The CHD scholarship team supporting students who keep moving forward.

Nikki is a graduate of Georgetown University, where she earned a BSN, and holds a Master's degree in Nursing Administration from New York University. Over the past twenty-five years, Nikki has gained both professional experience and personal experience in healthcare, working in the areas of Oncology, Orthopedics, Pediatrics and Family Medicine. Since 2013, she has also been a nurse consultant for local school programs, as well as individuals and families struggling to understand the complex healthcare system. Besides her professional experiences, Nikki has over 20 years of caring for one of her children, who has Congenital Heart Defects (CHDs) and structural airway abnormalities, having undergone four major surgeries, including two open-heart surgeries. Because of her passion related to CHDs, Nikki spent two years as a board member for The Children's Heart Foundation-New England, after having been a volunteer since 2013.

She is passionate about supporting the CHD community in many different ways including establishing the Heart Warrior Achievement Scholarship.

With more than 12 years of experience in public accounting, Evan's practice concentration is providing accounting, tax, and advisory services to closely-held businesses and their owners. He serves industries throughout New England, New York, New Jersey, and Florida including manufacturing and distribution, construction, real estate, technology, and professional service firms. Evan brings a wholistic approach to serving his clientele and prides himself on forward-looking value added business advice. Evan is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) and the Connecticut Society of Certified Public Accountants (CTCPA). He is a licensed Certified Public Accountant with the State of Connecticut. He is a graduate of Bryant University in Rhode Island. Evan has served as a Director and Trustee for various boards.

Dr. Swinamer is a veterinarian with 20 years experience, the owner of Stonington Veterinary Hospital and a fierce heart mom of two boys with congenital heart disease. Originally from Nova Scotia, Canada she has made her home in Stonington, CT since 2006. When she is not busy trying to keep up with her two boys and all of their activities she can be found at the hospital giving her clients and their animals the best care possible. She is excited to join the Heart Warriors Achievement Scholarship team. Her goal is to give all kids with heart disease the support they need to pursue their educational goals.

Dr. Jesse Courtier serves on the Board of Directors for the Heart Warriors Achievement Scholarship. He is the Managing Director of Radiologue Ventures, where he invests in and advises early-stage healthcare and medical technology startups. Dr. Courtier is an Adjunct Clinical Professor of Pediatric Radiology at Stanford Medicine and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. He previously served as Professor and Chief of Pediatric Radiology at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital San Francisco. An award-winning educator, innovator, and entrepreneur, Dr. Courtier has authored more than 70 peer-reviewed publications with over 3,000 citations. He brings a deep commitment to pediatric patient advocacy, mentorship, and advancing life-changing opportunities for young people. I stepped away from UCSF to start my venture fund and have been working remotely in radiology with a private group in the evenings. I recently accepted an offer to serve as Practice President of Pediatric Radiology Associates which is a teleradiology group that covers 11 different children's hospitals nationally. This will give me exposure and contacts in those respective centers where I can help spread the word about the work at Heart Warriors. I'll be starting that role in January.

A seasoned banking professional with years of management experience, Lisa now applies her leadership and organizational expertise to serve as Secretary for the Heart Warrior Achievement Scholarship organization. Dedicated and detail-oriented, she helps keep the organization's mission on track through clear communication, record-keeping, and a strong sense of integrity.