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Our People

The Board

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Abby Westerman

Co-Founder and Board President

Abby spent 34 years as an engineer for the Navy before retiring in 2018 to run b-present full time. Receiving her Nonprofit Management Certificate from USD in 2021, Abby is a Mom on a Mission. With Kirsten as her inspiration, she is committed to improving the support for young adults with cancer. Abby lives in San Diego with her husband John. Their son Andrew (Kirsten's big bro and Abby's advisor on computers, music, & life) lives close by. FUN FACT: Abby loves playing piano in her spare time, and if you're ever at EDC Vegas, you might just see her under the Electric Sky.

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Brianna Matias

Co-Founder and Board Secretary

Born and raised in San Diego, Bri is a SoCal girl at heart working multiple jobs on her pursuit to becoming a physician. When she is not working as a medical assistant for Planned Parenthood, or teaching yoga at Corepower Yoga, she is dedicating her time to telling her best friend Kirsten’s story through b-present’s mission. FUN FACT: Bri not only loves dogs but has four sassy French bulldogs. She likes to say she walks the dogs, but truly, they walk her.

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Chiara Riga

Board Member

Chiara was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) in September of 2020 at age 27. Through the time she's been living with MBC, she discovered a passion for patient advocacy and breaking the stigma of cancer conversations. This passion led her to b-present, and she is excited to join the team and help ensure all AYAs feel supported through and beyond cancer. FUN FACT: When she’s not working as a marketing operations manager and advocating for her health and the health of others, she loves spending time at the beach with her dog, traveling, hiking, and training for Spartan Races.

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Kelly Evans

Co-Founder and Board Treasurer

Kelly is a proud member of the b-present team! b-present is SO meaningful to her as Kirsten was her best friend since the age of 6 years old. She knew how ambitious Kirsten was about making positive changes for young adults in similar situations to hers, which is why she is so passionate about helping Kirsten carry out that dream. Kelly is currently in graduate school pursuing a masters degree in occupational therapy where she hopes to one day open her own practice. Fun Fact: Kelly loves hiking, working out, and soaking up the San Diego sun at the beach.

The Team

A woman with blonde hair and glasses, wearing a pink knit sweater, smiles at the camera on a cloudy day at the beach. The ocean, sand, greenery, and a wooden fence are visible in the background.
Abby Westerman

Chief Executive Officer + Volunteer

Abby spent 34 years as an engineer for the Navy before retiring in 2018 to run b-present full time. Receiving her Nonprofit Management Certificate from USD in 2021, Abby is a Mom on a Mission. With Kirsten as her inspiration, she is committed to improving the support for young adults with cancer. Abby lives in San Diego with her husband John. Their son Andrew (Kirsten's big bro and Abby's advisor on computers, music, & life) lives close by. FUN FACT: Abby loves playing piano in her spare time, and if you're ever at EDC Vegas, you might just see her under the Electric Sky.

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Brian Hayes

Public Relations Specialist + Volunteer

Brian developed his passion for helping others at a young age, logging 500+ hours of community service en route to achieving Eagle Scout. In college, he focused on public service and exposing societal injustices, studying Investigative Reporting and Leadership and Public Service, while volunteering for homeless services. He’s spent his career in PR, helping startups and nonprofits grow and improve the world – and is thrilled to be a part of b-present. FUN FACT: Brian loves SCUBA diving but can’t do a regular dive to save his life.

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Julianna Corrao, LCSW

b-there Program Director

Julianna is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, cancer survivor, and passionate advocate for adolescents and young adults navigating serious illness. Diagnosed with osteosarcoma at 16, she understands the isolation and emotional toll of facing cancer during a critical life stage. She now combines her lived experience and clinical training to provide psychosocial care to adults with cancer, helping patients and caregivers cope with uncertainty and feel seen. Julianna is proud to support b-present’s mission to strengthen connection and community for young adults with cancer. FUN FACT: Julianna made a goal to travel to at least one new country every year and she's been keeping it up

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Justin Peters

Digital Content Creator + Volunteer

Since finishing college, Justin has been working to solve people problems as an Operations Specialist for JW Terrill. The passion that the b-present team has for making a difference in the lives of young adults is what led him to get more involved with the organization. It means a lot to him to be a part of a team that wants to make an impact on the lives of those in a less fortunate position. FUN FACT: Originally from St. Louis, he enjoys being able to be outside 365 days a year and visiting the different national parks near southern California.

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Tori Heppermann

Creative Director and Community Manager

Previously a wannabe beach bum trapped in small-town Missouri, Tori moved to San Diego with her boyfriend post-graduation to dip her toes in the sand and explore a career in digital marketing and graphic design. It was the discovery that her creative ideas had the potential to make an impact on the world that led her to b-present, and she hasn't looked back since. FUN FACT: Tori loves rollerblading, boogying to live music, and her two Pomeranians that never stop barking.

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Charlotte Arora

INTERN - Social Media

Originally from Chicago and currently living in Paris, Charlotte is a rising high school junior with big dreams of one day joining the medical field. She joined b-present as a social media intern, drawn to the organization’s deep emphasis on empathy and presence. She’s excited to use her creativity to help share b-present’s mission and inspire more people to support each other meaningfully! FUN FACT: Charlotte loves history, the sun, and spending time with her three dogs.

The Advisors

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Amy Schneider

Cancer Survivorship Case Manager + SOMBFAB Founder and Facilitator

Amy has been a pediatric hematology oncology nurse at the Peckham Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders since 1987. She is currently the Cancer Survivorship Case Manager and is excited to have almost 1200 pediatric cancer survivors on her database! Amy is the proud founder and facilitator of SOMBFAB (Some of My Best Friends Are Bald), a support group for teens and young adult cancer patients and their siblings. Amy loves b-present because it's her belief the most important thing in this world is our connections to our loved ones. FUN FACT: Amy loves to take nature photos with her iPhone.

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Nick Iannarino

Assistant Professor of Health Communication at University of Michigan

Since joining the faculty at the University of Michigan-Dearborn in 2014, Nick has worked to help young adults living with cancer and their closest supporters communicate better. With b-present, Nick is excited to help this community maintain their relationships and support one another during a really difficult time. Nick lives in Metro Detroit with his wife Sarah and daughter Rose. FUN FACT: In his free time, Nick likes to cook, golf, and play soccer. He’s also (slowly) working his way through the American Film Institute’s Top 100 movies list.

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Pam Simon

Stanford Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program Manager

Pam spent most of her 30 year nursing career working with pediatric oncology and recently she’s been able to pursue her passion by starting the Stanford Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Program in 2015. Through her work with Teenage Cancer America, she is promoting awareness and education on the unique needs of this population. She lives in Menlo Park, CA with her husband and her playful pup, Frankie. They have 2 boys who are following in their parents footsteps as college athletes. FUN FACT: Pam can often be found hiking and biking in the Bay Area hills and enjoying the outdoors.