Staff & Board

Helen hails from New York and was brought out to Seattle by a local insurance company in the mid-90’s. She joined TSNW in October 2019 after finishing her breast cancer treatment. Her first exposure to TSNW was the Fitness Retreat and she has enthusiastically embraced the organization since!

According to Helen, the best thing about having cancer was finding TSNW. When she was diagnosed, she said that she would come out stronger and help others with this disease. Her involvement in TSNW allows her to achieve those goals.

Helen is the owner of an insurance consulting company and is excited to bring her professional business skills to the board and help perpetuate the organization to continue reaching the survivor community. 

Helen is an avid golfer and enjoys most sports. She loves to garden and brings all those goodies into the house where she cooks and cans. She and her wife Laura live in Edmonds with their border terrier (Lizzie Frances) and long-haired calico (Marin).

Lisa Black is a 12-year cancer survivor. She retired from Intel in 2016 after 17 years working as an engineering manager, program manager and senior operations manager. Prior to that she worked for various software companies delivering commercial software. Lisa has a BA in Anthropology from Wellesley College and a Masters degree from Seattle University in Software Engineering. Since retiring, Lisa has immersed herself in the non profit world, currently serving on two boards that connect to her passions. She considers it a privilege to be able to work for her favorite causes. Lisa joined TSNW as a member in 2010, served as President from 2019 to 2022, has served as a volunteer for the Fall Gala for several years, Dragon Boat Captain for two years and is now delighted to be able to continue to support TSNW as Vice President. She believes that joining TSNW is the silver lining in the dark cloud of cancer. She has no children and currently resides in Maple Valley with her husband Bob Sterzinger and their two cats.

Jan lives with her husband, Jim, on Capitol Hill where they raised their two sons. They enjoy many outdoor activities, including biking, hiking, kayaking, backpacking, and snow activities – whatever gets them outside! During Jan’s cancer treatment and recovery, she was extremely grateful for Team Survivor Northwest. The positive upbeat camaraderie with focus on fitness was exactly what she needed. Now she is paying it back by helping Team Survivor as a board member.

Jan’s education includes a degree in Business Administration from the University of Washington, along with certifications in computer systems, project management, and business analysis. She spent over 30 years at REI, mostly in IT project management. Volunteer work includes helping The Mountaineers and Hanford Challenge, a watchdog organization dedicated to the safe cleanup of the Hanford nuclear site. In her spare time she enjoys participating in Team Survivor activities and connecting with Team Survivor members.

Abbe Jacobson is a 19-year cancer survivor committed to fitness and an active lifestyle. Prior to joining the TSNW Board, Abbe worked for two years as the organization’s Outreach Manager. Abbe has worked as a Health Coach for more than a decade and recently obtained national board certification through the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaches. She owns and operates her own coaching business, providing virtual health coaching nationwide.

Abbe has spent most of her adult life encouraging women to prioritize their health and she is passionate about TSNW’s mission of providing free fitness to women cancer survivors. Abbe holds a BA in Political Science from Kenyon College (OH) and an MPA in Public Policy and Public Administration from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs (NY). Abbe is the proud Mom of two young adults, Sam and Ellie, and savors time with her husband, Curtis, and their dog, Charlie.

Jo has been a Team Survivor member for several years. She grew up outside of Boston MA, has lived in Philly, DC, Redmond, London and now resides in Bellevue. Jo’s background is customer driven focused. She has worked for several Associations in Membership and has volunteered at her children’s schools, parent councils and non-profit organizations. She is currently working part time in a non-technical capacity for a regional computer IT-company.

In Dec. 2017, Jo was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer, discovered by a routine mammogram. Wanting to continue an active lifestyle, Jo looked to TSNW Active Women/Healthy Women classes during chemo for a positive place to stay fit, strong and supported. In January 2019, she signed up to climb Mt. Adams at TSNW’s annual retreat, joined forces with the Midweek Hiking group to train, and summited Mt. Adams in July.

Jo and her husband recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary and have three boys ages 24, 21, and 19. In addition to participating in TSNW fitness classes, Jo loves to play tennis, hike with her dogs, and travel with her family. “Being active has been a vital component- both physically and mentally – to my recovery. TSNW has been a silver lining in my journey and I feel passionate about giving back and encouraging others.”

We are thrilled to welcome Patricia Gow to our TSNW Board! Currently head of R&D Business Operations at Amgen, a publicly-held, global biotechnology company, Patricia oversees and drives business operational excellence with a focus in finance & supplier management within the Research & Development organization.  
 
Prior to Amgen, she held scientific, project management, business development and marketing leadership roles at two other organizations and has over 25 years of volunteer and fundraising experience. Patricia holds a Music Degree in Piano Performance from University of Toronto, BSc, MSc from McGill University and completed Amgen’s Executive Women’s Leadership program at UCLA – Anderson’s School of Management.  
 
Patricia joined TSNW over a year ago and is excited to be joining the board.  Her passions outside of work and volunteering include her family (husband and two children – one in college and the other a senior in high school), her adorable Australian mini labradoodle (Biscuit), cooking, reading and traveling.

Cami comes from a long career in public relations and marketing for both non-profit and for-profit organizations. She specializes in marketing strategies to increase awareness and build momentum. She also has a lot of experience in copywriting, fundraising and event planning. In her role as a Team Survivor Northwest board member, she plans to use all of her knowledge to work with staff and fellow board members in supporting the goals and strategic initiatives of the organization

Now partially retired, Cami joined TSNW a few years ago while overcoming a 6-year battle with lymphoma that included two stem cell transplants. She is now in remission and is a cancer thriver in large part due to the programs available through Team Survivor. She still struggles with many side effects from her treatments and was so happy to find classes that allow her to move and get stronger in a comfortable, encouraging environment. Always a believer that it’s important to give back where you can, Cami has enthusiastically volunteered for TSNW since she first joined, including helping to plan and promote the annual Gala.

Born and raised in Northern California, Cami earned her degree in public relations and marketing from California State University, Chico, where her son also recently graduated from. She has lived all over the country but has called the Seattle area home since 1997. When she is not volunteering somewhere, she enjoys birdwatching, gardening, cooking, travelling, long hot baths and spending time with her son who lives on Capitol Hill. Of course, she also loves exercising in almost all forms.