Our Board

May Bernhardt

May Bernhardt has had over 20 years of experience with running Mayflowers, her floral business located in both Reston and McLean. She understands how to use flowers to celebrate, honor and acknowledge all of life’s milestones, and is known throughout the area for providing exceptional artistry and quality. She has provided beautiful floral arrangements for HHA’s special events since its inception and desires to help HHA’s mission through her board involvement.

Mayflowers has been featured on NBC4 and in other media. This small business received the Best of Reston award in 2013 for its contributions to community causes and organizations, including Cornerstones, Camp Sunshine and Feed the Hungry.

Kathy Bova

Kathy Bova, Vice President, board member, dancer, earned a B.A. in dance and a B.A. in American Studies from the University of Mary Washington, Fredericksburg, Va. Kathy brings writing, editing and public relations expertise to the HHA Board through her 40 years of professional work experience in the communications field. She has danced and performed with HHA since 2019, and has been an active board member since 2022. Her previous board experience includes serving on the Arlington Dance Theater Board in various positions, including as president. She also has served on boards and committees of other non-profit organizations including the Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Jonathan “Jon” Kirn

Jonathan “Jon” Kirn has been an active Helping Hearts Through the Arts Board Member since 2022. He is a longtime DC-area resident and is a senior managing director at Siebert Williams Shank & Co, LLC, a national investment banking firm specializing in public finance, where he manages the Washington, D.C., office and provides investment banking services to governmental clients primarily in the mid-Atlantic region. Jon is a founding member and current president of the Association of Public Finance Professionals of DC, Maryland and Virginia (APFP), a non-profit formed to promote and maintain high standards and principles in the public finance industry. In addition, Jon is a board member and chair of the Development Committee of the National Theatre Foundation (“NTF”), which oversees and preserves The National Theatre on Pennsylvania Avenue in Washington, D.C. He is a part-time actor and an avid theater goer and supporter of the arts.

Grace Lalonde

Grace Lalonde Board member, dancer, earned a BSN degree from George Mason University and worked many years as a research nurse. She also holds a B.A. in Dance from Mary Washington University and during college took the Royal Academy of Dance Major Elementary Exam earning a “Commended” score. After college, Grace performed with Hampton-Harty Dance Company and Kathy Harty Gray Dance Theatre. She was later admitted to the University of Oklahoma for graduate work in dance and performed with the University dance company and has taught dance in Fairfax and Montgomery Counties. Grace served as a member and vice president of the board of directors for Hope Garden Children’s Ballet Theatre in Poolesville, Md., and performed with the group. She currently takes class at Greater Washington Dance Center and has been dancing with Helping Hearts Dance since 2021.

Sue Skaddan

Sue Skaddan is the Founding Director of Helping Hearts Through the Arts (HHA). She earned a B.S. in Psychology/Philosophy from SUNY Oswego, and a M.S. in Human Resource Management from Chapman University. She has had lifetime involvement with dance, community theater, and the visual arts, and served several years on the Arts at Mason board of George Mason University. She produced numerous community-based events with local artists, dancers, and musicians with the intent to support and promote the arts and spread goodwill. Since 2013, HHA has provided over 75 professional grade dance and music performances throughout the region, primarily to senior centers, local adult-care facilities, retirement communities, and art centers.