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Tim Kenny
Co-Founder & Chairman of the Board
President & CEO, Retired, QBE the Americas
New York, NY
Tim grew up on a farm in Ballyheigue, County Kerry, where, even as a young child, he dreamed of a life off the farm and looked to the bright lights of New York City for the fulfillment of his dream. A graduate of the University of Limerick, he spent his early career in Shannon and London before moving to New York in 1987. Exemplifying the Irish-immigrant success story, Tim rose to the top of his field in the insurance industry. In 2000, Tim was named President and Chief Executive Officer of QBE the Americas, a leading firm in the insurance and reinsurance field, spanning seven countries throughout North and South America.
As one of the three founders of St. Baldrick’s, Tim issued the initial challenge, now heard ‘round the world, which has brought temporary baldness to thousands since 2000. Not limited to his involvement with St. Baldrick’s, Tim has become a leading member of the Irish-American community in his adopted country. Tim is husband to Lynn, herself a St. Baldrick’s volunteer, and proud father of shavees Timothy and Brian and daughter Laura.
Joe Bartlett
News Director, WOR Radio
New York, NY
Joe Bartlett serves as News Director of WOR and morning newscaster for the popular John Gambling Show. While delivering the news with authority and credibility, Joe also brings warmth and personality to the morning news. Among his many honors the award of “Best Newscaster in New York City. Joe is much more than a newsman; he is a versatile talent, who also hosts “The First Morning News” a half-hour news update to start the day at 5:00am. He also hosts the “Joe Bartlett Saturday Show” Saturdays from 6am to 9am, which has become an outlet for Joe’s creative side.
He has won numerous awards for his reporting. Among the awards: “Best Spot News Coverage” from the New York State Broadcasters Association for his coverage of the 9/11 terror attacks, the New York Press Club “Gold Typewriter” and Society of Professional Journalists “Deadline” award for public service. He has also won numerous “Best Newscast” awards from both the Associated Press and New York State Broadcasters.
Joe came to WOR in 1987, after working in both radio and TV in the Albany, New York market. After working just 6 months as a street reporter and anchor, Joe was promoted to Managing Editor and one year later was named News Director. Beyond his leadership of the respected WOR News Department, Joe is a past President of the New York State Associated Press Broadcasters Association, and a member of the Radio TV News Directors Association.
John Bender
Co-founder
Chief Operating Officer Allied World Reinsurance
New York, NY
John began his career at St. Paul Reinsurance and is now Chief Operating Officer for Allied World Reinsurance in Manhattan. A native of Long Island, New York, he is proud to call himself Irish-American. Along with his siblings, John spent many childhood summers on his uncle’s farm in County Roscommon, Ireland, where he learned the value of hard work and the art of a good story. An active member in his local communities for the last twenty years, John enjoys spending quality time with his family and friends, playing golf or reading a good book.
John helped weave the St. Baldrick’s story together when he took up co-founder Tim Kenny’s challenge to give back. Drawing inspiration from Enda McDonnell’s mane of hair, it was John who paired the idea of shaving heads with helping children fighting cancer. Since then, he has distinguished himself as the “Iron Man” of St. Baldrick’s – being the only person in St. Baldrick’s history to have been shorn every year, including a second visit to clippers in 2003. An active recruiter for the cause, John is always scouting new events, sponsors and shavees. John is husband to Alanna Devine, and proud father of Shannon, Brady and Casey who are avid fans of Lucky the Leprechaun and look forward to their dad’s annual shaving.
Charles M. Chamness
President & CEO, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies
Indianapolis, IN
Charles M. Chamness is president and chief executive officer of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies (NAMIC). NAMIC is a full-service property/casualty insurance trade association with 1,400 member companies in the U.S and Canada which represent 40% of the U.S. domestic p/c insurance market. Chuck joined NAMIC in 1995 as vice president, public affairs. He became president and CEO in 2003.
Prior to joining NAMIC, he worked in Washington, D.C. in a variety of positions in financial services and housing policy. His background includes service in the first Bush Administration as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at HUD under Secretary Jack Kemp, Director of Public Affairs for the Federal Housing Finance Board and as a press secretary on Capitol Hill.
Chuck currently serves on the board of directors of the St Baldrick’s Foundation, Insurance Institute for Highway Safety and Waterfield Bank. He also serves as chairman of the board of NAMIC Insurance Company (NAMICO), a $45 million asset AM Best “A” rated professional liability insurer. He is a member of the Association Committee of 100 of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. He holds a BA from Indiana University, Bloomington and lives in Indianapolis, Ind. with his wife Briget and their four children, Charlie (16), Sally (15), Robbie (12), and Joey (12).
Francis Feeney
Secretary
Managing Director, AVM, L.P.
Boca Raton, FL
Born and raised in County Roscommon, Ireland, Francis began his career in investment banking in London in 1989. By 1993, Wall Street beckoned and he emigrated to the United States. Joining AVM, L.P. in 1998, Francis continued to make his mark with the firm, of which he is currently the Principal. It was in New York that Francis was reunited with childhood friend, Enda McDonnell, and through Enda, Francis came to know St. Baldrick’s. As the father of two beautiful children, St. Baldrick’s instantly touched his heart and he became an enthusiastic supporter, facing the clippers for the first time in 2004 and shaving every year since then.
Francis joined the Board in 2005 and serves as Secretary and Chairman of the Finance & Investment Committee. As the owner of Sláinte Irish Pub in Boynton Beach, Florida, his pub plays dual roles as both business-endeavor and venue for his annual head-shaving event. His leisure time is often spent playing soccer on his Pub’s team, Sláinte Wanderers. And, along with his wife, Rosa, Francis also enjoys watching their son, Aidan, play on the Sláinte Juniors team or supporting their daughter, Ally, at her cheerleading competitions. As for St. Baldrick’s, it’s the children that inspire him more than anything. “They’re so much braver and courageous than we all tend to give them credit for.” His favorite St. Baldrick’s memory was when his 4-year-old son, Aidan, shaved his head.
Dr. Jeffrey Lipton
Chairman, Scientific Advisory Committee
Director, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation
Schneider Children's Hospital
Professor of Pediatrics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine
New Hyde Park, NY
Dr. Jeffrey Lipton, a New York native, is the Director of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation at Schneider Children’s Hospital on Long Island and a Professor of Pediatrics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine. A graduate of Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO., Dr. Lipton served his residency at Children’s Hospital in Boston and a Pediatric Hematology / Oncology Fellowship at Children’s Hospital/Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.
Along with being a board member for the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, Dr. Lipton also chairs the foundation’s Scientific Advisory Committee. This committee reviews grant, fellowship and scholar applications and gives recommendations to the board of directors which should receive funding. Dr. Lipton also mentored Dr. Sharon Singh, the first of 25 St. Baldrick’s Fellows. Currently the Vice President of the American Society of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology, Dr. Lipton will serve as President for the year-year term.
An avid marathon runner, Dr. Lipton not only ran for St. Baldrick’s in the Philadelphia Marathon in 2007, but shaved his head at the end of the run. He expects to repeat the experience in the near future.
Enda McDonnell
Co-founder
President & CEO
Access Reinsurance
Hamilton, Bermuda
A native of Ballina, County Mayo, Ireland, and a graduate of University College Dublin, Enda McDonnell was the Co-Founder of Access Reinsurance, Inc. in Westfield, New Jersey and is currently President & CEO of Access Reinsurance Ltd., in Hamilton, Bermuda. Enda’s career has spanned 17 years in the reinsurance industry, brokering deals that enable insurance and reinsurance companies to share risk and protect clients in times of catastrophe.
As one of the three founders of St. Baldrick’s, Enda grew the mane of hair which inspired the first head-shaving event in 2000. A kid at heart, Enda’s leisure time is devoted to golf, practical jokes and helping children with cancer. In July 2007, Enda married his soul mate, Tiffany Wise, who looks forward to seeing Enda’s bald head again and again. Despite his ready supply of laughs, Enda is serious about finding a cure for kids’ cancer and his favorite mantra, “If it’s fun, they will come,” is shared with St. Baldrick’s supporters throughout the world.
John McKenna
Fire Marshall
Northport Fire Department
Northport, NY
John studied at State University of New York – Farmingdale and Stony Brook University, before beginning a 20 year career in the fire service. As Fire Marshal for the Northport Fire Department in Northport, NY, John, a strong believer that a leader in the fire service is only as good as those he leads, sees his brothers and sisters in the fire service as his second family. When the opportunity to join the Board for St. Baldrick’s arose, John felt strongly about representing the fire community – ensuring they had voice on the board – and accepted the role.
Now heading the Board’s Committee for Fire & Police Recruitment and Retention, 2009 marks John’s ninth year as a shavee, though he’s actually shaved his head ten times – twice in 2007. John is known for organizing many events in a single year – having once coordinated seven in the same year! When not working on St. Baldrick’s John enjoys skiing, snowmobiling or boating and is the proud uncle to 13 nieces and nephews.
Kathleen Ruddy
Executive Director
St. Baldrick's Foundation
Pasadena, CA
With more than 20 years of professional non-profit fundraising, marketing and public relations experience, Kathleen began working on St. Baldrick’s in early 2001. The daughter of two cancer survivors, Kathleen believes in paying it forward, and enjoys managing and serving as a board member for the foundation. She answered the call to “be brave, get bald” herself, as a shavee in 2005 – the year the St. Baldrick’s Foundation held its first events as an independent charity.
Kathleen chose a life of service at the age of 14. On her first day as a hospital volunteer, she tried to comfort a four year old patient who was inconsolable and crying for his mother. She remembers wondering how the nurses could care for all their young patients so lovingly without getting choked up themselves. That night Kathleen told her mother she didn’t have it in her to fulfill her childhood dream of becoming a pediatrician or obstetrician, but she would find another way to help. At the time, she couldn’t have imagined St. Baldrick’s, but believes God has the best plans for us all.
Board Member Emeritus
Tom Leonhardt
Senior Vice President, Towers Perrin
Chicago, IL
A Senior Vice President with Towers Perrin Reinsurance in the Chicago office, Tom began his career in 1974 with Guy Carpenter & Co. in New York. For the ten years prior to joining Towers Perrin he was a Senior Vice President for reinsurance at AON Re, Inc.
In May of 1996, he joined Towers Perrin Reinsurance and opened their Chicago branch office where he is today. Tom has served on a number of insurance and reinsurance panels and committees, including the National Association of Reinsurance Brokers Board, the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Workers’ Compensation, and Guest Speaker for CPCU, NAPSLO and AAMGA. Tom is a frequent contributor to insurance publications, including Best’s Review and National Underwriter.
Tom originally planned to shave his head at the 2002 St. Baldrick’s event at Jim Brady's in NY. However, a good friend of his, John Bender, had other plans for his involvement and recruited Tom to help start the first St. Baldrick’s event in Chicago. With the help of a few friends and colleagues, his first event generated over $70,000. Since then, Tom has been shorn eight times in seven event seasons and that 'little' Chicago event went on to inspire legions of Chicago area participants to join the cause! In 2008 alone, over 100 events took place in the state of Illinois.
Tom and his wife, Donna, have two sons – Brett, an architect in San Francisco, and Payton, who is currently in pre-med at the University of Chicago and hopes to pursue a career in pediatric oncology - having already mastered the art of shaving!
Scientific Advisors
Jeffrey M. Lipton, M.D., Ph.D. *
Chairman, Scientific Advisory Committee
Director, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology and Stem Cell Transplantation
Schneider Children’s Hospital Professor of Pediatrics
Albert Einstein College of Medicine New Hyde Park, NY
Steven Arkin, M.D. *
Director, Hemophilia Clinical Research & Development
Wyeth/Wyeth Research
Laurence A. Boxer, M.D. *
Professor of Pediatrics
University of Michigan Health System
George Buchanan, M.D.
Professor of Pediatrics
University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center
Joanne Hilden, M.D.
Chair, Pediatric Oncology/Hematology
Cleveland Clinic Children’s Hospital
F. Leonard Johnson, M.D.
Professor of Pediatrics (retired)
Oregon Health and Science University
Samuel E. Lux, IV, M.D. *
Robert A. Stranahan Professor of Pediatrics
Chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology,
Vice-Chair for Research
Children’s Hospital Boston
Harvard Medical School
John M. Maris, M.D.
Associate Professor of Pediatrics
Children’s Hospital of Pediatrics
University of Pennsylvania
Kathleen Sakamoto, M.D., Ph.D. *
Professor of Pediatrics
Mattel Children’s Hospital
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
Susan Shurin, M.D. *
Deputy Director
National Heart Lung and Blood Institute
National Institutes of Health
Michael Weiner, M.D.
Hettinger Professor of Clinical Pediatrics
Chief, Division of Oncology
Children’s Hospital of New York
Columbia University
Darrell J. Yamashiro, M.D., Ph.D. *
Herbert Irving Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Pathology (in surgery)
Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons
Morgan Stanley Children’s Hospital of New York – Presbyterian
Herbert Irving Child and Adolescent Oncology Center New York, NY
* members who also reviewed grant applications.
Grant Application Reviewers
In addition to the Scientific Advisory Committee members indicated above, our thanks to the following experts for their review of grant applications in 2009.
Steven Arkin, M.D.
Director, Hemophilia Clinical Research & Development Wyeth/Wyeth Research
Shahab Asgharzadeh, M.D.
Assistant Professor Neural Tumors Program
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Keck School of Medicine
Salvatore J. Bertolone, M.D.
Chief, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
University of Louisville, School of Medicine
Laurence A. Boxer, M.D.
Professor of Pediatrics
University of Michigan Health System
Robert C. Castellino, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Emory University School of Medicine
Sung Won Choi, M.D.
Clinical Assistant Professor
Department of Pediatrics and Communicable Diseases
University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center
Susan L. Cohn, M.D.
Professor of Pediatrics
Director, Clinical Research Section of Hematology/Oncology
The University of Chicago
Don Coulter, M.D.
Assistant Professor Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
University of Nebraska
Sinisa Dovat, M.D.
Assistant Professor Pediatric Hematology and Oncology
University of Wisconsin - Madison
Jerry Z. Finklestein, M.D.
Clinical Professor of Pediatrics
UCLA School of Medicine
Jonathan Jaques Children's Cancer Center, Miller Children's Hospital
Jonathan Finlay, M.D.
Professor of Pediatrics, Neurology & Neurosurgery
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Jonathan D. Fish, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Stuart H. Gold, M.D.
Chief, Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill
Michelle Hermiston, M.D.
Assistant Professor, In Residence
University of California - San Francisco
Alex Huang, M.D.
Assistant Professor Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Case Western Reserve University
Katherine A. Janeway, M.D.
Attending Physician, Pediatric Oncology
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Nina Kadan-Lottick, M.D., M.S.P.H.
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Section of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Yale University School of Medicine
Amy K. Keating, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
The University of Colorado Denver, School of Medicine
Michael Kelly, M.D.
Medical Director, Hematology/Oncology
Children's Hospital of Wisconsin
Gary Kupfer, M.D.
Chief, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Yale School of Medicine
John J. Letterio, M.D.
Chief, Division of Pediatric Hematology / Oncology
Case Western Reserve University
Mignon Loh, M.D.
Associate Professor
Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
University of California - San Francisco
Samuel E. Lux, M.D.
Robert A. Stranahan Professor of Pediatrics
Children's Hospital Boston
William H. Meyer, M.D.
Chair in Hematology/Oncology
The Children's Hospital at Oklahoma University Medical Center
Ido Paz-Priel, M.D.
Assistant Professor in Pediatrics and Oncology
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
Jessica Pollard, M.D.
Acting Assistant Professor
Seattle Children's Hospital
Kathleen M. Sakamoto, M.D., Ph.D
Professor and Chief, Division of Hematology/Oncology
University of California Los Angeles
Mary Lou Schmidt, M.D.
Head, Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
Department of Pediatrics
University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine
Kirk R. Schultz, M.D.
Professor of Pediatrics
Director, Childhood Cancer Research Program British Columbia Children's Hospital
Susan B. Shurin, M.D.
Deputy Director
National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute
Douglas Taylor, M.D., Ph.D.
Associate Professor Pediatric Hematology/Oncology
UC Davis Children's Hospital
Jack van Hoff, M.D.
Pediatric Hematology Oncology
Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center
Daniel S. Wechsler, M.D., Ph.D.
Chief, Pediatric Hematology-Oncology
Duke University Medical Center
Naomi Winick, M.D.
Director of Clinical Oncology
UT Southwestern Medical Center
William G. Woods, M.D.
Professor and Director
The Daniel P. Amos Children's Chair,
Aflac Cancer Center and Blood Disorders Service Children's Healthcare of Atlanta/Emory University
Darrell Yamashiro, M.D.
Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Pathology
Columbia University Medical Center
Elizabeth Yang, M.D.
Associate Professor of Pediatrics Hematology and Oncology
Vanderbilt University
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Staff
Kathleen Ruddy
Executive Director
Favorite Catchphrase – “Life is not a dress rehearsal.”
With more than 20 years of professional non-profit fundraising, marketing and public relations experience, Kathleen began working on St. Baldrick’s in early 2001. The daughter of two cancer survivors, Kathleen believes in paying it forward, and enjoys managing and serving as a board member for the foundation. She answered the call to “be brave, get bald” herself, as a shavee in 2005 – the year the St. Baldrick’s Foundation held its first events as an independent charity.
Kathleen chose a life of service at the age of 14. On her first day as a hospital volunteer, she tried to comfort a four year old patient who was inconsolable and crying for his mother. She remembers wondering how the nurses could care for all their young patients so lovingly without getting choked up themselves. That night Kathleen told her mother she didn’t have it in her to fulfill her childhood dream of becoming a pediatrician or obstetrician, but she would find another way to help. At the time she couldn’t have imagined St. Baldrick’s, but believes God has the best plans for us all.
Becky Weaver
Chief Philanthropy Officer
Childhood Dream: “As a girl I dreamed of writing novels, traveling the world as a photographer, and being a musician or artist. More than anything, though, I wanted to make my parents as proud of me as I’ve always been of them!”
Of her 30 years in fundraising, Becky has devoted 12 to the cause of childhood cancer research. She remembers the day some guys from New York called to say they planned to raise $17,000 by shaving heads at their St. Patrick’s Day party… and the day they called back to say, “We raised $104,000 – and we’re doing this again next year!”
Becky Weaver
Chief Philanthropy Officer
Childhood Dream: “As a girl I dreamed of writing novels, traveling the world as a photographer, and being a musician or artist. More than anything, though, I wanted to make my parents as proud of me as I’ve always been of them!”
Of her 30 years in fundraising, Becky has devoted 12 to the cause of childhood cancer research. She remembers the day some guys from New York called to say they planned to raise $17,000 by shaving heads at their St. Patrick’s Day party… and the day they called back to say, “We raised $104,000 – and we’re doing this again next year!”
Fast forward a few years: Becky became the second employee of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, where she now leads teams dedicated to taking care of donors and making grants to researchers. Her mom, two aunts and an uncle are cancer survivors, and cancer took her younger brother at age 40. Finding a cure is not an option – it’s an obsession.
After a recent move with her husband and pets to an old hillside cottage, she’s now “Rebecca of Sunny Oaks Farm.” She will someday complete her mystery novel, travel to Morocco, and play every Chopin nocturne perfectly. Meanwhile, she loves family and friends, books, and fiendish Sudoku.
Joanna Baumgarten
Constituent Information Associate Manager
Childhood Dream: “When I was younger I wanted to be an Olympic swimmer!”
Joanna grew up in Southern California, but went on to spend four years in North Carolina, receiving B.A. degrees in both History and Psychology from Duke University. While in North Carolina, she became a diehard Duke Basketball fan (Go Blue Devils!) and desperately misses attending games at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Following graduation, Joanna returned to the land of eternal sunshine. After a two year stint in the event planning field, Joanna began working as a temp for St. Baldrick's, resisting their repeated offers for a full time job. Eventually she admitted that she loved working with numbers and data, and accepted a position in the Constituent Information Department.
Joanna Baumgarten
Constituent Information Associate Manager
Childhood Dream: “When I was younger I wanted to be an Olympic swimmer!”
Joanna grew up in Southern California, but went on to spend four years in North Carolina, receiving B.A. degrees in both History and Psychology from Duke University. While in North Carolina, she became a diehard Duke Basketball fan (Go Blue Devils!) and desperately misses attending games at Cameron Indoor Stadium. Following graduation, Joanna returned to the land of eternal sunshine. After a two year stint in the event planning field, Joanna began working as a temp for St. Baldrick's, resisting their repeated offers for a full time job. Eventually she admitted that she loved working with numbers and data, and accepted a position in the Constituent Information Department.
In addition to Duke Basketball, Joanna loves going out with friends, sitting in the sun, reading gossip magazines and shopping. She is also the ultimate cupcake connoisseur and is on a quest to find the “perfect” red velvet cupcake. Childhood cancer research is a cause that is very near and dear to Joanna's heart - her friend Paris inspired her to go into this field, and he left her with some valuable words to live by - "lots of love.”
Rachel Bond
Marketing Specialist
Childhood Dream: “As a child, I didn’t have one particular dream, I simply dreamed of being in charge – ‘like Mommy.’”
Rachel first encountered St. Baldrick’s in 2006 when her college roommate decided to shave her head. In 2007, Rachel stumbled upon an internship opportunity with the foundation, which turned into a full-time position later that same year. Rachel received a BA in Communications, with a Minor in Leadership, from Azusa Pacific University. It was the heart-gripping cause and passionate people that attracted her to the foundation. In late 2008, Rachel’s 8-year-old cousin was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and, thanks to research, was declared Cancer Free in August 2009. Needless to say, the cause is now branded on her heart.
Rachel Bond
Marketing Specialist
Childhood Dream: “As a child, I didn’t have one particular dream, I simply dreamed of being in charge – ‘like Mommy.’”
Rachel first encountered St. Baldrick’s in 2006 when her college roommate decided to shave her head. In 2007, Rachel stumbled upon an internship opportunity with the foundation, which turned into a full-time position later that same year. Rachel received a BA in Communications, with a Minor in Leadership, from Azusa Pacific University. It was the heart-gripping cause and passionate people that attracted her to the foundation. In late 2008, Rachel’s 8-year-old cousin was diagnosed with osteosarcoma and, thanks to research, was declared Cancer Free in August 2009. Needless to say, the cause is now branded on her heart.
Rachel enjoys a lovely menu of activities outside of the office, including spending time with family and friends, baking goodies for loved ones and working on creative projects, like refurnishing old furniture. Rachel married her college sweetheart in October 2008 and is ecstatically enjoying her new title as Mrs. Bond. Her not-so-secret obsession for being organized is being put to great use, as she and her husband are fixing up their new house together.
Mariela Castillo
Director of Special Events
Childhood Dream: “When I was little I always dreamed of helping others one way or another. My kindergarten teacher wrote the following on my report card, ‘Mariela is so focused on helping her classmates that she doesn’t concentrate on her own work!’”
Mariela joined the St. Baldrick’s team in December of 2006, shortly after earning her BA from Cal Poly Pomona. After getting a small taste of the real world, she realized that she desired a career where both her passion for helping others and her bilingual skills could be put to good use. It must have been destiny because during her search for these things, the foundation was looking for a Spanish speaking representative. And so Mariela’s career on the Special Events Team began!
Mariela Castillo
Director of Special Events
Childhood Dream: “When I was little I always dreamed of helping others one way or another. My kindergarten teacher wrote the following on my report card, ‘Mariela is so focused on helping her classmates that she doesn’t concentrate on her own work!’”
Mariela joined the St. Baldrick’s team in December of 2006, shortly after earning her BA from Cal Poly Pomona. After getting a small taste of the real world, she realized that she desired a career where both her passion for helping others and her bilingual skills could be put to good use. It must have been destiny because during her search for these things, the foundation was looking for a Spanish speaking representative. And so Mariela’s career on the Special Events Team began!
During her time away from St. Baldrick’s, Mariela enjoys playing softball. She also recently began training for races and completed her first half marathon at Disneyland in August 2008! When she’s not on the softball field or running on trails, she enjoys exploring different cultures, reading, listening to music and trying new foods.
Ryan Close
Special Events Coordinator
Childhood Dream: “I always dreamed of being a professional fly fisherman. The idea of getting paid to be on TV and fly fish still seems pretty unbeatable.”
Ryan, a Montana native, joined the St. Baldrick’s team in the Fall of 2007 after working in the TV, Film, and commercial industries. His combination of event planning experience and passion to help kids makes being a Special Events Coordinator a great fit. A man of many hobbies, Ryan enjoys spending time in the mountains, traveling, refinishing furniture, classic cars, and fly fishing across the country.
Diana Cortez
Special Events Coordinator
Childhood Dream: “As a kid I dreamt of working for a professional sports team. I wanted to be a lawyer or agent and work in the offices above the stadiums where greats like Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and Joe Montana played.”
Diana has always had a passion for working with children. A student-athlete herself, she began coaching youth sports teams in seventh grade and later turned this passion into a part-time job during college, working in parks and recreation for both the cities of Duarte and San Jose, CA. Having studied psychology at Azusa Pacific University, Diana spent time working in a children’s mental health facility and managed a youth residential facility, before joining the St. Baldrick’s team in 2008. After losing her grandmother in 2007 to Lymphoma, this was the perfect opportunity for Diana to honor her grandmother and continue to help children.
A So Cal native, Diana loves everything her hometown has to offer. She especially enjoys live music, sporting events (though, she’s a Yankee fan), beach bonfires, the Getty Center, shopping and short road trips up and down the California coast.
Olivia Cota
Accounting & Employee Benefits Administrator
Childhood Dream: “When I was a kid, I wanted to be an Olympic swimmer!”
A Los Angeles native, with 18 years in retail management, Olivia spent the next 18 years working for the finance department of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Her quest for a new challenge brought Olivia to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in August 2007. Her time with St. Baldrick’s has filled her with love and enthusiasm for the foundation, its accomplishments and especially the huge, extended “St. Baldrick’s family.” She became a shavee in March of 2008, because she wanted to give back. To her surprise, Olivia found that she loved being “bald” and promises to do it again in the next couple of years.
A passionate animal-lover, if Olivia won the Lottery, she would establish a home for stray animals. She enjoys Mediterranean food, and hopes to visit Greece one day. Olivia loves to swim and wishes that there were no land and only water, so that she could swim everywhere! Her favorite thing to do on a Saturday morning is take her dog, Molly, for a walk in the park; afterwards enjoy her “coffee mocha” while reading the local newspaper. Unfortunately, those Saturday mornings are few and far between!
Thea DeGroot
Volunteer & Operations Coordinator
Childhood Dream- “One of my childhood dreams was to read every book in the public library.”
Thea started at St. Baldrick’s in 2006 after working for 20 years in the nonprofit field. This included work with Catholic Charities, International Rescue Committee, Urban Leadership Institute and the Center for Nonprofit Management. St. Baldrick’s mission to find a cure for childhood cancer through good humored events and its exciting path of growth made working for St. Baldrick’s appealing to Thea. Also attractive to Thea was St. Baldrick’s location which allowed her to cut out a 40-minute commute from her day. Some of that redeemed time is put into creative endeavors - Thea is taking art and design courses at a local community college and uses her artistic talent to place Lucky the St. Baldrick's Leprechaun in many different scenes!
Andrea Drummer
Special Events Coordinator
Childhood Dream: “My childhood dreams included that of dancing, teaching and modeling.”
Andrea Drummer originates from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She attended Temple University in the city of “brotherly love” (Philadelphia, PA). She’s also enjoyed living in other cities such as Atlanta, GA, Miami, FL and Brooklyn, NY. Andrea joined St. Baldrick’s in March of 2009 with an extensive background in youth development and managing volunteers on a national level and considers herself a sucker for a great cause and helping others.
Since with the foundation, she finds herself genuinely moved by the generosity of St. Baldrick’s volunteers. “What inspires me is that every day we get to experience the best of humanity: Strangers and friends alike giving of themselves in such an authentic way.”
Andrea shies away from claiming favorites, as she believes them to be limiting. Therefore, her favorite food is GOOD food prepared with love and the best way to eat it is with friends or family.
Jane Hoppen
Director of Partnerships
Childhood Dream: “When I was little, I dreamed of being the first female President of the United States so I could make a difference in the world. Now that I grown up, I no longer want to be President but realize that working to ensure a healthy future for kids with cancer is making a bigger impact than I could have imagined as a young girl. I am fortunate to be living my dream!”
Jane graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a double-major in Psychology & Management and Society and began a career in business. In the winter of 2003 she became a St. Baldrick’s volunteer, co-organized her first event the following March, and has organized at least one head-shaving event every year since then. In March 2006, Jane took an even greater step and shaved her head. This same year, Jane joined the St. Baldrick’s Foundation staff, a job she feels is both an honor and a privilege, as she gets to spend every day supporting the brave kids battling cancer and working to ensure they have many healthy, bright and happy days ahead.
Ryan Close
Special Events Coordinator
Childhood Dream: “I always dreamed of being a professional fly fisherman. The idea of getting paid to be on TV and fly fish still seems pretty unbeatable.”
Ryan, a Montana native, joined the St. Baldrick’s team in the Fall of 2007 after working in the TV, Film, and commercial industries. His combination of event planning experience and passion to help kids makes being a Special Events Coordinator a great fit. A man of many hobbies, Ryan enjoys spending time in the mountains, traveling, refinishing furniture, classic cars, and fly fishing across the country.
Diana Cortez
Special Events Coordinator
Childhood Dream: “As a kid I dreamt of working for a professional sports team. I wanted to be a lawyer or agent and work in the offices above the stadiums where greats like Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley and Joe Montana played.”
Diana has always had a passion for working with children. A student-athlete herself, she began coaching youth sports teams in seventh grade and later turned this passion into a part-time job during college, working in parks and recreation for both the cities of Duarte and San Jose, CA. Having studied psychology at Azusa Pacific University, Diana spent time working in a children’s mental health facility and managed a youth residential facility, before joining the St. Baldrick’s team in 2008. After losing her grandmother in 2007 to Lymphoma, this was the perfect opportunity for Diana to honor her grandmother and continue to help children.
A So Cal native, Diana loves everything her hometown has to offer. She especially enjoys live music, sporting events (though, she’s a Yankee fan), beach bonfires, the Getty Center, shopping and short road trips up and down the California coast.
Olivia Cota
Accounting & Employee Benefits Administrator
Childhood Dream: “When I was a kid, I wanted to be an Olympic swimmer!”
A Los Angeles native, with 18 years in retail management, Olivia spent the next 18 years working for the finance department of the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Her quest for a new challenge brought Olivia to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in August 2007. Her time with St. Baldrick’s has filled her with love and enthusiasm for the foundation, its accomplishments and especially the huge, extended “St. Baldrick’s family.” She became a shavee in March of 2008, because she wanted to give back. To her surprise, Olivia found that she loved being “bald” and promises to do it again in the next couple of years.
A passionate animal-lover, if Olivia won the Lottery, she would establish a home for stray animals. She enjoys Mediterranean food, and hopes to visit Greece one day. Olivia loves to swim and wishes that there were no land and only water, so that she could swim everywhere! Her favorite thing to do on a Saturday morning is take her dog, Molly, for a walk in the park; afterwards enjoy her “coffee mocha” while reading the local newspaper. Unfortunately, those Saturday mornings are few and far between!
Thea DeGroot
Volunteer & Operations Coordinator
Childhood Dream- “One of my childhood dreams was to read every book in the public library.”
Thea started at St. Baldrick’s in 2006 after working for 20 years in the nonprofit field. This included work with Catholic Charities, International Rescue Committee, Urban Leadership Institute and the Center for Nonprofit Management. St. Baldrick’s mission to find a cure for childhood cancer through good humored events and its exciting path of growth made working for St. Baldrick’s appealing to Thea. Also attractive to Thea was St. Baldrick’s location which allowed her to cut out a 40-minute commute from her day. Some of that redeemed time is put into creative endeavors - Thea is taking art and design courses at a local community college and uses her artistic talent to place Lucky the St. Baldrick's Leprechaun in many different scenes!
Andrea Drummer
Special Events Coordinator
Childhood Dream: “My childhood dreams included that of dancing, teaching and modeling.”
Andrea Drummer originates from Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. She attended Temple University in the city of “brotherly love” (Philadelphia, PA). She’s also enjoyed living in other cities such as Atlanta, GA, Miami, FL and Brooklyn, NY. Andrea joined St. Baldrick’s in March of 2009 with an extensive background in youth development and managing volunteers on a national level and considers herself a sucker for a great cause and helping others.
Since with the foundation, she finds herself genuinely moved by the generosity of St. Baldrick’s volunteers. “What inspires me is that every day we get to experience the best of humanity: Strangers and friends alike giving of themselves in such an authentic way.”
Andrea shies away from claiming favorites, as she believes them to be limiting. Therefore, her favorite food is GOOD food prepared with love and the best way to eat it is with friends or family.
Jane Hoppen
Director of Partnerships
Childhood Dream: “When I was little, I dreamed of being the first female President of the United States so I could make a difference in the world. Now that I grown up, I no longer want to be President but realize that working to ensure a healthy future for kids with cancer is making a bigger impact than I could have imagined as a young girl. I am fortunate to be living my dream!”
Jane graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with a double-major in Psychology & Management and Society and began a career in business. In the winter of 2003 she became a St. Baldrick’s volunteer, co-organized her first event the following March, and has organized at least one head-shaving event every year since then. In March 2006, Jane took an even greater step and shaved her head. This same year, Jane joined the St. Baldrick’s Foundation staff, a job she feels is both an honor and a privilege, as she gets to spend every day supporting the brave kids battling cancer and working to ensure they have many healthy, bright and happy days ahead.
Jane’s favorite place will always be her beloved North Carolina Mountains – so long as the men in her life are with her. Jane’s most grateful for son, Andrew and husband, Braden, who teach her the meaning of love and happiness every day.
Liz Jackson
Director of Grants Administration
Childhood Dream: “When I was little I dreamed of becoming a C.P.A. or a professional golfer. I am grateful that my path has led me here to be a voice for parents fighting for their kids’ lives!”
Liz graduated from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo with an Accounting degree. After working in the Trust Department of the 5th largest bank, at the time, she decided she wanted to do something that made a difference. Turning to the non-profit world, in Liz’s case, the cause found her. She didn’t realize that knowing three friends who suffered from various pediatric cancers was that unusual. Watching her friends fight their battles with cancer and lose made pediatric cancer a cause that is very dear to her heart.
Outside of St. Baldrick’s, Liz and her husband have two beautiful daughters. Almost 5 years ago they relocated back to the Midwest from Southern California to share their kids with their families. Liz spends her spare time – what there is of it – running or rollerblading, while listening to and supporting her favorite musicians, hoping to ride in RAGBRAI in 2010.
Heather Kash
Director of Corporate Relations and Risk Management
Childhood Dream: “When I was little, I dreamed of being an actress or a teacher; my youngest daughter now dreams of being a Rock Star or a teacher!”
Heather brings to St. Baldrick’s the unique perspective of both an employee and a volunteer. She graduated from Northwestern University with a major in Communication Studies and entered the world of reinsurance. Fate, and her career path, led her to become a Principal at Towers Perrin, but her heart (and a gentle nudge from board member emeritus, Tom Leonhardt) led her to become a St. Baldrick’s volunteer in 2002.
She has been organizing the downtown Chicago event and working with other local organizers ever since. As she met doctors, patients and families affected by childhood cancer, her commitment took on a deeper meaning and Heather officially joined the St. Baldrick’s team in 2008. Heather was fortunate enough to have her head shaved in 2008 by one of those patients, adding even more meaning to her work.
When not commuting “across the hall” to her home-office, Heather loves to travel and her journeys have taken her as far as Scotland, Greece and Kenya. She’s grateful to be the mother of three healthy kids.
Lara Kincer
Family and Hospital Liaison
Childhood Dream: “My childhood dream in 4th grade was to be a grocery store clerk. I loved the beeps all of the items made when scanned. Recently, I was able to achieve this dream. Thank you self-checkout stands!”
A born and raised Southern California girl, Lara decided to experience life at the international level in 2005 and spent her summer participating in a humanitarian effort in Mozambique, Africa, enjoying every minute of the bucket showers, latrines and dazzling ocean views. She returned a changed girl, finished up her Marketing degree and eventually stumbled onto St. Baldrick’s. Lara loved how the foundation turned a heartrending situation into a celebration as people did amazing things to support children with cancer! Having had a family member of her own touched by cancer, Lara was excited to be a part of the amazing cause and was thrilled to join the St. Baldrick’s team.
Liz Jackson
Director of Grants Administration
Childhood Dream: “When I was little I dreamed of becoming a C.P.A. or a professional golfer. I am grateful that my path has led me here to be a voice for parents fighting for their kids’ lives!”
Liz graduated from Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo with an Accounting degree. After working in the Trust Department of the 5th largest bank, at the time, she decided she wanted to do something that made a difference. Turning to the non-profit world, in Liz’s case, the cause found her. She didn’t realize that knowing three friends who suffered from various pediatric cancers was that unusual. Watching her friends fight their battles with cancer and lose made pediatric cancer a cause that is very dear to her heart.
Outside of St. Baldrick’s, Liz and her husband have two beautiful daughters. Almost 5 years ago they relocated back to the Midwest from Southern California to share their kids with their families. Liz spends her spare time – what there is of it – running or rollerblading, while listening to and supporting her favorite musicians, hoping to ride in RAGBRAI in 2010.
Heather Kash
Director of Corporate Relations and Risk Management
Childhood Dream: “When I was little, I dreamed of being an actress or a teacher; my youngest daughter now dreams of being a Rock Star or a teacher!”
Heather brings to St. Baldrick’s the unique perspective of both an employee and a volunteer. She graduated from Northwestern University with a major in Communication Studies and entered the world of reinsurance. Fate, and her career path, led her to become a Principal at Towers Perrin, but her heart (and a gentle nudge from board member emeritus, Tom Leonhardt) led her to become a St. Baldrick’s volunteer in 2002.
She has been organizing the downtown Chicago event and working with other local organizers ever since. As she met doctors, patients and families affected by childhood cancer, her commitment took on a deeper meaning and Heather officially joined the St. Baldrick’s team in 2008. Heather was fortunate enough to have her head shaved in 2008 by one of those patients, adding even more meaning to her work.
When not commuting “across the hall” to her home-office, Heather loves to travel and her journeys have taken her as far as Scotland, Greece and Kenya. She’s grateful to be the mother of three healthy kids.
Lara Kincer
Family and Hospital Liaison
Childhood Dream: “My childhood dream in 4th grade was to be a grocery store clerk. I loved the beeps all of the items made when scanned. Recently, I was able to achieve this dream. Thank you self-checkout stands!”
A born and raised Southern California girl, Lara decided to experience life at the international level in 2005 and spent her summer participating in a humanitarian effort in Mozambique, Africa, enjoying every minute of the bucket showers, latrines and dazzling ocean views. She returned a changed girl, finished up her Marketing degree and eventually stumbled onto St. Baldrick’s. Lara loved how the foundation turned a heartrending situation into a celebration as people did amazing things to support children with cancer! Having had a family member of her own touched by cancer, Lara was excited to be a part of the amazing cause and was thrilled to join the St. Baldrick’s team.
Since her Africa days, Lara has become an avid traveler, not liking to go more than a few months without being on a plane. In her spare time she dabbles in photography, is learning Spanish as a second language and indulges in her secret obsession with all things espionage. Driven by human interaction, Lara loves people –loves watching them, talking to them and sharing life with them. In all she does, Lara finds pleasure in helping people realize their potential, conquer their fears and live life to the fullest.
Alexandra Massengale
Development and Philanthropy Assistant
Childhood Dream: “When I was little I wanted to be a great thinker, or She-Ra the cartoon character.”
Alex grew up in Seattle where at a young age she began to travel the world singing. When she wasn’t on the road she was a regular performer in jazz clubs around the Puget Sound. Alex moved to Los Angeles to attend University of Southern California (FIGHT ON!) where she graduated with a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Arts. Along with her passion for singing Alex has been involved with philanthropic activities for as long as she can remember. In December 2008 she walked through the doors of St. Baldrick’s and was immediately struck by the dedication of the staff and the importance of the organization’s mission.
Alex enjoys all stereotypical Seattle activities including grunge music (well really any kind of music), drinking coffee and being in the great outdoors in the rain! When she is not at work she is most likely checking goals off of the 100 Things to Do before I Die list. If you catch her on a laid back day she will be doing one of the following: eating, shopping, working out, volunteering, haunting book and music stores, obsessing over basketball games, traveling, enjoying the company of her family and friends, or - of course - singing.
Avis Matsuda
Director of Philanthropy
Childhood Dream: “My childhood dream was to be a movie star who went by the stage name “Siva” because it sounded exotic and mysterious. In reality, it was only my name spelled backwards.”
Alexandra Massengale
Development and Philanthropy Assistant
Childhood Dream: “When I was little I wanted to be a great thinker, or She-Ra the cartoon character.”
Alex grew up in Seattle where at a young age she began to travel the world singing. When she wasn’t on the road she was a regular performer in jazz clubs around the Puget Sound. Alex moved to Los Angeles to attend University of Southern California (FIGHT ON!) where she graduated with a Bachelors of Music in Vocal Arts. Along with her passion for singing Alex has been involved with philanthropic activities for as long as she can remember. In December 2008 she walked through the doors of St. Baldrick’s and was immediately struck by the dedication of the staff and the importance of the organization’s mission.
Alex enjoys all stereotypical Seattle activities including grunge music (well really any kind of music), drinking coffee and being in the great outdoors in the rain! When she is not at work she is most likely checking goals off of the 100 Things to Do before I Die list. If you catch her on a laid back day she will be doing one of the following: eating, shopping, working out, volunteering, haunting book and music stores, obsessing over basketball games, traveling, enjoying the company of her family and friends, or - of course - singing.
Avis Matsuda
Director of Philanthropy
Childhood Dream: “My childhood dream was to be a movie star who went by the stage name “Siva” because it sounded exotic and mysterious. In reality, it was only my name spelled backwards.”
Born and raised in Hawaii, Avis spent 20 years in government service at the City of Honolulu where she worked with nonprofits to implement community development projects. In 2004, a friend’s fateful email introducing her to a “great guy” led her on a new life-path to Southern California where she is now married with two teenage sons. Drawn to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation by a desire to find work that makes a significant difference in people’s lives, and stirred by her father’s battle with colon cancer, Avis describes St. Baldrick’s as “the perfect blend of a truly worthwhile cause and a great place to work.”
Before marriage and meal planning, Avis traveled to Japan, Sicily and China dancing the hula on mission trips with her church but now considers quiet Saturday afternoons to play board games with her family or watch a movie (The Princess Bride is her all time favorite), munching on buttered popcorn mixed with M&M candies as the best of times.
Marc McCarthy
Senior Director of Communications & Marketing
A recent addition to the senior team, Marc brings more than 25 years of planning and leading comprehensive results-producing campaigns and strategies in support of business goals and objectives to serve St. Baldrick’s mission to conquer kid’s cancer. His breadth of experience encompasses agency, non-profit and corporate environments in hands-on, supervisory and entrepreneurial roles. Marc works closely with ED Kathleen Ruddy and CDO Becky Weaver to ensure the Foundation’s mission is respected and stewardship of key relationships remains an organizational priority.
Marc McCarthy
Senior Director of Communications & Marketing
A recent addition to the senior team, Marc brings more than 25 years of planning and leading comprehensive results-producing campaigns and strategies in support of business goals and objectives to serve St. Baldrick’s mission to conquer kid’s cancer. His breadth of experience encompasses agency, non-profit and corporate environments in hands-on, supervisory and entrepreneurial roles. Marc works closely with ED Kathleen Ruddy and CDO Becky Weaver to ensure the Foundation’s mission is respected and stewardship of key relationships remains an organizational priority.
No stranger to challenging causes, Marc recently acted as Sr. Director of Communications for the non-profit media advocacy group GLAAD, where he served as the first-ever straight ally on the senior leadership team. Under his stewardship, GLAAD took the lead on many pressing issues for the LGBT community: Ensuring that media moments such as former NBA player John Amaechi’s coming out were used to broaden the dialogue around LGBT issues and raise the visibility of LGBT people in stereotypically “straight” worlds, and swift response to Tim Hardaway’s declaration on a radio talk show that he hates gay people which resulted in media coverage that reflected the impact that defamatory incidents such as these have on the LGBT community.
Marc is no stranger to cancer having lost several relatives and both parents to the insidious disease. He is a parent to two sons, and very active in youth athletics working with US Lacrosse, USA Hockey and Positive Coaching Alliance.
Sara McCarthy
Media & Public Relations Specialist
Childhood Dream: “When I was six years old I had two aspirations, I was either going to be a nun or the First Lady. I’m still hoping the latter one will pan out.”
Sara is a newcomer to St. Baldrick’s but brings a background in both development and community outreach, having worked for other nonprofits. It was the focus on the kids and a cure that drew Sara to St. Baldrick’s. After losing a close friend to lymphoma in high school and a sorority sister to leukemia, Sara realizes that a cure is not only necessary but possible.
Sara is a recent graduate of the University of San Francisco, having majored in American History and Sociology. She is active in the Pasadena community as a member of the Junior League, National Women’s Political Caucus, Delta Zeta Sorority Alumnae Group and Alverno High School Alumnae Board. She enjoys singing, hanging out with friends, taking Irish Step Dancing lessons and spending time with her trusty Golden Retriever, Rusty, who can offer a high-five anytime. And of course, with McCarthy as a last name she always believes in the power of the Irish and Sara dreams to make a difference, on a big scale!
Gary Muenzel
Chief Financial Officer
Danette Ocaranza
Executive Assistant
Childhood Dream: “My childhood dream was to become a Pediatrician.”
Danette used to enjoy babysitting her younger siblings and cousins. Once she found out how much schooling was involved, she decided not to pursue that career path, but knew she wanted to help children. Being part of the St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a great opportunity to fulfill part of her childhood dream in helping kids!
Danette is a native California girl and has over 6 years experience working in the Non-Profit world. She originally started in non-profit working in the HR department for a childhood cancer research organization. After a brief career break of being a stay at home mom with her 3 boys, she decided to join the work force again and joined the St. Baldrick’s Foundation in the fall of 2009. “I really enjoy being part of the fight to find a cure for cancer and I feel very blessed to be part of such a great organization.” When Danette isn’t at work she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling around the globe, and catching up on TIVO with her husband.
Melissa Paulo
Special Events Coordinator
Childhood Dream: “My childhood dream was to host a live TV cooking show and own a bakery.”
Melissa Joy Paulo, a 2005 graduate of the University of California, Berkeley (Go Bears!), joined the St. Baldrick’s team in the summer of 2007. Born and raised in Southern California, she enjoys soaking up all of the food, fashion, music and culture that Los Angeles has to offer, but also loves exploring foreign shores. She lived in the countryside of Southern Japan for two years teaching English at an elementary and junior high school, and is working to keep the pages of her passport filled (to date – Boracay Island in the Philippines is her favorite place in the world). One of her most poignant volunteer experiences abroad was rebuilding houses in a tsunami-torn village in Andhra Pradesh, India. Melissa’s passions include baking and cooking, training for marathons, and volunteerism.
Dyanne Schultz
Special Events Coordinator
Favorite Quote: “I am not what happened to me. I am what I choose to become.”
Supporting cures for childhood cancer is very close to Dyanne’s heart. Her daughter Nicole was diagnosed at age nine with astrocytomas in her brain stem and cervical spine. For twenty years Nicole’s condition dominated their family. She was blessed with some wonderful years in near-remission, but while planning her wedding the cancer overwhelmed her spinal cord and she spent her last 3 years in a wheelchair. Nicole’s brother Michael lived in fear throughout his childhood that each time his sister went to the hospital he would never see her again. Dyanne vividly knows how cancer impacts the entire family, and is certain that being part of the St. Baldrick's team was a match made in heaven.
Dyanne enjoys being in the kitchen making new dishes for family and friends and baking pastries. Her favorite place is Barcelona and she has traveled as far as Hong Kong. When not in the kitchen, she’s in the garden with her flowers and bird feeders (with her 4 cats securely inside). Dyanne hopes to complete and publish her book about her daughter’s incredible and courageous journey.
Natalie Stamer
Director of Communications
If Natalie could do anything on any given day, she would be water-skiing on the Mississippi. But one cold winter morning, this Iowa native headed west – landing in Tucson, Arizona where she graduated from the University of Arizona. Natalie began her career in corporate communications and event planning, but a desire to feel more emotionally connected to her work led her to St. Baldrick’s in 2002.
Now with two children of her own, she knows she made the right choice. “Every day, I hold my children and I’m thankful for their health,” Natalie said. “To have your dreams for your child squelched by this disease is infuriating, and I’m driven by a desire to prevent parents the agony of losing a child.”
In Tucson, Natalie enjoys U of A football games with her family and a 30-second commute to her home office (unless she’s intercepted by a little person). If she’s lucky, she steals some time to sew, bake or just curl up with a good book.
Alexis Tabata
Constituent Information Coordinator
Childhood Dream: “My childhood dream was to become a marine biologist specializing in sharks. Today I still say S.O.S. – Save Our Sharks!”
Alexis grew up in Hawaii, so she had to trade her grass skirt for a winter coat when she went to Haverford College in Pennsylvania. She graduated with a major in Political Science and a Concentration in Peace and Conflict Studies. It was there that Alexis developed her passion for human rights and social justice. Since she was 10 years old, Alexis volunteered with a children’s advocacy group, and in college she worked for a cancer research study. So when she found a job advertisement for St. Baldrick’s, she knew it was the place for her.
Alexis Tabata
Constituent Information Coordinator
Childhood Dream: “My childhood dream was to become a marine biologist specializing in sharks. Today I still say S.O.S. – Save Our Sharks!”
Alexis grew up in Hawaii, so she had to trade her grass skirt for a winter coat when she went to Haverford College in Pennsylvania. She graduated with a major in Political Science and a Concentration in Peace and Conflict Studies. It was there that Alexis developed her passion for human rights and social justice. Since she was 10 years old, Alexis volunteered with a children’s advocacy group, and in college she worked for a cancer research study. So when she found a job advertisement for St. Baldrick’s, she knew it was the place for her.
Some things that people might not guess about her are that she was on her college fencing team, she loves to play Alien vs. Predator, and one of her favorite movies is Terminator 2. Alexis’ biggest hobby is reading - anything from books about neurology to Harry Potter. However, Tolkien is her favorite author and she owns about 20 of his books!
Cindy Trinn
Director of Philanthropy
Childhood Dream: “When I was 4 years old I wanted to be a model and live in Paris! I’m still holding out for living in Paris!”
Cindy is a St. Baldrick’s veteran. Before she began working for the cause in 2002, she taught English to second-language speakers, and worked in the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation & Parks. While Cindy didn’t plan for a career in philanthropy, she regards it as a blessing because she can help save kids’ lives – a cause even more precious to her since she became an aunt in 2002. At one time, Cindy single-handedly “coached” every Volunteer Event Organizer in the St. Baldrick’s Community. Today she enjoys helping St. Baldrick’s donors fulfill their philanthropic goals.
Cindy Trinn
Director of Philanthropy
Childhood Dream: “When I was 4 years old I wanted to be a model and live in Paris! I’m still holding out for living in Paris!”
Cindy is a St. Baldrick’s veteran. Before she began working for the cause in 2002, she taught English to second-language speakers, and worked in the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation & Parks. While Cindy didn’t plan for a career in philanthropy, she regards it as a blessing because she can help save kids’ lives – a cause even more precious to her since she became an aunt in 2002. At one time, Cindy single-handedly “coached” every Volunteer Event Organizer in the St. Baldrick’s Community. Today she enjoys helping St. Baldrick’s donors fulfill their philanthropic goals.
Committed to self-improvement through reading, mentoring others and training for ½ marathons; Cindy recharges with a trip to the beach or a nice spa treatment, a cup of tea or a peek at the latest fashions. While she looks forward to traveling the world one day, home is where her heart is.
INTERNS
Traci Shirk
Marketing & Communications Intern
Childhood Dream: “When I was little I wanted to be a teacher.”
Traci is the younger of two sisters and was born and raised in Southern California. She graduated from San Diego State University with a BA in Communications with an emphasis in public relations. After interning at two PR agencies, Traci felt there was something missing. She wanted to do something she felt passionate about and that would also help others. When she came across an internship for St. Baldrick’s she knew this was exactly what she had been looking for. Excitedly she accepted the internship and joined the team in September 2009.
In her free time, Traci likes to spend time with her family and friends, catch up on reality TV, read Nicholas Sparks’ books and loves to hit the beach on a sunny day.
Wayne Huang
Marketing & Communications Intern
Childhood Dream: “When I was about 5 or 6 years old, while my peers were dreaming of more practical occupations like becoming firefighters or astronauts, I dreamt of being a super hero.”
Initially working as a computer graphics artist, Wayne gradually found a calling in helping people by telling their stories, thus bringing public awareness to their plight. To him, any and all causes that help to improve the lives of others are worthy of support, especially when it involves the lives of children. This desire to help is what led him to pursue a master’s in communications from California State University, Fullerton and to an internship with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. After earning an MA, Wayne hopes to transition into a career of “putting a face on a cause.”
Wayne has a love for travel and experiencing all the exotic cultures and foods of this fascinating world. In his free time, he enjoys hiking the many trails of Southern California, mountain biking and playing a good game of volleyball.
INTERNS
Traci Shirk
Marketing & Communications Intern
Childhood Dream: “When I was little I wanted to be a teacher.”
Traci is the younger of two sisters and was born and raised in Southern California. She graduated from San Diego State University with a BA in Communications with an emphasis in public relations. After interning at two PR agencies, Traci felt there was something missing. She wanted to do something she felt passionate about and that would also help others. When she came across an internship for St. Baldrick’s she knew this was exactly what she had been looking for. Excitedly she accepted the internship and joined the team in September 2009.
In her free time, Traci likes to spend time with her family and friends, catch up on reality TV, read Nicholas Sparks’ books and loves to hit the beach on a sunny day.
Wayne Huang
Marketing & Communications Intern
Childhood Dream: “When I was about 5 or 6 years old, while my peers were dreaming of more practical occupations like becoming firefighters or astronauts, I dreamt of being a super hero.”
Initially working as a computer graphics artist, Wayne gradually found a calling in helping people by telling their stories, thus bringing public awareness to their plight. To him, any and all causes that help to improve the lives of others are worthy of support, especially when it involves the lives of children. This desire to help is what led him to pursue a master’s in communications from California State University, Fullerton and to an internship with the St. Baldrick’s Foundation. After earning an MA, Wayne hopes to transition into a career of “putting a face on a cause.”
Wayne has a love for travel and experiencing all the exotic cultures and foods of this fascinating world. In his free time, he enjoys hiking the many trails of Southern California, mountain biking and playing a good game of volleyball.
Discussion Board
