Who We Are

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Survivors & Professionals Helping You Celebrate Life

Breast Friends is a unique resource for patients, their families and friends; striving to minimize the fear and isolation of cancer. Our staff of dedicated women, through their personal journeys, understand the challenges that a diagnosis can bring. Through their own experiences through cancer, they have found hope and want to share that with others. They come alongside each person with understanding and compassion.

About Us

Meet Our Team

Allison Hancock

Executive Director

More about Allison

Allison Hancock has been a breast cancer survivor since 2004. Allison began volunteering at Breast Friends in 2013 and now serves as Executive Director since 2018. She has been married to her husband Mark and they have two sons. Josh is currently at Oregon State studying mechanical engineering and Jeremy will be attending Oregon State in the fall of 2020. Go Beavers! Allison has lived on the Gulf Coast, East Coast and West Coast but loves the West Coast best. “The PNW has so much to offer and the scenery is spectacular”. When she isn’t involved with the day to day of Breast Friends, she enjoys reading, cooking and crafting.

She says, “It is a great honor to lead this organization. Seeing the impact that the programs has made on the women we serve as they are navigating the cancer journey. Breast cancer is not a club that anyone wants to join, but it is comforting to know that Breast Friends is here to give hope, inspiration and a community of sisterhood.”

Aimee Berg

Patient Programs Coordinator

More about Aimee

Aimee found Breast Friends in the fall of 2019 after having completed a year of active treatment. She attended a Young Warrior retreat at the beach, and it changed her forever! In 2020 she started volunteering at Breast Friends and found it gave her new purpose that she had been searching for. In 2021 she was hired as the Programs Coordinator. She’s married to her high school sweetheart, Ed, and they have one daughter, Lucy. They love taking family vacation and attending live theatre and musicals. In her spare time she can be found crafting or creating art, sewing, watching movies, picnicking or exploring her native PNW and spending time with friends and family. She is excited and grateful to be part of helping other women who are facing cancer find connection and thrive.

Liz Brown

Events and Social Media Coordinator

More about Liz

Liz joined Breast Friends after being a key volunteer for two years. She has focused on bringing the social media streams up to date and assisting with events and she will continue to do so. In addition, she will assist in launching new programs. She is very passionate about helping women with cancer, as she lost her mother to breast cancer in 2008 and spent time working in medical community. In the past, she has also volunteered for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Girls on the Run and spent years in other school activities. Liz is married with two grown daughters and her house is rounded out with a dog and two cats. In her free time, she enjoys travel, working out and enjoying the outdoors.

Katje Johnson-Jacobs

Patient Support Coordinator

More about Katje

After being diagnosed with Breast Cancer in January 2022, Katje called Breast Friends and immediately felt at home amongst other women in the support groups and activities she went to. After finishing treatment, Katje was ready to help ensure other people had the same support and love she felt. In June of 2023 she started working part time with Breast Friends.

In her spare time, she loves quilting, crafting, hiking and spending time with her grown children, her husband and their menagerie of pets.

Brooks Fuentes

Special Programs Coordinator

More about Brooks

Brooks was diagnosed with breast cancer in the summer of 2021. During active treatment, she was able to find support and comfort through the broader breast cancer community. She discovered a passion for connecting with other survivors and wanted to continue providing encouragement and assistance to the cancer community in her professional career. She joined Breast Friends in 2023 as a Patient Outreach Specialist, focusing on outreach and programming for the Latinx community. She was born in Mexico, raised in Atlanta, and has lived in Oregon since 2001.

She loves adventuring outdoors, cuddling her cats, traveling back home to Mexico, expanding her mindfulness practices through yoga and meditation, and reading.

Erin McNally

Events Assistant

More about Erin

Erin started volunteering and attending luncheons with Breast Friends in 2018 with her mom who was diagnosed in 2009 and joined Breast Friends in 2024 as the Events Assistant. Erin has always had a heart for making a difference in people’s lives and bringing joy to those she comes in contact with. She plans to do just that and more working with Breast Friends. In her free time, she likes to do anything outside, which often includes hiking and paddle boarding. Most summer weekends you can find her drag racing at the Woodburn dragstrip.

Our Board of Directors

Melissa Thomsen

President

Melissa Thomsen

Melissa is a breast cancer survivor, diagnosed in 2020 at the age of 48. Melissa became involved with Breast Friends in the middle of her year long active treatment and has been involved ever since. Prior to joining the board, she has served as a mentor and as a HUGS volunteer. She enjoys traveling with her husband, Rick and three children, Connor, Brooke and Ryker. Melissa spends a lot of time at the Oregon coast, hiking, and kayaking. In her prior professional career she has been a Development Director for The Dougy Center and Parrott Creek Child & Family Services among others.

Michelle Waddell

Treasurer

Michelle Waddell

Accounting and Finance Professional. Diagnosed in 2001 at age 33. Michelle is a finance and accounting professional that has worked in multiple industries providing leadership as well as process and procedure redesign to companies looking to improve their financial and accounting proficiency. She has been married to her husband Mike for 29 years and loves to spend time with friends as well as travel. She has been a Chemo Pal with the Children’s Cancer Society and spent 10 years supporting the National MS Society.

Michelle Harrell

Secretary

Michelle Harrell

Michelle is committed to helping others connect with their own self-healing capabilities, creating deeper connection to self and source. Prior to training as a Psilocybin Facilitator, Michelle enjoyed a successful international corporate career working primarily in Human Resources and Information Technology, supporting change programs. She soon realized how difficult change is for most people and enjoyed supporting others through their own life transitions, big and small.

Michelle’s own experiences with psilocybin created a paradigm shift in how she saw herself, how she saw the world and how she related with others, resulting in positive changes to her life overall. She felt called to pivot and make one of the biggest changes in her career, becoming a licensed psilocybin facilitator. She is excited and humbled to serve others as they embark on their own healing journeys to improved mental health, wellness, and relationships.

Jennifer Mohan

Member at Large

Jennifer Mohan

Jennifer is a breast cancer survivor, diagnosed at the age of 36, and has been an active advocate for the cause since her own treatment journey. She became involved with Breast Friends during this time, initially contributing as a peer mentor. Her deep commitment to the cause eventually led her to join the board.

In her professional career, Jennifer specializes in business and retail operations, leveraging her expertise to help teams and brands scale and achieve sustainable growth. Outside of her professional pursuits, she enjoys traveling with her husband, spending quality time with her family, and playing tennis.

Kristin M. Mauro, Ph.D.

Member At Large

Kristin M. Mauro, Ph.D.

Dr. Kristin M. Mauro is a breast cancer survivor, diagnosed with DCIS in October 2022 at the age of 46. Kristin finished radiation treatment on Cinco de Mayo 2023. Quickly thereafter Kristin found Girls Nite Out. A survivor group sponsored by Breast Friends and held at Salem Hospital. Kristin attended her first survivors luncheon in October 2023 and immediately knew this would be her way to give back while paying it forward. Kristin’s desire to support others through their journey only deepened when she lost her mom, who unknowingly had Stage 4 Breast Cancer, in December 2023.

Kristin has spent her 26 year career as a servant leader in Higher Education. Having worked in multiple states and at multiple institutional types, Kristin has held a diversity of roles and understands the complexities facing higher education today. Kristin earned her BA from the University of Iowa, her MA from Our Lady of the Lake University (San Antonio, TX), and her Ph.D. from Iowa State University. Kristin previously served on the American Association of University Women (AAUW) of Oregon Board of Directors and the AAUW Salem Chapter Board of Directors.

When not working, Kristin is an avid reader who enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her 3 year-old Jack Russell Terrier, Mabel. Kristin also loves living in the PNW and exploring all Oregon has to offer!

Kaisa Holt

Member At Large

Kaisa Holt

Kaisa became involved with Breast Friends in 2019, shortly after her breast cancer diagnosis. Since then, she has found strength, support, and community through Breast Friends, which has been a huge bonus to her journey as a cancer survivor. Kaisa is committed to making a difference in the lives of others facing similar challenges.

Currently pursuing a Master of Public Health at OHSU with a concentration in Health Promotion, Kaisa has a background in biology education research.

Outside of her academic pursuits, Kaisa is the proud mother of a wonderful 10-year-old boy. She enjoys weekend trips to the coast, hiking around Portland, yoga, and spending time with friends and family.

Tralice Lewis

Member At Large

Tralice Lewis

Tralice Lewis, co-owner of Callie’s Custom Hat Wigs, draws inspiration from her mother, Callie Lewis, a dedicated hospice nurse whose compassion brought confidence to patients in their most vulnerable moments. Witnessing this impact fueled Tralice’s passion for helping others, leading her to create a space where individuals facing hair loss can regain their self-assurance.

With the unwavering support of her husband, Rayfield, and their sons, Royelle and Savion, Tralice launched Callie’s Custom Hat Wigs in Portland, Oregon, in 2020 with the help of MESO. As the only Black-owned wig store in the Pacific Northwest, it stands as a symbol of representation, empowerment, and inclusivity—welcoming all, including the LGBTQ2IA+ community.

With over 15 years in healthcare, Tralice deeply understands the emotional impact of hair loss. She partners with Kaiser Permanente Northwest and Providence Transition Medical to provide education and free wigs for those in need. Her advocacy extends to mentoring small businesses through MESO, inspiring future entrepreneurs.

Recognized for her contributions, Tralice received the 2024 Unsung Shero Queen Community Award and the Business Excellence MESO Award. Her influence also reaches the entertainment industry, collaborating with celebrities like Queen Lunelle and Tabitha Brown.

At Callie’s Custom Hat Wigs, Tralice creates more than wigs—she fosters confidence, love, and self-expression. Grounded in faith, she ensures every customer feels valued and uplifted. Because at Callie’s Custom Hat Wigs, “Wigs See No Color.”

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Who We Are

Survivors & Professionals Helping You Celebrate Life

About Us

Meet Our Team

Allison Hancock

Aimee Berg

Liz Brown

Katje Johnson-Jacobs

Brooks Fuentes

Erin McNally

Our Board of Directors

Melissa Thomsen

Michelle Waddell

Michelle Harrell

Jennifer Mohan

Kristin M. Mauro, Ph.D.

Kaisa Holt

Tralice Lewis

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