Our Board
Learn more about why our board members are so dedicated.
Our Officers
We are always looking for new board members and advisors. If you would like to find out more about volunteering for our organization please contact us.
Chairperson
Debbie Doherty
Vice President
Jennifer Blair
Treasurer
Vanessa Walker
Secretary
Rebecca Olson
Assistant Treasurer
Debbie McGaha
Medical Advisor
Dr. Stephen Falcheck
Outside Counsel
Sean T. O’Kelly, Esq.
O’Kelly & O’Rourke, LLC
Our Board
- Tim Doherty
- Lisa MB Johnson
- Terry Twardowski
- Irene Vaneiken
- Sharon Kernan
Debbie Doherty
Chairperson and Founder
Deb is the Founder and Chairperson of the Board for Tender Hearts, a 2014 Delaware-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting medically fragile children.
Inspired by her own childhood experiences with mobility challenges, she brings a deeply personal understanding to the mission of helping children facing similar obstacles today.
Before founding Tender Hearts, she built a successful career in the accounting industry as the President/CEO of Doherty and Associates Inc.
Following her retirement, she turned her focus fully toward helping kids have a better quality of life. Her goal is to continue to expand Tender Hearts’ across Delaware, ensuring that every child—regardless of medical or physical needs—has the opportunity to be mobile, to thrive and share a smile!
Jennifer Blair
Vice President
With a strong background in advocacy and community service, I have served as a mentor and former child advocate for the State of Delaware. Over the years, I have also dedicated my time and energy to supporting various nonprofit organizations. These experiences have deepened my passion for helping vulnerable populations and have equipped me with the insight and compassion to contribute meaningfully to Tender Hearts. My commitment to uplifting children and families continues to guide my efforts as I work to support the mission of bringing hope and healing to those in need.
Vanessa Walker
Treasurer
Vanessa Walker brings over two decades of accounting expertise to the board, with a rich background spanning both public and private sectors. As someone who faced health challenges in childhood, Vanessa deeply appreciates the support Tender Hearts offers to families today. Growing up, she didn’t have access to such resources, which fuels her passion for contributing to organizations like Tender Hearts and the Knights of Columbus through volunteer work. Beyond her professional and philanthropic endeavors, Vanessa finds joy in traveling and savoring quality time with loved ones
Becky Olson
Secretary
Rebecca Olson (likes to be called Becky) is a retired educator with a lifelong commitment to supporting children and families. She taught kindergarten, third grade, and fifth grade for 17 years and holds a bachelor’s degree in behavioral science, as well as a master’s degree in elementary education.
In addition to her classroom experience, Becky taught daycare providers for 28 years and owned and operated a highly successful in-home daycare for eight years, continuing her work with children and caregivers in meaningful and impactful ways. She later brought her expertise to the Delaware Psychiatric Center, where she served as an instructor.
Becky is the proud mother of one son and grandmother of three grandsons. Throughout her career, she has worked closely with children facing a wide range of disabilities and illnesses, experiences that have shaped her compassion and strengthened her desire to help others.
She strongly believes in the mission of Tender Hearts and has been volunteering with the organization for some time. Becky is honored to be part of Tender Hearts and remains deeply passionate about helping children with medical and developmental challenges.
Debbie McGaha
Assistant Treasurer
Debbie McGaha is a devoted wife, mother of three, and proud grandmother to six grandchildren. She grew up in Hockessin and has spent her life in Delaware, where she built a long and meaningful career working in banking, private education, and accounting.
Although now retired from St Andrews School, Debbie continues to serve others through part-time freelance bookkeeping.
Debbie has always had a deep love for nonprofit work and actively volunteers with several organizations, including Tender Hearts before becoming the Assistant Treasurer for us.
Her life is grounded in deep Christian faith, followed closely by God’s greatest gift—her family. Time spent with loved ones is especially meaningful to her.
She holds a heartfelt belief that children are among the most valuable, impressionable, and innocent gifts in the world. Debbie feels strongly that it is our shared purpose to nurture, protect, and create joyful environments where children can thrive and grow into a hopeful future. She is honored to support this calling through the mission of Tender Hearts, helping care for medically fragile children and their families throughout Delaware.
Tim Doherty
Board Member
Tim Doherty is a passionate and driven professional who brings a wealth of experience in mobile technology, martech, advertising, and analytics to his role as a Strategic Account Executive at AppsFlyer. Known for cultivating strong client relationships—including with Fortune 500 brands—Tim’s career reflects his commitment to excellence and strategic thinking. Outside of work, he’s a devoted husband to Rosa and proud dog dad to Lychee. A fitness enthusiast and skilled home chef, Tim often channels his love for cooking into community and family gatherings. He’s also an avid traveler and lifelong learner, currently studying Spanish to deepen his connection with diverse cultures. Tim proudly serves on the board of Tender Hearts Inc., aligning his personal values with the organization’s mission to support medically vulnerable children and families in need.
Lisa MB Johnson
Board Member
Lisa MB Johnson is a committed board member of Tender Hearts, inspired by a deep personal connection to families with medically fragile children. With a strong background in nonprofit management and education, she brings strategic insight and hands-on leadership to support the organization’s mission. Lisa has played an active role in coordinating fundraising events, fostering community partnerships, and stepping in wherever help is needed. Her dedication to compassion, service, and resilience continues to fuel the organization’s growth. Outside of her work with Tender Hearts, Lisa enjoys traveling, crocheting, and spending quality time with her family.
Terry Twardowski
Board Member
Terry Twardowski is a Delaware native—born and raised in the First State—who is married, a proud mother of two daughters, and a loving grandmother of five.
Terry retired from Delmarva Power (an Exelon company) after a dedicated career and has continued her commitment to community service as an avid volunteer.
For more than six years, she has been a consistent supporter and champion of Tender Hearts, generously giving her time and care to help families who need it most.
As a grandmother of young children with medically complex illnesses, Terry has a deeply personal connection to Tender Hearts’ purpose. That lived experience strengthens her belief in the mission and fuels her passion for ensuring medically fragile children and their families feel supported, seen, and uplifted. She thrives to support Tender Hearts mission in help more medically fragile children in Delaware.
Irene Vaneiken
Board Member
Irene Vaneiken has been a dedicated volunteer with Tender Hearts for many years and is deeply committed to its mission of supporting medically fragile children and their families. She retired from her role as an Office Manager with the Cancer Federation Organization to focus on helping her own family, including three grandchildren with disabilities.
As a mother of five grown children and a proud grandmother of seventeen, Irene has personally experienced the profound impact a child’s illness can have—not only on families, but on each individual within them. These lived experiences fuel her passion and compassion for helping others.
Irene is honored to serve as a member of the Tender Hearts Board, where she is devoted to expanding support and resources for children and families throughout Delaware.
Sharon Kernan
Board Member
Sharon Kernan is married and a devoted mother of 3 grown children, a proud grandmother of 6 and a great mother of 4 children, who are a constant source of joy and inspiration in her life.
Sharon has been a nurse since 1984 and, although retired, continues to hold her nursing license. During her career, she trained at Nemours/Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, where she developed a deep commitment to pediatric care and advocacy.
Her passion for helping children is both professional and personal. With a grandson and a niece born with medical challenges, Sharon understands firsthand the complexities families face when caring for children with chronic illnesses and medical conditions. This personal connection fuels her strong belief in the mission of Tender Hearts, an organization she has proudly volunteered with for some time.
