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Nicole AndrewsChair | Houston, TexasNicole Andrews learned about STAAR in 2020 while undergoing chemotherapy for LGSOC.
She decided she needed to do something to raise money for research as well as educate other women about ovarian cancer symptoms. In two weeks, she organized a socially distanced 5K, found a sponsor for 200 symptom T-shirts, had 200 people join her as she walked the 5K, and raised $25,000 for LGSOC research. Following the passing of founding member Jess BeCraft in September 2021, Nicole was asked to serve the remainder of her term. Retired from her role as associate professor at the University of Houston, Nicole and her husband have three children, a corgi, and live in Houston. She is now on maintenance medicine and is currently thriving with no evidence of disease. Nicole loves to garden, read, cook, and is learning to needlepoint. |
Alyssa ToomesVice Chair - Fund Development | Tiki Island, TexasAlyssa Toomes recently joined the STAAR Board of Directors as the Vice Chair of Fundraising. Prior to her new position, Alyssa worked on the STAAR Fundraising Committee and was Co-chair of Step Up America in 2022.
Alyssa, along with the Step Up America Committee, launched a successful fundraising campaign that ultimately funded research studies at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. She is looking forward to supporting STAAR’s mission to encourage survivors to thrive as she advocates for advanced research. As an educator, Alyssa has spent her career teaching both children and adults as a reading specialist and literacy coach. Alyssa resides on Tiki Island along the Texas Gulf Coast with her husband and three pups. |
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Kari NeumeyerVice Chair - Marketing & Communications | Bellingham, WashingtonKari Neumeyer, STAAR Vice Chair–Marketing & Communications, was 44 years old when she was diagnosed with stage IV low-grade serous ovarian cancer. She had a successful surgery in 2020 that removed all signs of visible cancer and is now committed to improving outcomes for others with this understudied subtype of ovarian cancer.
Kari joins STAAR’s board after organizing her first-ever fundraiser in 2022—Ride the Teal Wave: Paddling for a Cure in Bellingham Bay. She grew up in Los Angeles and has a master’s degree from the Medill School of Journalism. She works as a communications manager in the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her boyfriend of nearly 20 years and their German shepherd. |
Christina CampbellTreasurer | Manvel, TexasChristina Campell has been volunteering with STAAR since 2022 and serves as treasurer.
She was born in Morgan City, Louisiana, with roots in the Lafayette Louisiana area. She moved to Pearland, Texas, when she was 7 and now lives in Manvel, 20 minutes south of Houston, with her husband Ed of almost 30 years, and her boys Justin and Josh. She graduated from University of Houston Clear Lake with a bachelor of science with a major in accounting. She has worked in accounting for more than 30 years. She loves traveling, relaxing on a nice beach, and watching the sunset. She’s also a huge Houston Astros fan. |
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Morgan GaynorSecretary | Highlands, New JerseySTAAR Secretary Morgan Gaynor has always been passionate about volunteering and also serves as president of the Junior League of Monmouth County.
Morgan grew up in New Jersey and completed an MBA at Monmouth University. She was diagnosed with stage IV low-grade serous ovarian carcinoma in 2019 at the age of 30. In addition to her work with STAAR, Morgan advocates at the federal, state, and local levels on behalf of ovarian cancer patients for increased funding for ovarian cancer research and awareness with the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance and participates in OCRA’s Survivors Teach Students program. |
Emma SchlammDirector | San Francisco, CaliforniaEmma Schlamm was diagnosed with low-grade serous ovarian cancer at the age of 25 and after undergoing multiple surgeries and chemotherapy, has been NED since 2021.
With a career in adolescent sexual and reproductive health, Emma had always been passionate about encouraging young women to advocate for their health; this took on a whole new meaning during her very own cancer diagnosis. Frustrated by the lack of attention, funding, and research that was available regarding this rare cancer that disproportionately affects young women, Emma was delighted to find STAAR and to connect with other survivors and allies who were passionate about bringing attention to this disease and raising funds to develop and disseminate better treatment options for women. Emma lives in Southern California with her fiancé, where she enjoys buying foods she can't pronounce at farmers' markets and petting other peoples' (hypoallergenic) dogs. |
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Bailey WolfeDirector/Founding Board Member | Paducah, KYSTAAR founding member Bailey Wolfe was living a suburban dream of being a very active, "boy mom" and first grade teacher.
In early 2019, she developed severe bloating and intermittent lower abdominal pain that led to a diagnosis of stage 3A low-grade ovarian cancer. After surgery, chemo, and several bumps along the way, Bailey has accepted that her life is forever changed. As she navigates her new normal, Bailey chooses to make the most of the time she has, living life to the fullest and raising awareness, advocating, and stay alive until the research and medicine catch up to change the odds. She's excited to ensure that happens through STAAR. Bailey lives in Paducah, Kentucky with her family |
Ellie HabibDirector | West Orange, New JerseySTAAR Board member Ellie Habib lives in New Jersey with her husband and two adorable dogs. She was diagnosed with stage 3C LGSOC in January 2021 when she was just 27 years old.
Now NED for over a year, Ellie is proud to serve on the board of directors for STAAR as well as chair the fundraising committee. Raising awareness about ovarian cancer and fundraising to support research in treatment advancements has been the best means to coping with a cancer diagnosis. |
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Madalyn KenneyDirector | Honolulu, HawaiiSTAAR Board member Madalyn Kenney serves as the Chief Development Officer for Make-A-Wish Hawaii. Prior to this role, she was the senior vice president of development at Bright Pink, a national organization dedicated to the prevention and early detection of breast and ovarian cancer.
Madalyn has directed annual, major, and planned giving programs at a variety of organizations including Planned Parenthood of Illinois, The Field Museum of Natural History, and the Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance. Madalyn has enjoyed bringing her 15+ years of experience in Development to Hawaii, and loves helping children receive life-changing wishes. |
