Our Ecumenical Board of Directors
Nina Marie Corona, D. Min.
Founder & Executive Director
Dr. Nina Marie Corona is a speaker, author, artist, and founder of AFIRE Ministries, a Catholic nonprofit organization dedicated to integrating faith and science to reveal the hope and healing found in Christ. Through educational programs, retreats, and resources, AFIRE supports individuals, parishes, and communities in spiritual formation and healing, with particular care for those impacted by addiction.
Nina holds a Doctor of Ministry degree from Fordham University, a Master of Arts in Christian Spirituality from Loyola University Chicago, and a Bachelor of Arts in Studio Arts from Muhlenberg College. She also attained education certification in counseling from Villanova University. Nina is the author of two books: When on Earth: Discovering Christian Spirituality in the Daily Happenings of Ordinary Life and Clear Bear. She is also the creator of the popular video series, We Thirst: Christian Reflections on Addiction, which is held in university and seminary libraries worldwide. Her doctoral dissertation at Fordham University (2022) laid the foundation for Graced Collaboration, a forthcoming integrated, evidence-based program for addiction recovery inspired by the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.
Nina is a member of the Catholic Speakers Organization and a lifetime member of Alpha Sigma Nu, the honor society of Jesuit institutions of higher education. She resides outside of Quakertown, Pennsylvania, with her husband Mark, who works closely alongside her in her ministry. They have been married for 42 years and have two adult daughters and two grandsons.
Mark Corona, B.S., President
Mark Corona's lifelong passion for service found new purpose when he began working alongside his wife, Dr. Nina Marie Corona, in 2015 to help bring her popular series, We Thirst: Christian Reflections on Addiction, to life. He continued to support Nina during the early development of both We Thirst Ministries and AFIRE. In 2018, after a 34-year corporate career as a senior manager with FedEx Corporation, Mark made the decision to retire early and dedicate himself fully to their growing mission.
Mark holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Montclair State University and received numerous awards from FedEx for his leadership and management excellence. Now serving as General Manager of AFIRE Ministries, he brings his business expertise, organizational leadership, and heart for service to the work of healing and spiritual formation in church communities.
Mark and Nina have been married for 42 years and live outside of Quakertown, Pennsylvania. They have two adult daughters and two grandsons.
The Rev. Dr. John A. Krivak, M. Div., Ph.D. Director
Father Krivak was ordained a Catholic priest in 1982. Prior to his priestly ordination he earned his Master of Divinity and Master of Theology degrees from Mary Immaculate Seminary in Northampton, Pennsylvania. He was then assigned to high school ministry and earned his Master of Education and Doctor of Education degrees from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.
In 1992, Father Krivak was assigned to campus ministry at Muhlenberg and Cedar Crest Colleges in Allentown, Pennsylvania. During his tenure as chaplain, he earned his Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees in Contemporary Catholic Systematic Theology from Fordham University in New York City. He has extensive experience educating at the high school and college levels, and he received several awards for his excellence in teaching.
As a theologian and ethicist, Father Krivak’s interests vary considerably, and he has participated in national conferences on topics ranging from values education to military ethics. Presently, Father Krivak serves as the Medical Ethicist and the Director of Ecumenical and Interfaith Dialogue for the Diocese of Allentown. He also serves as the Pastor of Saint Theresa of the Child Jesus in Hellertown, Pennsylvania. His greatest joy is found in priesthood and the many treasured friendships that have resulted from his ministry.
Robin Rader, A.S.B., Secretary
Robin’s compassionate and merciful actions helped form the foundations of the AFIRE vision. Christian ministry has been a significant part of Robin’s life since she began singing Christian gospel music as a child with her family. Sharing her message of faith in various family groups over the years has been her passion. Robin received an Associate of Specialized Business degree from Central Pennsylvania Business School. She has been the proprietor of the freelance court reporting agency Rader Reporting for thirty-three years. Robin has been married to Joe Knaap for thirty years and has two grown children and one grandson. She can currently be found sharing the Word through song with the gospel group Freely Given and Heartfelt Praise with Robin.
Joe Knaap, B.S., Director
Joining in his wife’s family music ministry led Joe on a path of sharing his Christian faith in a way he never would have imagined. Joe has participated in various Christian gospel groups over the past thirty years, and he is now a member of the gospel group Freely Given. Joe received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Lehigh University in 1987. He has worked as a project engineer and continues to work as a project manager. Joe has been married to Robin Rader for thirty years and has two grown children and two grandchildren.
Jo Anne B. Farrell, RN, MSN, CTP, Director
Jo Anne Farrell is a Registered Professional Nurse, licensed in New Jersey and Pennsylvania for over 40 years, a graduate of Widener University (BSN) and Walden University (MSN). Presently, she is Lead Faculty for the Foundations of Faith Community Nursing Course for the Diocese of Camden, the Coordinator for Addictions Healing Services at Catholic Charities, Diocese of Camden, and a Certified Trauma Professional.
Among her many volunteer activities, she is presently a Continuing Education Peer Reviewer for New Jersey State Board of Nursing, an Advisory Board Member for several agencies, including The Cooperative (formerly known as South Jersey Perinatal Cooperative), Camden County Office for Mental Health & Addictions Services, and the Calix International Society (organization for Catholics in recovery). She is also the Parish Nurse Ministry Coordinator at Our Lady of Hope Parish (Blackwood, NJ), and Prison Ministry volunteer at Southwoods State Prison in Bridgeton NJ.
She is a member of the American Nurses Association (ANA), New Jersey State Board of Nursing (NJSNA), and the National Association for Alcoholism & Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC). Her previous experience includes the development of an Outpatient Diabetes Education Program for a two-hospital system (Philadelphia, PA). She provided multiple presentations on diabetes-related issues to medical/ nursing professionals and the community at large as an accomplished Diabetes Educator and Senior Medical Liaison/Clinical Science Manager in the Pharmaceutical Industry.
As the Coordinator for Addictions Healing Services, she facilitates training sessions for internal staff and parishes, provides monthly newsletters, offers a 24/7 HELPLINE for individuals and families who are affected by addiction, and recently a county grant recipient for two specialized programs: Strengthening Families & Educating Senior on Medications & Other Substances: Use/Misuse/Abuse.
Hope Adeline Claypoole, M.A., HRCI-PHR, SHRM-CP, Director
Hope Adeline Claypoole is a passionate advocate for social change and community empowerment. With over 27 years of experience in human and social services as an HR/Operations Director and Workforce Counselor, Hope has dedicated her career to creating avenues for underserved clients, employees, and applicants to help gain access to resources and opportunities in both the for-profit and nonprofit environments.
Hope earned a Bachelor of Arts in Human Resources Management from Muhlenberg College, a Master’s in Business Management from Eastern College, two Human Resources Certifications, HRCI-PHR and SHRM-CP, and two certifications in Grant Proposal Writing. She currently works with the Boyertown Area Multi-Service, an independent nonprofit organization, as their Operations Director and Grant Proposal Writer. Hope also has experience managing a successful, medium-sized, family-owned home healthcare organization, which her mother started in 1982 and is still operated by her mother and family.
Hope believes that everyone needs God in their life and that spreading His word provides comfort, hope, peace, and security.