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
Amy Cojanis
Administrative Services Manager
Amy became familiar with Bag It Caner when she received a bag from her Surgical Oncologist in 2017. She appreciated all the Bag had to offer to help her through her journey but it wasn’t until a few chance meetings with Mindy at cancer-related events that she came to be part of the Bag It team in 2019. Amy’s job is ever evolving; she will be helping with orders, inventory and filling in gaps wherever her talents are needed.
Email: amy@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
Joyce Palasek
Program Coordinator
Joyce found Bag It Cancer by way of yoga, literally. After meeting Bag It founder Sherri Romanoski while attempting a tree pose in a yoga class, Joyce was immediately taken by the mission and stepped up to help Fight the Fear of a cancer diagnosis. Joyce works closely with our medical provider partners to educate and train on how to use the Bag It resource, and she is available for any questions regarding our programming. Namaste . . .
Email: joyce@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:
Ginny Kokorudz Board Chair
In 2017, Ginny decided to trade in freezing cold winters for blazing hot summers and moved from Montana to Tucson. Her tenure in Montana afforded her the opportunity to build a career in public health. She worked in cancer prevention and control programs at both the American Cancer Society and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services. A career change brought her to Tucson where she currently works in quality management. While the career shift brings great opportunity and learning experiences, Ginny desired to get back to her roots and passion for health education and support through a volunteer opportunity. She is looking forward to serving as a board member for Bag It. Ginny enjoys spending time outdoors in the beautiful Arizona sunshine.
Mickey Gomez
Board Treasurer
Mickey moved to Tucson sixteen years ago after completing his B.A. at Northern Arizona University. With over twenty years of experience in sales and sixteen years in the banking industry he is a skilled specialist when it comes to banking products and services. Mickey has been working with business clients for the past fourteen years and has become an expert in recommending services to support companies in their cash flow, lending and operating needs. Mickey is professional, knowledgeable and proficient in the business financial industry. Working in downtown Tucson for ten years, Mickey was able to assist many business owners during the revitalization of the area. He is a true localist, by combining excellent service with a passion for the success of Tucson businesses; Mickey is the complete package when it comes to a Business Banker, now Business Relationship Manager. In addition to his extensive professional development Mickey has volunteered for many local non-profit organizations including; the Make a Wish Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, and Toys for Tots, making Mickey a great asset to our growing Tucson community.
Raquel Cooley
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.
Deborah Hoffman
As a former executive director for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of New Mexico, and regional director for the American Lung Association of the Southwest’s Lung Force cancer initiative, Deborah brings a passion for helping patients through their cancer journey. A new resident of Tucson, Deborah is delighted to bring her nonprofit expertise to Bag It. Deborah and her husband live in the Foothills along with four very furry dogs, and a high tolerance for furballs under furniture.
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.
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.
Susannah Cooper, MD
Dr. Cooper is board certified in both medical oncology and hematology and has been practicing since 2011. As a graduate of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, she spent the early part of her career as a military physician. She had a distinguished military career as a hematologist/oncologist, caring for active-duty military members, retirees, and their dependents. She reached the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and received the Meritorious Service Medal as part of her deployment to Afghanistan in support of the NATO-led Medical Training Advisory Group.Dr. Cooper currently practices at Arizona Oncology.
She believes that honest and clear communication with her patients from diagnosis through treatment and on to survivorship will allow for the best treatment decisions together as a team.
Outside of work, she focuses on wellness, exercising daily and trying out new programs to improve her overall health. Dr. Cooper loves to travel and spend time with her family and friends.
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.
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