 Kathleen Gavin is the Executive Director of MOCA and has been with the organization since February 2002. Kathleen has a Masters of Public Health from Columbia University and was the Administrative Director of the Women's Health Care Program at Columbia University for three years. She was the health and human services policy analyst for the Governor of Vermont and Director of Planning and Development of Medical Services for the state of Vermont. She was a founding member of the Institute for Sustainable Communities, a nonprofit organization that does environmental work in Central and Eastern Europe and worked to build that organization for 7 years. She has served on numerous boards and provided consulting services to foundations and non-profit organizations. She lives with her husband and two children in Southwest Minneapolis.
 Kathy and her husband lead the MN Chapter of the Kidney Cancer Association (KCA) quarterly survivor education meetings for kidney cancer survivors and their families. She invites physicians to present information about the latest treatments for metastatic kidney cancer and facilitates the meetings. At the meetings, survivors also update each other about their current medical treatments and challenges. Kathy and her husband have been members of the KCA since 2001 when her husband’s cancer metasticized. She has lobbied in Washington DC for full funding of NCI with both the Kidney Cancer Association and the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance.
Professionally, Kathy has managed the design, development, and delivery of a wide variety of educational and organizational change programs for more than 25 years for several Fortune 500 companies headquartered in the Twin Cities. She has managed the implementation of large-scale training and development programs delivered to 1,000’s of employees throughout the United States, Australia, England, and India. Kathy has also designed and/or delivered graduate courses for the University of Minnesota’s School of Public Health’s MPH program and the College of St Scholastica’s MBA program.
Kathy has a MS in Organization Development from Pepperdine University and has completed all of the courses required for a MA in Adult Education from the University of Minnesota. Most recently she has received a certificate from the University of St. Thomas’ Mini MBA for Nonprofit Organizations and a certificate from the University of Minnesota’s Mini Medical School: All About Cancer in collaboration with the University of Minnesota Cancer Center.
Kathy feels fortunate to be working to educate medical professionals about ovarian cancer in memory of her sister-in-law who died of ovarian cancer.
 Nila brings a wealth of experience to MOCA and says, “What I have
learned since I’ve been here is that the staff and MOCA’s many volunteers
focus very directly on improving the lives of survivors, and they do it with
great dedication and professionalism.”
Nila holds a bachelor’s degree from Winona State University, with majors in
accounting and business administration. She’s taken numerous business courses
at the Carlson School of Management, and finished a certificate program
(Leaders of the New Millennium) at the College of St. Catherine.
Constance has more than 25 years of corporate management. Past Employers include US Army (Prop & Rotor Repair), Banner Engineering (Inventory Control, Documentation Specialist), The Musicland Group ( Financial Account Reconciliation Supervisor, Trend Buyer) and Jakks Pacific Toy Company ( Product Design, Director of Licensing). Constance attended the University of Minnesota and majored in General Design with a minor in Business.
Courtney graduated from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities with two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Global Studies & Anthropology and a minor in European Area Studies in 2005. She is currently pursuing a Dual Master’s Degree in Nonprofit Management & Public Administration at Hamline University full time. She lives in Inver Grove Heights with her boyfriend and their dog, Keagan.
 Lindsay joined MOCA as the Public Education Programs Manager in November 2008. She received her Masters of Public Health from the University of Minnesota in 2006 and has found that her passion lies in women’s health. Before coming to MOCA, Lindsay was the Clinic Coordinator at Family Tree Clinic, a non profit community clinic serving the uninsured and underinsured.
Lindsay is focusing her efforts on raising awareness of and providing support for those affected by ovarian cancer through public education opportunities (speaking engagements, health fairs, and MOCA meetings), managing the MOCA support groups, and planning membership meetings. Lindsay will also work to expand MOCA’s services into greater Minnesota.
Aside from MOCA, Lindsay is the New MOMs committee chair for the St. Paul Mothers of Multiples Club. She and her husband have twin boys and reside in St. Paul. Lindsay is driven to raise awareness about the early warning signs of cancer in memory of her aunt, Bonnie Olein, who died in 2007 after a long battle with colon cancer.
Molly has been working for MOCA since June 2008, and is currently attending The College of St. Catherine in St. Paul. She plans on receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology in spring 2009, and will begin the Physical Therapy Program in the fall of 2009. Molly was first involved with MOCA in July of 2007 as a volunteer in memory of her grandmother, Elizabeth St. George, who had ovarian cancer.
Spring 2010 Interns:
This spring, MOCA has brought on three interns to help plan our annual events and communications projects throughout the spring and summer months. We welcome them to the MOCA team and thank them for their generous support and commitment to our organization!
- Danelle Larson
Danelle comes to us with a degree in Mass Communications & Public Relations from Winona State University. She worked with the Winona County Historical Society on a communications and media campaign, as well as volunteering for Meals on Wheels and flood relief in Winona County. She currently works at Macy’s while gaining experience at MOCA. Danelle is working on MOCA’s public relations initiative, website updates, press releases, event logistics, and various communications projects. Danelle can be reached at communications@mnovarian.org.
- Jen Oss
Jen graduated as a major in International Studies and minors in Communications & Political Science at University of MN – Duluth. She brings experience working at Habitat for Humanity as a Major Gifts Intern and currently works at Kincaid’s in Bloomington while gaining experience at MOCA. Jen is helping to coordinate donations & sponsorships for the Annual Walk/Run and the Molly Cade Memorial Golf Tournament & Gala, in addition to communications projects. Jen can be reached at events@mnovarian.org.
- Ellen Rindahl
Ellen is currently attending the University of Minnesota and working on her bachelor’s in Recreation, Park & Leisure Studies. She was a part of the U of M Homecoming 2009 Planning Committee as the Pep Fest Coordinator and will once again be a part of the U’s 2010 Homecoming Committee working with the Royalty Committee. She has been helping to coordinate Calling All Angels events, logistics for Walk/Run, as well as many communications projects. Ellen can be reached at events@mnovarian.org.
|
