Board Members

Denise Lucas

Position: Vice President

Biography:

Ms. Lucas is currently working for Longwood University as supervisor of interning teachers, Ms. Lucas brings her extensive background and hands-on experience to SPARC. Ms. Lucas has classroom experience in both general education and special education in Fairfax County Public Schools. Her credentials in Education, certification as a reading specialist, coupled with her credential in Social Work give Mrs. Lucas a unique perspective assisting in program development for SPARC.

Donna Goldbranson

Position: President and Executive Director

Email: donna.goldbranson@sparcontheweb.org

Biography:

Ms. Goldbranson is the creator, founder, and executive director of SPARC.  Ms. Goldbranson brings her many years of business administration experience in the defense contracting arena along with hands on experience of over 18 years working with individuals with physical and developmental disabilities. Ms. Goldbranson has been serving on the Young Adults Service Committee of the Fairfax County Long Term Care Coordinating Council for over three years and in answer to the identified need in the community has developed SPARC. Ms. Goldbranson served on the Board of The Arc of Northern Virginia and is a member of the Program Committee for Jill’s House of McLean Bible Church. Ms. Goldbranson is a Toastmaster and speaks on issues surrounding adult services for individuals with disabilities. Ms. Goldbranson has received the Toyota Tribute to Working Women Award, Fairfax County Distinguished Colleague Award, been interviewed on WASH FM “Women of Vision” program and produced a documentary of the SPARC program with Fairfax County Channel 16.  She was most recently nominated for the 2009 CNN Heroes Award.

Dr. Audrey Prestonsoto

Position: Board Member

Email: prestonsotoa@prodigy.net

Biography:

Dr. Prestonsoto brings her expertise and entrepreneurial skills to SPARC as founder of Leadership Compass, demonstrating her organizational leadership training, executive coaching, and youth leadership development.  Dr. Prestonsoto holds her Doctorate in Management and Organizational Leadership, a Master of Science in Management, and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology.  She is a graduate of the Department of Defense Executive Leadership Development Program and also served as a facilitator for the program.

Dr. Prestonsoto is also currently serving as a Board of Director for the South Fairfax Chamber of Commerce, a member of the Fairfax County Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (FCCPAAA), a member of the Academy of Management, and a lifetime member of the Association of the US Army (AUSA).   

Jackie Mills-Fernald

Position: Secretary

Email: jackie.millsfernald@mcleanbible.org

Biography:

Director of Access Ministry McLean Bible Church Ms. Mills-Fernald is the Director of Access Ministry of McLean Bible Church. Access is the largest area ministry providing programs and services for persons with disabilities. She is involved in improving the quality of life and choices in the community for children and adults who have been impacted by disabilities. Ms. Mills-Fernald brings her expertise in successful outreach program planning and funding strategies to the SPARC board.

Mylene Nyman

Position: Treasurer

Email: mimi.nyman@strollerfit.com

Biography:

Ms. Nyman as small business owner of StrollerFit, Inc., brings her expertise to SPARC in the areas of marketing and community outreach. As a SPARC partner, Ms. Nyman has developed a customized exercise program for SPARC club members and successfully held a fundraiser for the purchase of all the needed exercise equipment. Ms. Nyman provides a valued partnership to our organization along with her entrepreneurial successes.