2025 Honorees

JESSICA MELWANI

Since moving to town in 2015, Jess has been an active member of the Port Washington community and a passionate advocate for its students and families. She is a Board of Education trustee and previously served as co-president of the Port Washington Parents’ Council, co-president of the Manorhaven PTA, and vice president of strategic planning for The Ed. Foundation. During her time with the Parents’ Council, Jess established the Port Washington Community Outreach Roundtable, a monthly forum that calls the Library home for local outreach providers, parent organizations, and school district personnel to collaborate and work more efficiently for Port Washington families.

A voracious reader, Jess’s belief in the transformative power of the written word was ignited by her mom, who was always quick with an age-inappropriate book recommendation, and was nurtured by librarians who always smiled when she borrowed one. She went on to build a 20-year editorial career in book publishing, journalism and Thought Leadership, and to encourage her children, Dev and Kal, to seek similar inspiration in their own jewel of a library. Jess and her husband, Anish, are grateful to be raising their family in a community that supports critical public institutions like the Library — a space that represents access, imagination and opportunity for all — and where those values are celebrated and sustained by wonderful organizations like the Port Washington Library Foundation.

NICOLE ZEITZER JOHNSON

Author of Joyfully Josie, Nicole is a Port Washington native, founder of the FOXG1 Research Foundation, and an advocate for disability inclusion and rare disease research.

After her daughter Josie was diagnosed with FOXG1 syndrome, Nicole co-founded the FOXG1 Research Foundation in 2017. Today, the organization is a global force, on track to launch life-changing gene therapy clinical trials in early 2026—and fast-tracking the treatment to all children with FOXG1 syndrome worldwide.

Joyfully Josie, Nicole’s debut children’s book, helps young readers understand disabilities, rare diseases, and the power of inclusion. She brings its message to life by leading assemblies at elementary schools and engaging in honest, heartfelt Q&A sessions with students.

To expand this mission, Nicole also launched Live Joyfully Education — a professional development platform that equips educators and school districts with tools to build empathy and close the disability inclusion gap.

Nicole lives in Port Washington with her husband Richard, their son Tanner (18), and Josie (13). She continues to write, advocate, and lead with passion as she works toward a brighter future for families impacted by rare disease.