Joanna Fawzy Doran, Esq.
Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer

Ms. Doran is a cancer rights attorney, author, speaker, and CEO of Triage Cancer, a national, nonprofit organization providing free education on practical and legal issues that may impact individuals coping with cancer and their caregivers, through events, materials, and resources. Ms. Doran has spent nearly thirty years working on behalf of individuals with cancer, including five as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Loyola Law School, teaching a seminar in Cancer Rights Law, and eight at the John Wayne Cancer Institute’s Psychosocial Care Program and Positive Appearance Center. She has also taught a Community Advocacy Clinic, as an Adjunct Professor of Law at Wayne State University Law School.

Ms. Doran co-authored the book, Cancer Rights Law, for the American Bar Association – the first and only book of its kind. In 2020, she wrote a chapter on Cancer-Related Legal Issues, for the Oncology Nursing Society’s book, Oncology Nurse Navigation: Delivering Patient-Centered Care Across the Continuum. In 2017, she wrote Preventing or Minimizing Financial Toxicity Across the Continuum of Cancer Care, a chapter for the Oncology Nursing Society’s book, Cancer Survivorship: Transdisciplinary, Patient-Centered Approaches to the Season of Survival. In 2009, she also contributed to a book entitled, Work and Cancer Survivors. And, her work has appeared in a variety of other publications, such as Psycho-Oncology, Heal, Cure, Coping with Cancer, Women, and Ability Magazine.

Ms. Doran has presented nearly one thousand educational seminars on employment, insurance, health care, and advocacy issues throughout the country for individuals diagnosed with cancer, caregivers, health care professionals, advocates, lawyers, employers, and the general public.

In addition, she has served on numerous cancer community committees and boards, including as Chair of the Board of Directors for the California Division of the American Cancer Society, ZERO Prostate Cancer’s Medical Advisory Board, the National Advisory Board of CancerForward, the Stupid Cancer Survivorship Advisory Council, and the Executive Committee of the American Bar Association’s Breast Cancer Task Force.

Ms. Doran has received several awards and recognition for her service to the cancer community and her work in the area of legislative advocacy, including the 2009 Susan G. Komen for the Cure® Public Policy Advocate of the Year and the 2015 Legacy Advocate Award from Stupid Cancer. In 2010, she was recognized by the Los Angeles Daily Journal as one of the Top 20 Attorneys in California Under the Age of 40.

Ms. Doran earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with an emphasis in International Relations from the University of California Los Angeles and a Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School Los Angeles.

Jodi Omear, MAEdHD, MA, APR
Communications Director

Jodi Omear is a senior executive with more than 20 years’ experience in strategic communications, organizational and non-profit strategy, and change management.

She has worked with governors, congressmen, the entertainment industry, key media influencers, and executive leadership of organizations.

Jodi co–founded JaM Strategies, a women-led consulting firm that specializes in strategic planning. She also provides strategic counsel in overall communications and marketing strategies and leads operations and change management projects.

Throughout her career, Jodi has worked with organizations of all sizes to execute strategies. She has extensive experience in strategic planning, digital and social media strategy, crisis communications, celebrity management, event management and on-the-record work. She also coaches executives on communication with the media and the public, leadership development, and board development.

Jodi served as the chief communications strategist for the nation’s governors at the National Governors Association for more than 10 years, where she developed and implemented overall strategic communications plans in various issue areas including economic development, education, health, homeland security and natural resources.

She also served as the vice president of communications at RAINN, the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization, helping guide sexual misconduct communications and outreach strategies for clients as Uber, TripAdvisor, Massage Envy, McDonalds, and the Department of Defense.

Jodi has two master’s degrees from The George Washington University – one in Organizational Leadership and Learning and one in Political Management – a bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism from West Liberty University, and an Accreditation in Public Relations from the Universal Accreditation Board. She is the immediate past President of the Board for the national nonprofit, Triage Cancer, and is a member of the Public Relations Society of America and the International Breathwork Foundation.

Amanda Goodstadt, Esq.
Senior Staff Attorney

Prior to joining Triage Cancer, Amanda spent 12 years counseling seniors and caregivers about Medicare and related benefits through the Westchester (NY) Library System. She most recently served as a Program Coordinator for the WLS Senior Benefits Individual Counseling program. In addition, Amanda has been a Caregiver Coach at the Ken Hamilton Caregivers Center at Northern Westchester Hospital. She has a lengthy history of volunteer work with nonprofits, including service on multiple boards of directors in her community.

Amanda is an attorney and previously served as a Vice President and Assistant General Counsel for a division of News Corp. She began her legal career as a corporate associate at Simpson Thacher & Bartlett.

Amanda earned a B.A. in Government from Cornell University and a J.D., cum laude, from the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School. She is a member of the New York and New Jersey bars.

Laura Beilke, Esq.
Staff Attorney

Laura is a Staff Attorney for Triage Cancer. Laura earned her Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School and her Bachelor of Arts in Neurobiology and Psychology from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Laura is a member of the State Bar of Wisconsin.

Having experienced the loss of her mother to cancer at a young age, Laura is driven by a desire to leverage her legal expertise and background to make a positive impact within the cancer community. Beyond her professional pursuits, she engages in personal challenges, dedicating her free time to training for and participating in long-distance running events. Laura also enjoys spending time with her dog, Pretzel, and her family and friends.

Melanie Grant, Esq.
Staff Attorney

Melanie has worked in legal education and legal advocacy since 2012. Prior to joining Triage Cancer, Melanie worked as an Assistant Legal Counsel for the Illinois State Board of Education primarily investigating complaints related to physical restraint and seclusion in schools. She also previously advocated for families with children with disabilities to obtain special education services in complex school education systems while working at Equip for Equality. Melanie has represented clients in all forms of litigation, including a class-action lawsuit to obtain interpretation and translation services for families whose primary language was not English.

Melanie earned her Juris Doctorate degree from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Michigan. She is a member of the Illinois Bar and is fluent in Spanish. In her free time, Melanie volunteers with Moms Demand Action and enjoys going to parks and museums with her family.

Maisie Ruckman, MA
Marketing Coordinator

Maisie has earned her M.A. in Communication Management from the University of Denver and her B.A. in Computing in the Arts from the College of Charleston. She currently resides in Orlando, FL. While in school, she worked as a Marketing Coordinator for the Office of Student Life. Maisie spent her time volunteering with organizations such as the Red Cross and assisting with student campus events. Outside of work, Maisie enjoys roller skating, reading, and painting. She loves to take road trips and try new foods. Her pride and joy are her two guinea pigs, Reese and Peanut Butter.

Shelby Wells
Events Coordinator

Shelby is thrilled to be part of the Triage Cancer team, serving as the Events Coordinator and contributing to the advocacy for cancer awareness. Originally from Mexico, she is fluent in Spanish and brings a rich cultural perspective to her endeavors.

She earned a BA in Psychology and Sociology from San Diego State University.

Before embarking on this journey, Shelby poured her heart into creating unique events and experiences as the owner of Picky Picnics. Her knack for event planning, marketing, and customer engagement was honed through this venture.

Beyond her professional pursuits, she enjoys spending time with her family, her dog Posy and she is a passionate enthusiast of Polynesian dancing. She is driven by her desire to make a difference within the cancer community and beyond.