MEET OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Our volunteer board oversees and manages all of the operations, events, funding, and marketing of the organization.
Frederick C. Flynn, Jr.
President, Founder
Fred is the founder and primary sponsor of the foundation. He created the Flynn Fellowship program in the memory of his wife Susan, who died of ovarian cancer in 2013, out of respect for the skilled nurses and wonderful palliative care professionals who cared for her.
“Our foundation’s goal is to help develop the next generation of Oncology Nurses by partnering with the country leading hospitals and undergraduate nursing schools to improve the future quality of cancer care for patients and their families.”
Fred currently works as the Executive in Residence for the Dean of the Sacred Heart College of Nursing following an extensive career as a financial executive. He has a BA degree in Economics from Boston College and an MBA from the University of Connecticut. He lives in Stamford, CT.
Mary E. Finnegan
Vice President, Secretary
Mary has been a board member of the Flynn Fellowship program since its inception. She has had long career in nursing, spanning both education and leadership roles. Providing students and staff with valuable learning opportunities has consistently been one of her priorities.
Mary is currently employed as the Senior Director of Quality and Patient Safety at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital in Dover, NH. She achieved her BSN from Saint Anselm College and her MEd from the University of New Hampshire. Mary resides in Wells, Maine.
Michael O'Rourke
Vice President, Treasurer
Michael works for Oppenheimer & Co. in a Financial Advisory capacity as Executive Director of The O’Rourke Group. His role/responsibilities include developing and managing Advisory/Client relationships based on due diligence, accountability, transparency and thought leadership.
Michael grew up outside Philadelphia, PA in Lower Merion and graduated cum laude from Fairfield University in 1974 with a degree in Liberal Arts (B.A-Classics). In 1982 he completed an Executive MBA program at Columbia University receiving a M.S. degree in Finance in 1982.
Michael serves on the Diocesan Investment Committee and Finance Committee for the Diocese of Bridgeport CT and, most importantly, Malta House, a leading nonprofit which he co-founded in 1998 as a home for single, homeless, expectant mothers experiencing a pregnancy crisis. This home has housed over 650 women and children during the past 24 years and provided a beacon of hope with an emphasis on compassionate care, education, training and career development. In addition to serving on the Board of the Susan Flynn Oncology Nursing Foundation, Michael is a Board member of the Young Catholic Professionals, an organization with an emphasis on mentoring and helping Young Catholics (ages 25-40) network.
Michael lives in Stamford, CT with his wife of 47 years, Anne Celeste. In addition to Innis Arden Golf Club, Michael and Anne Celeste are long-standing members of the Order of Malta, a lay religious organization devoted to the exercise of Christian virtue and charity.
Matt Flynn
Fundraising & Development
Matt is originally from Stamford, CT and after stops in Boston and Philadelphia now calls New York home for the last 6 years. At Boston College (Class of ‘13), Matt studied Finance and Philosophy, and now works as Head of Trading & Market Research at JANA Partners, a value-oriented asset manager that focuses on corporate engagement.
In his spare time, Matt enjoys golf, cooking & snowboarding, and proudly serves on the Board of the Flynn Fellowship program - assisting with fundraising, advisory & general development. Matt’s fiancé’ Molly is experienced within the field of Oncology and currently works as a Nurse Practitioner focusing on Leukemia Service at Columbia University’s Irving Medical Center.
Katie Flynn
Vice President, Marketing & Communications
Katie is a Connecticut native who relocated out west after graduating from Boston College. At BC Katie was a PreMed student, and she graduated in 2009 with a major in Biology and a minor in Environmental Studies; but upon graduation, her heart led her to Colorado instead of medical school. It was through her lifestyle in the mountains that she discovered her true passion for art, and founded her hand-crafted jewelry company, Mineral + Mine.
Katie is the newest member of the SDFONDP board, and the daughter of founder, Fred, and program honoree, Susan Flynn. Katie focuses her efforts in the organization on communications, marketing, and social media. Outside of her board role and running her jewelry company, Katie's passions include painting, hiking, mountain biking, and skiing. Katie resides in Aspen, CO with her husband and two cats.
