years, serving on the Fund for Women board for 10 years, including two years as chair. She has a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Delaware.

Kelsey Callaghan, assistant treasurer, is a CPA at Albero, Kupferman & Associates working in tax planning and compliance for small businesses and individuals. She is a graduate of Gabelli School of Business at Fordham University and also earned a master of science degree in professional taxation from Fordham University.

Also a CPA, Valerie Middlebrooks, treasurer, is a principal with Belfint, Lyons & Shuman, PA. Her business degree is from the University of Wisconsin. Middlebrooks is past president of the Delaware Society of Certified Public Accountants, and she served on the Fund for Women board as treasurer.

Kimberly Reid, vice president of marketing and communications, originally joined the Fresh Start family in 2018 as a member of the advisory board. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Delaware and a master of science in organizational leadership from Quinnipiac University. Reid is a volunteer with Junior Achievement of Delaware.

Betty Sweeny, secretary, is president and CEO of Business Development Associates Inc. She has served on the boards of the Bayard House, the Delaware Chapter of the MS Society, and the Forum of Executive Women. Her bachelor’s degree in consumer economics is from the University of Delaware.

The board recently honored Sarah Kenney-Cruz for her  leadership as president for the past two years. Kenney-Cruz has served on the Fresh Start board for five years and will continue as an ex officio member as immediate past president.

For more information, to volunteer, donate or to become a mentor, go to www.freshstartscholarship.org.