Our Founders:
Roger Daltrey & Pete Townshend
Learn MoreCelebs Who Care
Athletes Who Care
Board of Directors
Rebecca Rothstein
Board Chair
Rebecca Rothstein is a Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor at Merrill Lynch Private Bank & Investment Group. Rebecca and Ron, her husband of many years, have four sons and live in Beverly Hills, CA. Rebecca became involved with Teen Cancer through her friendship with musician Roger Daltrey: “It’s always been Roger’s dream to bring the teen cancer cause to America, and I’m honored to help him achieve that vision.”
Rick French
Vice Chair
Rick French is chairman & chief executive officer of French/West/Vaughan (FWV), one of the nation’s largest independently-owned public relations, public affairs, advertising and digital media agencies. He is 2017 inductee of the North Carolina Media & Journalism Hall of Fame; has twice been named PR Agency Professional of Year; and is listed among the 300 “Most Influential Communicators in the World,” by PR Week. But that’s only part of Rick’s resume: he is also a noted film financier and producer who serves as Managing Partner of Prix Productions; he co-owns the Daytona Tortugas, the Advanced A affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds; and holds board seats and private equity investments in a half-dozen other media, sports and entertainment ventures. He is a national trustee of both the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame + Museum in Cleveland, Ohio and the London-based Buddy Holly Educational Foundation.
Howard Jaffe
Treasurer
Howard Jaffe is an attorney and serves on the boards of nonprofit companies. A long time passionate fan of The Who, he approached Roger Daltrey about founding a charity in America similar to the ideas and success of the Teenage Cancer Trust in the United Kingdom. Howard became part of the team that organized and launched Teen Cancer America and hopes to expand the charity to cover the entire United States so every teen battling cancer has a place in a hospital to simply be a teen.
Becky Mancuso-Winding
Becky Mancuso-Winding serves as the Executive Director of UCLA Health, Community and Business Partnerships. She leads the UCLA Health Office of Community with focus on community engagement, community wellness and community partnerships. Those partnerships include foundations like Leukemia Lymphoma Society (LLS), American Heart Association (AHA) and American Cancer Society (ACS), as well as corporate partnerships such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Los 88Angeles Dodgers and AEG.
Becky started her UCLA Health career in 2008 in Health Sciences Development, overseeing UCLA Health Medical Center, Santa Monica and a number of patient programs including UCLA Operation Mend, Daltrey-Townshend Teen& Young Adult Cancer Program at UCLA, UCLA Alzheimer’s Dementia Care Program and UCLA People-Animal Program (PAC).
Prior to 2008, Becky had a multi-decade career as a creative executive in entertainment industry. During her entertainment industry career, she was involved in a number of charitable endeavors for City of Hope, Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and served on the original board of what is now UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospital. During her fourteen years of service on that Board, she advocated and raised funding for a number of pediatric healthcare initiatives and was instrumental in sta?ng the ongoing annual fundraiser, Mattel Part;y on the Pier.
Throughout her career, Becky has held numerous executive positions in the film and music industry, but is best lmown for her pioneering work as one of the industry’s first credited feature film music supervisors, having crafted award winning soundtracks for over fort;y music oriented films, including Urban Cowboy and Footloose. In 2018, the Guild of Music Supervisors recognized her contribution to the industry with the Legacy Award.
Her other entertainment industry work included founding a division of Sony Entertainment, Sony Wonder, focused on children’s and family entertainment that crossed multiple platforms of music, film, television, and games. She was a producer of a number of award-winning television specials that included Sesame Street’s Elmopalooza for ABC, the Twenty-Fifth Anniversary of Sesame Street for ABC, Elmo Saves Christmas for PBS and Cinderella for ABC featuring Dorothy Hamill and the Ice Capades.
Becky currently serves on the national Board of Teen Cancer America, and Students4Students that actively addresses shelter needs for college students experiencing homelessness and food insecurity.Bill Curbishley
A highly successful music and film producer and band manager, Bill Curbishley is best known for managing the Who. He founded Trinifold Management in 1974 to handle The Who and later expanded to include other major acts including Judas Priest, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Led Zeppelin vocalist Robert Plant and Jimmy Page. Bill was heavily involved in the stage show of “Tommy,” which went on to garner five Tony awards on Broadway. His further involvement with the Who led to his producing the movies “Quadrophenia” and “McVicar.” Bill also produced the film, “The Railway Man,” based upon an Eric Lomax story about his capture and torture by the Japanese on the Burma-Siam railway during World War II. Bill’s involvement with teen cancer comes about through his long-time friendship with Roger Daltrey.
David Simoné
David Simoné, born in London, England, is a founder and principal of DSW Entertainment, which works in a broad spectrum of the entertainment business, including artist management, music publishing, recorded music, and television and film production. Originally a UK lawyer, he entered the entertainment business with independent UK label Gem Records, became head of business affairs at Arista Records, and was named president of Arista Records UK at age 29. At Arista he worked with artists including Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Dionne Warwick, Secret Affair, the Thompson Twins, the Stray Cats, and Barry Manilow. Subsequently, as President of Mercury Records UK, Simoné worked closely with Tears For Fears, Dire Straits, Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, Metallica, and Elton John. He signed Bob Geldof as a solo artist and gave him office space to organize Live Aid. Later he became chairman of MCA UK. Upon moving to the US, he was asked by MCA to start a label, Uni Records. There he signed, among other artists, Steve Earle and Erik B and Rakim and Walk On Fire. He has also been Senior VP of Business Affairs for Capitol Records.Later, as president of Polygram Publishing, Simoné acquired songs and catalogues of artists including Bon Jovi, U2, Elton John, Bob Marley, Carly Simon, Joan Osbourne, and Desmond Child. As head of A&R at Geffen Records he worked with Peter Gabriel, Counting Crows, Courtney Love, Axl Rose, Rob Zombie, and Bec
Deborah Montaperto
Deborah Montaperto, Private Wealth Advisor, is responsible for strategic business development as well as executing liability management transactions for clients of The Polk Wealth Management Group at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management. Additionally, she has developed the Team’s family advisory platform, a holistic approach to dealing with the interface between wealth, family dynamics, and the next generation.
Deborah began her career on Wall Street in 1986. As a Managing Director in Citigroup’s Investment Banking division, she was responsible for fostering client relationships between the Institutional Clients Group and Global Wealth Management. Deborah joined the Polk Group at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management in 2008 and is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™. Additionally, she is a Certified Divorce Financial Analyst.
Deborah has been named Number One Barron’s Top Women’s Finacial Advisor (2025), following being added to Barron’s Advisor Hall of Fame (2019).
Deborah is an active member of The Lincoln Center Women’s Leadership Council, The National Arts Club, The Economic Club of New York, and Hunts Point Alliance for Children. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of Teen Cancer America. Deborah graduated with a B.A. cum laude from Tufts University and earned an M.A. degree from the Villa Schifanoia in Florence, Italy.
2019-2022 Barron’s Top 100 Financial Advisors (formerly referred to as Barron’s Top 1,000 Financial Advisors: State-by-State). Source: Barrons.com (Awarded 2019-2022). Data compiled by Barron’s based on 12-month period concluding in Dec of the year prior to the issuance of the award.
2020-2022 Barron’s Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-by-State (formerly referred to as Barron’s Top 1,000 Financial Advisors: State-by-State). Source: Barrons.com (Awarded 2020-2022). Data compiled by Barron’s based on 12-month period concluding in Sept of the year prior to the issuance of the award.
2010-2021 Barron’s Top 100 Women Financial Advisors.Source:Barrons.com(Awarded June 2010-2021).Data compiled by Barron’s based on 12-month period concluding in Mar of the year the award was issued.
2018, 2022 Forbes America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors (formerly referred to as Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors, Forbes America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors). Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2018, 2022). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in Sept of year prior to the issuance of the award.
2022 Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors Best-In- State (formerly referred to as Forbes Top Women Wealth Advisors, Forbes America’s Top Women Wealth Advisors). Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2022). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in Sept of year prior to the issuance of the award.
2019-2022 Forbes Best-In- State Wealth Advisors. Source: Forbes.com (Awarded 2019-2022). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based 12-month time period concluding in June of year prior to the issuance of the award.
Barron’s Hall Of Fame 2019 List
Source: The Barron’s “Hall of Fame” list, published throughout 2019. Based on Barron’s rankings received over the prior 10 years.The use of the CDFA designation does not permit the rendering of legal advice by Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors which may only be done by a licensed attorney. The CDFA designation is not intended to imply that either Morgan Stanley or its Financial Advisors are acting as experts in this field.
Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards, Inc. (CFP Board) owns the certification marks CFP®, CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™, and CFP® (with plaque design) in the United States, which it authorizes use of by individuals who successfully complete CFP Board’s initial and ongoing certification requirements.
Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management, a division of Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC. Member SIPC. CRC 5076427, 11/2022.
Dr. Gerald Grant
Dr. Gerald Grant is a board certified pediatric neurosurgeon and Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the American College of Surgeons. He specializes in the surgical management of pediatric brain tumors and is Division Chief of Pediatric neurosurgery and Acting Associate Professor at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital, Stanford. He is also an Air Force veteran with extensive neurosurgical experience abroad in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Dr. Grant had the opportunity of training for a year in neurosurgery at Atkinson Morley’s Neurosurgery/Neurology Hospital in London and therefore is very familiar with the noble mission of the Teenage Cancer Trust. He is passionate about advocating for the teenagers with cancer with the primary goal of improving their survival and quality of life on a daily basis. After personally touring Teenage Cancer Trust units in London Dr. Grant was impressed with the impact of these units had on the teenagers and young adults afflicted with cancer as well as the passion of Roger Daltrey and his team in this effort. Dr. Grant is honored to work with such a dedicated team to leverage all the great things that Teenage Cancer Trust has done for teenagers and young adults with cancer in the UK to help build Teenage Cancer America.
Dr. Glenn Taylor
Dr. Glenn G. Taylor is a board certified orthopedic surgeon and a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery. He is a founding member of Neurosurgery, Orthopedics and Spine Specialists of Waterbury, Ct., one of Ct.’s most highly regarded specialty practices. Dr. Taylor is a former Chief of Staff at Waterbury Hospital, ranked as one of Connecticut’s top hospitals by U.S. News & World Report in 2012. Educated and trained in England at King’s College, London and St. George’s Hospital Medical School, University of London and at Yale New Haven Hospital and Newington Children’s Hospital in Connecticut, Dr. Taylor is experienced in both British and American hospital and health care systems. This special expertise facilitates dialogue and liaison between physicians and hospitals wanting to develop teen and young adult cancer centers here in the U.S. and established programs in the U.K.. Glenn and his wife, Maria, are committed and honored to work with Roger and Teen Cancer America in this wonderful cause.
Huw Shakeshaft
Huw is currently the driving force behind TransAtlantica Partners. Along with the other Founding Partners he has brought together a diverse group of highly qualified and vastly experienced people to help realise the vision and mission of the company supporting client businesses throughout the whole business cycle and maximising their potential.
A former world championship athlete, University of London educated entrepreneur with 38-years experience in global finance and related sectors, Huw has a wealth of diverse international business experience and political interests. His experience comes from living and working in many of the world’s major financial centres.
His financial expertise crystalised into his own specialised asset management firm run from Tokyo dealing with financially astute HNW private clients. He has dealt with major global financial institutions including such established names as Hambro Merchant Bank, N.M. Rothschild, Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs, and J.P. Morgan amongst others
Huw is the proud possessor of an exceptionally wide ranging and varied personal network, maintains strong relationships with many high-level figures from the worlds of corporate finance, politics (particularly in the UK and the USA) and household names in entertainment and sport. His global experience and non-partisan political interests make Huw a sought-after advisor and public speaker briefing politicians, lawmakers and businesses both in the UK and the USA on issues such as Brexit and acting as the Keynote Speaker at the European Funds Finance Symposium in London.
He is CEO of Shakespeare Integrated Healthcare Services (majority owned by TransAtlantica) and is Chairman of Power2 Sport another project in our stable bringing together some of the world’s top sports scientists, performance directors and experts in culture and group dynamics.
He is on the Advisory Board of Roger Daltrey’s charity Teen Cancer America and was on the Advisory Board to the Grenadier Guards’ Colonel’s Fund chaired by HRH Prince Philip, for British Afghan Veterans.
Jeff Ward
Jeff Ward is Chief Strategy Officer for First Citizens Bank, the official sponsor of Teen Cancer America in the Southeastern US. Jeff and his colleagues throughout the bank are excited to introduce TCA – First Citizens’ most comprehensive philanthropic effort ever – to people across our markets. The bank’s goal is to spread the word about TCA’s mission and help fundraise and sponsor new medical centers coming on board, primarily in the Carolinas.
Jordan Kaplan
Mr. Kaplan is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Douglas Emmett, Inc. (DEI), an office and residential REIT listed on the New York Stock Exchange. He is also a member of the Board of Directors of DEI. He co-founded Douglas Emmett Realty Advisors in 1991, which grew during the 1990’s into a large manager of institutional real estate funds and is the predecessor to DEI. Douglas Emmett went public in 2006 in what was then the largest REIT IPO in history. Currently, the Company has approximately 600 employees.
Mr. Kaplan is on various boards at UCLA, including the UCLA Board of trustees. He is a dedicated environmentalist and is on the board of the Los Angeles Waterkeeper, an environmental organization devoted to cleaning the Santa Monica Bay. He is also on the board of Teen Cancer America, a charity devoted to improving the lives of teenagers and young adults with cancer. A native of Los Angeles, Mr. Kaplan received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of California in Santa Barbara, and his MBA from the Anderson School at UCLA in 1986. He lives in Pacific Palisades, California with his wife and their three children.
Kamesh Nagarajan
Kamesh Nagarajan is an Executive Director and Senior Portfolio Management Director at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management with over 20 years of experience. He focuses on helping corporate executives with their overall wealth planning, including integrating corporate benefits and concentrated stock planning, and in advising physicians and entrepreneurs on holistic wealth management issues.
Mr. Nagarajan holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from Vassar College and a Juris Doctor with honors from Syracuse University College of Law.
Kamesh is on the Board of Advisors of Syracuse University of Law and on the Board of Directors of The PATH Fund. Mr. Nagarajan resides in Manhattan with his twelve-year-old twins, Anya and Prem.
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Lissa Barry
Elizabeth Barry is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Delta Systems, Inc. in Streetsboro, OH. She has been a board member of the company since 1995, becoming President in 2005, and she assumed the additional role of CEO in 2007.
Elizabeth is the recipient of several prestigious awards – most recently in Crain’s Cleveland Business as Crain’s Notable Women in Manufacturing. In 2016 she received the Streetsboro Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Recognition Award. She was also recognized by Smart Business magazine in 2011 in “Women Who Excel” and received the “Leading Edge Award” from Entrepreneurial Edge in 2010 and the “Image Award” from the Streetsboro Chamber of Commerce in 2008.
She is also a member of the following organizations: Governor’s Executive Workforce Board; Portage Development Board; Ohio Manufacturing Association Workforce Leadership Committee; Streetsboro Chamber of Commerce; Cleveland Museum of Art Business Advisory Group and the Women’s Council of the Cleveland Museum of Art; Board of Trustees, Rainbow Babies and Children’s Foundation; Board of Trustees, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society; and the Women’s Council of the Union Club of Cleveland. Elizabeth is also an active alumna of Middlebury College serving as an Alumni Interviewer.
Her son Matthew Barry, was diagnosed with Pre B-Cell ALL Leukemia at age 19, and received care at one of TCA’s partnered hospitals, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies and Children Hospital in Cleveland, Ohio.
Maria Taylor
Maria Taylor is a native of Connecticut and a 26-year veteran of the luxury real estate market in Connecticut’s tiny Northwest Corner. She consistently ranks in the top 3% of the brokers in her firm. Additionally, she has earned the respect of her peers and the community at large through her expertise in the restoration and renovation of neglected vintage properties. Maria also selflessly dedicates her time to an outstanding roster of charitable efforts, including service as a veteran board member on the Saint Mary’s Hospital Foundation in Waterbury, as an active committee member of the Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition, and as a past board member of the Waterbury Symphony Orchestra. Maria brings a facility and an energy for raising the awareness and the resources to make this initiative a resounding success in the USA.
Peter Bradley, Jr.
Peter Bradley Jr. is a retail professional, prestigious watch and fine jewelry expert, and music historian.
Originally from the North East of England, Peter grew up with entrepreneurial parents who grew a successful jewelry business from a small second hand store.
Peter moved to London in his teens and signed a record deal at the age of 16. At the age of 28, he took a break from the music industry and joined the family business. He hasn’t looked back since.
“I love what we do, and I’m passionate about giving great service to our loyal customers that my family have built up over 50 years.”
When Peter isn’t working, he enjoys visiting the Yorkshire countryside with his wife Claire and dog Bertie, sailing and driving his classic car.
In 2012, Peter was appointed to the Board of the Buddy Holly Educational Foundation, a non-profit organisation founded by his father Peter Bradley Sr. and Maria Elena Holly to promote the legacy of Buddy Holly and inspire and sponsor young talent in the music industry.
Robert Rosenberg
After an early career in the William Morris office in London working in business affairs, meeting and working with many of the movie and rock stars of the mid to late 70’s, he went back to music, his first love and signed a songwriting deal and had songs recorded by various artists, at the same time he worked closely with Jeff Wayne writer and producer of the multi million selling musical version of HG Wells’ The War Of The Worlds and various other music companies consulting on business affairs and music publishing, including Trinifold Management. In 1983 he became a Director of Trinifold and later Managing Director. Over the past 30 years he has worked closely with CEO Bill Curbishley on all the company’s artists and now co manages The Who and looks after several other artists on the roster. He has also worked extensively on The Who and Led Zeppelin catalogues exec producing several documentaries and live concerts. He became involved with Teenage Cancer Trust in the UK in 2000 when The Who performed with special guests at the Royal Albert Hall and has worked with the charity as a patron ever since.He hopes to help Roger Daltrey and the Board establish the charity as a major force for good in the USA.
Tina Fasbender
Tina founded Fasbender Financial Management, a Santa Monica based elite business and financial management firm, in 1987. The firm provides tailored, personalized guidance to touring and studio artists, songwriters, producers, high profile C-suite executives and creative professionals. Her firm’s ’high touch’ approach invests in the client’s ’whole picture’, giving the firm the opportunity to manage and guide the various facets of their clients’ lives, seamlessly and smoothly. Tina believes that business management, done well, goes beyond daily accounting, bill paying and tax preparation. It prioritizes the critical mission of guiding clients to make informed and wise financial decisions. Tina is thrilled to bring her decades of experience in the music industry to Teen Cancer America as a member of their Advisory Council.
Zach Cohen
Zachary Cohen is a recent graduate of Syracuse University’s Whitman School of Business where he received his degree in Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises. He is deeply involved in managing his family’s Transportation and Logistics Company, New England Motor Freight, which operates inmore than 30 offices in 15 states throughout the Eastern U.S. In spite of his young age, Zach has been active in many philanthropic causes. His membership on the Syracuse University Student Philanthropy council helped support the creation of the University’s Scholarship in Action program, whose goal is to transform the lives of both current and future SU students. In addition, he has worked to support special education groups such as Cerebral Palsy of New Jersey, by working with administration and
student body of the CPNJ Horizon High School, which caters to the needs of those challenged by the disease. It’s his concern for others and his desire to support causes that impact children and young adults that brings him to Teen Cancer America.
Advisory Council
Luke Taylor
Luke Taylor is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of BondIt Media Capital, a leading global entertainment finance firm based in Santa Monica, CA, and a founding partner of Buffalo 8, a full-service film and media studio spanning development, production, post, and distribution.
Since launching BondIt in 2013, Luke overseen the financing of hundreds of film/TV projects, with BondIt deploying over $500 million across a broad range of independent content. His strategic leadership has made BondIt a go-to financier for producers and companies seeking intelligent, flexible capital solutions.
Alongside BondIt, Luke has helped build Buffalo 8 into a vertically integrated media company that provides comprehensive services in film, commercial, and digital work. Buffalo 8 titles have premiered at top-tier festivals including Sundance, TIFF, Tribeca, Berlinale, and SXSW.
Under Luke’s guidance, the companies have been involved in critically acclaimed and commercially successful projects with a standouts including “The Fallout” (HBO Max) – SXSW Grand Jury Winner, ” Woman Of The Hour” (Netflix) – Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, and “Terrifier 3” — one of 2024’s highest grossing independent films. Luke and his companies have been profiled in Forbes, Variety, and other major media publications.
Luke has been a longtime supporter of Teen Cancer America, raising and donating funds through several key initiative for over a decade — including regular corporate sponsorships for TCA events and annual participation in the LA Marathon, where he and his companies recruit dozens of runners to to raise funding and awareness for TCA.
Matthew Helderman
Matthew Helderman founded Buffalo 8 in 2010 while an undergraduate student, leading the company to premiere projects at Sundance, SXSW, and Berlin; while producing notable works including the Netflix original Rodney King (directed by Spike Lee) and the global hit The Jeffrey Dahmer Tapes (directed by Joe Berlinger).
In 2013, he co-founded BondIt Media Capital, deploying over $500M across 500+ film, TV, live entertainment, and music projects, raising $30M for a partial sale to Accord Financial (TSX: ACD) and expanding its credit facility to $100M with Keystone National Group.
In 2017, he co-managed the acquisition of ABS Entertainment Payroll, later steering its majority sale to a leading private equity firm, where he remains Executive Director, partner, and Board Member. Helderman has been a TED speaker, profiled in The New York Times, and is a YPO member.
Helderman has worked closely with Teen Cancer America participating in the charity fundraising + running of the Los Angeles Marathon every year since 2012, organizing hundreds of runners to join the TCA team during that time, and raising donations for the charity throughout the process.
Wayne Jobson
Born and raised in Jamaica, Wayne received a Master of Laws in Entertainment Law from Kings College in London and went on to forge an illustrious career in music, film and radio. As an artist, Wayne was spotted by Clive Davis’ Arista Records with his band, Native, who went on to record albums for RCA, A&M and MCA Records. Native opened shows for Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and David Bowie. As both writer and producer of the Peter Tosh movie “RED X”, Wayne was awarded with a nomination for a Canadian Academy Award and produced the VH1 “Behind the Music” episodes on Bob Marley and Peter Tosh.
As Producer of Gwen Stefani and No Doubt’s multiplatinum album “Rock Steady,” Wayne’s singles “Hey Baby” and “Underneath it All” both went to #1 in America and won him two Grammys. Wayne has recorded, produced, written or remixed: Keith Richards (The Rolling Stones), Jimmy Cliff, Ziggy Marley, John Oates (Hall and Oates), Toots and the Maytals, Willie Nelson, Jimmy Buffett, Chrissie Hyde (The Pretenders), Paris Hilton, Garth Brooks, Shaggy, Bush, Jason Mraz, Magic, Sugar Ray, Donovan, Boy George and Culture Club.
Diving into the world of radio, Wayne was both producer and DJ at the #1 modern rock station in the world, KROQ 106.7 FM in Los Angeles, on which he had the #1 reggae show in America for seven years.
Sally Webb
Sally Webb, CSEP is Founder and CEO of The Special Event Company (TSEC), based in the Triangle region of North Carolina. She formed the company in 1987 from a background in sports PR and marketing. TSEC is a WBENC certified Woman Owned Business.
TSEC delivers essential business communications through live and virtual events and for a diverse clientele in education, financial services, technology, pharmaceuticals, media, manufacturing, sports and non-profits. Over the past three decades, Sally has produced events in over 30 countries throughout Europe, USA, Africa, South America and Asia.
The company has won over 40 international event management awards for their work. Her personal accolades include International Event Producer of the Year by Event Solutions Magazine, Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Live Events Association (ILEA) , Business Leader Magazines Top 50 Women Extraordinaire Award, Special Event Magazines Top 25 Greatest Industry Influencers of the past 25 years. In January 2018 she was the recipient of the Special Events Industry Lifetime Achievement Award for outstanding contributions to the Special Event Industry.
In 2021 TSEC expanded their service offerings with a Film and Broadcast Studio, creating Internet TV through a wide range of in-studio and remote services, to support the growing virtual communication business needs.
Sally is a founding member and former President of the International Special Events Society in the UK, before moving to the US in 2005. She is a founder of the Triangle British American Business Council Chapter and recently Chaired the Special Event Industry Certification (CSEP) examination restructure committee.
As a founding board member of Roger Daltrey & Pete Townshend’s Teen Cancer America organization www.teencanceramerica.com.
She lives in Cary, NC with her husband Grant Berry, who is a professional caddie on the PGA Tour.
The Special Event Company website can be viewed on www.specialeventco.com
Howard Schwartz
Howard M. Schwartz has more than 40 years of experience as a real estate professional and is founder and CEO of Howard Schwartz Commercial Real Estate in Michigan, a boutique commercial brokerage company whose core competencies include retail tenant representation, investment sales, and vacant land for development. Howard and his wife Robin’s charitable endeavors include a modest family foundation, “May the Schwartz Be with You”, whose focus is cancer, mental health, and Jewish causes. Howard is a founding member of the Friendship Circle, a children’s special needs charity, and has been an active member of their board of directors since 1995.
In 2007, Howard became a member of the board of directors for Kadima, a mental health services non-profit, and currently sits as vice present on the executive board. Howard is also special counsel to the founder and president of Sanctum House, a charity that offers a safe home with integrated services and programs for the survivors of human trafficking. He has been involved in Teen Cancer America for seven years. What free time Howard may claim, he is an avid art collector, a hobbyist in model railroading, and he and his wife enjoy travel, scuba and fishing. His family professes that when he was a young teenager, the album “Quadrophenia” was his first therapist.
Grace Wang
Grace is the Founder and Managing Director of IGA Capital which invests in, advises and mentors technology startups. She is also a mentor and advisor to the Techstars Music incubator and the international Techstars network at large. Grace first became acquainted to TCA through it’s UK arm, the Teenage Cancer Trust while working as a Managing Director at JP Morgan in London and when she relocated to Los Angeles was excited to find Teenage Cancer America and to be able to get involved to help solve teenage cancer as it’s a cause near and dear to her family. She helped organize the inaugural Rock’n’Polo event at Will Rogers and is committed to help TCA fundraise and extend its reach across as many hospitals as possible in the United States.
Chris Stewart
Before enjoying a career in music, Chris Stewart was CEO of Gelber Group, a financial futures and trading firm at the Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT). He served on the board of directors for the CBOT board on the Chicago Mercantile Board from 2006-2014.
Currently, Mr. Stewart serves on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Board (2006- present), where he works on the Development and Induction committees. He has served as a board member for the Country Music Hall of Fame (2016-present), where he works on the Development committee.
Mr. Stewart played percussion with the Dave Mason Band from 2006-2012.
Mr. Stewart believes strongly in the preservation and in music education. He splits his time between his Nashville and Chicago homes. And enjoys his free time with his wife and three sons.
Dan Wise
Dan is an entrepreneur who has founded several companies focused on the sales & marketing of consumer products over the last 25 years. In 1998, he built the world’s first b2b marketplace for brand name excess inventory, LiquidXS.com. Dan returned to Montreal in 2007 to start CroJack Capital. The group buys and sells overstock product inventories and makes small investments in early stage companies. RealEats has become his full-time passion, focus and platform for inciting change through life’s most important ingredient… food.
Jamie Siegel
Jaime Siegel is CEO of Cerebral Assets, LLC, a consulting firm that provides business strategy and services to clients related to intellectual property assets across industries and the globe.He spent most of his career as a patent litigator, spending 16 of 30 years at Sony. Jaime is a seasoned leader of teams that have generated billions of dollars in revenue globally, as well as being a member of the executive leadership team of a NASDAQ listed company. Currently, Jaime is a National Trustee of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum in Cleveland and resides in Rancho Mirage, California.Andy Saperstein
Andy Saperstein is Managing Director and Co-Head of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management. He serves on the Morgan Stanley Operating Committee and as a Trustee of the Morgan Stanley Foundation, the firm’s charitable arm. Mr. Saperstein previously served as Co-COO of the Institutional Securities Group, working across the ISG businesses and coordinating initiatives with Wealth Management.
Prior to this role he held a succession of senior leadership positions in Wealth Management. He joined Morgan Stanley in 2006 as COO of National Sales, and became Head of Wealth Management, including U.S. Private Wealth Management, following the initial acquisition of Smith Barney in 2009. He subsequently served as Head of Investment Products and Services. Earlier in his career, Mr. Saperstein held numerous leadership roles at Merrill Lynch, including COO of the Direct Division, and was a partner in the Financial Institutions Group of McKinsey & Co. He graduated cum laude from Harvard Law School and summa cum laude from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, with a dual degree in economics and finance.
Char Fowler
Char is a community activist, serving on boards involving the arts and medical causes— especially Angie’s AYA CANCER INSTITUTE in Cleveland. She and her husband, Chuck, enjoy spending time with their daughters and families – love traveling and biking as a group.Having lost their daughter Angie to melanoma at age 15, has driven Char to help drive attention to this age group’s special battles with cancer.
Emeritus
Simon J. Davies
Development Committee/Hospitals Programs & Services Committee
Since its inception in 2013 until 2025, Simon led Teen Cancer America, before handing over the reins to our current CEO, Shannon Sullivan. The charity is built on the successful model of Teenage Cancer Trust, UK where Simon was CEO for 13 years before moving to the US to establish TCA. His early career was in the management of substantial social and health care services in the fields of Learning Disability and Mental Health.
Awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Education by the University of Coventry for the advancement professional education in the field of Adolescent and Young Adult cancer, Simon has developed an international reputation for success in bringing about change within traditionally structured health systems.
Major Donors
Kenneth Freirich
Anne & Michael Recine
Howard Schwartz
Zach Cohen
Triple Threat Productions, Inc.
Transatlantic Reinsurance Company – Mike Sapnar
Sue D White
Sally Webb
Robert Rosenberg
Results Advertising & Productions Inc.
Rebecca Rothstein
Maria Taylor
Jordan Kaplan
John and Heather Dean
Jerome I Nadel
Jeff Ward
Howard Jaffe
Duane Hoover
Dr. Harry Alberts, Alex and Lyndsay Alberts
Dr. Glenn Taylor
Dr. Gerald Grant
Deborah Montaperto
Darren Strowger
Christopher Guy
Chuck and Char Fowler
Causemedia Group
Btig, LLC
Bill Curbishley
Becky Mancuso-Winding
Based Princess Enterprises
Foundations
Zofnass/Ring Family Fund
Traub-Brittan Family Foundation
The Shevell Family Foundation
Bernard & Rena Shapiro Family Support Organization
The Snyder Family Foundation
The Reuben and Rose Mattus and Doris and Kevin Hurley Foundation Inc.
Wonderful Giving
The Kevin Cordasco Foundation
Servier
Resonance Foundation for Children's Health
Oakland Civic Charities Foundation
Morgan Stanley Volunteer Incentive Program
LA Trial Lawyers Charities
Kenny's Kids
Johnson & Johnson Matching Gifts Program
Johnny Kicks Cancer
Hartnett Foundation
Give inLieu Foundation
Freirich Family Foundation
Char and Chuck Fowler Family Foundation
Chad Corbin Starfish Foundation
Buddy Holly Educational Foundation
Aris Anagnos Foundation
The Lawrence Foundation
Francis Meyer Charitable Lead Unitrust
Baer Foundation
Testimonials
The Team

Alec Kupelian
Program Operations & Grants Manager
Alec Kupelian first began advocating with Teen Cancer America (TCA) whilst he was in treatment for Ewings Sarcoma in one of TCA’s AYA (adolescent and young adult) programs. In 2019, after finishing his bachelor’s degree at the University of California Santa Barbara, Alec joined the TCA team and has loved every moment of it. He works with hospitals to develop the kinds of programs and services that most benefit AYAs like him. Alec manages TCA’s grant giving process and helps create the tools and systems TCA uses to support hospitals. As someone with a lived AYA cancer experience, he knows firsthand the value of the work Teen Cancer America does.
Alice del Rosario
Grant Specialist
Alice del Rosario contributes her extensive experience in research administration and medical education to Teen Cancer America as a grant writer and office administrator. At UCLA, Alice served as the Administrative Director of the UCLA-Caltech Medical Scientist Training Program, Division Manager of Pediatric Hematology Oncology and the Pediatric Fellowships Manager prior to retirement in 2021. She was instrumental in helping to build Teen Cancer America’s first AYA program in the U.S. at UCLA Health.

Alyssa Mathews
Director of Finance and Operations
Alyssa Mathews, CPA, is the Director of Finance and Operations at Teen Cancer America, bringing extensive experience from both public and private accounting. While most of her career was spent in the financial services industry, Alyssa was drawn to TCA after experiencing the impact of cancer within her own family. She saw it as an opportunity to apply her professional skills to make a meaningful difference in the lives of young people affected by cancer. In addition to her role at TCA, she also serves as Treasurer on the Board of Trustees for the Emerson, NJ Public Library.

Betty Roggenkamp
AYA Program Development Strategist
Betty Roggenkamp, MS in Health Communication (Northwestern), is a cancer care quality improvement consultant with over 15 years of experience advancing outcomes for Adolescents and Young Adults (AYAs) diagnosed with cancer. Known for her collaborative, patient-centered approach, she brings together interdisciplinary teams to improve care delivery and the lived experience of AYAs. As Program Development Strategist at Teen Cancer America, Betty works with cancer treatment sites nationwide to build comprehensive AYA programs, fosters cross-site clinical collaboration, and promotes provider education and patient around the complex, lifelong impact of cancer diagnosed as a young adult.

Catherine Swift
Care Delivery Strategist
Catherine Swift, MSW, LCSW brings her expertise in direct AYA cancer care to help expand Teen Cancer America’s impact. Prior to joining the team, she was the Clinical Social Worker at the UNC-Chapel Hill AYA Cancer Program, where she got to know and learn from hundreds of AYAs over the years. She applies those lessons to her work at TCA, adapting innovative models of AYA care to community cancer care settings where most AYAs receive their treatment. She partners with healthcare providers, researchers, and AYA advocates to spread awareness and share resources to address the unique needs of AYAs in treatment and survivorship.

Hilary Gan
Chief Program Officer
Hilary Gan, MA, serves as the Chief Program Officer at Teen Cancer America. She brings over 20 years of experience in hospital-based cancer care, where she worked as a Child Life Specialist supporting patients of all ages, with a strong focus on the unique developmental and psychosocial needs of adolescents and young adults (AYAs).
Since joining Teen Cancer America over a decade ago, Hilary has helped shape the organization’s national strategy to improve care for young people with cancer. She leads the team that works with healthcare institutions across the country to build sustainable, developmentally appropriate AYA programs. Hilary also co-founded several of TCA’s signature initiatives: Play It Back Music, a creative outlet for young people impacted by cancer; the Monthly Drip, a national education series for healthcare professionals; and the Program Advisory Group, a collaborative network advancing the field of AYA oncology. She remains deeply committed to improving the AYA cancer experience across the continuum of care.

Jamie Park
Celebrity Partnerships Manager
Jamie Park serves as the Celebrity Partnership Manager at Teen Cancer America, bringing over 20 years of experience and connections cultivated through her work booking and coordinating celebrity interviews for various television talk shows. Throughout her career in the television industry, she has always prioritized volunteerism, utilizing her celebrity contacts to benefit charitable causes whenever possible. After dedicating nearly six years of volunteer service to Teen Cancer America, particularly at their annual Backyard Concert, Jamie accepted a full-time role with the organization in 2022.
Driven by a profound commitment to improving the lives of young people affected by cancer, Jamie dedicates her efforts to a remarkable teenager who was like a sister to her and who lost her courageous battle with Ewing’s Sarcoma four years ago. This special individual profoundly influenced Jamie’s life, and she aspires to make a similar impact on others facing cancer. Jamie holds a double major in Communications and Music from UC San Diego.

Kersten Azuero Haile
Vice President of Philanthropy
Kersten Azuero Haile is the Vice President of Philanthropy at Teen Cancer America, where she leads strategic fundraising initiatives to expand access to specialized care and support for adolescents and young adults with cancer. With nearly a decade of experience in the nonprofit sector, Kersten brings a strong track record of advancing mission-driven organizations and cultivating impactful partnerships.
Prior to her current role, she held positions with the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the world’s leading blood cancer organization, and the National 4-H Council, the nation’s largest youth development organization. Through this work, she has developed a deep commitment to advancing health equity and improving outcomes for young people, particularly through thoughtful, strategic philanthropic investment.
Kersten is passionate about mobilizing resources and building collaborations that drive meaningful change, ensuring that every young person facing cancer has access to the care, support, and opportunities they deserve.

Lily Kupelian
Communications & Digital Marketing Manager
Lily creates marketing strategies and materials for all of TCA’s messaging, events, fundraisers, and campaigns. She joined the cause in 2018 and has held Fundraising, Events, Finance, and Administrative roles within the charity. Lily has worked in the non-profit field since 2012 and has a degree in Sociology with an Emphasis in Social Work from Chapman University. She worked closely with teens and young adults as a Lead at the Boys and Girls Club and saw their unique needs on a daily basis. During her time at TCA she has seen time and time again the impact that the organization has on each young person it encounters and aims to spread the mission as best she can every day.
Michelle Elle Aland
Chief Experience Officer
Michelle Elle Aland serves as the Chief Experience Officer of Teen Cancer America. She is a strategic and purpose-driven nonprofit executive with extensive experience spanning both the nonprofit and commercial sectors. Michelle has built world-class fundraising campaigns, corporate partnerships, and high-profile sponsorships that have driven substantial revenue and deepened mission impact.
Before her current role, Michelle held leadership positions at the Royal Albert Hall, and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Enterprises in London. She began her career in the commercial sports sector as Director of Youth Marketing at the National Hockey League. Over the course of her career, she has raised tens of millions of dollars through innovative campaigns and partnerships with leading brands such as Samsung, LVMH, First Citizens Bank, iHeart, and GlaxoSmithKline.
Originally from Pennsylvania and now based in Marina del Rey, California, Michelle holds a Bachelor of Arts from Stetson University, with minors in Spanish and Political Science. She also completed executive leadership programs at the University of Oxford’s Saïd Business School and Yale University.

Shannon Sullivan
Chief Executive Officer
Shannon Sullivan serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Teen Cancer America. She is a seasoned nonprofit executive who previously served as Vice President of Revenue Strategy at the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, the world’s leading blood cancer organization. Her career includes leadership roles with Safe Kids Worldwide, the Parkinson Foundation and Accelerate Brain Cancer Cure. Born and raised in California, Shannon holds an undergraduate degree from Dartmouth College and an MBA from the Bauer College of Business at the University of Houston.

Vickie Katz, M.A.
Development Specialist
Vickie Katz, MA, serves as the Development Specialist at Teen Cancer America. With a combined 25 + years of fundraising and administrative experience, she supports the Chief Development and Marketing Officer and Chief Executive Officer and coordinates events to foster growth and generate revenue for Teen Cancer America. Her passion for the mission comes from the heartbreaking loss of her sixteen year old younger brother, Jeff, who died from cancer in 1988. Vickie’s loss was the driving force of her lifelong engagement and work in the cancer community and her inspiration, motivation and commitment come from her brother’s last words, “all kids should be given a chance to live.” Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, Vickie holds an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Boston University and an MA in Clinical Psychology from Antioch University.















































