Staff

Joanna Morales

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.

Monica Bryant

Monica Fawzy Bryant, Esq.
Chief Operating Officer

Ms. Bryant is a cancer rights attorney, speaker, and author, dedicated to improving access to quality information on healthcare-related issues. She is the Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer for Triage Cancer, a national non-profit organization that provides education on the practical and legal issues that may impact individuals diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers.

Ms. Bryant is co-author of the first and only book on Cancer Rights Law, published by the American Bar Association (ABA) in 2018. In 2019, she received a 40 Under 40 in Cancer Award, and in 2015, was awarded the Legacy Advocate Award by a leading young adult cancer organization. She is an Adjunct Law Professor at the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Law, teaching a class on Cancer Rights. Throughout her career, she has provided more than one thousand educational seminars for individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer, their caregivers, lawyers, advocates, health care professionals, elected officials, and the general public.

She regularly shares her expertise through written book chapters, articles, and blogs, and appears on television, radio, and podcast shows. In 2020, she co-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. Ms. Bryant provides expert review for a variety of national cancer organizations, including the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Cancer Support Community, Cancer and Careers, National Brain Tumor Foundation, and LIVESTRONG. She is the resident legal expert for the Patients Rising Podcast.

Previously, Ms. Bryant was Midwest Regional Director for a national cancer rights organization where she forged relationships with cancer organizations, hospitals, law firms, members of underserved communities, and other community partners, to introduce them to the field of Cancer Rights Law. Prior to relocating to Chicago, she served as Legislative Counsel for U.S. Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez and Law Clerk for U.S. Senator Dianne Feinstein. During her time in Congress, she worked on health, justice, civil rights, and women's issues.

Ms. Bryant is a member of the American Bar Association’s Cancer Legal Advocacy Task Force and Affordable Care Act Task Force, the Coalition to Protect Parenthood After Cancer, the National Cancer Legal Services Network, and many other legal and cancer community initiatives.

She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in law & society, with an emphasis in criminal justice, and psychology, from the University of California Santa Barbara and her law degree from The George Washington University Law School. She is a member of both the California and Illinois State Bars.

Jodi BW

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.

Nicole Jolicoeur

Nicole Jolicoeur, Esq.
Staff Attorney

Prior to joining Triage Cancer, Nicole was an Excelsior Fellow at the New York State Office of Mental Health in Counsel’s Office. After leaving OMH, Nicole worked as a staff attorney at a nonprofit representing incarcerated individuals’ civil and human rights on a variety of matters, including access to medical and mental health care.

While in law school, Nicole’s father was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and the BRCA genetic mutation. While this was not the first family member to be diagnosed with cancer, it became a firsthand experience of the many legal difficulties that cancer patients, and their families, face during their battle with cancer. This experience, along with the social injustices she has seen throughout her work, has instilled Nicole with a passion for assisting those diagnosed with cancer. She appreciates and shares Triage Cancer’s mission to provide education on the practical and legal issues that those diagnosed with cancer may experience.

Nicole earned a Juris Doctor from New York Law School and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminology from Hofstra University. She is a member of the New York bar.

Amanda Goodstadt

Amanda Goodstadt, Esq.
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.

Graciela Castillo, Esq.
Staff Attorney

Prior to joining Triage Cancer, Graciela was an immigration attorney at a Legal Aid Clinic in Florida. During her time at Legal Aid, she represented unaccompanied minors seeking immigration benefits, such as asylum and Special Immigrant Juvenile status, in immigration proceedings before the Immigration Court, appellate proceedings, and proceedings before the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). After leaving Legal Aid, Graciela started her own immigration firm to continue to advocate for individuals in removal proceedings and proceedings with USCIS.

During her time advocating for undocumented individuals in the United States, Graciela witnessed the personal anguish her clients and their families went through fighting a legal system they barely understood. Very often, the individual did not understand or know why the government was seeking to deport them or why their petition had been denied. This awoke a passion in Graciela to not only advocate for individuals and their rights but to teach individuals their rights within a lengthy and complicated legal system. Graciela is excited to be working with Triage Cancer and helping individuals diagnosed with cancer and their caregivers obtain information and resources that will help them through difficult times in their lives.

Graciela earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Criminal Justice from Florida International University and her Juris Doctor from Florida Coastal School of Law. She is a member of the Florida Bar.

Lindsey Tyndall, Esq.
Staff Attorney

Lindsey is a Staff Attorney for Triage Cancer. Lindsey earned her Juris Doctor from Northeastern University School of Law and her Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a minor in Psychology from Sacred Heart University. Lindsey is a Certified Information Privacy Professional in the United States (CIPP/US) through the International Association of Privacy Professionals. Lindsey is a member of the Massachusetts bar.

During law school, Lindsey interned with a variety of health care organizations including Mass General Brigham, Moderna, and the Massachusetts Executive Office of Health and Human Services. Through these internships, Lindsey gained experience in the areas of employment, health insurance, privacy, and more.

Prior to law school, Lindsey worked for a public defender’s office in Connecticut, which helped foster her interest in the law. In her free time, Lindsey enjoys spending time with her family and chasing after her energetic dog, Yara.

Sophia Alexander

Sophia Alexander
Events Coordinator

Sophia is honored to be the Events Coordinator for Triage Cancer and is excited to connect with diverse communities around the country. Sophia is a social justice advocate with a deep passion for creating tangible change through education. She achieved a degree in International Relations from the University of Maryland, along with a minor in nonprofit management. She has volunteer and professional experience supporting individuals of all ages with accessing the resources needed to manage their mental and physical health. As such, Sophia is thrilled to help further Triage Cancer's mission of expanding equitable resources for those impacted by a cancer diagnosis or serious medical condition. In her free time, Sophia enjoys yoga, painting, and exploring new areas of San Diego.

Abbey Boggs

Abbey Boggs
Development Coordinator

Abbey earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Houston and has a background in both business and education. She is also a volunteer grant writer for a local nonprofit organization and enjoys helping nonprofits grow and create positive change. She became interested in working in the cancer community when she led a yearlong project for a cancer-related intellectual property in college.

Outside of work, she enjoys traveling, volunteering, and trying new things. As a native Houstonian, she likes experiencing the many foods and events that her city has to offer. She also loves to gain a global perspective through travel and spent a summer in college as an au pair living in Italy. She speaks Italian and wants to remain a continuous learner by studying other languages as well.

Carson Crochet

Carson Crochet
Outreach Coordinator

Carson is the Outreach Coordinator for Triage Cancer and looks forward to expanding impact through partnerships.

Carson double majored in Arab Studies and German Studies at Davidson College. While a student, her mother was diagnosed with a rare form of brain cancer that led Carson to start her own cancer business, CA'Buddy. CA'Buddy, aka Cancer Buddy, provides patients and caregivers love, comfort, and support through care packages. With CA'Buddy, Carson became increasingly invested in the cancer community and discovered her passion for cancer advocacy.

Before joining Triage Cancer team, Carson worked with an underprivileged youth nonprofit and with many animal-welfare advocacy groups. In her free time, Carson inspires to become a nature painter and loves hanging out with her little epileptic cat, Aspen.

Maisie Ruckman Headshot

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.

Michaela Tobin
Program Assistant

Michaela is honored to be the Program Assistant for the Triage Cancer team helping to further the mission of cancer advocacy. She earned her BA in Youth Ministry from Moody Bible Institute and served as the Director of Elementary Ministry in her local church. Before joining the Triage Cancer team, Michaela dedicated her time to serving the families in her community alongside her church and non-profit organizations such as Inner City Impact and Breakthrough Urban Ministry. It has been through serving in these organizations that she developed a passion for being part of the change she hopes to see for the world and community around her. In her free time, Michaela enjoys exploring new ways to be creative, trying new food throughout the city of Chicago, and reading. She loves to spend time with her family and listen to stories told through the performing arts, which she on occasion participates in telling.