Nancy graduated from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, with a degree in Education. She received an MA from the University of Iowa in Education and Radio and Television Broadcasting. Nancy taught at Vincennes University and the University of Iowa. In the field of broadcasting, she was a senior television producer at McDonnell Douglas Corporation, a producer of business television and distance learning programs at WETA (PBS), and Director of Radio and Television Broadcasting for the Senate Republican Conference. Nancy served as a Program Officer at USIA where she was with the Office of Foreign Broadcast Services, Washington Foreign Press Center and the Youth Programs Division of the Bureau of Educational Cultural Affairs. She has been an active volunteer with NGOs, serving the homeless, various church organizations, and Signature Theater. She received the 2003 NCIV National Award for Excellence in Programming and was the 2009 recipient of the NCIV National Programmer of the Year award.