Mary is a local McDonald’s franchise owner in Woodland, Sacramento, and Solano County. After graduating from law school, she worked as a Deputy District Attorney in Solano and Yolo County before her career in McDonald’s. With a heart for the community, she actively supports many community organizations, including the national nonprofit API Public Affairs (APAPA) as the National President. Mary was inspired by her friendship with Ann Murray Paige, to continue the legacy of her nonprofit Project Pink. In the summer of 2016, Mary and a close group of friends established Thriving Pink as a local nonprofit to provide a network of meaningful support for those impacted by breast cancer.
Our Team
We invite you to join our Pink Team which is dedicated to helping those impacted in Yolo County by breast cancer to thrive by providing a compassionate network of support and resources in partnership with the community. Our volunteers come from all different backgrounds – those diagnosed with breast cancer, community leaders, business owners, and health professionals. We are the only local nonprofit in Davis and Yolo County which focuses on serving and supporting the local breast cancer community. Until there is a cure, we will continue to work together to make a difference in the lives of those that are battling this disease.
Executive Team & Board Members
Mary Yin Liu
Executive Director
Leslie Hunter
Program & Development Director
Leslie has many years of experience planning and organizing events and programs for our community. She is an educator in our public school system and is dedicated to working with local elementary school students, providing instructional reading and reading comprehension. Leslie recently completed her term as Board Member for Davis Community Meals & Housing and Vice Chair for the Yolo County Health Council. On behalf of our Pink Team, she coordinates our volunteers and supports our efforts to partner with the local community to fundraise and establish our core programs.
Bubbly Bajwa, MD
Board President
Bubbly is an Internal Medicine Physician and Chief Medical Informatics Officer( CMIO) at NorthBay Medical Center. Educated in Canada, she moved to Davis in 2002 with her husband, Guneet Bajwa and their two children. She has actively participated in the Davis Music school board and many local non-profit organizations including CASA and Yolo Food Bank. Losing her mother to cancer in 2011, a mere 12 weeks after diagnosis, was a life changing moment for her. Cancer is a diagnosis that is transformative affecting both the person and the families in many ways. She hopes to support those afflicted with this disease through their journey to ensure that with resilience, faith, love ,and support no one is ever left alone. “One moment can change a day, one day can change a life and one life can change the world.” Buddha
Joni Rubin
Vice-President & Outreach Chair
Joni joins the Thriving Pink Board with over 30 years of experience as a healthcare and wellness leader, innovator and educator. Joni has immeasurable gratitude for the family, friends and providers who have helped her throughout her breast cancer journey. She believes all breast cancer survivors should have access to a supportive community and vital resources. Joni leads our outreach efforts, supports our mentorship programs, serves on our workshop committee, and is also a Pink Peer and mentor to many in our community.
Holly Davis Rodriguez
Secretary/Treasurer & Board Member
Holly is a local physical therapist clinical specialist specializing in oncology and lymphedema rehabilitation at Kaiser Permanente. She has been a leader within her field developing programs and pathways in aiding the recovery of cancer survivors. She has presented educational lectures to surgeons, oncologists, and many other health care providers. Holly is a presenter and guest speaker at Thriving Pink Workshops/Pink Speaker Series. She supports PINKtober community outreach and also serves at the Zumbathon chair. During her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband, family and friends, teaching Zumba, and international travel.
Guillermina Perez
Workshop Chair & Board Member
Guillermina is a second grade teacher at Beamer Elementary School in Woodland, where she has taught for over 23 years. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2018, she received a Granting Pink Award and attended the Renewal Retreat hosted by Thriving Pink. Her experience was full of gratitude for this sisterhood of support and compassion. Feeling blessed beyond measure for this generous community, she has decided to pay it forward to reach out to diverse voices, promote empathy, and inclusion for all. She also hopes to inspire others, including her two teenage girls, to understand that seeking help and giving back is a sign and source of strength. “No one should go through cancer alone.”
Lori Walters
Board Member
Lori is a certified Life and Business Coach. She has lived locally for over 20 years, and has been involved in the community, both as a CASA and with the Davis schools as a volunteer and a substitute teacher. She also supports law enforcement agencies and firefighters by working for a private investigation company in Davis. Having lost her mother to cancer, she continues to be inspired by the courage of those fighting cancer and wants to support the Thriving Pink community. She serves on the committee to review Granting Pink applications, a program that directly benefits many women in our community with much needed resources and support. She enjoys physical fitness, an active lifestyle, and spending time with family and friends.
Kelly Currywood
Board Member
Kelly works as a project coordinator for UC Davis, and operates a beautiful flower farm, Circle Z Farms in Capay Valley. She has 15+ years’ experience with coordinating and managing events, including fundraisers. She holds Thriving Pink very near and dear to her heart as she was by her friend Kristen’s side when she went through her breast cancer journey. Kelly looks forward to continuing to contribute to this cause, and supporting and caring for local women with a breast cancer diagnosis. She has served on the Pink Gala committee She hopes to make a positive and everlasting effect on the Thriving Pink community.
Andrea Mayer
Finance Chair & Board Member
Andrea is a planning consultant, farmer and 26 year resident of Yolo County. She is an ardent supporter of women’s empowerment in all areas of life. As a breast cancer survivor/thriver, she is proud to be able to provide support for others. In addition to being a Thriving Pink Board Member, she is a member of the Yolo CASA Advisory Board (Court Appointed Advocates for Foster Youth) and is a volunteer at the UC Davis Arboretum Nursery. She and her husband Jim are proud parents of adult children Sam and Carly. Andrea enjoys hiking, gardening, culinary adventures and time with family.
Denise Rose
Board Member
Denise is an ICF certified life coach and grief specialist who supports people through personal growth and change. She has a master’s degree in counseling and mental health. Denise had a 20-year career in Bereavement Services with Yolo Hospice as a counselor and in management and leadership. Prior to that, she had a 10-year career in human resource administration in higher education. Volunteer service has always been an important part of her life. In 2016, she was treated for breast cancer. Her journey of healing was transformative. She is grateful to now be involved with Thriving Pink as a Pink Peer Mentor, PINKtober outreach volunteer, and supporter of the Annual Renewal Retreat.
Gayle Norman Barry
Mentoring Pink Chair & Board Member
Gayle is a senior leader for a local Federal agency focusing on the care and health of California’s abundant agricultural and natural resources. Diagnosed with breast cancer in 2017, she moved to Davis with her family to make a lifestyle change for her health. She shares her journey through surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and recovery to help others with awareness and support. As Chair of the Mentoring Program, and leading the Pink Peers, she believes in giving back by helping others through a difficult journey with encouragement and support. When she is not volunteering, Gayle enjoys time with her family and friends and helping with her family’s ranch.
Dr. Alicia Silva
Board Member
Alicia is a General Surgeon in Davis, CA and affiliated with Sutter Health. She has been practicing in the community since 1999, and graduated fromUC Davis School of Medicine. While she enjoys the breadth of General Surgery, her heart is in helping women with breast cancer. She understands how vital the Thriving Pink organization is for the survivors of breast cancer, their family and the entire community. She grew up in Yolo County and ardently wants give back to my community. She is wonderful guest speaker for our monthly workshops. She has a special interest in increasing breast cancer awareness and support to our Spanish speaking community.
Diane Marie Cataldi
Accountant, CPA
Diane is a certified public accountant with over 30 years of experience. In 2018 she began her own business, DMC Accounting, to serve local businesses and nonprofits. Diane is also the president of the Center for Spiritual Living, Davis. Previously, Diane served as a board member and treasurer of the Davis Chamber of Commerce and Suicide Prevention of Yolo County. Breast cancer first impacted Diane’s life at the age of 14 when her mother died of the disease. In 2011 she became a breast cancer survivor/thrivor herself. Diane is excited to join this dynamic and vital organization that helps local breast cancer survivors thrive within a network of support.
Committee Members
Rose Cholewinski
Granting Pink Chair
Rose is the owner of SwimAmerica in Davis, and has over 25 years of teaching and coaching experience with swimmers of all ages. She has a passion for supporting the local community through various organizations, including the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary, and Citizens Who Care. She is working with other committee members to review applications through the Granting Pink Program. She believes in sharing “positivity” with others, and has personally supported local breast cancer survivors/thrivers. She believes this local grant program will directly benefit many women in our community.
Linda Dunn
Renewal Retreat Chair
Linda is the owner and licensed esthetician of Bloom Again Skin Studio located inside FIT House in Davis. She has advanced training in Oncology Esthetics, and gives back to the community with all her heart. She serves regularly in the music ministry at First Baptist Church and also volunteers for the Look Good Feel Better program that helps women going through cancer learn to care for their changing skin and use makeup to lift their spirit. Linda supports many outreach events for Thriving Pink, and is a lead coordinator for the annual Thriving Pink Renewal Retreat during the spa afternoon for all of the attendees. It is an honor for her to directly support these women and to make these special connections with our community.
Chasity Baltazar
Granting Pink Committee Member
After she was diagnosed with breast cancer, Chasity decided to pursue a career in nursing to help breast cancer patients at Sutter Hospital in Davis. While she was a patient in the same hospital, she received a Granting Pink Award and attended the Thriving Pink Renewal Retreat. She openly shares how she has been able to empower herself and others after her own diagnosis with breast cancer. Chasity reaches out to many of her patients, while serving on the committee to review Granting Pink applications to help distribute much needed funds to local women and their families.
Pam Cordano, MFT
Group Facilitator
Pam is a psychotherapist who specializes in cancer and resilience. For 20 years she has worked with individuals, families and groups. A cancer survivor/thriver herself, she is particularly passionate about creating healing opportunities and a deeper sense of community. She facilitates weekly groups in her private practice and teaches workshops locally and abroad. Pam also serves on the advisory board for Camp Kesem, UC Davis. For Thriving Pink, Pam serves as a group facilitator for the annual retreat and workshops throughout the year.
Sandy Walsh
Pink Speaker Series Coordinator
Sandy has a strong background in the sciences, with a degree in medical technology, and many years teaching biochemistry and working in research laboratories. As a local breast cancer survivor, she wanted to bring current research and cancer treatments to the forefront of her community. She has served as president of California breast cancer organizations and was on the board of the National Breast Cancer Coalition. Sandy coordinates the monthly Pink Speaker Series to provide ongoing educational workshops to our community. Over the years, she has established contacts with many guest speakers, including a network of physicians, nurses, physical therapists, counselors, and other health professionals. She is honored to provide this great resource of knowledge to help other cancer survivors and those who support them.
Raychel Kubby Adler
PINKtober Chair
Raychel, MPH, is a certified Wellness Coach, Writer/Author and a Fitness Instructor. As the founder of YOLO WELL, she supports many individuals in finding their way to create optimal health and wellness as a tool for survival. As a Life Coach, she has provided counseling and positive direction to many individuals. As a public speaker, she also shares her experiences as a “previvor” (with the genetic predisposition for breast cancer) in her book, Life in Asymmetry. She has lost many loved ones and close family members to this disease and is dedicated to helping others through this difficult journey. Raychel is very passionate about this cause, and supports Thriving Pink by Co-Chairing PINKtober.
Patti Hadrava
Stitches of Love Coordinator
Patti leads the monthly Stitches of Love volunteer workshop group for Thriving Pink to create beautiful and thoughtful gifts for local survivors. She is a breast cancer survivor who shares her creative skills of sewing and knitting to inspire dozens of volunteers at these open workshops. The volunteer group helps to fill comfort bags with homemade quilts, knitted hats, and heart-shaped recovery pillows. During the pandemic, dozens of women also made face masks for breast cancer survivors in the oncology department of local hospitals. She believes the greatest gift is compassion and heartfelt generosity.
Karina Knight
Therapeutic Counseling Support
Karina is available to provide one-on-one counseling and therapeutic support for local breast cancer survivors. She is a breast cancer survivor and a licensed family and marriage therapist. She is passionate about helping others navigate through adversity to find peace, connection, and clarity. Karina also owns and manages Polestar Farms in Northern California with her husband Jim. They share the beautiful orchard with fruit trees with local restaurants and the local community. She is also certified by the University of California as a Master Gardener and as a yoga instructor.
Joy Elson
Website and Tech Support
Joy has supported several local non-profits in Yolo County for over 20 years, providing IT support including managing databases, websites and social media. She currently works for STEAC (Short Term Emergency Aid Committee). Joy provides essential tech support for Thriving Pink, updating the website and sending out informational newsletters to the Thriving Pink community of local survivors and supporters. Joy enjoys working as part of the team in the generous community of Davis and Yolo County. She enjoys hiking, camping, biking, walking her dog, and playing with clay.
Brelle Albert
Founding President
Brelle is a Realtor with Higgins Team at exp Realty. Through her own personal experience diagnosed with breast cancer, she has reached out to help and support many others in our community. Brelle has served as Co-Chair of the Renewal Retreat and the Pink Gala through multiple years to ensure a strong foundation for the success of our Pink Team. She has stepped up to light the path ahead of us in so many ways. We greatly appreciate her contributions to our Thriving Pink community, and continue to be inspired by her leadership.
