Joanna Fawzy Doran, Esq.
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.

Christina Lewis, Esq.
Staff Attorney

Christina most recently worked as a staff attorney at the National Association of Counsel for Children (NACC). She ensured that legal professionals had the skills, resources, and support needed to provide high-quality representation of children, parents, and agencies in child welfare cases. Christina worked for twelve years as a public defender with the St. Charles Parish Public Defender’s Office. She represented adults charged with misdemeanors, served as the defense attorney for the St. Charles Parish Adult Drug Court team, and represented juveniles charged with delinquencies in juvenile court. Christina began her legal career as a judicial clerk with the Louisiana Third Circuit Court of Appeal. She graduated from Louisiana State University, Paul M. Hebert Law Center with Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Civil Law degrees. Christina earned her B.A. in Political Science from LSU. She is licensed to practice in Louisiana.

Mandy Fates, Esq.
Staff Attorney

Mandy is a passionate advocate who grew up watching her father battle lymphoma.  She became an attorney in order to follow her dream of serving as a victim’s rights counselor. This journey led her to the University of Vermont where she earned her BA in Psychology and served as a domestic violence counselor.  Mandy earned her Juris Doctor from The University of San Diego School of Law in 2003, graduating Cum Laude and serving as the President of the Public Interest Law Foundation.

Prior to joining Triage Cancer, Mandy practiced law in San Diego as a victim advocate, prosecutor, and appeals attorney for indigent felony defendants. Mandy is a passionate volunteer, serving on multiple boards in her community in San Diego. She also serves as a member of the Improve Care Now research committee, a group which advocates for children with irritable bowel disease and funds research aimed at improving care for those affected by the disease.

Kathryn J. Strobach, Esq.
Staff Attorney

Kathryn J. Strobach is a Staff Attorney at Triage Cancer. Kathryn graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 2003. She then began her legal career at the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s Office Trial Division, representing individuals charged with all levels of crimes ranging from misdemeanors to capital offenses. She specialized in two areas – matters involving evaluation, commitment, and involuntary medications for people with serious mental illness and intellectual disabilities, and representing youth charged with felonies in adult court. She then joined the Appellate Division where she handled misdemeanor and felony appellate matters, as well as resentencing hearings for youth sentenced to life who were eligible for resentencing under the Miller and Graham cases.

Kathryn left the Miami-Dade Public Defender’s office in 2014 to join Dutton Law Group where she defended insurers in auto accident claims. During that time, she went back to school to get her Master of Social Work Degree from Florida International University. She interned as a public guardian and a social worker in a hospital emergency department and earned a Certificate in Working with the Elderly.

Before joining Triage Cancer, Kathryn was the Director of Investigations for Disability Rights Florida from 2019 to 2024. In that position, she led an interdisciplinary team that focused on addressing abuse, neglect, and rights violations against people with disabilities residing in institutional settings. She oversaw systemic litigation against Florida state agencies,
conducted litigation and legally based advocacy on behalf of individual clients, and investigated and monitored facilities including state hospitals, short-term psychiatric facilities, nursing homes, forensic treatment centers, jails, and prisons.

Kathryn is a member of the Florida and Wisconsin Bars and is admitted to practice in the U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Middle, and Northern Districts of Florida.

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.