Board Of Directors

Board of Directors

Mary Ann Wasil Nilan, President, CEO & Founder

Christina Brandt, Vice-Chairman
Joan Cagginello, Secretary
Michelle Parente diMartino
Zinelle Mackro
Claudine May
Suzanne Cahill-Manning
Sarah Nikkel
Rev. Thomas E. Ptaszynski, D. Min.
Jody Ramik
Jorge Santiago, Treasurer
Eileen Scully, Chairman

Tracey Saab - National Events Coordinator

Jennifer O'Flynn - Director of Pretty In Pink Development

Advisory Council

Tia Campbell, RN, MSN, NCSN
Christopher Conley, CPA
Kelly Ann Harkins, MD
Karen Laugel, MD
Diana Lopusny, MD
Carol Mack
A. Dennis McBride, MD, MPH
S. Ashley Roberts, M. Ed.
Anna Rubino
Genevieve Salvatore, Esq.
Marsha Schultz, RN
Andrea Silber, MD
Barbara Ward, MD

"Ambassador of Hope" - Amy Brechon

Youth Ambassadors:

Mary Nilan - 1st Year Student, University of Virginia, Chairman
Natasha Babchak - 12th Grade
Sophie Cappello - 6th Grade
Kiley Cappetta - 10th Grade
Casey DelBasso - 12th Grade
Taylor Gomez - 8th Grade
Todd Manning - 10th Grade
Maggie McAndrew - 10th Grade
Edward Nilan - 11th Grade

College Youth Ambassadors:

Kristine Casey - Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
Victoria Craw - Oakland University, Rochester, MI
Taylor Fries - University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Kat Lauer - University of California Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA
Casey Lilley - Catholic University, Washington, DC
Betsy Nilan - University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
Taylor Ritzel - Yale University, New Haven, CT
Emily Rowen - Northeastern University, Boston, MA
Mary Pat Wixted - Yale University, New Haven, CT

Mary Ann Wasil Nilan, President, CEO & Founder

Mary Ann is a Breast Cancer Survivor, Health Activist, President, CEOand Founder of The Get In Touch Foundation.

On February 4, 2004, Mary Ann was diagnosed with Stage 2 Breast Cancer and began a grueling life saving protocol of dose dense chemotherapy, followed by a bi-lateral mastectomy. During this time, Mary Ann and writer-friend, Susan Patrick, along with photojournalist-friend, Christopher Capozziello, began documenting her journey of chemotherapy, mastectomy and reconstruction, having been unable to find a resource that could provide the powerful imagery she sought to help her through this difficult time. This groundbreaking series of images, entitled "A Diary of Healing," helps to educate, comfort, and ultimately, empower women diagnosed with breast cancer, as well as those who love them. ("A Diary of Healing" exhibit is available by contacting exhibits@chriscappy.com.) Mary Ann's book, "A Diary of Healing" will be published this year by Balboa Press, a division of Hay House Publishing.

Mary Ann, a former midnight shift police officer in CT, is also an actress and model, having worked for ten years on the ABC soap opera, All My Children, as well as on numerous independent films, commercials and voice-overs, and is also a public speaker promoting Breast Health Awareness & Education. She has been a public speaker in the area of Elementary School Advancement for the National Catholic Educational Association, and in January 2007 was the recipient of the Milford Chamber of Commerce Human Services Award for "unselfish service, care and concern for people in need." Mary Ann spent nearly six years as Director of Advancement & Enthusiasm for Saint Ann Church and School in Milford, before taking the helm as full-time Executive Director of Get In Touch in June 2008.

In 2007 Mary Ann received an Official Citation from the State of Connecticut General Assembly in honor and recognition of her Dedication and Extraordinary Service in Creating Awareness Toward the Treatment and Prevention of Breast Cancer. In 2010, Mary Ann received the Oprah Magazine CoverGirl "Giving Beautiful Back" award, and was honored at Madison Square Garden by WNBA's New York Liberty and Hallmark Channel, along with eighteen other "Women Who Inspire!"

Mary Ann is a dynamic and accomplished public speaker, having been the keynote speaker at various school nursing conferences, nationally and internationally, including the 2010 Overseas School Health Nurses Association Conference in Germany, the 2010 New England School Nurses Association Conference, the 2010 Association of School Nurses of Connecticut Conference, the 2010 Virginia Association of School Nurses Conference, and most recently, the 2011 International School Nurses of Asia Conference in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and the National Association of School Nurses Conference in Washington, DC.

Mary Ann's son Eddy is a student at Saint Joseph High School in Trumbull,CT, while daughters Betsy and Mary are students at the University of Virginia. She thanks God each day for the blessings He continues to bestow on her, promising always to find new ways of reaching out to those in need.

Christina Brandt, Vice-Chairman

Christina Brandt is a Master Certified Coach as well as a former human resources executive with over 20 years experience in a variety of industries, in both large corporations and startups. She’s helped hundreds of people to determine their passions, strengths and marketable skills, and coached them through the process of defining their ideal work and how to create it. Working with Christina, clients answer the question “What’s next?” and are awakened to new possibilities for bringing satisfaction, purpose and joy to their professional and personal lives. In addition to her work with individual clients, Chris leads a variety of workshops and coaching groups. She is also an instructor of coaches for Martha Beck, Inc.

During her corporate career, she was a trusted advisor to senior management, providing effective strategies to address issues such as change management, teambuilding, morale, effective communication, improving employee performance and legal compliance. She has developed a variety of company-wide training initiatives and has facilitated focus groups and executive retreats.

Christina holds a B.B.A. in International Management from Pace University and an M.S. in Counseling and Development from Long Island University. Active in her local community, she is a volunteer coach for the Women’s Business Development Center and devotes time to help the animals at PAWS (Pet Animal Welfare Society). She is a member of the International Coach Federation, the Entrepreneurial Women’s Network, and the Society for Human Resources Management.

Joan Cagginello, Secretary

Professionally I have been a registered nurse for over 30 years, working in a variety of settings including intensive care, oncology, quality management and public health. I was a staff member of the first in-patient Oncology Unit at St. Vincent's Medical Center in the late 1970s. For the past 14 years, I have been working in public health and school health services. I am a member of the National Association of School Nurses and am the current Past-president of our state affiliate professional organization, The Association of School Nurses of Connecticut. I am a leader in the field of school health in our state and I am a member of the Cadre of Trainers from the CT State Department of Education; providing continuing education programs to school nurses and other professional school staff throughout the state.

Personally, my husband Bill and I have been Milford residents since 1977. I have two grown children who also live in Milford, Melissa, an 8th grade special education teacher in the Fairfield school district and Nick, an aspiring Physical Education & Health teacher, having completed his student teaching in December of last year.

Zinelle Mackro

Zinelle grew up in the quiet corner of Connecticut then moved to Milford in 1991 where she met Mary Ann through Suzanne Manning. She now lives with her husband, Doug, in Higganum. She has worked in a marketing capacity for major corporations across many industries including insurance, television and web hosting. Zinelle is currently the owner of Z Design Group, a graphic design and web development firm in CT that she started in 2001. She has had quite a few non-profit clients and enjoys volunteering whenever possible. She loves what she does and loves her clients.

In 2006, Zinelle researched, planned and traveled on her own to Africa for 6 weeks to volunteer at a nature reserve in Bostwana. She lived within the walls of the reserve with a wonderful family that founded the park. In exchange for living there, she provided web design for their business, an African crafts exporting company. During her stay there, she was able to experience the camps at the Education Center. The Center was the site of 4 week-long camps for kids, mostly orphans, whose families had been afflicted with AIDS. The Center was started as a Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, the camps that Paul Newman founded, and was mostly run by volunteers from area colleges and religious organizations. It was an experience she will never forget with the lasting impression of how rich and full of excess our American lives are and how grateful we should be for every healthy breath we take.

The Get In Touch Foundation has special meaning to Zinelle as her grandmother had breast cancer and a double mastectomy. The GIT web site was designed by Zinelle and she is thrilled to be a part of the Board of the Get In Touch Foundation to add her world experiences, her far reaching connections and her internet knowledge to the group.

Suzanne Cahill-Manning

Suzanne is the President of Red Mat Publishing. Throughout her career in publishing Suzanne has been responsible for the development and supervision of a number of successful publication, book and Internet product launches. In addition to her professional experience Suzanne currently serves on the boards of The United Way of Milford, The Get In Touch Foundation, The Network of Executive Women, and serves on the Board of Aldermen for the City of Milford. She is a member of a number of civic and community-based organizations including The Milford Chamber of Commerce, Milford Hospital Auxiliary, and The Milford Historical Society. Suzanne received her B. S. in Philosophy at Sacred Heart University and has received many business awards within the business community including: The Business Times 40 under 40 and Milford Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year. In addition Suzanne holds two citations from the State of Connecticut for Business Expertise and Community Development. Suzanne resides in Milford, CT with her children, Todd and Maryalice.

Claudine May

A graduate from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City, Claudine followed her dream of working in the fashion industry. After several years in the fashion industry, she realized that she was most passionate in helping others and began a career in the human resource field. Listening to people and helping them discover an appropriate career path has proven to be a rewarding career choice. Over the past 20 years, she has owned and operated her own recruiting firm and is now a Senior Account Executive at Winston Staffing in New York City, specializing in the placement of office support personnel.

Claudine lives in Manhattan with her husband Michael and two children, Taylor 13 and Garrett 11. She is a baseball, basketball, football, volleyball and track mom. Both of her children play for travel and school teams and Claudine makes it a point of attending all of their games. She volunteers time to her children’s school and works as a Personal Organizer in her spare time.

Having a sister who is a breast cancer survivor and a daughter who is a Youth Ambassador for the Get In Touch Foundation, Claudine is a huge advocate of taking ones health into their own hands and in this case, literally. “The Get In Touch Foundation advocates for the youth, in teaching them the importance of knowing and understanding their bodies.”

Sarah Nikkel

Sarah hails from northeastern Ohio, where she earned a bachelor of arts in English, as well as a Master of Arts in Teaching from Kent State University. Her professional experience includes, teaching English at the secondary level; serving as an editor and project manager for an educational marketing agency specializing in the creation of in-school, sponsored curriculum programs; and working in development for the Sisters of Mercy Northeast Community, and currently at Yale University.

She and her husband, James, moved to New Haven in 2003. Together they have a beautiful, compassionate, creative, five-year-old daughter named Anja. As a family, they enjoy visits to the aquarium, reading stories, and baking. Sarah is also a regular volunteer at Saint Thomas More’s soup kitchen and at Leila Day Nursery School.

Long before she had a daughter, Sarah has wanted to find a way to help girls accept, respect, and love themselves and their bodies. Like Paul Newman, Sarah thinks, “that in life we need to be a little like the farmer, who puts back into the soil what he takes out.”

Rev. Thomas E. Ptaszynski, D. Min.

Ordained a Roman Catholic priest for the Archdiocese of Hartford in 1973, Tom has served in parishes in Cheshire, Hartford, Milford, New Milford and West Hartford. He was the founding pastor of Our Lady of the Lakes in New Milford before his appointment to Saint Ann Parish in Milford, where he pioneered Inter-Generational Religious Education for the parish, which also included an elementary school. He is a member of the National Association of Church Personnel Administrators and the National Catholic Educational Association, as well as a former Board Member of the Hartford Chapter of the American Cancer Society. Tom is especially proud to be a founding Board Member of The Get In Touch Foundation and is Spiritual Director for the Board. He is currently pastor of St. Therese in Granby, CT.

Jody Ramik

Jody Ramik is a successful Professional Sales Woman who possesses nineteen years of experience in all aspects of sales and marketing in the clinical and industrial marketplace. Jody has held several positions over the years including Sales Specialist in Female Health Care, Technical Sales Manager, Product Manager, and National Sales Manager. After many years of international and domestic travel, Jody now continues her sales career in Connecticut working in the Pharmaceutical Industry as a Territory Sales Manager.

Jody is one of four siblings and has seen the face of cancer in her own family. Having a brother who passed away from Leukemia at a young age, she understands the need for families to have access to information and a supportive network of people to turn to. A personal friend of Founder, Mary Ann Wasil Nilan for over 30 years, Jody is determined and committed to utilize her experience and help The Get In Touch Foundation in its efforts to raise awareness and help women of all ages find hope in their journey towards survival.

Jorge Santiago, Treasurer

A Senior Vice President and Branch Administrator for The Milford Bank, Jorge is also an instructor with the Center for Financial Training, and brings a passionate interest in community and collaboration to the board of Get In Touch. A resident of Milford, this father of two young children, ages 4 and 8, is committed to community and education. Jorge is the current President of The Boys & Girls Club of Milford, as well as a volunteer with Junior Achievement, and a member of the Stratford Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee and the Milford Chamber of Commerce. Jorge is excited to join the board of Get In Touch as Treasurer, and looks forward to the growth of the organization as its mission reaches all corners of the globe, “changing the world one girl at a time.”

Eileen Scully, Chairman

Eileen Scully's passion for supporting nonprofits has always been an undercurrent of her professional life. With just under twenty years of experience with large, multi-national corporations and small, local businesses, Eileen has evolved into a savvy sales and marketing professional who can work with diverse audiences to bring about organizational and personal transformation. Her professional roles have included Marketing Director for a $100MM division of a $1B corporation, Senior Research Analyst for F100 organizations, small business owner of a wine brokerage, and sales director for a $300MM services firm.

She has helped to grow the sponsor base of Kayak for a Cause (KFAC) since her first paddle with them across Long Island Sound in 2006, when she raised over $3,000 through grassroots marketing and a self-deprecating blog. Her sponsor base has grown yearly, and her fundraising is within the top 5% of all participants. She has also become their social media lead, directing all web-related activity for the group, and coordinating all of KFAC's outbound communications through Facebook and Twitter to exponentially grow their participant and sponsor base.

Raising a daughter has only increased Eileen's commitment to access for all girls to responsible, open information about their bodies and their health so that they can make better decisions for themselves and their daughters someday.

Tracey Saab - National Events Coordinator

Tracey Saab resides in Lehigh Valley, PA with her husband and daughter, Fred and Ava Grace, and is a graduate of Muhlenberg College in Allentown, PA. Teamwork is the essence of Tracey's life, personally and professionally. She and Fred own and operate a small business in the Lehigh Valley. Tracey is the founder of Community Warriors, a grassroots effort of 600+ volunteers on a mission to be a voice for various causes in the Lehigh Valley community and beyond. Tracey is a skilled volunteer coordinator whose professionalism is matched only by her contagious passion for people and causes that matter.

Tracey successfully coordinated the first Lehigh Valley "Pretty In Pink & Woman of Strength" Brunch in March 2010, introducing Pennsylvania to the Get In Touch Girls' Program & Daisy Wheel breast health initiative and was instrumental in bringing on board the first "Get In Touch" school in the state of Pennsylvania.

Tracey believes that awareness gives us the knowledge to facilitate change and strives to teach her daughter, Ava Grace, her inspiration and life's blessing, about the world and how she can make a difference in it. She is proud of GIT's extraordinary mission to save lives by empowering all of our daughters through education.

Tracey is excited and honored to join the Get In Touch Foundation as their National Events Coordinator, overseeing "Pretty In Pink" events from California to Connecticut, and "GIT Your Pink On!" campaigns from Albuquerque to Allentown!

She invites you to join her in GIT's mission to "change the world one girl at a time!"

"Ambassador of Hope" - Amy Brechon

My name is Amy Elizabeth Brechon. I am 19 years old and I am a 7-year breast cancer survivor.

My Story

In August 2004, when I was 13 years old, I discovered a lump in my left breast while showering. I felt uncomfortable telling her, but I shared this discovery with my mom. She assured me it was probably nothing — just a “normal” part of developing.

After it hadn’t gone away in a month, we saw my pediatrician who ordered an ultrasound and sent us to a surgeon. The radiologist and surgeon agreed that surgery was necessary and on October 18, 2004 they removed a tumor the size of my thumb.

Fearing it might be cancer, a biopsy was sent to the Mayo Clinic. I wasn’t really worried because I didn’t quite understand what was going on, and my parents kept telling me that it would be OK. I believed them.

Besides, whoever heard of an eighth grade girl with breast cancer?

Bad news came back from Mayo a week later - my tumor was malignant. Its official name is cysto-sarcoma phyllodes tumor, a very rare type of tumor - rare to find in young women and rare that it would be malignant.

My parents took me to a breast cancer surgeon in Chicago to remove more tissue from my left breast to be biopsied just to be sure that all of the cancer was gone. Those margins came back clear, and we were all relieved. Even though my cancer had a low-malignancy, radiation and chemotherapy would not help to fight it.

This experience may sound scary, but for me, it wasn’t. I was very young, and looking back, I don’t think I understood the seriousness of it all. My parents told me not to worry — so I didn’t!

My family and I were impressed by the positive, supportive reaction we felt from our community, and when a fair amount of time after my diagnosis had passed and requests began coming in from local Girl Scout troops inviting me to share my story, I was privileged to oblige. I told the girls, who were about my age when I found the lump, that you are never too young to examine your breasts. Start now! I also told them; if you do find something that scares you, don’t be afraid to tell someone. It could save your life.

My Journey:

Over the past few years my story has received quite a bit of exposure, not only in my home state of Illinois but also all over the country. I have spoken to television and newspaper reporters and have met wonderful, supportive people and many brave cancer survivors. I have been given many wonderful opportunities. I am one of the lucky ones!

I am committed to turning my negative into a positive and am on a mission to spread the message of the importance of breast self-exam.

In the fall of 2009, I received the “Woman of Strength Award” from the Get In Touch Foundation and was invited to be their “Ambassador of Hope.” I am living proof of the importance of breast self-exam as a “breast health” practice – for life! – and was delighted to accept this position, one which I am proud and excited to fill!

Youth Ambassadors

Mary Nilan - Chairperson

Mary Nilan, 19, from Milford, CT is also the daughter of Mary Ann Wasil Nilan, breast cancer survivor and founder of the Get In Touch Foundation. Mary is a first year student at the University of Virginia, and a member of their Women's Rowing Team. Mary is a founding board member of the Get In Touch Foundation and is also the chairperson of the Youth Ambassador Board. Mary has been instrumental in the development of the Get In Touch Girls' Program & Daisy Wheel. Mary is proud to work with other young men and young women to bring the Get In Touch Girls' Program & Daisy Wheel to every girl in the world!

Natasha Babchak

Natasha Babchak, 18, from Wilton, CT is a 2010 graduate of Wilton High School. Natasha was a member of Maritime Rowing Club in Norwalk, CT and a PSIA Level 1 Certified Ski Instructor. She is an active member of the Girl Scouts of Connecticut, currently working towards introducing the Get In Touch Girls' Program & Daisy Wheel to Girl Scouts, young and old. Natasha is proud to be a member of GIT's Youth Ambassador Board and part of such an amazing organization, The Get In Touch Foundation, helping to bring the Daisy Wheel to girls all over the globe - including her three sisters!

Sophie Cappello

Sophie Cappello, 13, is a student at St Thomas Day School in New Haven, CT, where she has helped raise awareness of, and resources for, needs in the community. Passionate about animals, team sports, creative writing, service and making this a better world, Sophie brings enthusiasm and joy to all she pursues. Sophie is grateful for the opportunity to be an advocate of the important mission of the Get In Touch Foundation.

Kiley Cappetta

Kiley Cappetta, 16, resident of West Haven, CT, is a 2009 graduate of Our Lady of Victory School in West Haven, CT. She is a sophomore at Lauralton Hall in Milford, CT on full scholarship. Kiley is an active member of her community, dealing especially with youngsters. She is very excited to be a part of the Youth Ambassador Board, and strongly supports the mission of the Get In Touch Foundation. She is honored to participate within the foundation on such a level.

Casey DelBasso

Casey DelBasso, 17, an Orange resident, is a senior at Lauralton Hall, class of 2011. Casey is an active officer in Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) and a volunteer at the Milford Senior Center. Casey is also active in the musical theatre program at Lauralton. Casey holds the title of Greater North Haven’s Outstanding Teen 2010 and would love to use that venue as a means to promote her platform of SADD and most recently, her involvement with “Get In Touch.” Casey is honored to be a Youth Ambassador for “Get In Touch” because she aspires to be a role model to other girls just as Founder Mary Ann Wasil Nilan is to millions of women.

Taylor Gomez

Taylor Gomez, 13, from New York City, is an 8th grader at New York City’s PS 334 The Anderson School. Taylor is an avid sports enthusiast playing with her middle school volleyball, football, basketball, baseball and track teams. This past summer she played with the Chicago Pioneers at Cooperstown Dreams Park, where they were the first all-girl US team to ever compete there. Taylor brings passion and enthusiasm to The Get in Touch Foundation Youth Ambassador Board. Having an aunt who is a breast cancer survivor, Taylor is proud and honored to be a part of GIT's mission to “change the world one girl at a time!”

Todd Manning

Todd Manning 15, from Milford, CT is a sophomore at Saint Joseph High School in Trumbull, CT. An avid Red Sox fan, baseball player and Boy-Scout, Todd is passionate about service to his community and is always willing to lend a helping hand. Todd's mom Suzanne, a founding member of The Get In Touch Foundation, and his younger sister Maryalice, inspire him to help carry out the mission of GIT Girls' global initiative.

Maggie McAndrew

Maggie McAndrew, 16 is a lifelong Milford resident and is the daughter of Karen (current President and founding member of The Get In Touch Foundation) and Bill McAndrew. Maggie is a 2009 graduate of Our Lady of Victory School in West Haven, and is a sophomore at Sacred Heart Academy in Hamden. Maggie, an active volunteer, is very excited to join the Youth Ambassador Board. Maggie brings her love of science to the board, which helps her to carry out the mission of The Get In Touch Girls' Program.

Eddy Nilan

Eddy Nilan, 17, from Milford, CT is the only son of breast cancer survivor and founder of The Get In Touch Foundation, Mary Ann Wasil Nilan. Eddy, also a rower, is a junior at Saint Joseph High School in Trumbull, CT where he has been a member of the Cross Country Team and Drama Club. Eddy is a founding member of the Get In Touch Foundation, along with his sisters, Betsy and Mary, in addition to his involvement with the Youth Ambassador Board, Eddy is proud to be one of only two young men on the board, both committed to bringing the Get In Touch Girls' Program & Daisy Wheel to schools, communities and girls all over the world.

College Youth Ambassadors

Kristine Casey - Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD

Kristine Casey, 22, is from Bernardsville, NJ and a Senior at Johns Hopkins University. In September of 2008, she became involved in an organization called the 4K For Cancer, the nation's oldest university-based cross country bicycle trek. Each summer, students from universities all across the country undertake a two month journey from Baltimore, Maryland to the Golden Gate Bridge of San Francisco, California. Along the way, they interact with communities keeping in mind their threefold mission of spreading awareness, raising funds, and fostering hope in the fight against cancer. She completed her first trip on August 1, 2009 as a rider along with 26 other college students. This year, she is preparing for another summer with a new team as the director of the 2010 team. Kristine is excited to spread GIT's program across the country and "plant the seeds of GIT's Daisy Wheels" along the way!

Victoria Craw - Oakland University, Rochester, MI

Victoria Craw, 18, is a 2010 graduate of Keystone National High School, a distance-learning school in Bloomsburg, PA. She is a first year student at Oakland University and feels blessed to be a College Youth Ambassador for The Get In Touch Foundation. Victoria, who has been a competitive figure skater for 8 years and is now training in ice dancing, is a US Figure Skating Gold Medalist. She was the captain of her Theatre on Ice team that competed at two National Championships and won medals at three International Competitions. After having watched her grandma battle and ultimately survive breast cancer, she is excited to spread the message that, “Hope Lives!”

Taylor Fries - University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI

Taylor Fries, 21 years old, attends the University of Wisconsin- Madison. She balances both academics and athletics as a member of the Wisconsin Women's Lightweight Rowing Team. Taylor plans on becoming a cross-categorical special education teacher in secondary public schools with a concentration on intellectual disabilities. Taylor currently works with individuals with physical disabilites and helps them to stay motivated by creating managable and effective workout/physical therapy plans. Additionally, she is interested in spreading the positive effects of the Get In Touch Foundation and promoting breast cancer awareness by interacting with students in Madison, such as the Rowing Team.

Kat Lauer - UCLA - Los Angeles, CA

Kat Lauer is a freshman at UCLA and a member of the Women’s Rowing team at the university. She plans to study Communications and Journalism and hopes to be a sports broadcaster one day. Kat rowed in high school for Connecticut Boat Club with Get In Touch Founding Board Members Betsy and Mary Nilan, and became passionate about the foundation and its mission of breast health education. Kat is eager and proud to represent Get In Touch and introduce UCLA students to this important initiative. Kat continues to be inspired by friend and GIT Founder Mary Ann Wasil Nilan, as well as an aunt and family friends who have battled breast cancer.

Casey Lilley - Catholic University, Washington, DC

Casey Lilley, 18, is a 2010 graduate of Wethersfield High School and was an activist for youth issues in CT State and Municipal Governments. He is the Vice Chairman of the Wethersfield Town Council's Advisory Board on Youth. In this capacity he has fought on behalf of Youth Voting Rights groups, childhood literacy foundations, and healthcare services for underprivileged children. He has been active in Connecticut politics and was a member of the Wethersfield High School, Greater Hartford, and Connecticut Young Democrats chapters. He brought his experience in these fields and issues to good use and spearheaded the implementation of the Get In Touch Girls' Program at Wethersfield High School. Casey is a lifelong resident of Wethersfield, Connecticut, until this fall, when he will call Washington, DC "home" as he begins studies at Catholic University. Casey was a founding member of the Youth Ambassador Board and now serves GIT as a College Youth Ambassador.

Betsy Nilan - University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA

Betsy Nilan, 19 from Milford, CT is the daughter of Mary Ann Wasil Nilan, breast cancer survivor and founder of the Get In Touch Foundation. Betsy, a former member of the United States Rowing Junior National Team, is a 2009 graduate of Saint Joseph High School in Trumbull, CT and is a second year student at the University of Virginia, where she was proud to compete in the 2010 NCAA Rowing Championships this spring, helping the University win for the time in NCAA history. Betsy is a founding board member of the Get In Touch Foundation along with her siblings Mary and Eddy, and has been instrumental in the development of the Get In Touch Girls' Program & Daisy Wheel. Betsy is proud of the Get In Touch Foundation and its mission to "change the world one girl at a time!"

Taylor Ritzel - Yale University, New Haven, CT

Taylor Ritzel, 22, is from Larkspur, CO. Taylor lost her beloved mother Lana to breast cancer in November 2010, but her fierce battle was what motivated Taylor to become involved in breast health awareness and cancer fundraising efforts. She is a 2010 Yale graduate, where she was captain of the Yale Women's Crew team; she plans to continue rowing at the national training center in Princeton next year, hoping for a spot on the US Olympic team. Taylor and her teammates recently captured gold at the 2010 World Championships in New Zealand. Taylor met Mary Ann through her friend and teammate Mary Pat (also a GIT College Youth Ambassador) and is so inspired by her and excited to help in the expansion of the Get In Touch Foundation.

Emily Rowen - Northeastern University, Boston, MA

Emily Rowen, 21, is from Baltimore, MD. Emily has a strong family connection to breast as well as an interest in working with female related cancers as an aspiring nurse practitioner. Currently, she is a fourth year nursing student at Northeastern University and started the Colleges Against Cancer chapter for NU this past summer. This chapter ran an exciting breast cancer awareness program that included speakers, fundraising, educational programs, and hosting the Gallery opening where Mary Ann's pictures were displayed. Emily was the Chairperson of the Get In Touch Foundation's 1st Boston "Pretty In Pink" Brunch & "Woman of Strength" Award at Northeastern University and was instrumental in the planning of their 2nd Annual event this fall.

Mary Pat Wixted - Yale University, New Haven, CT

Mary Pat Wixted, 22, is a 2010 Yale graduate and rower from Moorestown, NJ. She is also an active member of the Saint Thomas More community in New Haven where she became involved with the Get In Touch Foundation and Mary Ann's "Diary of Healing" exhibit. Mary Pat has a long history of service, with her finger in pies as diverse as coordinating volunteers for Moorestown's Family Fun Day and fundraising for the Food Bank of South Jersey. More recently she has been involved with Philadelphia's Race for the Cure and Yale's Relay for Life. Endeavors for cancer research and awareness close to her heart, Mary Pat is excited to make a direct impact by empowering students with the GIT program!