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MEET OUR TEAM
MONICA GELINAS
Executive Director
Monica Gelinas has been with CC4C since 2015 spanning roles across operations, volunteer management, and family services. As Cheyanna's aunt, she brings a deep passion for the mission that stems from her personal connection to CC4C's founding story.
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DANELLE KEMP
Development Director
Danelle Kemp joined the CC4C team in 2022. Danelle was born in New Mexico, raised in West Texas, and proud to call Austin home for over 25 years. She served as an elementary educator for 7 years after graduating with a master's degree in Special Education from The University of Texas at Austin.
ALISON HAVENS
Director of Programs
Alison began volunteering with CC4C through National Charity League in 2020. The mission of CC4C spoke to her heart with her personal experiences with her oldest daughter and nephew who have rare and undiagnosed conditions. She joined CC4C as the Program and Volunteer Manager in 2022.
MONINA MERCADO
Director of Operations
Monina started with CC4C in 2017 as a volunteer after witnessing the impact of uplifting the children at the micro-marathon. In 2019 she joined the team as the Director of Operations & Volunteers until September 2022. In May 2023 she rejoined the team as Director of Operations.
ALICIA AHMANN
Dream Team & Volunteer Manager
Alicia joined CC4C as a volunteer via the Young Men's Service League. CC4C's mission truly resonated with her as a mom of a rare and undiagnosed child. Alicia wanted to become more involved so she joined CC4C in 2023 as the Dream Team and Volunteer Manager.
HEATHER SANDERS
Development Coordinator
Heather first joined CC4C as a volunteer and VIP advocate. After experiencing loss of a child with a rare form of cancer, she gained new perspective on life and felt led to help carry out CC4C’s mission. She fully understands the challenging journey our families lead.
TALAYA FRAZIER
Founder
Talaya founded CC4C after the long journey with her daughter Cheyanna.
While navigating through the unknown odyssey of trying to find diagnosis and healing, she turned to running to cope with the emotional turmoil. Talaya intended to run one marathon in Cheyanna’s honor symbolizing the hope of a finish line of healing.
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JOEY BERGER
Board Chair
Joey, a partner with Rigby Slack, currently handles real estate transactions in Texas and throughout the United States. He is experienced in representing clients in the acquisition, disposition, construction, development, financing, leasing and management of various property types - student housing, multi-family, hospitality, office, industrial, retail, restaurant and mixed-use.
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DAVID DESTEFANO
Treasurer
David is currently the Sr. Vice President/Bee Cave Market President for Texas Regional Bank with locations throughout the Hill Country, Rio Grande Valley, Houston, and Dallas with total assets of $2.7 billion and pride themselves in remaining a community bank where they bank one customer at a time.
DR. SUSAN RAO
Secretary
As a child of immigrant parents, Dr. Susan Rao was very lucky to be raised by certain values: working hard, being fully intentional about living a life of high integrity as well as the concept of SEWA, which means “selfless service” in her family’s Indian language.
CASEY McPHERSON
Member
Casey McPherson is the Founder and President of To Cure a Rose Foundation, and Founder of Everlum Bio. Casey spent his career as a musician; touring the world and releasing two #10 hits in the US. Everything changed when his daughter was diagnosed with a rare genetic disease: HNRNPH2.
ADRIENNE RYHOLT
Advisor
Adrienne Ryholt is Government & Payor Relationship Manager at Apple Homecare Medical Supply and mother of a blended family of five, including CC4C child, Hayden. Adrienne has been an outspoken advocate for breaking down barriers for those who care for and live with disability.