Meet Our Team
Nikki McCarthy
As the Founder and Executive Director of Sam’s Fans, Nikki has the honor of being Sam’s mom. Samantha Jane McCarthy was born with a rare genetic blood disorder that was discovered when she was just six years old. After a bone marrow transplant in 2008, Samantha endured an intense 14 months in and out of hospitals. During that time, Music and Art Therapy brought Sam so much comfort, joy and peace. No matter how sick or uncomfortable she was, Sam welcomed her Music and Art Therapists with a big smile. When medical therapies couldn't heal Sam's sick body, Music and Art Therapy healed her soul and made her feel better. And when Sam felt better, the whole family felt better. Sadly, Sam passed away in 2009.
In 2015, Nikki founded Sam's Fans to honor Sam's life, legacy and her love of music and art. Over the years Nikki has not only created Sam’s legacy but has realized the importance of advocating for and ensuring access to the benefits of music and art therapy for patients and families.
Mandy McGlone
Mandy McGlone is the Associate Director at Sam’s Fans. Mandy is a Project Manager and Project Director with over 25 years of tenure in the human services and non-profit field. Mandy has a B.A. from Denison University and a M.S. in Human Services Management from Franklin University. Mandy was a founding member of The Sam’s Fans Board of Directors, and stepped off the Board to become a staff member in 2020. Mandy and Nikki have been best friends for over 35 years, and have been together through the brightest and darkest days in each other’s lives. When Mandy said goodbye to Sam, she made a promise that she would take good care of Nikki and when Nikki decided that she wanted to honor Sam’s legacy and love of music by starting a nonprofit, there was no question that Mandy would play an integral part in helping Nikki to get things underway. Years later, Mandy continues to help Nikki strategize, fundraise, implement projects and run the day-to-day operations of Sam’s Fans.
Jennifer Flatter
Jennifer, our talented Events Coordinator, launched JLF Advisors in 2022 after nearly two decades of experience in government affairs and conference, meeting, and event management in the public and private sectors. Previously, she served as CEO of Impact Ohio where she grew the company into a well-respected, statewide-conference series that brought together government, business, and the nonprofit sector to focus on public policy issues important to Ohioans. Jennifer managed legislative affairs for the Ohio Department of Commerce, worked as a Legislative Aide in the Ohio Senate, and served on the Ohio Council on Women and Girls. She is a past president of Ohio Women in Government and was a 2019 recipient of the Columbus Business First 40 Under 40 award.
Jennifer earned her bachelor’s degree at Capital University and holds a master’s degree in Public Administration from Ohio University’s George V. Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service. Jennifer resides in Upper Arlington with her husband and daughter.