Board members

Executive Board

Maya Thompson

Founder and Ronan's mama

Ronan's mama. Maya's passion and silent strength are moving mountains. Her eyes tell the story of someone much older, but her youthful spirit is contagious. As a Board member, Maya has exposed her soul, shared her love for Ronan, and demanded a call to action that has developed into a worldwide movement. Maya Thompson will change the face of childhood cancer.

Woody Thompson

President and Ronan's Father

Woody is Maya's husband, and Ronan, Liam and Quinn's dad. He is an attorney with Thompson and Volquardsen, which he founded in 2005. Woody is the glue that holds the Thompson Family together. Maya often refers to Woody as the love of her life, as well as the man who walks on water. People look up to Woody -- one, because he is 6'7", but mostly because his commitment to doing the right thing naturally commands respect. He and Maya fought hand-in-hand during Ronan's battle with cancer, and will always fight cancer in honor of their son. Woody's leadership, devotion and knowledge leave us with no doubt that childhood cancer has met its match.

Kenneth Frakes

Vice President

Ken is a friend of the Thompsons. He went to law school with Woody and is an attorney in Arizona. His involvement with the Foundation is to help the fight against childhood cancer. He believes that no parent should have to endure the loss of their child.

Fernanda Borletti

Secretary

If you could make a person out of only good qualities, you would make Fernanda. Nothing is too hard for Fernanda, and because everything she does comes from her heart, everything she touches turns to gold. And then she shares the gold. Fernanda is a mom to five, and provided the Thompsons with vast amounts of love during their darkest hours. Fernanda is all things pure, honest and good.

Stacy Frakes

Treasurer

A mom of two with a full-time career at Alliance Beverage, Stacy makes it all look easy. As busy as Stacy is, she will drop anything and everything to help her family and friends. A master at details and organization, Stacy accomplishes more in a day that most of us accomplish in a month. A friendly task-master, Stacy makes sure we stay on track. She has the ability to turn ideas into actions, and we fully believe that she could rule the world.

Carolyn Oberholtzer

Carolyn, a mom of two, is a zoning and real estate partner with Rose Law Group, a Phoenix law firm. For the past few years, Carolyn has volunteered with various cancer organizations, but shifted her focus to pediatric cancer when Ronan was diagnosed. Carolyn is beautiful, brilliant, and one of Maya's favorite people. Carolyn's calm demeanor, modesty and "anything is possible" attitude makes her a natural leader. Carolyn makes things happen, and we would follow her anywhere.

Tricia Tinney

Tricia is Ronan's godmother, and a close friend to Maya. A fiery red-head, Tricia is fiercely loyal, and brings Ronan's spirit to each and every Board meeting. Tricia loved Ronan like he was her own child. She will never forget why we are fighting. Every idea Tricia brings is inspired by Ronan. Her love for him and this foundation will ensure that Ronan's name will live on forever. With Tricia's passion, we can do amazing things.

Melissa DiFilippo

When Maya and Melissa first met, Melissa fell in love with Ronan, and Maya said, "I just know we will be great friends." And Maya was right. A native of Providence, RI, with degrees in management, finance and investments, Melissa meets the world, and all those in it, armed with compassion. She is the first to offer a hug, always has a kind word, and makes people feel better just by being present. She is married with two children, a son and daughter, ages 10 and 9. When she's not busy finding grant money for the Ronan Thompson Foundation, Melissa loves traveling, being with her family, and volunteering at her kids' elementary school.

Tanya Amos

Tanya is a web designer/developer at Arizona State University. She is a mom to two beautiful kids. Tanya takes what is in our minds, and in the blink of an eye, has it on our website looking even better than we had imagined. When she's not helping others, Tanya spends her time skydiving like the wild and free girl that she is. Tanya is fearless, dedicated and honestly, a little bit magic.

Rissy Rahm

Rissy is a Non-Profit Leadership and Management Major in her 3rd year at Arizona State University. Since working for The Ronan Thompson Foundation, she has become extremely passionate about helping kids with childhood cancer. She is a member of Pi Beta Phi sorority and holds two positions. Since graduating high school, she has spent most of her time helping others by going on mission trips to New Orleans, Costa Rica, and Wales. She believes in the work of The Ronan Thompson Foundation and plans on continuing with the foundation throughout college and after. We are so thankful to have Rissy as an intern. Her pure heart and hard work are priceless to us!

Auxiliary Board

Dr. Giselle Sholler, MD

Dr. Sholler received her M.S. in Microbiology and Immunology from McGill University and her M.D. from New York Medical College. At Brown University, she performed a residency in pediatrics and a fellowship in pediatric oncology/hematology. Prior to joining VAI, Dr. Sholler most recently worked in the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at the University of Vermont.

Dr. Aubrey Maze

MD, FAAP
CEO, Valley Anesthesiology Consultants
Clinical Professor of Anesthesiology, University of Arizona

Dr. Maze is a practicing anesthesiologist in the Phoenix, Arizona area. He is a founding member and the Chief Executive Officer of Valley Anesthesiology Consultants, Ltd. He currently serves or has served on the Anesthesia Committees and O.R. Committees at Phoenix Children's Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, and St. Joseph's Hospital in Phoenix. He has also been a Past President of the Medical Staff of Phoenix Children's Hospital. At present, he is a Clinical Professor of Anesthesiology at the University of Arizona. He is Past President of Stanford Anesthesia Alumni Association as well as Assistant Professor of Anesthesiology and Pediatrics at Stanford University from 1976 to1979. Dr. Maze is Past President of the Society of Pediatric Anesthesia, and has served as Secretary of the Foundation for Anesthesia Education and Research. He has been an Associate Examiner for the American Board of Anesthesiology from 1982 to 2010. Dr. Maze also serves on the Board of the Ear Foundation of Arizona, the Board of Valley Anesthesiology Foundation, and was on the Board of Phoenix Children's Hospital in Phoenix. Dr. Maze is Chairman of PPM and has been a Director of PPM since 1988.

Dr. Joanne Cacciatore

PhD, LMSW, FT

Dr. Cacciatore also specializes in counseling those affected by traumatic death and she is a Diplomate in the American Psychotherapy Association. Her therapeutic interventions include Mindfulness Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Narrative Therapy, Dialectical Behavioral Therapy, Logotherapy, and various other therapies, such as Repeated Exposure Therapy, to manage Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

As an advocate of “green” mental health care after a traumatic experience, she is a member of the American Psychotherapy Association, the Association for Contemplative Mind in Higher Education, the International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies, and the National Center for Crisis Management. She spearheaded and directs the graduate Certificate in Trauma and Bereavement program at ASU.

Her research has been published in peer reviewed journals such as The Lancet, Birth, Death Studies, Omega Journal of Death and Dying, Social Work, Social Work and Healthcare, and Families in Society.

Dr. Cacciatore received her Doctorate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and her Masters degree and Bachelor's degree in psychology from Arizona State University. Her work has been featured in major media sources such as People and Newsweek magazines, the New York Times, Boston Globe, CNN, National Public Radio, and the Los Angeles Times.

She received the prestigious Hon Kachina Award in 2007.

Her greatest accomplishment, however, is that she is a mother to five children, now mostly grown. She notes “four who walk and one who soars."

Kathryn MacLeod

Senior Photography Producer, Vanity Fair

Kathryn MacLeod-Schafer is the Senior Photography Producer at Vanity Fair magazine. Working exclusively with the photographer Annie Leibovitz for almost 20 years, she has produced many of the magazine's iconic photographs, featuring the world¹s most influential individuals. She lives in New York City.

Dr. Francis Eshun, MD

Phoenix Children's Hospital
Learn more about Dr. Eshun

Dr. Yael Mosse, MD

Children's Hospital of Philidelphia
Learn more about Dr. Mosse
Crizotinib Targets ALK-Driven Cancers in Pediatric Trial

To contact us by mail:

The Ronan Thompson Foundation
P.O. Box 44935
Phoenix, Arizona
85064-4935

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