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Icing Smiles Welcomes Three New Board Members
Meet Becky Foy, Jodie Nicholes, and Ishita Kashyap.
Icing Smiles is delighted to announce the addition of three exceptional individuals to its board.
“These new board members bring a wealth of experience, passion, and dedication to the organization, strengthening our commitment to making life a little sweeter for children and their families during challenging times,” says Icing Smiles Executive Director Tracy Quisenberry. “As Icing Smiles continues to grow and expand its reach, it’s crucial to have a diverse and skilled leadership team steering the ship.”
Let’s take a moment to meet the three remarkable individuals who have recently joined Icing Smiles’ board.
Empowering People to Bake a Difference
Becky Foy, of St. Michael, Minnesota, is HR division director at Lakeside HR Group. Her expertise in talent development and human resources is evident in her professional life. However, it’s her journey into the world of cake decorating that brought her into contact with Icing Smiles.
Becky first started decorating cakes for her two sons’ birthdays. She vividly recalls a Spiderman cake she attempted for her son, which, despite her best efforts, didn’t turn out as expected. “It looked terrible,” she recalls with a laugh. This experience led her to delve into cake decorating, fueled by her fascination with shows like Ace of Cakes. Today, she not only bakes for her family but also for various occasions, using the proceeds to support charitable causes.
Her path to Icing Smiles began when she received an email from her son’s high school friend, who had come across Icing Smiles and instantly thought Becky should be part of this incredible organization. “Yes, I do!” she thought after exploring the Icing Smiles website. Becky became a Sugar Angel in May 2021, and since then, she’s completed seven calls to action.
“I was blessed with very healthy children, but I know people that weren’t,” she says today. “I saw the struggles and the pain. For me, to do something to bring a smile to their face during times when families have so many other things to deal with, to just take this off the parents’ place — I love to give back in that way.”
One of her most memorable experiences was creating a wolf-themed cake for a young boy named Henry, who was battling a rare blood cancer.
In addition to the cake, Becky gifted him a wolf print from an actual wolf that she had at home.
“I was able to not only deliver that cake but also give his parents that present to give to him, and he was so excited,” she recalls. “I was super happy for him. To me, that’s what it’s about. It’s that connection. You know there’s a reason you were chosen to do that cake for that child.”
Becky’s journey with Icing Smiles took a new turn when she was invited to join the organization’s board. Her background in HR and her experience on another nonprofit board made her a natural fit for this role. “We know what has to power what happens behind the scenes are people — not only people who work for Icing Smiles but also a lot of volunteers,” she says. “I hope I can make an impact where we’re trying to take that asset that is the people and think about ways to inspire them and keep them wanting to be part of the organization.”
Leveraging Three Decades of Media Experience
Jodie Nicholes first encountered Icing Smiles when she was a producer for NBC News.
A friend of hers in Charlotte, North Carolina, is a Sugar Angel, and when Jodie heard about the nonprofit, she knew she wanted to spread the word.
She produced a story featuring Tracy and Icing Smiles families that aired on 215 NBC affiliates and cable partners. This encounter ignited her passion for the organization’s mission, prompting her to dive headfirst into helping with PR efforts. Over the years, Jodie and Tracy remained in touch, with Jodie continuing to support the cause. Her dedication eventually led to an invitation to join the board, a role she embraced with enthusiasm.
“The little difference Icing Smiles makes in the life of a family is as important as some of the larger research missions,” says Jodie, who is now senior vice president of production services for 4media group. “It’s the daily connection. It’s the little bit that makes them feel like a child again. When you say ‘Baking a difference,’ it truly is.”
With three decades of experience in media, both in network news and her current role in advertising and marketing, Jodie brings a unique perspective to the board. Her extensive connections with national media outlets position her to enhance Icing Smiles’ visibility and reach. Jodie’s expertise in advertising also opens doors to creative marketing strategies and partnerships that can elevate awareness.
“There’s no end to what Icing Smiles and the people who put their love and passion into it every single day can do and how it can grow,” she says. “The need is out there. Getting various hospitals and cancer clinics and social workers to know about Icing Smiles is the biggest challenge. We have thousands of Sugar Angels ready on a dime. So it’s connecting our resources to the right people to expand the mission. I’m excited to be part of that and see how I can bring that awareness out.”
A Global Vision
Ishita Kashyap’s journey with Icing Smiles began when she moved from India to New York in 2019. While awaiting her work visa, she wanted to use her skills to give back to the community. “I always loved baking,” she says. “I wanted to do something baking related but where I could use my skills as a lawyer to give back.”
This led her to discover Icing Smiles, where she initially took on the role of a scheduling assistant. One of Ishita’s memorable experiences with Icing Smiles involved a 1-year-old boy with a heart condition. She struggled to find a baker for him, but Ishita’s determination led her to connect with a Sugar Angel willing to drive an hour and a half to make the delivery. The result was a heartwarming moment when the family received the cake, and the joy it brought to their faces left a lasting impression on Ishita. She also lent her legal expertise to ensure data privacy and protection during the intake process, ensuring that the valuable data collected and shared within the organization is handled with the utmost care and responsibility.
As life unfolded, Ishita moved to Canada, where she is now a lawyer at McMillan LLP. As a member of the board, Ishita is eager to leverage her legal background, organizational skills, and passion for the cause to help Icing Smiles reach its goals. She recognizes the hard work involved in realizing the organization’s vision and is committed to contributing to its growth and success.
Ishita envisions Icing Smiles becoming a household name that transcends borders. She hopes to see the organization grow beyond the United States, with chapters spreading the mission of bringing joy and sweetness to children and families facing challenging times.
Join Us in Spreading Smiles and Sweetness
We are thrilled to introduce you to our three remarkable new board members, who bring their passion, skills, and dedication to the Icing Smiles family. With their invaluable contributions, we are better equipped than ever to continue making life a little sweeter for children and their families during challenging times.
Your generous donations enable us to provide custom cakes to children facing critical illnesses. Every contribution, no matter the size, makes a difference in brightening a child’s day.
