Local Resident Elected Chair of Susan G. Komen San Diego Board

Susan G. Komen San Diego’s board of directors announced the election of Irene Oberbauer as the organization’s chair, Chantal Breyfogle as the grants committee chair and the appointment of four new board members Karyn Cerulli of Cox Media California, Larry Davis of San Diego Gas & Electric Company, Patricia M. Millican of Seragon and Robin Rady of METUGO. Their leadership will help Susan G. Komen San Diego continue to be the County’s largest provider of free breast cancer treatment, services and research.

“Irene has been a dedicated volunteer and fundraiser for Komen San Diego for the past five years and with her extensive background in business and leadership we know she will make a huge impact in our community as the new chair,” said Laura Farmer Sherman, executive director of Komen San Diego. “The diverse backgrounds of each of our new members will lead the way to fresh ideas that will allow us to provide countless more services to women throughout the county.”

Not only is Irene a breast cancer survivor, she is also a loyal supporter of Komen San Diego. Irene has raised more than $100,000, has the largest Race for the Cure fundraising team, IO It To Myself, and was named the honorary breast cancer survivor in 2010. In the same year that Irene was battling stage three breast cancer she lost her sister to a combination of breast, brain and lung cancer. Now she literally walks in her sister’s shoes every Race for the Cure and is unwavering in her dedication to support the women in San Diego battling this disease.

Komen San Diego is the only organization that provides qualified women free services for every step of the breast cancer journey, which includes education, outreach, free mammograms, financial assistance for living expenses, food assistance, transportation and more. Wherever there’s a gap, Komen fills it. In addition, next to the U.S. government, Komen is the largest funder of breast cancer research in the world.

Elections

Irene Oberbauer – Chair and Community Volunteer

Being diagnosed with breast cancer was more than a humbling experience for Irene. She was fortunate to have insurance that provided for her care knowing that so many women do not have this benefit. To be involved with Komen in many levels as a Board member is truly a reward for her. Being able to be a part of the process to help identify ways to fund grants to find a cure and to help those less fortunate so that Komen can save lives is what drives Irene. 

Chantal Breyfogle – Grants Chair & Chair Elect and West Region Operations Manager, Sprint

Chantal’s recently retired from managing Sales Operations for the Western Region of Sprint. As a two-time breast cancer survivor, Chantal has been the beneficiary of Komen’s work, and she now seeks to extend Komen’s reach in our community. In 2013, she leveraged her background in sales and marketing and her passion for food to launch the first Dine Out for the Cure in San Diego.

New Board Members 

Larry Davis – Member at Large and Assistant General Counsel, San Diego Gas & Electric Company

Larry is an “AV”-rated attorney who graduated and became a member of the California Bar in 1976. He obtained his undergraduate degree from San Diego State University. Larry first joined the San Diego Gas & Electric Company Law Department in 1981 as a litigation attorney, following stints in two different County Counsel offices. As Assistant General Counsel, Mr. Davis has oversight of a litigation team of attorneys and support staff, handles lawsuits and further is responsible for SDG&E’s Claims Department. Mr. Davis is married to Adele, a mortgage broker, and they have four adult daughters.

Patricia M. Millican – Member at Large and Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Accounting Officer, Seragon

Patricia serves as Seragon’s senior vice president of finance and chief accounting officer. She has over 15 years of finance experience in healthcare. Prior to joining Seragon, Patricia served as vice president of finance at Aragon Pharmaceuticals Inc. until its sale in August 2013 to Johnson & Johnson. Her experience also includes six years of financial management experience in other publicly-traded biotechnology companies such as Discovery Partners Int’l (currently Infinity Pharmaceuticals) and Nanogen Inc. Patricia is a certified public accountant in the state of California and holds a B.S. in Accounting from the University of San Diego.

Karyn Cerulli – Member at Large and Director of Sales, Cox Media California

Karyn has been Director of Sales at Cox Media California since August 2013. Prior to that she was General Sales Manager at Cox Radio Atlanta. As director of sales, she sets and achieves sales goals and budgets for local, national and digital revenue lines. Karyn also manages, coaches and trains teams of managers and sellers to develop their unique talents and develops strong client relationships. She received her Associates of Science in Chemistry/Mathematics from Rhode Island College. Karyn was a board member of Susan G. Komen Atlanta for two years and is currently a board member of the San Diego Police Foundation.

Robin Rady – Member at Large and Founder of METUGO, Inc.

A native of California and a former elementary school teacher, Robin Rady is the founder of METUGO, Inc. In 2011, Robin was diagnosed with breast cancer and the BRCA2 gene mutation. Her treatment consisted of a bilateral mastectomy, another surgery for a complication, a hysterectomy, two reconstructive surgeries, physical therapy and lots of medication. With all that going on, Robin was overwhelmed with the reports, paperwork and records of all her treatments and appointments. She took the time to organize her “medical life” into a binder that she could take with her on her journey through the medical maze that was her life. Robin began developing her idea and transformed her version of the binder into a truly organized breast cancer patient binder. From there, she donated her time, talent and treasure to assemble binders for others. She rallied family and friends to volunteer to help meet the growing need for the “hope in a binder.” Robin has now created hundreds of medical record organizers for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. By the end of this year, it is estimated that she will have provided more than 1,000 organizers to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients. 

About Susan G. Komen San Diego®
Since its inception in 1995, Komen San Diego has raised more than $12.5 million to fund local non-profits who provide everything from free diagnostic mammograms and surgeries to meal delivery, child care and temporary financial aid.  Seventy-five percent of every dollar raised stays right here in San Diego County to fund free diagnostic mammograms, treatment and services for qualified women and their families. The remaining 25 percent funds international breast cancer research. In fact, next to the U.S. government, Susan G. Komen is the largest funder of breast cancer research in the world. For more information, please visit Komen San Diego.