Meet The Board:

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Melissa Mangiapanella is the founding President of The Sisterhood Project USA, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting children affected by domestic violence through scholarships in music, art, and sports.

Melissa’s passion for this work is deeply personal. As a young child, she and her sister Nicole lost their mother to homicide- an experience that shaped them both. The sisters often spoke about one day creating something meaningful to help others walking a similar path. When Nicole passed away suddenly in January 2025, Melissa found the courage to give voice not only to her own story, but to theirs.

What she once hesitated to share for herself, she now speaks loudly for her mother, her sister, and every child in need of healing. Out of that courageous act of remembrance, The Sisterhood Project USA was born.

Melissa believes deeply in the power of creative expression to foster resilience and transformation. Under her leadership, the organization has grown into a powerful force for healing, hope, and community- mobilizing donors, volunteers, and advocates around a cause that is both deeply personal and universally vital.  Outside of her philanthropic work, Melissa is the owner of Wild & Well Homestead, an herbal medicine brand inspired by the years she studied to be a doctor of Chinese medicine.  Melissa is also a published author of three children’s books and one upcoming novel.  She enjoys homesteading on her property, homeschooling her three sons, and DIY-ing their farmhouse with her husband.

Josh Boorum is a proud founding board member of The Sisterhood Project USA and the owner of Noah Grey Music, a premier event entertainment company based in Sarasota, Florida, known for curating unforgettable live music experiences for private and philanthropic events.

Deeply passionate about using his platform for good, Josh is a devoted supporter of causes that uplift the community. His bands are frequently featured at high-profile charity events including the Orchid Ball at Selby Gardens, the Elevate Pride Gala, the Naples Breakthrough T1D Gala, the More Too Life Gala, and The Sisterhood Project USA’s Annual Gala.

A lifelong musician and athlete, Josh has experienced firsthand the healing power of creative and physical expression. Through his work with The Sisterhood Project USA, he is committed to helping children affected by domestic violence access alternative therapeutic outlets such as music, sports, and the arts, empowering them to heal, grow, and thrive.

Kristen Heide brings over a decade of experience in nonprofit management, financial oversight, and program administration to her role as Secretary of the Board at The Sisterhood Project USA. With a deep commitment to community health and well-being, Kristen plays a vital role in supporting the organization’s mission. Aside from her work with The Sisterhood Project USA, Kristen has managed multi-million-dollar grant portfolios and cross-functional teams at organizations including the Council of State Governments Justice Center, Central Connecticut Coast YMCA and Planned Parenthood Federation of America. Currently, she is an implementation project manager at Brighton Health Plan Solutions, a New York-based healthcare enablement company. 

Kristen holds an MBA and MPH from Stony Brook University, a BS in Community Health from Hofstra University, and a Certificate in Nonprofit Management from Princeton University AlumniCorps. Beyond her professional work, she enjoys practicing yoga, relaxing by the beach with a book, and cheering on the Dallas Cowboys. 

Dr. Micucci is a licensed psychologist with 20 years of experience in the mental health and public school systems, bringing expertise and dedication to the Sisterhood Project USA. With a career in both the public and private sectors, Dr.  Micucci has both individually served and collaborated with practitioners and large systems in order to service and ensure the safety of children and adolescents.  She believes in resiliency and the power of the human spirit, and is proud to be a founding board member of the Sisterhood Project USA. Outside of her work with the nonprofit, Dr. Micucci practices as a school psychologist in a New York high school, where she has worked for the past 18 years.  She enjoys being an active community member through local Girl Scouts, Little League, and school district projects.  After hours, Dr. Micucci can be found tapping into various creative outlets, whether it is at a cool new restaurant experience (dark dining was one of her faves!) or taking in a Broadway show.  She wishes for all the children who participate in the Sisterhood Project USA to find a sense of peace and community while doing something they truly love.  

Joy Cianci is a retired professional who has dedicated her career and nonprofit service to affordable housing.  She spent 26 years at Fannie Mae where she served in a number of roles, including as the Senior Vice President overseeing the servicing of the company’s single-family mortgage portfolio. Prior to joining Fannie Mae in 1993, Ms. Cianci was an associate in the real estate practice at the law firm of Ballard Spahr Andrews and Ingersoll.  Ms Cianci’s nonprofit service currently includes her work as a national board member of Rebuilding Together and as Chairperson of the Peconic Bay Community Housing Fund, dedicated to creating and maintaining affordable housing throughout her community.  Ms Cianci has a bachelor of science in economics from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a juris doctor from the University of Pennsylvania.

Volunteers are the backbone of our organization. We offer a variety of opportunities for individuals and groups to get involved and make a difference in the lives of those we serve.