Janet is a proud nine year breast cancer survivor. Married to Jim, she is the mother of two great children, a son and a daughter. After full time careers in banking, and then full time parenting, she began her third career in community voluntarism. She volunteers with Susan G. Komen for the Cure in honor of her teen age daughter Mary, who is named in honor of Janet's Mother, Mary, who lost her battle with breast cancer the year before daughter Mary was born. She is passionate about finding a cure for breast cancer so her daughter and others will not have to face the challenges of the disease. She is "in it to end it".

Lutheria Harrison Smith, married to James, is the proud mother of two children. She grew up in Forth Worth Texas and graduated from Randolph-Macon Woman's College in Lynchburg, VA. She has over 20 years of experience in the Human Resource profession and currently works as Director of Human Resources for PixelOptics, Inc. As the daughter, cousin, and friend of breast cancer survivors, Lutheria's interest in volunteering to support and further the Komen mission is very personal. While she was aware of Komen. when her mother was diagnosed, she became personally grateful for Komen. The Komen website provided her with a wealth of information while she was conducting research to better understand her mother's diagnosis and prognosis. Additionally, her mother was diagnosed in the earliest stage due to a mammogram. Lutheria says, "While my mother is fortunate enough to have access to great medical care, many women are not so fortunate. Komen provides the funding to ensure that these women have access to the medical care necessary to diagnose and treat breast cancer in the early stages, thereby decreasing the fatality rates. Thus, I cannot think of a better organization to support with my volunteer efforts. I absolutely believe that a cure for breast cancer is possible in my lifetime due to the efforts of Komen volunteers all over the world; and it's so rewarding to be associated with an organization that will not stop until that goal becomes a reality!"

Ruth Ellen is a full-time mother, wife and Assistant County Attorney of Roanoke County. She is married to Paul, also a lawyer and has one son, Wilson. She is originally from Oxford Mississippi, a graduate of the University of Mississippi and Washington and Lee Law School. She lost her grandmother to breast cancer and her mother to cancer and has been passionate about women's health issues. Her interest in the Race for the Cure began ten years ago through the Junior League of the Roanoke Valley. That dream became a reality through the current Komen Board of which she is so proud to be a part. Her dedication to this cause is in memory of her grandfather, who as a long time serving Dean of the University of Mississippi Medical School, felt helpless in not having a cure to save his wife from this senseless disease. She is proud to be "sporting pink" in this ongoing endeavor.

Ethan is a CPA with Foti, Flynn, Lowen & Co. and brings with him to the Komen Board 12 years of Public Accounting experience. Ethan has extensive experience in accounting, tax, auditing and Non Profit Corporate Governance. He has served on numerous boards including his position as President of the Roanoke Chapter of The Virginia Society of Certified Public Accountants. Ethan lives in Roanoke with his wife, Stephanie, and two young children, Cate and Clay.Ethan says," I feel privileged to be part of such a great organization and hope to be able to play a small part in contributing to the “cure” on behalf of all women and the men who love and count on them."

Anne G. Fox is a Roanoke County School teacher and mother of 5. She has served as Fundraising Co-chair and Board member and is a 11 year breast cancer survivor. "The years I’ve worked with the Greater Roanoke Affiliate for Susan G. Komen for the Cure have given me a better understanding of the needs of our community in terms of breast health education and services. We have much to do…and through Komen funding, we can REALLY make a difference. I treasure the friendships made and experiences had and feel privileged to be a part of the Promise."

Joey is owner of Beck Media Group, publisher of the multiple award-winning Bella Magazine - the regional magazine for women of Southwest and Central Virginia. With her, she brings years of marketing, advertising and public relations expertise to help with the mission of Susan G. Komen. She has served on numerous boards, including Center in the Square, The Square Society and Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. She lives in Roanoke with her husband, Chad, and three sons (ranging in age from infant to college student!). In her "spare time" she does all she can to make our community and world a better place!

Brenda and her husband, Jay, run two companies, SoftSolutions, Inc. and Foster Properties, LLC. But her favorite job is being the proud mother of two teenage daughters, Alexandra and Brittany. Brenda is a one year and counting breast cancer survivor. She has participated and volunteered in many Pink events in the Roanoke Valley and has participated in the Susan G. Komen National Race for the Cure many times. She volunteers in honor of her mother, who is also a one year survivor. She is dedicated to make the "Promise" of ending breast cancer forever come true in honor of her daughters, sisters and girlfriends. Brenda is honored, through Komen, to be able to achieve her goal to give back to others the amazing support she received while going through her breast cancer journey.

Eileen Lepro is the Grants Chair for the Greater Roanoke Valley Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Eileen has had a long career in public health education and non-profit administration. Since 2000, she has been the Executive Director of New Horizons Healthcare, a federally qualified health center in Roanoke. Originally from Pennsylvania, and by way of South Carolina, Eileen has made southwest Virginia her home since 1993. Her husband, David Chaplin and two teenage sons, along with dear friend and fellow survivor Kathy, formed her greatest support team during her breast cancer experience six years ago. This inspired her to “pay it forward” by serving as a volunteer for Susan G. Komen for the Cure. She is currently Chair of the Grants Committee and is proud to work with non-profit organizations throughout our region who are dedicated to education for prevention, early detection, and access to quality care.

Janet is a 12-year breast cancer survivor who believes she owes a great debt of gratitude to those survivors who preceded her and a great debt of service to those yet-to-be-diagnosed survivors. Professionally, Janet works as an attorney, specializing in federal information law and intellectual property. She is married to Stephen Lemons; they have two sons, one of whom serves in Saudi Arabia as a Major in the U.S. Air Force and the other of whom serves as a Human Relations Manager for a major international corporation. Janet’s mission in serving the Greater Roanoke Affiliate is to facilitate the education and early diagnosis of all persons within our catchment area. The Race for the Cure is within reach, and, focused on our mission, together we will achieve that goal!

Kathleen “Kat” Werner is a four year breast cancer survivor, diagnosed in 2006, at age 31. She is the wife to Jeff and Mom to three children, including a baby she had after her treatment for breast cancer. She grew up in the Washington, DC area and now lives with her family in Blacksburg. Since she was diagnosed at such a young age, her passion has become advocacy for younger women diagnosed with breast cancer. She now does breast cancer advocacy full-time. She participates in grant reviews, consumer review panels for several government agencies, advocating for more evidence based healthcare, lobbying to Congressional leaders and serving Susan G. Komen at the National level with their Advocacy Alliance and Advocates in Science programs. She fights for all women to have access to the most cutting edge treatment regardless of age, location, ethnicity or income. She will continue to fight for a cure so that her daughters will only know of breast cancer as a disease of the past.

Liz is the principal of Frankl Creative Group, inc., an innovative, award-winning advertising studio—and the mother of two wonderful teenagers, James and Meghan. She brings with her to the Komen Board more than twenty years of design, advertising, and marketing expertise. She has served on numerous boards and committees, including the Better Business Bureau in Western VA, St. John’s Episcopal Church Vestry, James Madison Middle School PTA, President (2008-2009), and Kimoyo, Ltd. Liz lives in Roanoke with her children and her husband, Dan. In her "free time" she enjoys spending time with her children, reading, and exercising. As a breast cancer survivor, diagnosed at the age of 45, she is passionate about early detection and awareness of the Susan G. Komen mission. She is honored to part of an organization that has the potential to eradicate breast cancer so that her daughter, her friends, and other women will someday know this disease as something of the past.

Vicki Lionberger is married to Sam, and is the proud mom of two terrific daughters, Meggan and Gretchen. Vicki was born and raised in Roanoke and is a graduate of Northside High School and Virginia Tech. Vicki possesses over 18 years of medical sales experience and is currently an Oncology Product Specialist with Myriad Genetic Laboratories. Having several friends, relatives and co-workers who are breast cancer survivors, she is truly honored to serve on the Board and also serve as the National Sponsor Liaison for the Greater Roanoke Valley Race for the Cure. Vicki’s passion is to not only educate women who do not have access to or the financial means for mammograms, but also to educate the almost 70% of all women who have insurance and/or can afford to get a mammogram and do not. A mammogram is the single most valuable gift a woman can give herself. Go get your mammogram, ladies! “Imagine a life without breast cancer.” How Awesome!

Martha, married to James, lives in Giles County, in the small town of Newport. She is originally from Buena Vista, VA. She is the associate director of administration for assessment in the Division of Student Affairs at Virginia Tech. In this capacity she coordinates efforts in 15 departments to measure and improve student learning and educational program outcomes. Martha holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in Higher Education from Virginia Tech. She also teaches in the Higher Education program at Virginia Tech. Martha previously worked in student affairs at Millersville University in Pennsylvania and Radford University. Martha lost her mother to breast cancer in 1994 and has shared her personal story of loss with others to raise awareness about breast cancer and the impact it has on those that love someone fighting cancer. After participating in the 3-Day for the Cure in 2009, she was inspired by the hope and enthusiasm that surrounds “Komen people” to become directly involved. She has since participated in the Race for the Cure and a second 3-Day for the Cure. “I’m honored to be a member of this board, to be part of an organization that will lead the way in finding a cure for breast cancer”. In her free time, she enjoys running, traveling, hiking with her husband and dog, and cheering on the Hokies.

Janet is retired from a 32 year career in the public sector both at the Federal and local government levels. She is a graduate of American University in Washington DC and holds a Master’s degree in planning from Virginia Tech. She and her husband Bud LaRoche made Roanoke home in 1988 and are the proud parents of Colby. Janet serves on the Board of the Western Virginia Land Trust and the State Museum of Natural History. She has been involved in local planning initiatives and the development of the greenway system in the Roanoke Valley, both professionally and on a volunteer basis, and she and Bud love to walk, hike, travel and sail. Janet is a 16 year breast cancer survivor, a frequent Race for the Cure participant and the proud finisher of the 3-day for the Cure in Washington DC in 2011. She is dedicated and passionate about finding a breast cancer cure.