Suzanne Danhauer
Associate Professor, Wake Forest School of Medicine
Suzanne Danhauer is an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Sciences & Health Policy in the Division of Public Health Sciences, and holds a joint appointment in the Department of Internal Medicine, Section on Hematology and Oncology in the Wake Forest School of Medicine.
She is a clinical health psychologist whose research has investigated: (1) potential benefits of behavioral and integrative medicine modalities (with an emphasis on symptom management) for cancer patients and post-treatment survivors; (2) psychological adaptation to cancer, specifically how many survivors report a variety of positive changes in their lives following cancer.
Her current work, funded by the National Cancer Institute, examines a device-guided breathing intervention in early-stage post-treatment lung cancer survivors, work ability and related issues in young adult cancer survivors, and a stepped-care telehealth intervention for depression and anxiety post-treatment, of rural cancer survivors.
As an educator, Dr. Danhauer has taught medical students in the doctor-patient relationship course for a number of years, and more recently her teaching with undergraduate students, medical students, and academic medicine faculty members has incorporated “positive psychology” concepts such as happiness, positive emotions, and gratitude – and why they matter.
At her institution, she serves as a Vice Chair in the Department of Social Sciences & Health Policy, on a number of institutional committees, and as a mentor to junior faculty members, postdoctoral fellows, and students. She is also a member of Symptom Management & Health-Related Quality of Life Steering Committee at the National Cancer Institute.
Joan Lowell
Non Profit Leadership
Joan Lowell has held leadership positions in the non profit sector for over 25 years. She served as Executive Director of Hospice of the Valley from 1983 to 1994, followed by two years in the Peace Corps, Kazakhstan, where she served as counselor in business and NGO development. She has continued this work to date in Arizona, Russia, Ukraine, Thailand, Malawi, Tanzania and Zimbabwe.
Upon her return from Peace Corps, Joan served as Vice President/Senior Advancement Officer for Donor Services for the Arizona Community Foundation until 2007. She has written a series of articles for the Arizona Business Journal, the Prescott courier and most recently the AZ Daily Sun. She has also been published in Newsweek. She currently is a board member of five family foundations and two non profit organizations and consults to non profit organizations in Arizona. She serves as an Academic Associate at ASU.
Joan holds a BA from Queens College, N.Y., an M.S. from Adelphi University, N.Y. and an M.P.A from ASU.
Brent Mekosh
Certified Financial Planner™
Brent leads a team in Phoenix, Arizona, that designs, implements and monitors financial solutions and comprehensive advanced plans for family held businesses and C-level executives.
He is also a consultant for The Refinery – a Montreal based technology incubator. In his role as Finance Strategist, Brent works with partners to formulate financial roadmaps to optimize their business operations through the venture-building program.
From 1996 until 2006, New York City was home where he was a Member of the New York Stock Exchange as a Specialist Trader.
Brent holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Colorado Boulder, with a specialization in Finance, as well an MBA from New York University – Leonard N. Stern School of Business, with a specialization in Finance and International Business. He is currently working towards a certificate in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Stanford University.
Lisbeth Sestina
Breast Health Navigator, CN-BI BS RT R M MR CT
Lisbeth Sestina’s career began as a Radiologic Technologist, performing mammograms when the industry was still in its infancy. It all started in a Northern Colorado hospital, one of the first with an off-site breast clinic. That experience instilled her passion for breast health education, which she continues to pursue today.
Most recently, as a Breast Health Navigator, Lisbeth has provided patients with educational, emotional and social support, by helping them navigate the maze of cancer care from surgery, chemo and radiation to survivorship. She is a strong public advocate for the needs of breast cancer patients and their families.
Lisbeth is currently a board member of Young Advocacy and Support, a non-profit whose mission is to ensure all young women are given fertility options before they start treatment to help reduce feelings of isolation and distress that cancer causes. As a longtime Breast Cancer supporter, she has participated in four 3Day breast cancer walks, chaired Scottsdale Medical Imaging’s participation in the 2016/17 ACS Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walks, and continually advocates for women’s health issues.
Lisbeth’s past committee participations include hospital Cancer Committees, a Cancer Committee Quality Task Force, the National Consortium of Breast Centers Imaging Task Force and the American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Coalition Task Force.
Finally, as a licensed Health Coach, Lisbeth approaches breast cancer recovery and survivorship from a holistic, whole-woman perspective. Her personal and professional goal centers around one primary initiative: To provide cancer patients with the guidance and support they need at any point in their journey.
Tanya Price
RN, MSN, CNS, OCN
Tanya Price’s oncology expertise ranges from prevention to survivorship, with advanced knowledge in hematology, medical oncology, bone marrow transplant, and surgical oncology.
With more than 20 years of specialized work in hospital settings, outpatient cancer centers, and home hospice, Tanya is a highly skilled nursing professional. She has implemented programs, policies, and served as a change agent for accreditations and program development.
As an oncology nurse navigator at the Los Angeles Keck Medical Center Department of Surgery’s Cancer Program, Tanya implemented new standards for navigation, distress screening, and survivorship for the Multidisciplinary Liver Cancer Clinic and the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer.
Tanya is an alumna of Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles, CA, where she received her bachelor and master of science in nursing, and LA County USC School of Nursing in Los Angeles, CA, where she received her diploma in nursing. She is a member of the Greater Los Angeles chapter of the Oncology Nursing Society and the Honor Society of Nursing, Sigma Theta Tau International.
Tanya has been present in many roles of cancer. She has experienced the words “you have cancer” and is a survivor of thyroid cancer. She also was the primary caregiver for her mother who lost her battle with multiple myeloma many years ago.
Pam Keefe
Vice President, Nonprofit Relationship Manager
As Vice President and Nonprofit Relationship Manager for National Bank of Arizona®, Pam Keefe is responsible for serving the needs of nonprofit organizations in Arizona. A veteran banker with more than 30 years’ experience, Pam facilitates the many products and services available from NB|AZ. From treasury management services, lending and credit assistance and everything in between, Pam will connect your organization with the right specialists. Pam’s hands-on approach to service and action-oriented vision are the driving forces behind many of her clients’ success stories. She joined NB|AZ in 2001 with a broad set of experiences in the financial services industry. As your Relationship Manager, Pam will manage the financial needs, while taking time to understand the unique goals of your organization.
In addition to the A 2nd Act Advisory Board, Pam is an active member of Alliance of Arizona Nonprofits, Feeding Matters Luncheon Committee, NB|AZ® Women’s Financial Group, Organization for Nonprofit Executives and numerous other nonprofit organizations.
