The Glimmers Foundation Team + Board

Our various boards include our Board of Directors, Advisory Board, Scientific Research Advisory Board, and Youth Board. Each Board operates under the same values and mission, while carrying out a unique purpose in alignment with the mission. We are very proud of the uniquely qualified team we’ve created to support bold progress toward the advancement of childhood cancer research, care and advocacy.

Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors starts with our Founder, 13-year-old Ava Decker, who used her journey living with cancer, to courageously outline a vision for a nonprofit built on integrity and a desire to make a big impact in progress toward childhood cancer research, advocacy, care and support. While each member of our Board of Directors offers special talents and skills, all possess the most important characteristics: heart, presence to the mission, and integrity. Most members knew Ava personally, and all were touched by her journey. Our Board of Directors are incredibly proud and dedicated ambassadors serving the cause for Glimmers Childhood Cancer Foundation. 

  • Ava Decker, Founder

  • Vanessa Decker, President 

  • Elizabeth Fechtman, Treasurer 

  • Sharon Rollman, Secretary 

  • Jessica Scheeter, Vice President 

  • Juliana Barros 

  • Lisa Caffrey 

  • Lisa Camenzind

  • Betsy Challen 

  • Melody Delshad 

  • Teddi Drew

  • Rebecca Farmer 

  • Cara Ferrick 

  • Summer Foster 

  • Kara Goldstein 

  • Julia George

  • Erin Griffin

  • April Jacobsen 

  • Stacie Korosy

  • Jaime Kostechko

  • Natalie Kunes

  • Erin Ohlgren

  • Susannah Osley 

  • Jordana Snider

  • Christina Brunk Stroh

  • Amy Thoman

  • Desiree Titilah 

  • Erin Vernon 

  • Anne Walters

Advisory Board

Our Advisory Board provides additional support to the President of the Board, within their specific areas of expertise with the collective goal to maintain the integrity and vitality of the foundation. All members knew Ava and are honored to support carrying out the mission for Glimmers Childhood Cancer Foundation. 

  • Alex Kupelian, Leadership in AYA Patient Advocacy

  • Brett Locker, Leadership in Legal Advisory

  • Christina Broderick, Leadership in Education Advisory

  • David Trull, Leadership in Youth Board & Copy Advisory

  • Dr. Doug Hawkins, Leadership in Scientific & Medical Research Advisory, Awareness & Advocacy Advisory

  • Geoff Green, Leadership in Nonprofit Advisory

  • Nathaniel Grotenhuis, Leadership in Film & Media Advisory

  • Rebecca Simonitsch, Leadership in Concurrent Care Advisory (palliative & hospice care)

  • Shawn Decker, Father to Ava Decker, Leadership in Advocacy Advisory

Scientific Advisory Board

Our Scientific Research Advisory Board is composed of some of the world’s top pediatric sarcoma oncologists, surgeons and research investigators at UCLA. Together they serve as scientific leadership sourcing breakthrough research to discover less toxic and more effective treatments of osteosarcoma. They adhere to a rigorous vetting process reviewing research proposals and providing scores based on merit, innovation, and potential impact. World renown pediatric sarcoma oncologist, and the board’s lead investigator, Dr Noah Federman, works closely with the President of Glimmers Foundation, informing the funding of research and working with UCLA to establish bi-annual progress reports to Glimmers Foundation which will be shared with the Board of Directors and interested donors.

  • Dr. Noah Federman, Lead Investigator 

  • Dr. Nicholas Bernthal 

  • Dr. Alexander Christ 

  • Dr. Theodore Nowicki

  • Dr. Alice Saragni

Youth Board

Our Youth Board is a growing body of youths 12 – 17 years old serving as youth ambassadors for Glimmers Childhood Cancer Foundation. They are the brightest and kindest youth leaders as they work together to cultivate honoring their own unique leadership capabilities and applying them in support of the cause. They meet quarterly and participate in fundraising, raising awareness and advocacy, and volunteering to support the Support Programs that serve the kids, teens, and young adults living with cancer at UCLA Mattel Children’s Hospitals in Los Angeles. 

  • Jeff Brookshire 

  • Sloan Brookshire 

  • Zen Budden 

  • Cassandra Camenzind 

  • Blaise Challen 

  • Chance Challen 

  • Hudson Chossek 

  • Ava Decker

  • Boston Drew 

  • Reggi Drew 

  • Dylan Ferrick

  • Anja Firestone 

  • Ellie Gill 

  • Sam Hilton 

  • Micco Jacobsen 

  • Melina Kolendrianos

  • Paloma Keiser 

  • Auden Kjensrud 

  • Claire Korosy

  • Milo Kostechko 

  • Mayah Kunes 

  • Maya Llewelyn

  • Sophia Llewelyn

  • Layla Llewelyn 

  • Levi Locker 

  • Nathan Lundgren 

  • Lars Ohlgren 

  • Evie Ohlgren 

  • Ella Osley

  • Maddie Osley 

  • Rylan Nelson

  • Jasmine Rollman 

  • Cora Smith 

  • Abby Walters