MAPDA Leadership

CO-FOUNDER, CHAIR OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS & CEO. A successful businesswoman and well-known political leader, Congresswoman Mary Bono was hailed as the 'embodiment of powerful American womanhood' by the Washington Times during her tenure in the United States House of Representatives. Mary was elected to Congress in 1998 to serve California’s 44th (later changed to 45th) Congressional District. She established herself as a respected and closely-watched leader on a wide range of critically important issues while serving 7 terms in Congress (1998-2013). She served on the Energy and Commerce, Armed Services, Judiciary, and Small Business Committees. A proven bipartisan consensus builder, Mary authored legislation that was signed into law by three Presidents: Clinton, GW Bush, and Obama. Today, Mary is widely recognized as a national leader on multiple issues, including drug abuse prevention, addiction treatment, and recovery. While serving in Congress, she co-created the first-ever Prescription Drug Abuse Caucus and chaired hearings specific to the drug abuse epidemic. She continues to be at the forefront of the nationwide fight against drug abuse and youth overdoses, both of which impact every community in the country. Currently, she serves as the Chair of the Board of the nonprofit organization Mothers for Awareness and Prevention of Drug Abuse (MAPDA). In 2022, Mary received the Distinguished Graduate Merit Award from her alma mater, the University of Southern California. She is married to former astronaut and Rear Admiral Steve Oswald (U.S. Navy, Retired) and is a mother, grandmother, and dog mom.

VICE-CHAIR Rick has 25 years of experience in the pet industry, holding key executive roles in notable companies such as Petco, Natural Balance, Del Monte, Big Heart Pet Brands, and Lucy Pet Products. His deep expertise encompasses pet food nutrition marketing, brand management, strategy, product development, innovation, business development, and operations. In addition to his corporate experience, Rick has contributed to various advisory boards in pet food manufacturing and pet food ingredient innovation teams, showcasing his commitment to excellence. He is passionate about pets, animal advocacy, and service dog programs, aligning with his involvement in a nonprofit organization focused on drug abuse prevention. Rick's former service dog trainee (now pet), a standard poodle named Adele, often accompanies him at work in the Breeder’s Choice offices, where he is an integral part of the leadership team.

TREASURER Allison brings over 20 years of experience in high-level project management as a consultant within the Federal government, in addition to her executive roles in the District of Columbia government. Her notable career includes serving as the primary analyst for the DC Public Schools at the DC Financial Control Board, as well as holding the position of Branch Chief for Public Education and Government Operations in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. She also worked as Special Assistant on Budget Formulation in the Office of the Mayor under Anthony Williams, and as Budget Director for DC Public Schools. In her consulting role, Allison has dedicated the past 12 years assisting Federal agencies to implement budget formulation systems at various organizations, including the Defense Logistics Agency, Department of the Interior, Department of the Treasury, Department of Justice, and USAID. Allison understands the stress and deep sadness that families face when a child struggles with drug addiction. She has been actively involved in parent groups and has provided support and advice regarding recovery options and navigating insurance challenges. Notably, she successfully reversed two insurance denials through a third-party review, effectively advocating for recovery options. Allison has also engaged with policymakers to discuss the potential removal of the IRS 10% penalty for parents accessing 529 funds to cover the extraordinary costs associated with recovery, aligning with her commitment to drug abuse prevention. She is honored to join the MAPDA Board, where she aims to leverage her experiences to support other families. Additionally, Allison currently represents the Sleepy Hollow Citizens Association (SHCA) on the Dominion Hospital Community Advisory Group, which plays a crucial role in providing addiction treatment services to children and adults in Northern Virginia. Holding a Master of Public Administration degree from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, Allison resides in Falls Church, VA with her husband Sean and daughter Lauren, contributing her expertise to the leadership team of this nonprofit organization.

TREASURER Allison brings over 20 years of experience in high-level project management as a consultant within the Federal government, in addition to her executive roles in the District of Columbia government. Her notable career includes serving as the primary analyst for the DC Public Schools at the DC Financial Control Board, as well as holding the position of Branch Chief for Public Education and Government Operations in the Office of the Chief Financial Officer. She also worked as Special Assistant on Budget Formulation in the Office of the Mayor under Anthony Williams, and as Budget Director for DC Public Schools. In her consulting role, Allison has dedicated the past 12 years assisting Federal agencies to implement budget formulation systems at various organizations, including the Defense Logistics Agency, Department of the Interior, Department of the Treasury, Department of Justice, and USAID. Allison understands the stress and deep sadness that families face when a child struggles with drug addiction. She has been actively involved in parent groups and has provided support and advice regarding recovery options and navigating insurance challenges. Notably, she successfully reversed two insurance denials through a third-party review, effectively advocating for recovery options. Allison has also engaged with policymakers to discuss the potential removal of the IRS 10% penalty for parents accessing 529 funds to cover the extraordinary costs associated with recovery, aligning with her commitment to drug abuse prevention. She is honored to join the MAPDA Board, where she aims to leverage her experiences to support other families. Additionally, Allison currently represents the Sleepy Hollow Citizens Association (SHCA) on the Dominion Hospital Community Advisory Group, which plays a crucial role in providing addiction treatment services to children and adults in Northern Virginia. Holding a Master of Public Administration degree from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, Allison resides in Falls Church, VA with her husband Sean and daughter Lauren, contributing her expertise to the leadership team of this nonprofit organization.

BOARD MEMBER Jill Hamaker is a seasoned government and public affairs professional with over two decades of experience and trusted relationships across the US Government and the private sector. The Hill newspaper recognized her as a “Top Lobbyist.” Previously, she was Vice President and Head of Federal Government Affairs at Emergent BioSolutions, a life sciences company focused on addressing global public health threats. Hamaker built and led the leadership team that developed and implemented strategies to advance the company’s federal government affairs efforts, emphasizing engagement with both the Administration and Capitol Hill. Jill has deep policy expertise in many subject areas, including pandemic and public health preparedness, vaccines, Substance Use Disorder (SUD), and infectious diseases. Hamaker has applied her sharp instincts and highly strategic approach to forge meaningful partnerships across stakeholders, including government agencies, trade associations, advocacy groups, and think tanks. She has successfully built and implemented holistic, highly-targeted public affairs campaigns to achieve critical policy-oriented results. With an extensive background in politics, Hamaker began her career in California state, local, and federal elections. After relocating to Washington, DC, in the mid-2000s, she consulted for numerous Members of Congress, raising tens of millions of dollars for both campaigns and committees. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the nonprofit organization Mothers for Awareness and Prevention of Drug Abuse, which is dedicated to connecting, engaging, and promoting female leaders while mobilizing the next generation of trailblazers and influencers.

BOARD MEMBER Hannah is the Senior Vice President, Head of Tech Talent Programs for CompTIA, a leading voice and advocate for the $5 trillion global information technology ecosystem. In her role, she is dedicated to helping individuals and organizations unlock their potential through comprehensive training programs and solutions, including initiatives related to drug abuse prevention. Hannah has spent her career cultivating talent and developing people initiatives that demonstrably advance business goals, making her an integral part of the leadership team. Her passion is to help individuals, teams, and organizations, including nonprofit organizations, reach their highest potential. Before CompTIA, Hannah spent most of her career as an HR Executive, primarily in financial services. Most recently, she served as Chief Talent Officer for Elsewhere Partners, a growth-oriented investment firm focused on software/tech investing for early-stage companies. In addition, she was Head of Human Resources for Thoma Bravo, a leading private equity firm. Hannah holds a BS in Journalism: Strategic Communications and a BA in Psychology from the University of Kansas. In 2022, she received her Certificate in Executive Coaching through NYU and is also a Certified Yoga Instructor. Hannah currently resides in Barrington, IL, with her husband, Ben, her three stepchildren, Kieren (19), Aiden (17), and Ella (15), and their two dogs, Vern and Hank.

BOARD MEMBER Nina DeLorenzo is a corporate affairs executive and leader of organizations that integrate a deep understanding of where public policy intersects with business, including initiatives related to drug abuse prevention. In 2025, Ms. DeLorenzo and her business partner, Gulden Mesara, founded M&D Advisors, specializing in C-suite communications and public affairs advisory services. With 30 years of communications and public affairs experience in private sector, political, and government settings, Ms. DeLorenzo is skilled at building and leading highly effective teams, including her leadership team, that defend corporate reputation and shape more favorable external operating environments for clients, especially at pivotal moments. Prior to working in the private sector, she served in the administration of President George W. Bush, working in the White House Coalition Information Center at the outset of the war on terror, and in the Bureau of International Information Programs at the U.S. Department of State. She also worked in the United States Senate and on political campaigns, including support for nonprofit organizations. Ms. DeLorenzo holds a BA in Government and International Relations from the University of Notre Dame and an MA in International Relations from the University of Chicago.

BOARD MEMBER Nicole Pursley is Vice President, Government Relations at Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (Cboe), where she advocates for and promotes Cboe’s public policy interests with legislators and regulators. She represents Cboe on Capitol Hill and engages with members of the House of Representatives and the Senate on both sides of the aisle to educate them and their staff about Cboe and its business. Nicole focuses on policy issues affecting the financial industry and the markets, including those related to derivatives, market structure, and tax. Additionally, she is committed to drug abuse prevention initiatives, recognizing the importance of community support in these efforts. Nicole also covers policy matters impacting Cboe at the state level and represents Cboe in several industry associations and coalitions, showcasing her leadership team within the nonprofit organization sector. Nicole joined the firm over 12 years ago and previously served in an attorney role at Cboe. She holds an undergraduate degree from the Gies College of Business at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign and a J.D. from Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law. Nicole resides in Alexandria, Virginia with her husband, Steven, their young sons, Jack and Frank, and dog, Elvis.

BOARD MEMBER Karen brings a multidisciplinary background in healthcare, education, and entrepreneurship to her role on the leadership team of a nonprofit organization. She holds a BS in Business from the University of Southern California and a BS in Nursing from Johns Hopkins University, providing her with a strong foundation in research and evidence-based practice. Karen's professional experience spans corporate leadership, business ownership, clinical nursing, and nursing education. Additionally, she is a master soap maker and the founder of an independent soap company, which she successfully built and scaled to serve over 300 retail stores nationwide, enhancing her expertise in operations, compliance, and sustainable growth. Karen is dedicated to drug abuse prevention, education, and informed decision-making, and she is honored to support MAPDA’s mission through thoughtful governance and service-oriented leadership. In her personal life, she enjoys hiking and is a proud mom and dog mom to two standard poodles.

PROGRAM MANAGER AND ASSISTANT TO THE CEO Christina Patera brings over a decade of experience in strategic outreach, wellness education, and client-centered advocacy to her role as Chief of Staff at MAPDA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to health and community well-being. With a background spanning SaaS sales, neuroscience-informed coaching, national prevention campaigns, and trauma-sensitive wellness, Christina integrates operational leadership with a deep passion for public health and harm reduction. As part of the leadership team, her career includes working in equine-assisted therapy, wellness program development, and account management for health-forward organizations. Christina has supported neurodiverse youth and adults with trauma-informed, somatic-based practices and has overseen regional outreach initiatives focused on drug abuse prevention and behavioral health. She is currently pursuing a Master of Social Work (MSW) at Grand Canyon University with the goal of becoming a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). Christina is beginning her clinical training with Community Bridges Inc. in Phoenix, where she will provide assessments, treatment planning, and support services for individuals experiencing substance use disorders. Her work at MAPDA reflects a commitment to prevention, education, and holistic approaches that strengthen individuals, families, and communities.