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
Crispin Goytia
Healthcare Provider Outreach Manager
Crispin’s connection to the cancer journey, stemming from her role as a caregiver for a family member, led her to join Bag It, where she’s committed to offering vital resources to those facing cancer’s challenges. With nearly two decades of experience, she has actively engaged in a range of stakeholder-involved and clinical research projects. A significant portion of her research has been concentrated on stakeholder-engaged and community-based participatory research, especially within diverse populations. Crispin’s experience plays a crucial role in defining the approach to engaging healthcare providers in Bag It’s mission. During her free time, Crispin loves reading, photography, exploring historical sites, and the newest addition to her family, Rocky, a Catahoula Leopard Dog.
Email: crispin@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
Senior Advisor, Founder, Survivor
Sherri writes grants and directs the annual ESCAPE to THRIVE Leadership Conference for Cancer Advocates program. She also serves as an ambassador and mentor for the organization. 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
Mikey Shock (she/her)
Program Assistant
Mikey is pursuing her undergrad at The University of Arizona with a double major in Psychology and Gender & Women’s Studies with a Trans emphasis and minoring in Spanish. Mikey also has extensive experience in clinical psychological research and plans to earn her Ph.D in Clinical Psychology, focus on gender-affirming care. Mikey received a Bag It Bag when she started chemo treatments in 2022 (Hodgkin’s Lymphoma). Since Mikey was at college, all of her support was from family who were 2,000+ miles away. Bag It helped Mikey navigate the overwhelming journey of diagnosis and treatments, and continues to help her through survivorship after remission. Mikey is extremely excited to be part of a cause that supports and guides people through their cancer journey as it has done for her.
Email: mikey@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.
Michelle Bonito
Michelle has an been an account executive with Arizona Lithographers for the last 20 years. Since 2001, she has worked with Bag It’s directors to supply promotional and outreach materials and has spearheaded the company’s donation of promotional materials for Bag It’s “Take a Hike” fundraising event. Michelle has worked in a similar capacity with several other Tucson-based nonprofits, including the Sonoran Institute and Tohono Chul Park. She was also a member Catholic Community Services advisory board. Michelle enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, boating, sewing, and hiking the great outdoors.
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.
LaNita Price
LaNita Price, a retired Air Force veteran, moved to Tucson to finish her degrees–a Bachelor of Science in Social Psychology from Park University and a Master of Science in Addiction Counseling from Grand Canyon University.
She began her career in the counseling field in October 2012 and was diagnosed with Stage II Breast Cancer the following month. Because of complications from chemotherapy she had to stop working in March 2013.
She is now cancer free and serving the Lord with a renewed drive and sense of urgency after completing a minister’s training class through her church—Lighthouse Church International—and being licensed in November 2013.
LaNita also serves as the Director for Healing Hearts Pastoral Counseling, LLC at her church. She uses her licensure and her degrees to help provide counseling to others in need of support as well as speaking to women about personal and spiritual health.
Currently, she works for the Department of State as a Passport Adjudicator here in Tucson. She is also working on her first book and enjoys off-roading and camping with her husband, Vaughn and their chihuahua, Bella. LaNita and Vaughn have one daughter, Brittney McConn who is married to Rueben and three grandchildren: Noel, Aria and Emry.
LaNita joined the Bag It Cancer Board in 2022 and looks forward to serving the Tucson community.
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