The West Palm Beach Library Foundation, a nonprofit that raises funds for Mandel Public Library’s programs, has added four new board members to continue building the organization and fulfill its mission. The newest members include Assistant Provost of Florida Atlantic University Dr. James Capp, philanthropist Nancy Marshall, Editor-in-Chief of Palm Beach Illustrated Daphne Nikolopoulos, and Senior Vice President with Related Companies Jordan Rathlev. The new board members are committed to ensuring the Library Foundation can continue to support the downtown city library as it adapts and expands services to fulfill community needs.

“We have a remarkable group of individuals who care deeply about our community and are just as passionate as I am about the role of public libraries in providing access, removing barriers, and providing opportunities for all,” shared Dianne Bernstein, Chair of the West Palm Beach Library Foundation Board of Directors.

West Palm Beach Library Foundation Executive Director Dean Dimke remarked, “The Mandel Public Library is a vital resource fulfilling the needs of thousands of children, teens, and adults every day with programs like our literacy programs, Homework Centers, Get That Job, Art and Culture, and the new Technology and Innovation Center. Our new Board members will draw upon their collective skills and leadership to ensure the Foundation can continue to support these critical programs, services, and resources.”

Dr. James Capp is the Assistant Provost for Academic Operations and Planning at Florida Atlantic University. He leads the student success analytics team that has helped to more than double the university’s graduation rates, resulting in Florida Atlantic becoming a nationally ranked institution according to U.S. News & World Report and Washington Monthly. The Association of Public and Land- grant Universities recently honored his team with the prestigious Degree Completion Award. In addition to his work in the Provost’s Office, he also teaches policy, budgeting, and strategic planning. Dr. Capp earned his bachelor’s degree from FAU’s Wilkes Honors College, and his graduate degrees are from FAU’s School of Public Administration.

Nancy Marshall serves on the board of directors of Florida’s Everglades Foundation, as well as the National Wildlife Refuge Association (NWRA) based in Washington DC. The retired Marriott marketing executive, and marketing consultant to the Pine Jog Environmental Education Center/ Florida Atlantic University, is a past president of the Fine Arts Association, Belfair Artists Association, and honorary member Phi Sigma Sigma Sorority. She is a co-recipient of the 2001 “Conservationist of the Year” award from Audubon Society of the Everglades; and co-author of Everglades Restoration, Cypress Tree Planting, McGraw Hill.

Daphne Nikolopoulos is the editor in chief of Palm Beach Illustrated, the most respected monthly magazine in Palm Beach, and editorial director of Palm Beach Media Group. A native of Athens, Greece, Daphne has traveled widely on both a professional and personal level, and her journeys have inspired her writing. Under the pseudonym D.J. Niko, she has penned award-winning, internationally published historical novels and thrillers. She teaches writing, literature, and cultural studies courses at Florida Atlantic University’s Lifelong Learning Society and has an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of California, Riverside.

Jordan Rathlev is a Senior Vice President with the Related Companies. In addition to leading the financing efforts in West Palm Beach, he manages all aspects of Related’s West Palm Beach office initiatives, overseeing the property development, operations, leasing, and management teams. Jordan holds a master’s degree in Real Estate Development and Corporate Finance from the University of North Carolina’s Kenan Flagler School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Vanderbilt University.

Photos Credit: West Palm Beach Library Foundation

Date Posted: December 2, 2023