Joyce Davis, President, Keeping Babies Safe
Joyce Davis is the President of Keeping Babies Safe. Joyce lives in New Jersey with her husband and three daughters. She has a degree in Advertising and Psychology from Syracuse University. Joyce lost her son, Garret, when he was 4 months old due to an unsafe sleeping condition; one that was totally avoidable had the proper information been available. Joyce hopes that the efforts of Keeping Babies Safe will prevent other families from going through the tragedy of losing, or having harm caused to, a healthy baby.
Ilissa Matilsky, Vice President, Keeping Babies Safe
Ilissa is a proud mother of two children, her son Max, and her daughter Avery. She and her husband, of 15 years, live in Warren, New Jersey where they met the Davis family. "After hearing Joyce's story about Garret, I was instantly inspired by her and her family. It was a call to action," says Ilissa. "I wanted to help." Ilissa's family values, and unwavering drive to help others is her dictum, and mission. She has since launched several successful fundraising campaigns for Keeping Babies Safe and she looks forward to continuing to educate the public on safe sleeping environments for their babies.
Jack Walsh, Director Emeritus, Keeping Babies Safe
Jack has been an advocate for child safety and injury prevention for the past nineteen years. He is responsible for spearheading the movement to improve standards for baby cribs and other juvenile products. His leadership in the field has been instrumental in preventing childhood injuries associated with unsafe cribs and other children's products. Working closely with consumers, U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, legislators and the juvenile product industry, Jack is responsible for passing crib safety legislation in seven (7) states including Arizona, California, Colorado, Minnesota, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington State and introducing the National Infant Crib Safety Act.
Kerry Shannon is a Certified Health Education Specialist and an active member of the public health community. Kerry frequently volunteers throughout various school systems and neighborhoods. This allows her to design and facilitate health education programs throughout the community. She is currently in the MPH program to further her educational background in public health promotion. Kerry is a mother of three who enjoys teaching religion, facilitating other groups, and volunteering in agencies such as the Center for Great Expectations, a residential treatment facility for pregnant women. Her greatest strength is her compassion and concern for the health and wellness of all members of the community. Kerry is a long time friend of the Davis family, and is empowered to help Keeping Babies Safe spread its message of child health and protection.
Stephanie Levine, D.O., F.A.A.P is a board certified pediatrician in both General Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. After completing her residency and fellowship at Schneider Children's Hospital, of The Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York, she relocated with her husband and family to Central New Jersey where she is happily part of a large private pediatric practice in the community where she lives. "I have a wonderful husband, two beautiful daughters, and feel privileged to take care of the wonderful children I have come to know through the years," says Stephanie. "To be involved in this organization, and having such an important mission, is exciting and extremely gratifying."
Corey S. Bosin, MD, FACOG is a board certified Obstetrician/Gynecologist who completed an internship at S.U.N.Y. Buffalo and residency at St. Joseph's Regional Medical Center in Paterson, New Jersey. Corey is presently in private practice in Bedminster, New Jersey where he co-founded Central Jersey Women's Health Associates. He is also on the Board of Directors of Lifeline LLC, a privately held corporation that seeks to provide cost effective women's health care based on quality assurance and risk management. As a board member of Keeping Babies Safe, Corey knows the importance of the organization's task of preventing children from fatal crib accidents. Corey has a wonderful, caring wife and two beautiful daughters.
Richard Davis is a volunteer Financial Controller and a member of Keeping Babies Safe Board of Directors. Richard lives in New Jersey with his wife Joyce, President of Keeping Babies Safe, and their three daughters. Richard is also Founder and President of StarKey Legal Search; a national legal recruiting firm located in New Jersey. In December 2000, Richard's 4 month-old son, Garret died because of an unsafe sleeping condition, one that was totally preventable. Richard hopes that Keeping Babies Safe will prevent other families from experiencing a similar tragedy.
Drew Matilsky
Drew began his entrepreneurial career when he opened his first clothing business selling men's clothing. This modest beginning snowballed into a lucrative retailing career that spanned over 12 years, 10 stores, and several retail companies that included Clothes Encounters, Kahootz and The Ultimate Male. Building on this retail success, Drew founded Relax America, a multi-million dollar clothing manufacturing company that sold to multiple specialty and big box retailers across the country. Continuing to capitalize on his marketing and sales expertise, Drew founded Drew's Entertainment and the Drew's Famous Party Music brand in 1994. With his vision that "no party is complete without party music & party games" for all seasons, holidays and events, Drew has grown the business to more than $30+ million in annual sales, a catalog of nearly 100,000 songs available for digital and product licensing and a unique distribution channel of party specialty and big box retailers worldwide. In 2001, Drew developed another lucrative market by founding Uglydolls, an art-influenced brand of plush characters and serves as Managing Partner. By synchronizing his licensing and marketing skills, coupled with the established Drew's Entertainment distribution channel, Uglydolls has become another one of Drew's successes grossing over $100 million retail sales. Additionally, in 2011 Drew signed a deal with Universal Studios /Illumination Entertainment to make an Uglydolls animated feature film.
Carolyn Flynn-Vasquez is a certified Doula, providing physical, emotional and informed choice support during the childbirth process. Carolyn is currently the Director of Operations at the Bedminster branch of the Somerset Hills YMCA where she has worked for nine years in various positions including Director of Family Services and Director of Community Outreach. Carolyn is a teacher of meditation and healing drum techniques. She graduated from Rutgers University with a BA in Psychology and Communications. She and her husband Jose are loving parents of their son, Liam.