Board of Directors and Staff

Vicki Tosher, President. Vicki is a breast cancer survivor (diagnosted May 1992 and rediagnosed May 2003) and works as a research assistant with the University of Colorado. She edits the Colorado Breast Cancer Resources Directory and web site. She is the Colorado Field Coordinator for the National Breast Cancer Coalition and past President of the Colorado Breast Cancer Coalition. She was a member of the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program Peer Review Panel (1999, 2000) and is a graduate of Project LEAD (Leadership, Education and Advocacy Development), a science-based program sponsored by the National Breast Cancer Coalition. Vicki also is a member of American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Task Force. She has done public speaking on topics as diverse personal choices in treatment for breast cancer, personal advocacy as a patient, and sexuality after treatment. Vicki received the 2001 Jacque Mattson Volunteer Award from the Susan G. Komen Foundation Denver Affiliate. Vicki is the co-founder of Sense of Security.

Judy Baxter, Secretary-Treasurer. Judy is an assistant professor at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. She has her MA degree in Sociology from the University of Denver. Since 1983 her work has been focused on teaching Master's in Public Health students about the social factors that affect the health of individuals and communities and being project manager/investigator for several large NIH funded epidemiological studies of diabetes, heart disease and aging. She is also the principal investigator for an Agency for Health Care Research Quality large conference grant that trains clinicians, policy makers, journalists and consumer advocates in how to critically appraise and use medical research evidence in practice. Living with, surviving and dying from cancer is part of Judy's personal history through her closest friends and family. She knows what's involved in extensive treatment and the tough choices that have to be made. Judy hopes that her history and connection to the impact of cancer, as well as the wider medical and public health community throughout Colorado and nationally will be a resource for Sense of Security. And that she can be a vehicle for increasing awareness of the organization and its vital mission. She believes the need for and the power of relief that Sense of Security can give and hopes that her energies will serve the organization well.

Cathy Martinez, Director. Cathy has been the Director of Grants and Foundation Relations for Young Life since January 2000. She is responsible for the $14 million plus the organization raises from foundations each year. She directly interfaces with the top foundations in the country and coordinates all the foundation work for the organization. Before joining Young Life, Cathy served as the State Diversity Leader for Colorado State University Cooperative Extension. She was part of the National United States Department of Agriculture Diversity Committee and is a co-founder of the Change Agents States for Diversity (CASD) Project. Cathy is still involved with this project, which is still in force and is supported by USDA. Cathy graduated from The Colorado College and attended graduate school at Colorado State University. Cathy has two children, Ramie (24) and Chase (20).

Marilyn Craig, Director.

Staff

Angela Ricker, Executive Director. Angela has served as Executive Director for two years. She has over 14 years experience in nonprofit management and fundraising, serving both charitable nonprofit organizations and membership associations. Angela received her Master of Public Administration with an emphasis in Nonprofit Management from the University of Colorado in 1999. She is or has been a member of the American Society of Association Executives, the Colorado Society of Association Executives, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the Colorado Planned Giving Roundtable, and the National Committee on Planned Giving. Angela is the co-founder of Sense of Security.

Email: aricker@senseofsecurity.org

Wendy Newman, Program Assistant. As Program Assistant, Wendy comes to Sense of Security with several perspectives: as a two-year breast cancer survivor, former Sense of Security grantee, and an active member in the breast cancer community. Professionally, she has worked as a writer, researcher, and consultant in facilitation, program development, and project management. She served as a director on the Board of Big John's Team, a non-profit organization providing financial assistance for medical bills to uninsured cancer patients and has volunteered for numerous other breast cancer organizations. She is a member of the National Breast Cancer Coalition (NBCC) and participated in the 2005 NBCC Foundation Advocacy and Lobbying Conference in DC. In addition, she founded Young Empowered Survivors (YES!), a group dedicated to advocacy, support, and empowerment for young breast cancer survivors in Colorado. She currently serves as President of the Board. Wendy looks forward to applying her skills, ability, and passion toward working with Sense of Security and assisting breast cancer patients across Colorado.

Email: wnewman@senseofsecurity.org

Allyssa Gregory, Office Assistant.

Email: agregory@senseofsecurity.org