Cambridge Who's Who Names Mishell Thiam Professional of the Year in Non-Profit Leadership
Mishell Thiam works to empower children and adolescents diagnosed with complex allergy syndrome

EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP, NJ, December 29, 2010 /24-7PressRelease/ -- Mishell (Harley) Thiam, Founder and President of the S.O.F.A.K. Foundation ("Saving Our Food Allergic Kids" Foundation), has been named Cambridge Who's Who Professional of the Year in Non-Profit Leadership. While inclusion in the Cambridge Who's Who Registry is an honor, only a small selection of members in each discipline are chosen for this distinction. These special honorees are distinguished based on their professional accomplishments, academic achievements, leadership abilities, years of service, and the credentials they have provided in association with their Cambridge Who's Who membership.

Mishell Thiam established the S.O.F.A.K. Foundation in 2009, inspired by her past experiences with asthma and multiple allergy challenges, as well as by her son's own struggles with complex allergy syndrome ("CAS"), which involves multiple life-threatening foods and environmental allergies. Despite her own physical hindrances, she succeeded in keeping her son alive, healthy and social. After learning how to advocate for his health and educational needs, she heeded a calling in helping children and parents in similar situations. Through the non-profit organization, she teaches parents like herself the fundamentals of preparing safe, nutritious meals and maintaining controlled, allergen-free home, school and community environments for children diagnosed with "CAS." These parents may also network with other parents through quality resources, programs, services and support groups.

A retired teacher, Mrs. Thiam brings to the S.O.F.A.K. Foundation more than two decades of combined educational and community leadership experience. She taught in New York City public schools for more than 14 years and volunteered as a missionary, conference program guest speaker and teacher, and adult and children's ministry leader within her home church. During her time with the New York City Board of Education, she held sundry positions of leadership and responsibility, including principal's executive school board member, tenured high school professional health educator and teacher, interim department supervisor, and school admissions coordinator, among others. She also holds the distinction of being one of 15 NYC teachers selected for the first NYC School Chancellor's Principal Training Cohort.

Mrs. Thiam received her professional and master's degrees, certification and licensing in school district administration in 1999 from Fordham University. Additionally, she earned her master's degree in health education in 1997 from Brooklyn College and her bachelor of science in health education in 1983 from the University of Southern Carolina, from which she graduated with honors on the President's Honor Roll and Dean's List.

Devoted to the S.O.F.A.K. vision of empowering children and adolescents diagnosed with "CAS," Mrs. Thiam derives deep personal fulfillment from giving kids like her son an equal opportunity to live healthy and happy lives despite the battles that they face from chronic life-threatening health issues. She considers herself a woman of God and is greatly inspired by her son's faith, as well as his resilience and ability to enjoy life. Mrs. Thiam attributes her success to her son's inspiration, God's divine interventions, and the depth of her life experiences.

The S.O.F.A.K. Foundation will launch its South Jersey community health education workshops, parent support group, fitness and sports programs for youth with allergies and asthma beginning in January 2011. For more information about the S.O.F.A.K. Foundation, visit http://www.SOFAKFoundation.org.

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