Bag It Cancer Support Team
Mindy Griffith
Executive Director
Mindy joined the Bag It Cancer team in 2016 and was selected to be the Executive Director in April 2017. With overall strategic and operational responsibility for Bag It and the Escape to THRIVE programming, Mindy is truly inspired to work with such a dynamic and committed group of individuals. Mindy, previously an elementary school teacher and administrator, is passionate about education and the role of lifetime learning. A native of Ohio, Mindy moved to Arizona in 1998. While she loves to travel, she also loves having Tucson as her home.
Email: mindy@bagitcancer.org
Brandi Forbes, MSW, LSW
Program Coordinator | Escape to THRIVE
Brandi was first introduced to Bag It Cancer and the Escape to THRIVE Leadership Conference in 2013 when she participated as a cancer advocate, and returned the following year as an alumni mentor. Feeling a deep connection to the program’s mission, she began volunteering with the program and, under the mentorship of Sherri Romanoski, became increasingly involved in the planning and production of the annual conferences. Brandi is inspired by the program’s attendees, their experiences, and the outcomes and is excited to serve in this role. Based out of Ohio, Brandi loves escape-ing to beautiful Tucson each year! Brandi is responsible for the conference and social media.
Email: brandi@bagitcancer.org
Amy Lolley
Administrative Assistant
Amy joined the Bag It Cancer team in April 2025 as an Administrative Assistant, eager to contribute to the organization’s meaningful mission. Passionate about making a positive impact, she finds fulfillment in supporting the incredible work that helps individuals navigate their cancer journey with confidence and knowledge. Beyond Amy’s professional role, she is a devoted animal lover and plant enthusiast. Whether it’s advocating for meaningful causes or creating a welcoming space for life to thrive, she believes in the importance of compassion, growth, and connection.
Email: amylo@bagitcancer.org
Arlinne Rodriguez
Inventory Coordinator
Joining Bag It Cancer as Inventory Coordinator in June of 2025, Arlinne is also currently an engineering student dedicated to using their skills to create positive change in the community. As part of their commitment to service, Arlinne joined Bag It Cancer with a focus on educating the public and supporting individuals and families affected by cancer. Through this role, Arlinne is looking forward to being part of meaningful projects that empower people to take charge of their health.
Driven by a passion for making an impact, Arlinne believes that combining engineering knowledge with compassion can lead to innovative solutions that improve lives. When not studying or volunteering, Arlinne enjoys spending quality time with family, traveling, enjoying concerts and caring for her beloved cats. Whether in the lab, in the community, or at home, Arlinne is inspired by the belief that small acts of kindness and dedication can make a lasting difference.
Email: arlinne@bagitcancer.org
Sherri Romanoski
Founder & Survivor
Sherri continues to serve as an ambassador and mentor for the organization, helping with the Escape to THRIVE Leadership Conference for Cancer Advocates and other volunteer opportunities. Forever a teacher, Sherri “retired” from the classroom after 25 years of teaching and founded Bag It Cancer in 2003 to help educate in a different direction – newly diagnosed cancer patients and their families. Now she has grandchildren to teach…oh, the possibilities are endless!
Email: sherri@bagitcancer.org
Bag It Board of Directors
Direction for Bag It comes from strong, dedicated leadership:
Raquel Cooley
Board Chair
Raquel Cooley’s journey with Bag It began as a recipient in 2021, following her breast cancer diagnosis. It was then she experienced firsthand the comfort and empowerment that comes from receiving a Bag It cancer bag. Having moved to Tucson from the Midwest in high school and later attending the University of Arizona, Raquel has deep roots in the community. Professionally, Raquel is a loan originator with Nova Home Loans, bringing her expertise in financial services and sales. Her personal experience with cancer and her gratitude for the support she received have inspired her to join the board. Outside of her professional and philanthropic endeavors, Raquel enjoys exploring new destinations through travel, forging new connections and meeting people from all walks of life and cherishing moments with her family and friends.
I’sis Berry
I became associated with Bag It via my friendship with a former board member and cancer survivor. I am a blessed mother of six and grandmother to 14. I am also blessed to be a social worker which is the job I have wanted since I was a child. I currently have the privilege of serving as a hospice social worker. I enjoy time with God, family, friends, cooking, dancing, playing with my dog Usher, and reading. My lazy pleasures are watching television and napping. I am a native of Philadelphia. Being part of a military family has afforded me the great blessing of living in many states and countries. I came to Tucson in 1995 to be closer to my parents and raise my children.
Erin Pixley
Erin moved to Tucson in 2020 after spending seven years in Nebraska, where she graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and worked for a Nebraska-based social justice nonprofit. She currently works at the Community Foundation for Southern Arizona, providing administrative support to the Community Impact Team. After her dad passed away from cancer in 2023, she has been looking for ways to support those affected by cancer. Erin is excited about the mission and work of Bag It and is looking forward to serving as a board member. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and son, reading, eating lots of delicious food, and playing board games.
Richard White
After moving to Tucson from Boston in 1991, Richard White served for 9 years as the Marketing Vice President for United Way and then for 14 years as CEO for American Red Cross. In Boston, he was President of an international paper company, Vice-President and CEO for the Combined Jewish Philanthropies of Greater Boston and as a Community Organizer for the Massachusetts State Office for Children.
Richard has served in volunteer leadership capacities for Angel Charity for Children, Tucson Village Farm, Reid Park Zoo, Greater Tucson Leadership, the Tucson Jewish Community Relations Council, the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona and for Social Venture Partners.
Richard graduated from Franklin & Marshall College and earned a Masters Degree in Social Work from Boston University. After retiring in 2014, he has traveled to 20 countries and plans to visit 10 more.
Mindy Griffith
Board President
Prior to accepting the role of Executive Director, Mindy Griffith, M.Ed., worked as a Program Coordinator at the University of Arizona, an elementary school teacher, and a school administrator. Mindy has been engaged with a number of non-profits in volunteer, board, and leadership roles, and she served as president of both the Junior League of Tucson and St. Luke’s Home, an assisted-living community for low-income elders built on health and wellness. Mindy recently completed the Greater Tucson Leadership Class, which uses a nationally recognized leadership curriculum, Positive Leadership. Mindy’s family has been touched by cancer and she is eager to ensure people have the tools they need to navigate their journey and Fight the Fear of cancer. In her free time Mindy enjoys traveling, volunteering, reading and scrapbooking.
Ben Katsel
Ben is an Associate Wealth Advisor for Mainer in Tucson. As a native Tucsonan, he is always looking for opportunities to serve the greater Tucson community and beyond through organizations just like Bag It, and is very proud to be a member of the board. He is passionate about the advocacy of cancer patient and family education as the grandson of two breast cancer survivors, and is thrilled to be a part of an organization that champions this advocacy for others.
Dr. Rachel Swart
Rachel is currently a practicing breast medical oncologist at the Arizona Cancer Center and first became aware of Bag It Cancer in 2011. As a cancer provider, she understood the importance of cancer patients having the necessary resources to empower each cancer survivor to be able to make educated decisions in their cancer journey. As a breast cancer survivor herself, she found comfort in receiving her own Bag It Bag. This experience drew her closer to the Bag It organization where she started working more closely with the group to assist in its mission to educate cancer patients. Personally, Rachel enjoys spending time with her husband and friends traveling, cycling, and wine tasting.
The Bag It Medical Advisory Board
Roberta Albany
Breast Cancer Advocate
Founder Cancer in the Know
Donald Brooks, MD
Oncologist, Arizona Oncology
Deborah A Green, RN, MSN
Clinical Faculty Nursing
Grand Canyon University, Phoenix
Mark D Gilbert, MD, FRCP(c)
Associate Professor of Psychiatry, University of Arizona
Former Director, Mind-Body Medicine Skills Group Program, AHSC
Former Director, Professional Development and Associate Director, Psychosocial Oncology, Arizona Cancer Center
Rodgers Wilson, MD
Medical Market Executive, Cigna