Meet some of the I-SPY 2 Breast Cancer Patients and Research Advocates who are advisors for the trial. They provide the patient’s perspective to the I-SPY 2 Trial team to ensure a positive Experience for participants on the trial.
Her vast experience across tech, communication, strategy, management, policy, and equity bridges gaps between patients, scientists, medical providers, payers, governments, and non-profits. Deb infuses patient engagement into projects, gathers relevant patient input, and encompasses many diseases, programs, and policies at grassroots, national, and international levels. Key patient insights are delivered throughout discovery, development, clinical trials, results reporting, data-sharing, standards, genomics, and into practice.
A 2023 breast cancer survivor, Carolyn joined the advocate program after successful TNBC treatment with the UCSF Breast Oncology Program. She is a member of the Breast Science Advocacy Core (BSAC), continues training with Quantum Health and BSAC, and is enrolled in Stanford Medicine's Patient Advocacy Training in Health Science course. Her 30+ year career in corporate marketing, program development, and non-profit leadership serves her well in representing the patient voice.
An eleven-year breast cancer survivor with 30 years of scientific research experience, fifteen as Lead Clinical Data Manager at DCRI. Coleen is a grant reviewer for Susan G. Komen NC, Vice-Chair of the Alliance Patient Advocate Committee, Co-Chair of Health Disparities Education, and a member of the TBCRC at UNC Chapel Hill. She holds a Masters in Information Science and a Certificate in Clinical Trials Research.
An active research advocate and three-time breast cancer survivor with a family history of intergenerational DCIS, IDC, and MBC. A licensed architect, Amy founded Strategic Facilities Planning in 1996. She is a DOD CDMRP reviewer, Komen Advocate in Science, UCSF BSAC member, and lead advocate for the TBCRC triple-negative working group.
A Medical Technologist with 25+ years of clinical and research lab experience. Diagnosed in 1994, she served as Assistant Administrator of the UCSF Breast Oncology Program and Advocate Manager of the I-SPY 1 Trial. She founded Cancer Information & Support Network (CISN), where she serves as President.
A 30-year breast cancer survivor and Komen volunteer for over 25 years. Dr. Finestone founded the Orange County Breast Cancer Coalition and opened the Hope Wellness Center. She has trained healthcare providers internationally and received the 2002 National Komen Outstanding Volunteer of the Year for Lifetime Achievement.
A 23-year survivor of inflammatory breast cancer. Pat is a DOD BCRP peer reviewer, Integration Panel Chair, and serves on community and PRIME IRBs. She spent 30+ years in IT, holds a degree in mathematics and a certificate in public health, and completed NBCC's Project LEAD.
Tracey manages follow-up data projects for I-SPY 2, develops patient engagement strategies, and oversees the I-SPY Advocate group. She is pursuing a Master of Public Administration at SF State and has volunteered with SF CASA for five years.
A four-time breast cancer survivor and engaged advocate of eighteen years. Founder and CEO of deClarity, she donated her skills toward the I-SPY and WISDOM patient websites. Diane supports multiple I-SPY 2 working groups and the NCCS Cancer Policy Steering Committee. Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Tufts.
A 25-year breast cancer survivor with a cancer advocacy career beginning in 1975. Selected positions include Chair of the NCI Director's Consumer Liaison Committee, Chair of ACRIN Patient Advocacy, and Chair of the FNIH I-SPY 2 Consent Working Group. B.S. from Denison and Master of Health Professions from Northeastern.
Diagnosed with triple negative breast cancer in 2012, Jane participated in I-SPY 2 at UCSF and has been cancer free for over ten years. Her advocacy began in 2003 at UCSF, where she previously managed the Peer Support program.
A three-time breast cancer survivor with an MBA, MSW, and PhD in public health. She served as Hotline Director and Research Analyst at Y-ME, has reviewed grants for DOD, Komen, and CBCRP, and has counseled women and men through helplines for over three decades.
A long-term cancer survivor and active advocate with training in cognitive psychology, computer science, and business. Jane is lead advocate on I-SPY 2 and TAPUR, an advocate on NCI's Breast Cancer Steering Committee, and chair of the PCORI Patient Engagement Advisory Panel.
A seasoned research advocate for UCSF Breast Oncology and PS-ON Programs with a background in epidemiology, clinical trials, and FDA regulatory work. Susan's interests include TNBC disparities and HER2 breast cancer models, and she has served as advocate co-investigator on eleven funded grants.
A 13-year breast cancer survivor and UCSF BSAC advocate since 2010. Carol worked with UCSF researchers on grant proposals including as co-investigator for 'Ask Your Pathologist,' served as a consumer reviewer for the CDMRP Breakthrough Awards, and was an Encore Fellow with Community Tech Network.
Diagnosed in March 2023 with aggressive triple negative breast cancer, Jan joined a clinical trial and achieved PCR. She is a UCSF Patient Advocate, a BLACC CAB Member, and recently spoke on a Clinical Trials panel for I-SPY at the National Press Club.
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A two-time breast cancer survivor with 14+ years of advocacy and a UCSF BSAC member since 2009. Joan has reviewed grants for CBCRP, DOD, NCI, and PCORI and is a community member on the Stanford Scientific Review Committee.
Diagnosed in late 2022, Deborah channels her healthcare administration background — including 22 years at Kaiser Permanente — into advocacy. She serves on the LBCA Research Committee, the UCSF I-SPY Patient Advocate Panel, and the Board of Breast Cancer Care & Research Fund. BA, UC Santa Cruz; MBA, UCLA Anderson.
Diagnosed in June 2023 with Stage IIb Triple Positive breast cancer, Crystal enrolled in I-SPY 2.2 and achieved pathologic complete response. She is a member of NBCC, ASCO, a PCORI merit reviewer, and an MRCT Center advocate reviewer.
A breast cancer survivor who participated in I-SPY 2 at UCSF. A former public radio journalist, Kelly uses her experience and skills to help women understand what they are going through and what hopeful developments lie ahead.
Diagnosed in 2023, Jodi is an I-SPY 2 alum who achieved pathologic complete response in 2024. She is committed to paying forward the survivor community support she received and is a peer navigator for FORCE: Facing Our Risk of Cancer Empowered.
A dedicated breast cancer advocate with 17+ years at BreastCancerTrials.org, serving as Program Director for six years before retiring in 2026. A cancer previvor, Susan holds a B.S. from UMass and completed the Clinical Research program at UC Berkeley Extension.
An interventionist and consultant whose connection to I-SPY is personal — supporting his fiancée Allegra through her stage IIB diagnosis at 39. Joe focuses on the role of partners and co-survivors in treatment, research participation, and care navigation.
A breast cancer advocate, healthcare strategist, and I-SPY 2.2 alumna. Diagnosed at 39 with a PALB2 mutation, Allegra serves on the QLHC Patient Advisory Committee. She brings nearly two decades in institutional finance and Six Sigma to advocacy on hereditary risk, equitable trial access, and co-survivorship.
Diagnosed in spring 2020 through routine screening informed by family history. Rebecca is a peer mentor with ABCD and an I-SPY Patient Advocate. She holds an AB in Math and PhD in Economics, has worked in quantitative finance for ~20 years, and lives in NYC.
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If you are interested in joining the I-SPY 2 trial, talk to your doctor or visit the I-SPY 2 Trial Locations map to find the study site closest to you.
If you are interested in joining the I-SPY 2 trial, talk to your doctor or visit the I-SPY 2 Trial Locations map to find the study site closest to you.
