Beth Burnett
Beth spent over 30 years in the pharmaceutical industry, with over 20 years in oncology. Recently retired from Pfizer as Director of Advocacy and Professional Relations with a focus on breast cancer, over her career Beth worked extensively with nonprofits and people living with cancer. As a passionate advocate, she is excited to connect those impacted by cancer with information and resources.
Isaac Chan, MD, Ph.D.
Dr. Isaac Chan is a physician-scientist who is internationally recognized for his research on activating the immune system to end metastatic breast cancer. He holds degrees in biomedical engineering and genetics and molecular signaling, and has trained in internal medicine and medical oncology. Now on faculty at UT Southwestern, he is an immuno-oncologist who actively sees patients with breast cancer. His lab focuses on activating our immune system to treat metastatic disease.
Debbie Denardi
Diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2010 at age 48, after multiple treatments Debbie is now cancer free. Breast cancer took the life of her own mother at age 44, and she is passionate about encouraging anyone with a family history of cancers to get genetic testing. In 2023 after undergoing genetic testing, she tested positive for Lynch Syndrome. She is a research advocate with FORCE (Facing Hereditary Cancer Empowered), a volunteer and mentor with GRASP, and a board member of 305 Pink Pack, and organization dedicated to supporting Latinas during their cancer treatment. Debbie has two young sons Alex and Michael, they are her rock.
Abigail Johnson, Esq.
Abigail has been living with Stage IV Metastatic Breast Cancer (MBC) since 2017. A licensed attorney in Florida, she approaches connections with scientists and the importance of patient advocacy with the same passion and dedication as she gave to her law practice. She was involved in the first in-person GRASP program at SABCS in 2019 and continues to participate virtually. Abigail lives in Orlando with her husband, two boys, and a very spoiled cat.
Corrie Painter, Ph.D.
Corrie Painter is currently the vice president of external research and partnerships with Precede Biosciences. She has previous experience as a biotech consultant and deputy director for Count Me In at the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, specializing in pioneering patient-partnered genomics research, particularly in rare cancers. She created the first decentralized national platform for generating clinically annotated genomic data sets, leading to significant changes in clinical practice for angiosarcoma patients. She has combined her cancer advocacy and scientific background to build and carry out patient-partnered genomics studies.
Hillary Andrews, Ph.D.
Trained as a cancer research scientist, Hillary Andrews transitioned towards cancer policy after interacting with patient advocates as a postdoctoral fellow at Georgetown University. As the Director of Regulatory and Research Partnerships at Friends of Cancer Research, she develops evidence-based policies and works with teams to identify challenges and create solutions that improve cancer care. Hillary is passionate about building relationships between researchers and advocates to improve the patient experience and works with Theresa’s Research Foundation to help make that happen.
Jasmine Souers
Jasmine Souers is a passionate advocate for young women and people of color affected by breast cancer. Diagnosed with stage 1 breast cancer at the age of 26 in 2016, Jasmine turned her pain into purpose through volunteerism, entrepreneurship, advocacy and co-founding For the Breast of Us, the first inclusive breast cancer community for all women of color. Today, she is the founding president and CEO of The Missing Pink Breast Cancer Alliance, connecting change agents to improve the lives of people of color affected by breast cancer. She lends her expertise to organizations like the Metastatic Breast Cancer Alliance, Living Beyond Breast Cancer and Mayo Clinic.
Stephanie Walker
A retired RN with nearly 40 years of clinical practice, Stephanie was diagnosed in July 2015 with de novo metastatic breast cancer. As project lead for the MBC Alliance’s BECOME (Black Experience of Clinical Trials and Opportunities of Meaningful Engagement) research initiative and co-chair for the Clinical Care working group of the MBCA, she advocates for people living with cancer in rural areas to have equal access to quality healthcare and treatment.
