With 200 years of experience, our team is a balanced group of professionals with vast experience & knowledge.
Jenny Mulks is the Founder and CEO of Along Comes Hope®, a nonprofit organization helping families of children with cancer. Their mission is to provide support through financial assistance with travel for treatment, creative emotional support programs for the entire family, advocacy
work on Capitol Hill to promote policy changes, and awareness and education
programs nationally and within local communities. Jenny Mulks is also a
cancer coach, TEDx
speaker, international author, advocate, philanthropist, humanitarian,
cancer survivor, and a mom.
Jenny’s previous career and business background have focused on business
development and execution within the pharmaceutical industry as a
regional business manager. She held various roles, with a concentrated
focus on leadership, implementation, motivating, training and
supervising sales teams. Within those 15 years of corporate experience,
Jenny also collaborated with executive leadership teams and peers
working on cross-functional corporate initiatives while serving on
advisory boards, commercial operations, brand team, marketing,
operational analytics and sales training. Jenny was on the management
team that hired, trained and grew the organization from 150 sales reps
to 2,500 sales reps.
Jenny made the transition from the corporate world into the nonprofit
arena through a personal experience and awareness surrounding her own
journey with cancer. Enlightened through her miraculous survival, the
need to help others, in the eye of the storm became clear. The mission
of Along Comes Hope® was birthed in 2013. This personal journey
broadened her awareness to the number of families in need of financial
assistance and the importance of supporting the families that are forced
to make a treatment choice due to affordability of travel versus their
best attempts at survival. Along Comes Hope® has impacted thousands of
families in the vast arena of their four pillars of service; financial
assistance, emotional support programs, advocacy and education. Their
overall goal is to ensure that no family faces cancer alone nor has to
choose affordability over survivability, especially when it comes to the
wellbeing and life of their precious child.
As a cancer coach, Jenny has been mentoring cancer patients and
caregivers since 2007, after she faced a rare and aggressive cancer,
giving her only 6-12 months left to live. She has been thriving against
many odds ever since and is living cancer free, since 2007.
The newest Emotional Support program Jenny has created for Along Comes
Hope families is the Circle of Hope Cancer Support. This online platform
provides education in all aspects of wellness for cancer patients and
caregivers. This resourceful and life changing guidance will support
them in order to thrive during their cancer journey and beyond. The
Circle of Hope Cancer Support focuses on our 4 Pillars of Care; Mental
Wellness & Clarity, Healing Techniques, Spiritual Connection &
Awareness, and Physical Resilience. The entire family impacted by cancer
will benefit from the expert support and guidance this program provides.
Jenny graduated from San Diego State University with a Bachelor of Arts
degree. She grew up in Bakersfield, California, attending Garces
Memorial High School and Cal State University Bakersfield and Cuesta
Community College. She currently resides in San Luis Obispo, California,
with her son and family.
With
more than 200 years of experience, our Board of Directors is a balanced group of professionals with
vast experience and knowledge. The Board is comprised of 13 different industries, including
nonprofit management, medical, consulting, child development, trauma counseling, design, psychology,
pharmaceutical, marketing, managing, meeting and event planning and sales. This diversity brings a
broad perspective to the vision, the needs and growth representing the overall mission of Along
Comes Hope®.
With more than 20 years of experience working in sales and training in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, Kent Braniff currently serves as Senior Sales Specialist in the Bone Health Division of Amgen. Kent’s previous work includes experience in sales and marketing with industry leading companies Merck, Purdue Pharma and Sunovion.
Kent has spent the last several years on the Board of Directors for Hope School District
Educational Foundation. The Foundation has raised thousands of dollars to support technology, computers,
science materials and enrichment programs in art, physical education and music. He has been active with
the Santa Barbara Hospice Foundation, Relay of Life and A Ride for Three Reasons, as well as actively
involved in coaching and fundraising for AYSO, Little League and USTA Team Tennis.
Kent received his B.A. in Marketing from San Diego State University, with a minor in Psychology. He
currently lives in Santa Barbara with his wife of 20 years and three children.
Diana O’Neal is an accomplished sales/training representative and account manager with more than 25 years of experience. Diana achieves high goals with enthusiasm, perseverance and passion. Following her first career in the pharmaceutical industry, she diversified her talents into the oil and gas industry.
Diana holds a B.S. with honors in Biochemistry from Texas A&M University.
She volunteers her time with her child’s junior high band as the treasurer and ministries with her
church. Diana also helped her daughter start a nonprofit organization for her high school.
Diana’s award history is extensive. Awards have included leadership, teambuilding and volunteer of the
year, service, president’s award sales, volunteer service and compassion.
Diana enjoys spending time all her time with her family. Her family enjoys camping, swimming, cycling,
movies and hiking to name a few.
Jill Whitebook is semi-retired after spending 25 years in the pharmaceutical industry in sales and account management. Jill’s degree in Health Services Administration has helped to hone her knowledge of medical centers, integrated delivery systems and managed care organizations.
She has a strong history of fundraising for multiple nonprofits, including The Leukemia and
Lymphoma Foundation, The American Cancer Society and The Michelle Souza Memorial Foundation, which she
created in memory of her daughter.
As a steward of the environment with an emphasis on the ocean, Jill spends her free time enjoying
various marine activities. She is active in her community as a Marin County Court Appointed Special
Advocate, Co-Director of Marin Clean Highways and as a docent and harbor seal crew member at The Marine
Mammal Center in Sausalito. Travel is one of her passions, but most important, spending time with her
four grandchildren.
Nancy Haley is the Director of Scott & Cronin’s Political Reports Unit. Nancy supervises a staff of Political Reporting Specialists who are responsible for preparing complicated federal, state and local campaign, lobbying, and major donor financial disclosure reports. The division seeks to help its clients achieve their political goals while avoiding enforcement pitfalls.
In addition to providing bookkeeping, payroll, tax and election law compliance to her candidates,
ballot measures, PACs and non-profit organizations involved in the political and legislative process,
Nancy is frequently invited to participate in panel discussions regarding campaign finance and
compliance. Her expertise in financial disclosure has been valuable to students at SDSU & UCSD,
professionals at the California Association of Realtors and LEAD San Diego.
Clients have included two former Governors of California, several U.S. Senators, U.S. Congressman, State
Assemblymen, five of the past City of San Diego Mayors and the Sheriff & District Attorney of San
Diego Co. She has also managing the PACs of numerous Fortune 500 companies.
Prior to joining the accounting firm of Scott & Cronin, LLP, in 1997, she spent 10 years working
extensively in the field of campaign management and fundraising. She has worked for numerous public
officials and political organizations at all levels of government.
Nancy received her B.A. in Public Administration with a concentration in Political Science from San
Diego State University. She is involved in a number of civic and political organizations in San Diego
County and is an active member of the California Political Treasurers Association. Nancy resides in
Carlsbad, California, and spends her free time traveling, cooking and enjoying various outdoor
activities.
Steve has been married to his wife Laura for 30 years and has 3 wonderful (adult) children and a new wonderful daughter in law. He currently is the National Sales Manager at Cutsforth Inc. – a company that provides innovative parts and services for turbine generators. He has been building and managing sales & leadership teams for over 30 years.
His 15 years of vocational non-profit leadership combined with 15 years of volunteer non-profit
leadership have provided him with a wealth of experience in this arena. Vision casting, public speaking,
marketing, training, coaching and operational accountability are among Steve’s strengths and passions.
His direct approach combined with a strong and unique sense of humor have helped lead and grow a variety
of organizations.
Over the years Steve has traveled the world participating and organizing
relief mission trips. Among these include multiple building trips to an orphanage and school in Mexico
as well as building relief housing for widows of
Hurricane Mitch in Honduras. He has been a guest teacher speaking through interpreters in Kazakhstan and
helped organize a conference of 1,000 pastors and church workers from all over Russia.
Steve is president of the Duckabush Community, a non-profit group committed to preserving the natural
resources, wildlife and salmon runs on a 20-acre parcel of land on the Duckabush River in Washington
State.
Steve Graduated from Western Washington University with a degree in Sociology with a Criminology
emphasis. He also has post graduate theological training from Fuller Theological Seminary and Regent
College in British Columbia.
In his spare time Steve enjoys home improvement, mountain biking, road cycling, acoustic guitar, cooking
and following Seattle sports teams.
Davinder Khunkhun has more than 10 years of pharmaceutical management and diagnostics sales and sales management. She holds a B.S. in Biological Sciences and a Master’s in Business Administration. Davinder enjoys working with a variety of charitable organizations.
She served four years as a crisis counselor for victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence and
currently works closely with a local nonprofit: Seva: Selfless Service, an organization created to feed
homeless people in the greater Sacramento and San Francisco area. Davinder is blessed with 3 beautiful
daughters and loves volunteering her time at their school. In her free time, Davinder likes to travel,
read, do yoga and hike.
Pali Chahal is a consultant for Metta Consulting and is inspired daily with her job. Metta is making a difference in people’s lives by helping diagnose and prevent cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Pali helps facilitate this information directly impacting the lives of patients.
Pali’s career background encompasses tax and auditing, employee recruiting, customer service,
payroll and accounting specialist. She was a stay-at-home mom to raise her two beautiful daughters. When
she returned to the workforce, she worked at H&R Block as a Tax Specialist, then later for a
recruiting firm and computer company as a payroll specialist.
She has great experience in fundraising and volunteering. Pali is active with Friends of NICU, a
Northern California based nonprofit, helping premature babies and their families with all needs
associated with having a baby born prematurely, such as gas card and lodging. She also is a volunteer
for Selfless Seva, an Organization that feeds the homeless.
Pali grew up in London, studied Business and Finance at Uxbridge College, but she has lived in the U.S.
for 25 years. Her daughters are now grown. Josephine, 23, graduated from UC San Diego in 2013. Henna,
17, graduated high school and is currently attending Sierra Community College. She also has two German
Shepard Chow mixes, Fred and Marley, and a cat named Lilly.
In her spare time she enjoys spending as much time as possible with her children, traveling, reading,
yoga, golfing and trying new restaurants and new vegetarian foods.
Kim Smith is an award winning sales professional with over 29 years in the sales arena. Kim’s career began at AT&T as a Sales Professional. She then moved into the pharmaceutical industry working for market leaders SmithKline Beecham, Sepracor and Mission Pharmacal where she is currently a Sales Manager for the Women’s Health Division.
Kim is passionate about helping people get the health care they need and has used her years in the
healthcare system to champion for those who can’t.
Kim has spent the last 7 years actively
involved with the March of Dimes. She has been the National Co-Captain for Mission Pharmacal leading the
sales team in fund raising and coordination with the local chapters in supporting the March of Dimes
walks. As the mom of a 31-week preemie, working with the March of Dimes has been a cause near and dear
to her heart. She has also been active in supporting youth sports as a Booster Club Committee Chair and
fundraising chair for the club.
Kim received her B.S in Finance from The University of Houston with a minor in accounting. She currently
resides in Friendswood, TX with her husband Kurt. Their son is attending Baylor University. In her spare
time Kim loves shooting wildlife photography, fishing, spending time outdoors with her family and
supporting her University of Houston Cougars.
Lynn Flemer has 20 plus years in the pharmaceutical industry specializing in Women’s Health and Fertility. She currently works as a Director of Business Development for a BioMatrix Specialty Pharmacies. Lynn received her Bachelor Degree from California State Polytechnic University, Pomona, CA and her Master Degree from Antioch University Los Angeles, Culver City, CA
In 2015, she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. She now is healthy and enjoying an active life style which includes being on the Board of Directors for SCORA (Southern California Outrigger Assoc) since 2012. Since 2015, Lynn has become an advocate for early detection and diagnosis. This was the key to her survival and she knows how important it is especially for children.
Chalet Lizette Brannan is a teen actress that beat Leukemia at age 10. Chalet is a WISH Ambassador for Make A Wish and travels around the country visiting children in other hospitals giving her time and donating to others fighting cancer. She continues to film and has won many supporting and lead role awards. Her drive and passion for filming has enabled her to travel the world which in turn helps her learn more about helping those suffering cancer. As a known actress, she wants to use her influence to show that cancer can be beat and that by continuing to fight each day brings about more courage and strength within yourself. Chalet loves giving back as much as she can and often donates most of her own money to help those that need it. Her goals are simple, to be the best that she can be in her chosen career and to show the world that cancer is only a word and until that day when it’s wiped out, giving courage to others and the wisdom of being on both sides certain knowledge and strength.
Logan Speckhard is a senior in High School and founder of a childhood cancer campaign called Athletes Crush Cancer for Along Come Hope. She is a singer songwriter who has published music. She is a childhood cancer advocate who has helped raise over $100,000 for various childhood cancer organizations and has volunteered countless hours to several charities. Logan is a National Award Winning Educators Rising finalist and a regional science and engineering award winner. She was recently inducted into the Loudoun 100 which is a recognition for her good work and achievements. She received a National Air Force ROTC scholarship for all four years of college. She lost her friend, Gavin, to childhood cancer when he was 13 and she was 11. It caused her to become inspired to fight for kids who cannot. She is looking at colleges that specialize in human development, childhood addiction studies, family policy, and pre-med.
DIana has enjoyed a successful career in the medical and pharmaceutical realm for over 15 years.
She has been able to utilize her prior career and background with skilled grant writing to understand the needs of nonprofit communities. With her personal cancer journey and being a two-time survivor, Diana relates to and is dedicated to the mission of Along Comes Hope to secure the resources needed to aid every request.
She specializes in grant writing for pediatric cancer as well as youth
programs – outreach programs and the underprivileged.
Diana entered the charity world in the early 90’s. She’s grown with the
trends, traditions and trials through volunteering, fundraising and grant
writing.
She’s passionate about serving communities and the connection needed to
support the mission, which is why Along Comes Hope is such a perfect fit.
Along Comes Hope is a community she resonnates so perfectly with as she
believes in the power of having hope and taking action.
Joanne Hatcher graduated from Cal Poly in 1992 with a B.S. in Biological Science and then attended Samuel Merritt College for a Master’s in Physical Therapy. She has lived on the Central Coast since 1998 and enjoys working as a physical therapist in Pismo Beach at Physical Therapy Specialists.
Joanne was first nudged to become involved with pediatric cancer by a young patient she treated who
showed both incredible peace and courage while undergoing treatment. Years later, the powerful and
gut-wrenchingly honest words of Maya Thompson (The Ronan Thompson Foundation; www.rockstarronan.com),
who was grief-stricken at the loss of her sweet son, stirred something in Joanne and threw her into the
childhood cancer awareness world through social media. She has gained the opportunity to volunteer with
other local nonprofits, but she was eager to be more hands-on.
Almost four years ago, Joanne’s son suffered from a condition that required brain surgery in New York.
It was through top-notch medical care and the love and support of friends in her community that he is
healthy today. When your child is sick it is both emotionally and financially draining. She has so much
energy that she wants to give to others in a similar situation. When your days seem the darkest…Along
Comes Hope®.
Hope Cornejo and her family moved to the Central Coast in 2014 from Bakersfield Ca. Hope has many years of experience with non-profit agencies. She was past President of ABWA, past Board Member for Links for Life, past Ambassador with the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce/and SLO Chamber of Commerce, most current as Fundraiser Chair Person with ACH.
Hope has been married to her husband Joe for 27 years has one son, two stepsons and two
grandchildren who live in Los Osos CA. Hope works for Farmers Insurance. She loves animals and cooking
and most of all giving back to the community. Her most important goal is help Along Comes Hope® grow in
order to help even more families in the community that are battling cancer.
Kristi has been a supporter of the childhood cancer community on a national level giving back with her talent, time and skills. She has her own production company, Risk It Productions and her knowledge and support are a huge asset to our ACH Team. Her specialty is creative development through post-production of digital media content.
Development of storylines and shot lists, direct, film and edit short-form media including teasers,
corporate promotional videos, music videos and documentaries; maintenance and collection of legal
contracts and releases; creation of invoices and estimates; photography and graphic design and social
media management. www.kristigatto.com
Kevin Parzych, M.D. – Medical Director at Wilshire Health and Community Services
Stephen Holtzman, M.D. – Radiology Associates of SLO
Brianna Hinojosa-Flores – Patent Attorney at Blackberry
Stephen Stern – President, Law Office of Stephen Stern
Norma Cope – VP of Administration and Controller, Uniden America Corp.
Donna Hylton – Retired Executive Director Nonprofits
Joanne Hatcher – Physical Therapist
Carolyn Kell – Account Manager, Dun & Bradstreet
Jaynie Wood – Child Life Specialist
Jas Kaur – Project Manager
Steve Thompson – National Sales Manager
Sonja Savery-Orten – Central Coast Home Health
Jori Apsit Jellison – Marketing Manager
Michelle Dailey – Communications Coordinator
Theresa Miranda – Paralegal
Tamara Pierce-Ashmore – Business and Finance Coordinator
Nancy Chase – President, Public Policy Partners
Paula Sigman – Artist
Amy DeBuysere – Sr. Portfolio Planning Manager
Tracie Tachovsky – Esthetician
David Tabatsky – Author, Editor and Public Speaker
Kristie Barry – Sales Manager
Matthew Buczek – Manager of Information Systems, PrismHR
Chris Rutkowski – Pharmaceuticals, Analytics, Training
Hope Cornejo – Imaging Consultant
Katherine Voronstov – Halter Ranch Winery
Help families & children get the care they need while they fight cancer In their lives.
Keep updated with stories of Hope and how to help children with cancer.