Board Executives
Becky OlsonCo-founder
Professional Speaker & Author
Retired-Sales Manager-Dex Media
Diagnosed 1996 & 2004 & 2009
Becky's resumé
Becky is a three time breast cancer survivor. She left her job as a sales manager for Dex Media in 2005 to pursue her role as co-founder and president of Breast Friends. Becky, a member of the National Speaker’s Association, has also developed her skills as a professional speaker and now travels all over the country sharing her experience. She has also written a book which was published in 2004 with a second printing in 2007. Becky has five grown children, three grandchildren and lives in Portland with her husband.
Sharon HenifinCo-founder
Life Coach
Retired-Sales Manager & Trainer-Dex Media
Diagnosed 1993
Sharon's resumé
Sharon was diagnosed in 1993. She was working as a sales rep for US West Direct (later becoming Dex Media). She took time off to take care of herself while raising two children. She helped co-found Breast Friends in 2000. During the early stages of running the organization, she was also promoted to Sales Manager and eventually a sales trainer for Dex Media. Finally in 2006, she left her job to work in her role as executive director and co-founder for Breast Friends. She has three grown children and three grandchildren. She lives in Portland with her husband.
Cynthia (Cindy) Tinsley
Board Vice Chair 2009
Business Consultant and Meeting Event Planner
Los Angeles Convention and Visitors' Bureau
Diagnosed 2006
Cindy was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006. After working with Breast Friends in the volunteer match program, Cindy was invited to join the board in 2008. She brings a passion for other survivors and a strong knowledge base in the event planning arena. She has been actively involved in other non-profits as her and her husband's careers moved them around the country, including The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Cindy is married and has five grown children. She lives in Battle Ground, WA with her husband, two Austrailian Shepherds and her mom.
Shannon DiLorenzo
Board Treasurer since 2008
Certified Public Accountant
DiLorenzo & Company, P.C.
Diagnosed 2006
Shannon was diagnosed in 2006. She started as a volunteer in the office and was recently elected to the board. She brings tremendous knowledge in processes and has a real “can-do” attitude in everything she does. Shannon lives in Portland with her husband and three daughters. Shannon has run five marathons and several half marathons including three since treatment for breast cancer.
Gia Gilmour
Board Secretary-2008
Student-Portland Community College
Diagnosed 2005
Gia, diagnosed at a young age in 2005, has a background in human resources, technology, insurance and marketing. She actively helps Breast Friends in the area of data processing while attending school to earn her nursing degree. She has two kids and a husband and loves spending time with them between her work with Breast Friends and school.
Board Members
Tamara KoedootBoard Member since 2007
Real Estate Agent
Prudential N.W. Real Estate
On February 6, 2006, Tamara lost her very close friend, Gloria Stauss, to breast cancer. She has been passionate about raising funds for the cause since 2004 and joined the Breast Friends Board of Directors in March of 2007. Tamara said, "I am honored to be a part of this warm, compassionate team of people working together toward providing support for women and men diagnosed with breast cancer." She leads the procurement team for the annual “Joy of Life” fundraiser, while working full-time in the real estate market in Portland. Tamara is an EcoBroker certified real estate agent and has been in the real estate industry since 1995 and a Portland resident for over 35 years.
Carrie Koop
Board Member since 2008
Retired - Beecher Carlson Insurance Agency, LLC
HR Specialist
Diagnosed 2006
Carrie has over 20 years of experience in Human Resources both as an HR Director and as a consultant. She received her B.A. from Oregon State University and has been a certified Professional in Human Resources (SPHR) since 1995. She brings a tremendous amount of experience to our board and will head up all HR needs for Breast Friends.
Devon Webster, M.D.
Board Member since 2008
Oncologist and Researcher
Northwest Cancer Specialists
Devon is a young two-time survivor of breast cancer. Until recently Devon was working in the oncology department at OHSU and headed up a research lab at the hospital. She currently works for Northwest Cancer Specialists. She is deeply committed to her patients and has a strong working knowledge of breast cancer treatment. Devon brings her passion and expertise to our board and will be able to keep us on top of cutting edge changes in technology.
Charmaine Houriet
Board Member since 2009
Clinic Practice Manager
Northwest Cancer Specialists
Charmaine is well connected in the breast cancer community through her role as Practice Manager for a large oncology center in the Portland Metro Area. She has helped create and build a partnership between Breast Friends and Northwest Cancer Specialists.
Kristen Janes
Board Member since 2009
Strategic Planning Specialist and Consultant
Kristen is a seasoned strategic planner at the billion dollar level in high tech. She left Intel to pursue her passion in improving the healthcare industry. Kristen has been facilitating Breast Friends in capturing the founders strategic vision and success in the metro area and turning that vision into a strategy and actionable business plan to take the Breast Friends' programs national. .
Advisory Board
Gary McGeeCertified Public Accountant
Robert McSweeney
Non-Profit Consultant
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Bob received his BA degree from the University of Michigan. Upon graduation he was commissioned in the Navy and served on several types of ships and as Flag Lieutenant to the director of the U.S. Joint Mission to Turkey. His last posting was as Commanding Officer of USS TOMBIGBEE, (AOG-11) in the Pacific Fleet. After leaving the navy, Bob returned to Ann Arbor for law school. Upon graduation he and his wife, Jean, and their two young sons moved to Oregon. Bob practiced law in the Portland, Oregon area for many years, primarily in the area of business transactions and estate planning. From 1969 to 1976 he also served as Municipal Judge for the City of Hillsboro in addition to his law practice. In 1991, he left the practice of law to pursue a career in nonprofit organization and development. Bob has served as an executive director and board member of several nonprofit organizations. Bob works as a consultant to nonprofit organizations to establish their corporate structure and obtain 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. He assists congregations in the diocese with their planned giving programs and donors.
Lowell Gere
Board Member since 2004
Retired Mechanical Engineer
Diagnosed 1996
Lowell is a retired mechanical engineer and has been a breast cancer survivor since 1996. He graduated from the State University of Iowa in 1963. Lowell held positions as an engineer at North American Rockwell, Aerojet-General, Industrial Electronic Engineers, Bell and Howell Research Laboratories and Beckman Instruments. He owned and operated a retail business for eleven years. He was a district manager and project manager for Ace Hardware Corporation before retiring. He is involved in several volunteer activities since his retirement many involving breast cancer as he is a survivor himself. Lowell was selectd by KUNI BMW to receive their 2006 "Local Hero Award". He is married and has five children, fourteen grandchildren and one great grand daughter. He and his wife reside in Oregon City. Lowell manages the Bridging the Gap program for men with breast cancer.
Jonathan E. Mansfield
Attorney At Law
John is a partner in the Intellectual Property practice at Schwabe, Williamson and Wyatt in Portland. John's practice focuses on helping businesses and individuals negotiate the legal issues involving patents, trademarks, copyrights, and trade secrets, with a particular focus on patent litigation. John was instrumental in helping Breast Friends receive their Trademark. More about John can be found at Schwabe, Williamson and Wyatt John is a graduate of the University of Oregon and Cornell Law School. John is happy to work with Breast Friends in honor of the women in his life, especially Hannah, Sue, Sylvia, Lynne, Angela, and Ruth.
R. Craig Byrd, PhD
Financial Consultant-Owner, Byrd Financial Group, Inc.
Craig Byrd has been a supporter of Breast Friends since the inception of our organization. He has supported us financially and emotionally by providing networking and staff support for our programs and projects. Craig lost his wife Carol to breast cancer, so he holds our cause near and dear to his heart. Craig has offered to donate his fees for clients that come in to him from our organization.
