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Katie and Mark Kessler's families have contributed in every way imaginable to help establish The Samantha Foundation. Their dedication and belief in the organization's mission and spirit has lifted it off the ground and truly given it wings. Both Katie's mother and sister serve as co-founders.
Judith Friedman Nystrom, Founder
Entrepreneur. Philanthropist. Grandmother. Judy embodies these aspects with incredible drive and enthusiasm. As President and CEO of HSA Enterprises, Inc., Judy has managed the company from its humble beginnings as a home business to one of the most successful companies in South Florida. Among her accolades include being named the 2005 Outstanding Businesswoman of the Year by the Coral Gables Chamber of Commerce, along with HSA being acknowledged by South Florida Business Journal as one of the Top 25 Largest Women Owned Businesses in South Florida, and the Top 25 Promotional Marketing Companies in South Florida. In addition, HSA has also been listed twice on the University of Florida's Top 100 Fastest Growing Privately Held Companies in the State of Florida.
Along with her work at The Samantha Foundation, Judy has devoted much of her time to charitable organizations throughout South Florida and Northern California. She is a Board Member of the Aldea Children and Family Services of Napa, a Lifetime Member of the Miami Project Women's Guild, and has served as Past President of the National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO).
Judy currently resides in Napa, CA where she oversees the Northern California HSA office. In her spare time, Judy and her husband, Kurt Nystrom, enjoy entertaining, gardening, traveling, and are avid wine enthusiasts. Her greatest joy is her family, especially her grandchildren - Jacob, Jordan, Jesse, Julia, Jack, and Seth.
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Betsy Polacheck, Founder
As Katie Kessler's sister and Samantha's aunt, Betsy has dedicated herself to upholding the mission of The Samantha Foundation. Her experience in public relations, which she studied at The American University in Washington, DC, has aided the Foundation in working to save children's lives.
Along with her work at The Samantha Foundation, Betsy serves on the Board of Directors at Congregation Beth Am and volunteers with the San Diego Children's Hospital Auxiliary.
She resides in California with her two children-Jacob and Julia. She likes San Diego Padres baseball, and although she's on the West Coast, she still roots for the Miami Dolphins. Betsy loves spending time with her family, often enjoying the beautiful beaches and weather that California has to offer.
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