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CLICK HERE TO BID! DONATE TODAYDON’T MISS EXCLUSIVE EXPERIENCESAND GOODS ON OURTO EDUCATE, ADVOCATE FOR, EMPOWER, AND SUPPORT YOUNG WOMEN,BEFORE, DURING, AND AFTER CANCER.OUR MISSIONSilent Auction & Raffle
DINNER & AWARDSWELCOME ADDRESSMISTRESS OF CEREMONIES, SHAWN YANCY, NBC NEWS4 ANCHORMAVERICK AWARD PRESENTATIONOPENING PRAYERREVEREND CANON DR. ANNE FREDERICKS COOPERINSPIRE AWARDDR. SIGOURNEY BONNERCEO REMARKSMAIMAH KARMO, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERNOELLE KARMO-WALSH, CHIEF INSPIRATION OFFICERKIM F. RHOADS, MD, MS, MPH, FACSDINNERGARY A. PUCKREIN, PHDCO-CHAIR REMARKSDR. TANIA SMALLGRAIL
DINNER & AWARDSTRANSFORMATION AWARDJADE CURTISKM WARRIOR AWARDTAMEKA JOHNSONMICHELLE ANDERSON-BENJAMIN, MHACELEBRATION, DESSERT + MUSIC BY DJ GREENIZEMAKE A DIFFERENCEJEFF TRAVERS, TIGERLILY FOUNDATION, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND COOHOPE AWARDMANDI L. PRATT-CHAPMAN, MA, PHD, HON-OPN-CGKAWANA RUCKER COURAGE AWARDCATRINA MARCELL, MBA, CSMMOMENT OF SILENCEDR. LORI L. WILSON TRAILBLAZER AWARDNADINE J. BARRETT, PHD, MA, MSSHERRI NEAL CROWLEYDR. SARA L. HORTON, MD
Dear Friends,We are thrilled to be here, celebrating our 18th year of educating, advocating,and empowering young women, before during, and after cancer, at this incredibleEmPOWER Ball, an event dedicated to raising vital funds for our transformativeprograms. Our mission to reshape the healthcare landscape continues to expand,impacting more young women before, during, and after their cancer journeys.Four years post-pandemic, we have kept our unwavering commitment to puttingpatients first, with a heightened focus on health equity, and concerted efforts todismantle barriers to access and care. All of you here have harnessed yourprivilege to effect change, demonstrating the events that propelled us intocollaborative action. For 18 years, the Tigerlily Foundation (Tigerlily) has primarily focused on breastcancer, constantly pivoting to address our community's pressing needs in theface of a global health and justice crisis. As a trusted leader in the diversepatient advocacy space, we recognize our responsibility to patients and evolutionto ensure we are meeting their needs today and into the future. With this, wecontinue to expand our mission to encompass a broader spectrum of programsand disease areas – our programs now include women’s oncology and women’shealth, building on our successful breast cancer programming, and we continueto challenge stakeholders nationwide to redefine health equity by listening,learning, and allowing patients to lead. This expansion across women’s oncologyareas and women’s health and globally, enables us to do what we do best – be atrusted, authentic, safe space for vulnerable populations, with strategicinitiatives to make an impact.Today, in our unwavering pursuit of health equity, our ANGEL Advocacy Programblooms as the most vibrant aspect of the Tigerlily Foundation. Tigerlily, namedto remind women of their strength and beauty, empowers individuals to sowhope in their communities. These seeds spark change in lives, research, policy,and beyond, igniting inspiration and paving the way for transformation. Thisprogram stands at the forefront of our work as we have trained approximately400 ANGEL Advocates who work to eliminate healthcare disparities byempowering women from diverse backgrounds, starting within their homes,churches, and neighborhoods.A LETTER FROM OUR FOUNDER + CEO
Our ANGEL LEAD Program—Leadership, Education, Advocacy, and Development—has catalyzed change, enabling patients to engage in community outreach andbecome trusted leaders. This year, we successfully launched the ANGEL LEADProgram pilot in five target areas, established 86 new community partners, andengaged in over 45 events, reaching more than 30,000 community members. Through our outreach, we have reached more than 2,000,000 individuals viasocial media and speaking engagements. We have reached half a billion peoplethrough our multi-faceted clinical trials campaign, and continued education forour ANGEL Leads has enhanced their ties to healthcare systems and cancercenters. Our commitment to patient-centered initiatives also includes focusing on sustainability, documenting our substantial impact in 21cities that have high disparities for Black women and cancer, and creating areplicable roadmap for success across additional cities and engaging globalpartners.I remember talking to one of our ANGEL Advocates and telling her that theblessing about her being an ANGEL is that she and other ANGELs have eachother, I did not — something I never want anyone else to experience. That iswhy I stay committed to creating a trusted community of empowered, educated,and fierce advocates, ready to be unleashed into the world to effect good.In addition to our ANGEL Advocacy Program, Tigerlily has developed variouspatient-centered initiatives to transform the healthcare system. Our ANGELLEAD Program has been pivotal in catalyzing change by empowering patients toengage with their communities, implement outreach, build relationships, andbecome trusted leaders. This initiative fosters trust within communities,healthcare, and clinical trials, enabling women to take action at the grassrootslevel.The RACE Alliance exemplifies our commitment to diversity, equity, andinclusion (DEI), creating a national community alliance that emerges from ourANGELs' invaluable work in collaboration with Tigerlily leadership. We tirelesslypromote a culture of equity and inclusivity throughout our organization and thehealthcare system. Our dedication to clinical trials remains steadfast as weadvocate for increased participation from underrepresented populations, activelyshaping the future of healthcare by integrating patients into every facet of theclinical trials process—ensuring that every voice is heard.
With profound gratitude,Maimah S. Karmo President, CEO, and Chief Unicorn Our HEAL Policy Center of Excellence is a critical advocacy pillar. We promotepolicies prioritizing patient-centric and equitable solutions, leaving no onebehind.Tigerlily Foundation’s Clinical Trials Initiatives offer comprehensive programs,including patient education, insights, and engagement with pharma and biotechcompanies throughout the trial process We also work on public policies thatensure equity, access, inclusivity, and representation for all populations,particularly the underrepresented. Our efforts include providing patients witheducation and tools to navigate clinical trials and fostering trust through bi-directional activities with patients, biotech companies, and healthcare providers.We engage communities through listening sessions and educational events,building strategic partnerships to further our mission.As we come together for this year's EmPOWER Ball, we invite you to celebrateour collective achievements and reaffirm our commitment to a world wherehealth equity knows no bounds. Your continued support empowers us tochallenge the limits of what’s possible in healthcare.Thank you for standing by our side and investing in us. Sentiment withoutfinancial investment and allyship doesn’t equate to equity. True allyship requiresworking side by side, hand in hand,Thank you for standing by our side and investing in us. Sentiment withoutfinancial investment and allyship doesn’t equate to equity. True allyship requiresworking side by side, hand in hand, and sustained investments and relationships.We look forward to sharing our ongoing journey toward a healthier, moreequitable future with you – for the sake of our patients and the future. Tigerlily Foundation
SHAWN YANCYNBC NEWS4 ANCHORShawn Yancy is an award-winning journalist andanchors News4 at 5 and News4 at 11 for NBC4 inWashington, DC. Prior to NBC4, she spent 19 years as aprimary anchor at FOX 5 DC. She founded thenonprofit Girls’ Night Out by Shawn Yancy Inc.,dedicated to empowering underserved women andchildren. Shawn is also a professional artist, a memberof Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., and lives inMontgomery County, Maryland, with her husband andfamily. Her motto is: “If the dream is big enough, thefacts don’t count.”REVEREND CANON DR. ANNEFREDERICKS COOPERMISTRESS OF CEREMONIESPRAYER LEADERO U R P R E S E N T E R S & S P E A K E R SThe Reverend Canon Dr. Anne Fredericks Cooper,from the Episcopal Diocese of Liberia and licensed inVirginia, serves at Trinity Cathedral in Monrovia andSt. Anne’s Episcopal Church in Reston. She holds aDoctorate in Educational Leadership and a Master'sin Christian Education from Virginia TheologicalSeminary. Dr. Cooper has consulted for the Dioceseof Egypt and lectures at Seth C. Edwards MemorialTheological Institute. A Liberian immigrant, sheresides in Reston with her family and is a proudgrandmother to three granddaughters.
O U R P R E S E N T E R S & S P E A K E R SMAIMAH KARMOTIGERLILY FOUNDATION, PRESIDENT & CEOMaimah Karmo is the Founder/CEO of the TigerlilyFoundation and a 17-year breast cancer survivor. Diagnosedwith Stage 2 triple negative breast cancer at 32, shefounded Tigerlily during chemotherapy to empower andsupport young women facing breast cancer. Maimah hasworked with Congress to pass significant breast healthlegislation, developed national health initiatives, andpartnered with global stakeholders to combat healthdisparities. A passionate leader and advocate, she strives toeliminate disparities in women’s healthcare and improvepatient care while driving equity and inclusion.DR. TANIA SMALLSENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, HEAD OF MEDICALAFFAIRS, BMSDr. Tania Small joined Bristol Myers Squibb as Senior VicePresident, Global Medical Affairs in January 2024. A board-certified pediatric hematology, oncology, and bone marrowtransplant specialist, she brings extensive experience indrug development and clinical research. Dr. Small has ledglobal teams in advancing access to oncology, rare diseases,and hematology treatments, and worked closely with theFDA and ASCO to improve diversity in clinical trials. Shepreviously served as Head of Global Medical Oncology atGSK and is passionate about patient-driven science andinnovative solutions.CO-CHAIRSJEFFREY TRAVERSEXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATINGOFFICER, TIGERLILY FOUNDATIONJeffrey Travers is Executive Vice President and ChiefOperating Officer at Tigerlily Foundation. Jeff bringsexperience from previous roles at Cancer SupportCommunity, Fight For Children, High Noon Communicationsand Whitman-Walker Health. He holds an MBA from TheGeorge Washington University and a BA in History fromGeorgetown University.TIGERLILY EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP
KIM F. RHOADS, MD, MS, MPH,FACSDr. Rhoads focuses on reducing cancer caredisparities among racial/ethnic minorities, and shehas demonstrated how equitable care can closesurvival gaps. She also founded Umoja Health, acoalition addressing COVID-19 and health inequitiesin communities of color.GARY A. PUCKREIN, PHDDr. Puckrein is the founding President and ChiefExecutive Officer of the National Minority QualityForum (NMQF), a non-profit healthcare research,education, and advocacy organization headquarteredin Washington, DC. GRAIL is a healthcare company pioneering newtechnologies to advance early cancer detection.They have built a multi-disciplinary organization ofscientists, engineers and physicians, and are usingthe power of next-generation sequencing (NGS),population-scale clinical studies, and state-of-the-art computer science and data science to overcomeone of medicine’s greatest challenges. GRAIL’s mission is to detect cancer early, when itcan be cured. They are working to change thetrajectory of cancer mortality and bringstakeholders together to adopt innovative,groundbreaking technologies that can transformcancer care.MAVERICK AWARDMAVERICK AWARDMAVERICK AWARDPRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE NATIONALMINORITY QUALITY FORUM (NMQF)ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF EPIDEMIOLOGY AND BIOSTATISTICS ANDTHE ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR AT THE UCSF HELEN DILLER FAMILYCOMPREHENSIVE CANCER CENTER O U R H O N O R E E S
DR. SIGOURNEY BONNERPOSTDOCTORAL ASSOCIATE AT THE CANCER RESEARCH UKDr. Bonner is a postdoctoral associate at the CancerResearch UK (CRUK) Cambridge Institute, havingjust completed her PhD in pediatric brain tumorresearch developing novel models and therapeutics.Her contributions to the cancer research communityextend beyond her laboratory work. In 2020, sheco-founded Black in Cancer, an influentialorganization dedicated to creating a supportivenetwork for those within the Black cancercommunity and highlighting Black excellence incancer research and medicine.INSPIRE AWARDNADINE J. BARRETT, PHD, MA, MSAs the first Black female president of theAssociation of Cancer Care Centers, Nadine J.Barrett, PhD, MA, MPH, recognizes her influenceon future generations. A nationally recognizedleader, she advances health equity by fosteringcommunity partnerships and developing trainingto address implicit bias and systemic racism inresearch and healthcare.DR. LORI L. WILSON TRAILBLAZER AWARDPROFESSOR, SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HEALTH POLICY, DIVISION OFPUBLIC HEALTH SCIENCES, ATRIUM HEALTH
DR. SARA L. HORTON, MDDr. Horton is a board-certified Medical Oncologistand Executive Director of Access and Diversity atQuantum Leap Healthcare. With over 20 years ofexperience, she focuses on improving canceroutcomes and increasing diversity in clinical trials.Dr. Horton has held leadership roles at HowardUniversity Cancer Center and previously worked atthe FDA reviewing breast cancer therapies. She’s apublished researcher and developed programs tosupport minority students. Dr. Horton lives in SilverSpring, Maryland, with her family.SHERRI NEAL CROWLEYCHIEF DIVERSITY OFFICER, HCA HEALTHCARESherri Neal Crowley, leads the company's diversity,equity, inclusion, and cultural competencestrategies. Since joining in 2006, she haschampioned a culture of inclusion through thoughtleadership, strategic direction, and impactfulinitiatives that shape policies, practices, andpeople.DR. LORI L. WILSON TRAILBLAZER AWARDDR. LORI L. WILSON TRAILBLAZER AWARDEXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ACCESS AND DIVERSITY, QUANTUM LEAPHEALTHCARE COLLABORATIVE
MANDI L. PRATT-CHAPMAN MA,PHD, HON-OPN-CGMandi Pratt-Chapman, PhD, is an AssociateProfessor at GW School of Medicine and MilkenInstitute School of Public Health, and AssociateCenter Director for Community Outreach,Engagement, and Equity at GW Cancer Center. Hermission is to rapidly expand access to evidence-based healthcare and disease prevention. Herresearch focuses on patient navigation, cancersurvivorship, cancer control, and health equity forLGBTQI communities.CATRINA MARCELL, MBA, CSMSENIOR BUSINESS ANALYST, FOUNDER OF CATRINA MARCELLCONSULTING, AND NATIONAL LEAD ANGEL ADVOCATE, TIGERLILY FOUNDATIONCatrina faced her breast cancer diagnosis withunwavering faith, determination and a spirit ofhope. She found purpose through her work with theTigerlily Foundation. She started as an ANGELAdvocate in 2021, quickly moved into leadershiproles, and now serves as National Lead ANGELCoordinator. She passionately uplifts and empowersothers facing similar challenges, addressingdisparities, sharing her story, and providing supportand guidance.JADE CURTISEXECUTIVE EDITOR, BLACKDOCTOR.ORG Jade Curtis is the Executive Editor ofBlackDoctor.org (BDO), leading its mission topromote health equity in the Black communitythrough culturally relevant health and wellnesscontent. Supported by over 20 staff members and135 doctors, Jade ensures BDO’s content isinformative and engaging. A Tuskegee Universitygraduate, she empowers over 20 million Blackreaders monthly to live healthier lives.HOPE AWARDKAWANA RUCKER COURAGE AWARDTRANSFORMATION AWARDASSOCIATE CENTER DIRECTOR, COMMUNITY OUTREACH,ENGAGEMENT AND EQUITY FOR THE GW CANCER CENTER
TAMEKA JOHNSONRETIRED SPECIAL EDUCATOR, BLOGGER, AUTHOR ANDANGEL ADVOCATE, TIGERLILY FOUNDATIONTameka Johnson was first diagnosed withosteosarcoma at age 13 and later with stage IIHER2-positive breast cancer at 31. Despite hercancer metastasizing in 2016, she shares herjourney through her blog and book, Evolving Soul,using her story to inspire others and advocate formore racial diversity in clinical trials. Her scars, shebelieves, are proof of her determination to thrive.MICHELLE ANDERSON-BENJAMIN,MHAMichelle Anderson-Benjamin, known as The FearlessWarrior, is a mother of two from NYC. Diagnosedwith Stage 1 Triple Negative Breast Cancer at 36during the pandemic, her cancer returned asmetastatic in 2022. Inspired to turn her pain intopurpose, Michelle founded The Fearless WarriorProject with her daughter in 2021, creating a legacyfor her children while embracing her strength andfearlessness.AUSET BENJAMINDAUGHTER OF MICHELLE ANDERSON-BENJAMINAND FEARLESS PRINCESSAuset's daily affirmation is, "I am beautiful,confident, and resilient." She is the daughter of theFearless Warrior and has inherited the name FearlessPrincess. She proves that being an advocate has noage limit, and since the age of 3, she has been hermom's sidekick and supporter as she battles StageIV Triple Negative Breast Cancer. Together, they arechanging the narrative that women and girls ofcolor don't matter and demanding a seat at thetable to be the voice for the voiceless.KM WARRIOR AWARDKM WARRIOR AWARDMIGHTY WARRIOR AWARDCEO AND FOUNDER, FEARLESS WARRIOR PROJECT ORGANIZATION &ANGEL ADVOCATE, TIGERLILY FOUNDATION
2024 EMPOWER BALL CO-CHAIRSHOST COMMITTEESMITA ASRANICAROL BARBEIRENE DANKWA-MULLANCHRIS DAUPHINKIM DOGGETTRACHAEL ECKLESKAYT LEONARDMARY LEWISKARIMA MARIAMA-ARTHUR, ESQCHANNON MONROECHARLYN STANBERRYREGGIE SWIFTMAIMAH S. KARMOPRESIDENT & CEOTIGERLILY FOUNDATIONDR. TANIA SMALLSENIOR VICE PRESIDENT, HEAD OF MEDICAL AFFAIRS | BMSLISA TOMPKINS-BROWNMAGGY FRANCOIS
BOARD OF DIRECTORSCAROL BARBEDIANA PORTER BODDENLINDA BOHANNON, MSM, BSN, RNLISA THOMPKINS BROWN MICHELLE CLARKIRENE DANKWA-MULLAN, MD, MPHADITI HAZRA, PH.D., MDJENNY HSIEHJACKIE KENTTERRY-ANN LYNCH, DPA, MPHMARY LEWISJERRICA MATHISDR. LISA NEWMANDR. FUNMI OLOPADECHARLOTTE OWENS, MD, FACOGEMILY POEDEEPTI RANDHAVAYARA ROBERTSON, MDJENNIFER SCHIFFER, ESQSAMIA SIDDIQI, MSEN, MHA, LSSBBJACK TOPJIAN
OUR GENEROUS SPONSORS
OUR GENEROUS SPONSORSNationalMinorityQuality ForumTantusStemlineTherapeuticsACCCEisai GRAILPhRMAReal ChemistryTenacitySolutions
OUR PARTNERSTARA GATES WILLIAMS
TIGERLILY FOUNDATIONFOUNDED BYMAIMAH S. KARMO, PRESIDENT & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERINSPIRED BYNOELLE KARMO-WALSHTIGERLILY FOUNDATION MEDICAL ADVISORY BOARDELISSA THORNERDR. VIRGINIA CHIANTELLAISAAC ELIAZ, MD, MS, LADR. CAROLYN FANGOGORI N KALU, MD, MSARNETHEA L. SUTTON, PH.D., MELISSA B. DAVIS, PHDDR. LISA NEWMANDEBORA BARTON, MDCARMINA G. VALLE, PHD, MPHDR. ANDREA PHILLIPSNATHALIE MCDOWELLJOHNSON, MD,DR. GAIL LEBOVICDR. JIYON LEEDR. PHILOMENA MCANDREWDR. ALEX MESBAHIDR. GIL MORGANDR. MARIA E. ROSAFREYA SCHNABEL, M.D.DR. MICHAEL SCHULTZDR. VANESSA B. SHEPPARDDR. LILLIE SHOCKNEYDON S. DIZON, MD DR. RANDY MILESDR. SHAWNA WILLEYDR. DAVID WEINTRITTDR. MELISSA YATESDR. MONIQUE GARYDR. LORI WILSONDR. MYLIN A. TORRESKENNETH LIN, MD, MPHDR. TARA SANFTDR. LISA CHISMDR. NICOLE SAPHIERMARY BETH TERRY, PHDDR. WILLIAM AUDEHDR. JENNIFER SIMS, D.C.DR. KIMLIN TAM ASHING-GIWADR. EMMETT DENNISLISA A. COOPERDR. DORIS BROWNEDR. RACHEL BREMDR. ANNE FAVRETDR. STEFAN GLUCKDR. HEE-SOON JUONDR. REBECCA KALTMANHOPE S. RUGO, MDESTHER BOYKIN, LMFTSANDI L. PRUITT, PHDTIGERLILY FOUNDATION TEAMELIF ANDAC-JONESCLARA CHRISTENSONMARITA COKERSHANDA COOPERKATHERINE CORNISHRHEILA DANTZLERAMANDA ESPENSCHIED-REILLYMAIMAH KARMONOELLE KARMO-WALSHVIRGINIA LEACHCHRISTIN LECKERHALEY MCEWANBELINDA PAULICINCHRISTINA RAIAJEANNE REGNANTESUE STEELEKRISTA STEWARTJEFF TRAVERSLIZZIE WITTIGTHANK YOU TO OUR PLATINUM TABLE HOSTSM3J MANAGEMENTRADNETJENNY HSIEH LEONARD KANEDAUPHIN WILSONINDUSTRIESIRENE DANKWA-MULLAN
THANK YOU TO OURSILENT AUCTION DONORSALCHEMIST AGENDYALTON LANEBEAN KINNEY TRUST SERVICESBODY CHEMISTRYCAPITAL GRILLEDIAMOND DIRECTEPIC BEAUTYFISHSCALE RESTAURANTMICROSOFTOURSELFPEEL HAUS AESTHETICS & PLASTIC SURGERYPREMIERE PRESSEREAL CHEMISTRYREFOCUS PORTRAITSREPUBLIC RESTORATIVE DISTILLERYWINES FOR HUMANITYWORDSMITHRAPPORTYIP FITNESS
T I G E R L I L Y ’ ST R A N S F O R M A T I O N A LP R O G R A M SYoung Women’s Advocate Now To Grow,Empower & Lead (ANGEL) AdvocacyProgram The Tigerlily Foundation is committed to mobilizingour community of young women, caregivers, andloved ones to transform lives and recognize that wemust Advocate Now to Grow, Empower & Leadthrough the ANGEL Advocacy Program. The ANGELAdvocacy Program has two foundational initiativesto mobilize this community: The ANGEL AdvocacyProgram provides comprehensive training forWomen of Color between the ages of 21 and 50,who have been impacted by breast cancer, either bybeing diagnosed themselves or who have had aloved one touched by the disease.RACE (Rallying Around Care and Equity)AllianceThe RACE Alliance is a collaborative of patients,experts, caregivers, community leaders and partners,who have signed our #InclusionPledge, focused onestablishing priorities and implementing measurableinterventions to end MBC disparities for Black women.The vision of the RACE Alliance is to end breast cancerdisparities in Women of Color in our lifetime.HEAL Policy Center of Excellence Through Tigerlily's HEAL Policy COE, our focus is toeducate, empower, and lift patient voices to ensurethey are amplified, to achieve health equity and enddisparities. The HEAL Policy COE aims to leadsystemic changes through policy at the local, state,and federal levels to advance public policy tofurther our mission to educate, advocate for,empower, and support young women before, during,and after breast cancer.
T I G E R L I L Y ’ ST R A N S F O R M A T I O N A LP R O G R A M STigerlily’s POWER Center PatientInsights and Equity ResearchTigerlily’s POWER Center is driven by patients andleaders in the cancer community advocacy space,embedded in and working together with vulnerablecommunities. We are committed to bring outscience-driven patient insights POWER (People-driven Outcomes through real-World Evidence and Research) Clinical Trials ProgramTigerlily Foundation’s Clinical Trial Program iscommitted to building TRUST throughTRANSPARENCY to TRANSFORM the future ofclinical trials. We are focused on building trust andtransparency between patients and science andstakeholders, eliminating barriers to inclusion,achieving equity, and transforming the future ofclinical trials.
BMS
What if Iwant to fly?Why must our onlyoptions be to squawkand settle or to neverleave the nest? Eloise Bridgerton
Thank you forjoining us!