Contact Kara:

Phone number: (910)667-2111

Kara@GoingBeyondthePink.org

Kara Kenan is the Founder of Going Beyond the Pink, a breast cancer community organization providing resources and educational programs. She is also the Founder of the Cancer Wellness Institute, a global leader in professional training for cancer coaches. Kara holds a Master's degree in English, Composition & Rhetoric, with a concentration in Psychology. A decorated veteran in the Air Force Air National Guard, Kara has gained valuable experience in supporting Search & Rescue and Homeland Defense missions.

Kara’s personal experience with breast cancer drives her innovative approach to serving the cancer community. With a focus on serving others through one of the most difficult experiences of their lives, Kara is an inspiration to those around her.

She has a certificate in Oncology Patient Navigation from George Washington University, and engages in cancer advocacy at the local and national level, including roles with:

National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship

American Society of Clinical Oncology

American Society of Plastic Surgeons,

Consumer-Directed Medical Research Program’s Breast Cancer Research Program

American Cancer Society

Clean Water/PFAS Advocacy

Community Breast Reconstruction Alliance

Emily Steyskal is a Social Work Student for Community Advocacy at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Emma Cary is a Public Health Student at the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a concentration in Community Health Education.

Lainey Leli is a Public Health Student at the University of North Carolina Wilmington with a concentration in Community Health Education.

April Scott is originally from Bristol, Pennsylvania; having relocated to Wilmington, NC in 1993. After 12 years in the non-profit sector, April obtained her MBA from Webster University in Myrtle Beach, SC in 2015. She currently holds the position of Director of the Small Business Center at Brunswick Community College.

She enjoys trying new recipes, traveling, dancing, family time and gardening as it brings her peace and calmness. Her passion to help others has led her to volunteer on the board of Going Beyond the Pink, New Hanover County Commission for Women, State Employees Credit Union and N. Brunswick Chamber of Commerce.

One of her many favorite quotes is “Think like a queen. A queen is not afraid to fail. Failure is another steppingstone to greatness.” ~ Oprah Winfrey

Amy is an educator and advocate whose focus is to empower others to make safer product choices for their household. From toothpaste, shampoo, skin care and makeup, she will help you learn how to check if those are products that are safer for you and your loved ones and help you identify products that are high performing and safe for you. She holds small group and individual consultations and coaching sessions to share tools and resources, ingredient knowledge and overall tips for living well. Amy is also working hard to help lobby to change the laws around the personal care industry.

Amy is originally from Wilmington, DE and moved to Wilmington, NC in 2007. She worked for over 25 years in the educational arena and now has channeled that into health and wellness after seeing too many friends and loved ones diagnosed and many lose their battle with cancer. She believes that what you put in and on your body can help lower your risk. “I do this for my friends and loved ones and for everyone that doesn’t know they should be concerned about what we are being exposed to each and every day.” Amy is wife, mother of two children and a Senior Director at Beautycounter, a certified B Corporation, and her mission is to get safer products into the hands of everyone.

Janet Tucker is a masters level social worker, who has been practicing social work for the past 30 years. Her professional experience includes child protective services, family therapy, community support services, and hospital social work In 2005, Janet, her husband and three daughters relocated from North Plainfield, NJ. Shortly after moving she began to work as a School Social Worker. She currently works at Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington, an all girls charter school, where she is an essential member of the Student Support Team. She describes her position at GLOW Academy as the most rewarding position she has ever held. “Each day, I get the privilege of developing, supporting and guiding minority girls, in reaching their full potential.”

Janet is currently pursuing a certification in trauma informed practice with the goal of training educators on the impact of trauma on a student’s academic success. She is a trained facilitator with Darkness to Light, an organization that provides education on the impact of child sexual abuse.

Janet is excited and passionate about serving on the board of Going Beyond the Pink. She believes she can be very instrumental in contributing to the programs that support the needs of the entire family, since cancer affects not only the survivor but the family as a whole.

Latrice is a Wilmington native who has been in Law Enforcement for the past eleven years and during that time she has earned several certifications. Latrice has worked in multiple units during her Law Enforcement career but is currently the Sergeant of Detention Transportation. Latrice is enthusiastic about the work that she does in the community and feels that for her to continue to help bridge the gap between community and Law Enforcement it is vital for the community to see someone such as herself in her current role. She is a Self-Defense Instructor, a mentor and she also serve on the board for A Safe Place. She has a heart to serve and does everything she can to help others. She is big on community, women’s empowerment and helping people build their confidence and find their path.

Above all Latrice is a mother of one and is a firm believer of family first. Outside of what she does in the community she also loves to read, write, and spend time with her family. Latrice passionately believes in the saying “be the change you want to see.”

Danielle is a Technology Support Manager at Live Oak Bank and loves helping people and making them smile. She is originally from Raleigh and moved to Wilmington about 12 years ago. She has a grown son who has followed in the footsteps of her occupation and has acquired his master's in computer science and is currently working in Charlotte. She and her wife have been fostering 3 siblings for the past 4 years and are looking forward to adopting them soon.

Danielle has also served on the board of Samara's Village and currently serves on the board at Dreams. Danielle is very excited and incredibly passionate to be joining the board of Going Beyond the Pink. She looks forward to contributing and helping the organization make a difference in our community.

Welcome to the team! Bio and headshot coming soon.

Toni Melvin Whitaker is a resident of Leland, NC and lives there with her husband Bob, a retired engineer, her daughter Arielle. She is a retired housing housing professional with over thirty years of experience in administration, management, and operations on the federal government, state, and local levels in CT, CO, KS, NJ, and NC. She has served as executive director of the

Fair Housing Council of Gloucester/ Camden County(NJ), Director of Housing Preservation for the

City of Woodbury (NJ), and Executive Director of Genesis Housing Corporation (NJ).

After relocating to Coastal Carolina from New Jersey, she served as Acting Executive Director of the Affordable Housing Coalition for two years. She is presently 5he founder of TMW Modeling, Productions, and Talent, and Just us Girls, and I Am My Sister’s Keeper.

Timothy M. Randall lives in Calabash NC. He retired from Brunswick Community College (BCC) last year as the Senior Director of Workforce Development. He is currently in the United State Army Reserve with over 31 years of service. He is a Master Sergeant (MSG). He is a veteran of Haiti and Iraq. Mr. Randall obtained his two-year degree from BCC in Business Administration, his Undergrad from Greensboro College in Business Administration and Economics and his MBA from Webster University. But most important he is a child of the King. He is a trustee at Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Calabash. He is a member of Omega Kappa Lambda Military Fraternity Incorporated.

“Make one decision a day and let God handle the rest. Flames are to a fire as mission is to a church. No flame no fire. No mission no church.”

Welcome to the team. Bio coming soon.

Christy West is a Paralegal at Live Oak Bank and finds joy in working with people and lending a helping hand when and she can. Christy is a wife and mother of a beautifully blended family. She loves watching her children play sports and being a part of their teams, whether as a team mom or sideline cheerleader. Christy has spent the past 11 years volunteering with the kids ministry at her church and loving on all the kids and their families. Christy is Co-Director of Live Oak Bank’s Women Inspired Network Community Pillar where she spends a great deal of time working a variety of community outreach programs such as A Safe Place, Strength in Unity at New Hanover High School, Sleep in Heavenly Peace, and many others. She loves being a part of anything that will bring smiles and happiness to others around her. If she is not at a ball game, a sporting event, teaching, or volunteering her time, you can surely find her making a DIY craft inspired from Pinterest. “The Best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Tiffany Cripps is the Founder and Managing Director of Health Begins From Within, LLC. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science and Wellness from Florida Atlantic University and Master’s Degree in Public Health from Florida International University.

Tiffany’s experience includes delivering wellness education to diverse populations through community and corporate wellness initiatives. In addition, she is a health coach and has served as a personal trainer for various fitness facilities. Tiffany has over 20 years’ experience in the field of Clinical Research and Clinical Trial Management. This unique combination of experience has led her to develop a passion for helping individuals see the importance of wellness, chronic disease prevention and lifestyle management.

Allison Sheehan is the Clinical Field Specialist at Natera. Natera advances molecular diagnostics with integrity and scientific rigor, and is dedicated to Oncology, Women's Health, and Organ Health. She is honored to support and help educate the breast cancer survivor community about genetic testing.

Clinical Outcome Analyst

Tawanna has worked in the IT industry for over 20 years including internships during her college years with Corning Inc. and Wachovia. With a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and a minor in Mathematics from Winston-Salem State University in Winston-Salem, NC, Tawanna has held numerous positions from MIS Technician to Project Manager.

Tawanna volunteers numerous hours for CAMM, Women in Cable and Technology (WICT), Racing for the Gold, Relay for Life and other community events in Wilmington, NC and surrounding areas. Tawanna has been a featured speaker for several events for WICT, church and community functions. She is an active member of Myrtle Grove First Born Holiness Church, Women in Cable Technology, Cape Fear Women in Tech (CFWIT) and Going Beyond the Pink. Tawanna is a foster parent and loves event planning, fishing and working with children.

Lisa Mickel is originally from Middlesex, NJ, with a four year layover in Houston, TX before relocating to Leland, NC. She has been married to Kent for 35 years and has three amazing sons and one cute cat.

Lisa is retired from Johnson & Johnson after 15 years in Training & Development. She has also volunteered with the Middlesex Domestic Violence Response Team along with Steeplechase Cancer Centers Pastoral Care and the Cancer Care Boutique. She is thrilled to be a part of the Going Beyond the Pink organization.

Sharon is a Regional Marketing Specialist for Hawthorne Residential Partners. She has

worked in the Multi-Family housing industry for over 15 years and serves on the Board

of Directors for the Wilmington Apartment Association. After receiving a breast cancer

diagnosis last year, she made the decision that her newfound knowledge and good

fortune should not go to waste. Sharon felt a strong calling to get involved and help

others learn about the importance of early diagnosis and self-education. Through her

own experience, she realized the power of knowledge and the impact it can have on

one’s own health and well-being. Sharon is dedicated to raising awareness, advocating

for early detection, and providing support to those affected by breast cancer. Her

journey has inspired her to make a difference and empower others to take control of

their health.

Sharon lives in Wilmington with her husband, Jeff and sons, Connor and Brennan and

her dog, Gimli. In her free time, she spends time with her family, she loves party

planning, baking, cake decorating and recently took up crocheting.

Welcome to the team. Bio coming soon.

Welcome to the team. Bio coming soon.

Welcome to the team. Bio coming soon.