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The 2026 Rodman Awards celebrated the remarkable individuals, organizations, and community leaders who show up, give back, inspire others, and make a difference in our communities.
From educators and healthcare professionals to volunteers, mentors, young leaders, businesses, and arts advocates, this year’s recipients represent the incredible people who help make our communities stronger.
Join us in celebrating the 2026 Rodman Award recipients and the lasting impact of their generosity and service.
The Foxborough 14U Cheerleading Team, along with coaches Jenna Pessa, Molly Gould, and Kristen Schumann, has demonstrated exceptional dedication, resilience, and teamwork for the past several years. Through countless hours of preparation and a commitment to continually improving, the team has achieved remarkable success, including a first-place finish at Nationals in 2024 and top-three finishes at the local, state, regional, and national levels in 2025. These accomplishments reflect the hard work and determination of 15 dedicated athletes and three coaches who continue to support, challenge, and believe in one another.
Susan Collins exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism through her dedication to organizations that enrich and support the Foxborough community. As President of the Friends of Boyden Library and Chair of the Foxborough Commission on Disability, she helps foster both community connection and greater accessibility for all. Through her volunteer work with St. Mary’s and her many other contributions, Sue leads by example, inspiring those around her to get involved and give back. Her infectious joy and generous spirit brighten the lives of everyone she meets.
Zachary D’Orsi is a dedicated educator and community leader whose contributions extend beyond the Spanish classroom. At Ahern Middle School, he advises Student Government, helps organize school spirit activities, serves on the School Council, and leads the teachers’ union. He is also committed to fostering strong relationships with students by providing mentorship, support, and opportunities to build school community. His involvement extends beyond the school day through participation in local youth activities and continued advocacy for students and families. Through his leadership, service, and commitment to student success, Zachary D’Orsi exemplifies the qualities of an outstanding educator and community leader.
Nancy Mager has dedicated the past 25 years to special education, with a particular focus on autism spectrum disorders and mental health. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Boston University and a Master’s degree in Special Education from Simmons College. Throughout her career, Nancy has served as a classroom teacher, behavioral and educational consultant, student advocate, adjunct college instructor, and Director of Education for a nonprofit organization. Nancy’s expertise and commitment are grounded in a deep understanding of each student’s individual strengths, needs, and potential.
Personal Best Karate is being recognized for its generosity, civic leadership, and lasting contributions to the community. The organization has guided students of all ages toward greater strength and confidence under the mentorship of Master Joe Sikula, whose positive energy has served as a steady, guiding influence for young students and families alike. Alongside him, Master Christopher Rappold has cultivated a deep sense of community across the tri-town area, extending the organization’s impact well beyond the training floor. That commitment to service is most visible through the Personal Best Charity Turkey Brigade, an annual Thanksgiving initiative that unites hundreds of volunteers to assemble and deliver thousands of holiday meals to local families and veterans. The organization’s Turkey Trot fundraiser further supports and sustains this work, helping ensure the tradition continues to grow year after year. More than a martial arts school, Personal Best Karate has become a cornerstone of civic engagement and generosity in its community. Through leadership, service, and genuine care for others, it has created a lasting, positive impact on families throughout the region — making it truly deserving of this recognition.
Dr. Brian Patel is Chief Medical Officer at Sturdy Health and a longtime Foxborough resident. For 20 years, he has worked to expand access to quality healthcare in the community, beginning in Sturdy’s Emergency Department before rising to his current role on the Executive Leadership Team, where he helps ensure the area has a community hospital offering state-of-the-art care. A community leader who believes in equity and access, Dr. Patel oversees health outreach programs at Councils on Aging, local schools, and other facilities, and recently staffed the Sturdy booth at Foxborough Founders Day. He also volunteers with the Kennedy Donovan Center, Community Health Systems Foundations, and the Hockomock Area YMCA. Dr. Patel lives in Foxborough with his wife and two sons — a top medical professional who never forgets it’s people he serves, not a practice to be managed, and who is, above all else, a neighbor ready to help those around him.
For Mark and Matt Lightbody, preserving Foxborough’s history is more than a profession, it is a way of giving back to the community they call home. Through their work at Maystar, they have dedicated their expertise and craftsmanship to restoring and preserving historic homes and buildings throughout Foxborough, helping protect the town’s distinctive character and architectural heritage for future generations.
Their commitment to Foxborough extends well beyond their work. Mark and Matt have also generously contributed their time and talents to the MRPAC, stepping up for projects and improvements whenever they are needed. They have played a key role in building the MRPAC’s Founder’s Day float, supported numerous theatre projects, and Mark regularly volunteers at MRPAC events.
Henry Thies is an incoming Foxboro High School senior whose leadership, enthusiasm, and dedication make a meaningful impact throughout the community. A captain of several sports teams and a leader in chorus and theater, Henry also gives his time to younger students by volunteering backstage for Igo Elementary productions, leading school enrichment programs, and serving as a volunteer for LRC Stage Productions’ childrens’ shows. This summer, Henry created and led a five-week Run Club for local kids, using games and activities to make running fun while inspiring many children to discover a love for the sport. Whether supporting coworkers at the town pool, mentoring younger performers, or encouraging young runners, Henry consistently leads by example and shows genuine care for those around him.
Ian Cox is a dedicated community leader whose enthusiasm and generosity have brought people together for meaningful causes and celebrations. As an organizer of the Providence Tartan Army during the World Cup, Ian and his team raised $10,000 for Hasbro Children’s Hospital, helped create a free festival celebrating Scottish culture, and coordinated transportation for thousands of fans traveling from Providence to Gillette Stadium. A true friend of the theatre, Ian is also a celebrated FoxTales winner and host, known for sharing his talents and community spirit with others. His leadership, creativity, and commitment to giving back have made a lasting impact both locally and beyond.
Deb and John Snow have led LYNN Ministries, a community-based outreach organization, for more than 15 years. The organization focuses on supporting individuals experiencing homelessness and other hardships in Brockton and Attleboro by providing meals, clothing, essential resources, and compassionate support. LYNN Ministries works to strengthen dignity, stability, and community connections for individuals facing difficult circumstances through practical assistance, encouragement, and ongoing outreach.
Jill Mitchell is the owner and instructor of Reflections Dance Academy and has more than 20 years of experience as a dance educator and choreographer, with extensive training in ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop. A Foxboro native, she earned a degree in Dance Education from Bridgewater State University, where she performed with the Dance Company and choreographed for university productions. Her choreography has received numerous regional and national awards, and she is a member of the Greater Brockton Dance Teachers Association.
Through Reflections Dance Academy, Jill has created an inclusive and supportive environment where dancers of all abilities can develop their skills, confidence, and love of dance. Her impact extends beyond the studio through annual dance scholarships and charitable initiatives supporting local families, food pantries, veterans, and other community organizations. By combining dance education with mentorship and service, Jill has created a strong sense of connection among her students, their families, and the broader Foxboro community.
Karen Dugan is a dedicated mentor and valued member of the Boyden Library community, known for her thoughtful guidance, encouragement, and ability to inspire others to recognize their own strengths and potential. Through her work in the children’s section, she fosters curiosity and a love of learning by connecting patrons with books, authors, and new ideas while creating a welcoming and supportive environment for people of all ages. Beyond encouraging readers, Karen takes a genuine interest in others’ aspirations, offering thoughtful support that can inspire individuals to pursue creative and personal goals, including writing and publication. Her quiet leadership, patience, and compassion have made a meaningful and lasting impact on the community.
Chelsea McCue is a dedicated community volunteer who balances an accomplished career as a Chief People Officer with an extensive commitment to serving others. She generously gives her time and energy to local schools, community organizations, and neighbors in need, consistently stepping forward wherever she can make a difference. Known for leading by example, Chelsea brings the same spirit of compassion, kindness, humility, and integrity to her community involvement, while encouraging others to become involved as well. Her ability to contribute meaningfully across so many areas of her community reflects a genuine commitment to supporting others and strengthening the place she calls home.
For nearly two decades, Tiffany has dedicated her career to improving the lives of others. She spent 14 years as a community retail pharmacist, becoming the trusted professional people turned to with questions they were afraid to ask anyone else — celebrating victories, offering comfort through difficult diagnoses, and often recognizing health concerns before anyone else did. Today, as a clinical pharmacist specializing in Medication Therapy Management, she works with medically complex patients navigating polypharmacy and chronic disease. As a Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist, she empowers patients to manage their diabetes with compassion and education, believing that great healthcare means listening and meeting patients where they are. Beyond her Doctor of Pharmacy degree, she holds advanced certifications in diabetes care, immunizations, cardiovascular care, and veterinary pharmacy — bringing the same expertise to every patient, human or animal. What makes Tiffany truly exceptional is who she is when no one is watching: the first person family, friends, and neighbors call with a healthcare question, always ready to help someone understand a diagnosis, interpret lab results, or simply feel reassured. In a healthcare landscape that can feel rushed and impersonal, Tiffany reminds people that compassion is still one of the most powerful forms of medicine — devoting her career, and her life, to helping others feel seen, heard, and cared for.
Union Straw is being recognized for its incredible commitment of giving back to the Foxborough community. From supporting town sports to local nonprofits to generously supporting the theater, Union Straw is always willing to step up — offering their space, donations, resources, and time to help local organizations thrive. Their connection to Foxborough is evident even in the name they chose for their restaurant. Rather than choosing something generic, they selected Union Straw as a tribute to the historic Union Straw Works, honoring an important piece of Foxborough’s history and reflecting the pride they take in being part of this community. Union Straw has also been a major force in shaping Uptown Foxborough into what it is today, helping bring energy, liveliness, walkability, and fun back to the center of town and creating a place where people want to gather, connect, and support local businesses. As one of the first new and exciting businesses in the area, Union Straw helped kick off a broader renaissance in town. Their generosity extends far beyond their own doors, and their commitment to Foxborough — its history, its organizations, and its people — truly embodies the spirit of the award.
We are th
rilled to announce Dianne Weinfeld as the recipient of this year’s Marilyn Rodman Legacy Award.
Dianne Weinfeld is a lifelong Foxborough resident whose roots in the community have shaped both her personal and professional life. A graduate of Foxborough High School, she left home in 1972 to attend Babson College, where she was a member of only the second class of women admitted to the school. She graduated in just two years, finishing second in her class, before beginning a career in healthcare technology, helping hospitals and physician practices implement software and hardware systems in the Boston and Philadelphia areas.
While living in Philadelphia, Dianne met her husband, Kevin Weinfeld. In 1989, the couple returned to Foxborough to join Mayfair Realty & Development, the family business founded by Dianne’s parents, Alex and Sonja Spier. Together, they became second-generation owners and have continued the company’s tradition of providing quality housing while fostering a strong sense of community among residents and staff. Mayfair recently celebrated its 65th anniversary, a milestone that reflects the family’s long-standing commitment to excellence and service.
Dianne’s parents instilled in her the belief that success carries with it a responsibility to give back. Guided by that philosophy, she has dedicated countless hours to community service, serving as Chair of the Boyden Library Board of Trustees, Chair of Foxborough Human Services, President of the Foxborough Monday Club, a founding member of FACTS (Foxborough Action Committee for Topnotch Schools), a member of the Stoeckle Advisory Committee at Massachusetts General Hospital, and a member of the Board of Directors of Temple Israel in Sharon. Throughout these roles, she has worked to strengthen educational, cultural, and social opportunities within the community she has always called home.
Together, Dianne and Kevin devote their time, talents, and resources to organizations that improve the quality of life for others. They are proud supporters of many local nonprofits and institutions, including the Foxborough Hockomock YMCA, the Foxborough Discretionary Fund, ConfiKids, Massachusetts General Hospital, and organizations that enrich the arts, including the Marilyn Rodman Performing Arts Center and the Mansfield Arts Center. Most recently, Dianne chaired Strive to Thrive, a fundraising initiative supporting cancer survivorship. Working alongside an exceptional volunteer committee and partners from Mass General Brigham and the MRPAC, the campaign raised approximately $185,000 to advance survivorship programs.
Whether through her leadership at Mayfair Realty & Development or her many volunteer efforts, Dianne remains inspired by the example set by her parents and their enduring belief in leaving the world a better place than they found it. She is grateful to live and work in Foxborough, where she and Kevin continue to invest in the community they love while carrying forward a family legacy built on integrity, service, and compassion.
We are honored to present this year’s Marilyn Rodman Legacy Award to Dianne Weinfeld, whose dedication to community and culture embodies the very spirit of this recognition.
