Board of Directors
Ryan Marsh – President
Ryan founded the Layla Grace Children’s Cancer Research Foundation in 2010 after losing his two-year-old daughter, Layla Grace, to a year long battle with Neuroblastoma cancer. His vision for empowerment of parents, patient focused research, and online awareness set the course for the Foundation.
Ryan comes from an online business background. His career began as a software engineer in Silicon Valley, shortly before the dot-com boom began in the late ’90′s. After September 11th, 2001, he joined the U.S. Army as airborne infantry and served in Operation Iraqi Freedom. Ryan left the Army in 2006 and returned to his career in online business, this time offering technology vision and leadership to organizations of all types and sizes.
You can email Ryan at ryan@laylagrace.org.
Shanna Marsh – Vice President of Community Outreach
After working in the corporate world for several years, Shanna had the great pleasure of becoming a wife and mother. Seven years and three daughters later, she launched an online magazine featuring high quality toddler products and clothes.
In 2009, life for the Marsh’s took a drastic turn when their youngest daughter, 1-year-old Layla Grace, was diagnosed with Neuroblastoma. It was a nightmare for Shanna to watch Layla fight the cancer with every ounce of her tiny body and to hold her as she took her last breath on earth, but from that experience, Shanna discovered a new passion and mission in life.
As Co-Founder and Vice President of Community Outreach for the Foundation, Shanna works with sponsors and supporters to spread awareness about childhood cancer and fund new discoveries.
Open Seats
There are currently three open seats on the Board of Directors. The Foundation has strong relationships with leaders in business, medicine, and non-profit management and is currently performing due-diligence with potential Board members. Announcements on Board appointments are expected soon.
Officers
Patricia Gannon – Treasurer
Patricia is President of Gannon Outsourcing, Inc., where she provides expert accounting and consulting services to clients in the real estate industry. Patti closely understands the needs of non-profits. She serves on the board of Sole Impact (formerly Girls Run), a running group that empowers girls to be leaders in their community, fundraise for local and national cancer initiatives, and develop enthusiasm for fitness and running.
A strong belief in the mission of the Layla Grace Foundation, paired with her experience in leading corporations through their budgeting and expense management, gives Patricia a unique ability to guide the Layla Grace Foundation through their financial process.
Scientific Advisory Board
Dr. Heidi Russell, MD – Chairperson
Dr. Russell was Layla’s oncologist during her 10 months of treatment at Texas Children’s Hospital. She has been a pediatric oncologist and clinical researcher at Texas Children’s Cancer Center for 10 years. Her primary patient focus is in solid tumors, particularly neuroblastoma. As a clinical researcher, she has led clinical trials to describe immune therapies and novel drug therapies and collaborated with other clinicians and scientists within groups such as the Children’s Oncology Group to advance understanding childhood cancers.
Open Seats
There are currently four open seats on the Science Advisory Board. The Foundation has strong relationships with leaders in medicine and research and is currently performing due-diligence with potential members. Announcements on appointments are expected soon.
Staff
Jennifer Medina – Director of Operations
As a family friend, Jennifer felt a great desire to help carry out Layla’s legacy. While Layla was in treatment, Jennifer used her background in accounting and organizational skills to plan fundraisers ranging from give back nights, to a fall festival, to an all day rock concert. She enjoyed helping raise money for the family while creating public consciousness about Layla’s fight.
Jennifer came to work with the Foundation in April at it’s inception and has helped organize such events as A Taste of Cy-Fair, which had over 3,000 attendees. She continues to use her passion for the mission of the Layla Grace Foundation to help shape the organization and create community events that will fund new discoveries in childhood cancer and support their cause.
Rhéma Hill – Managing Editor
Rhéma recently graduated from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University with a Master’s in Magazine, Newspaper, and Online journalism. She has written, designed, and edited for magazines ranging from literature to modern geek culture to adoption as well as several weekly newspapers.
As an Adult Girl Scout, Rhéma has always valued the spirit behind volunteering and non-profit work. She will use her experiences in journalism to help parents stay informed and to encourage public discourse about childhood cancers.
Danielle Wall – Volunteer Coordinator
An organizer by heart, Danielle enjoys working with the Foundation’s volunteers to staff our fundraisers and events.
As a mother, Layla’s story captured Danielle’s attention and inspired her to step up and volunteer herself. Her willing spirit and desire to spread awareness about childhood cancer makes her a perfect fit for the Layla Grace Foundation
Michelle Jefferson – Sponsorship Coordinator
Michelle has always had a desire to work with an organization that would allow her to be a part of something bigger than herself. When she heard of Layla’s story, she couldn’t help but think of her own young son, and felt called to get involved.
Michelle’s philanthropic background reaches back to her highs school days, when she volunteered at the Baptist Hospital in Miami. Now, she uses her law and teaching experience to help organize events and coordinate sponsorships.
Creative Team
Justin McClure
Justin McClure is a motion and graphic designer with over a decade of experience in the fields of advertising, motion graphics and broadcast television. He has worked for Leo Burnett (Chicago), Barkley, and CMT/MTV Networks. He is now the owner and executive creative director at JUSTINMCCLURE.TV, a motion graphics and design studio located in Wichita, Kansas. More than a traditional production studio, they work side-by-side with their clients during every step of the creative process, from conception to execution.
Justin has been recognized by the Addy Awards, the Graphex Competition, BDA/Promax, Omni Awards, and the online publication Motionographer.com. His work with national level clients, as well as being the creator of Rerendered.com, has led him to become one of the most recognized motion design artists in the industry. Justin’s experiences have allowed him to work with major television networks such as ABC, CMT, Syfy, Discovery Channel, Disney, and the Science Channel. He has also worked for national consumer brands such as Dell, Payless, Sonic, Coca Cola, Sprint, Cingular, Major League Baseball, Red Lobster and EA Hasbro.
Christie Lacy – Photographer
Christie Lacy is a photographer who specializes in newborn, children, and family portraits. Christie serves Cypress, Houston and the surrounding areas. She enjoys capturing authentic images and creating art out of life.
Christie is married to her husband, Jerome. Together they have 3 children, 9, 6, and 4. In her spare time, she enjoys sharing her gift of photography to better serve families in need and using it to bring glory to God.
Social Media Team
Nicole Harris
Nicole works as a Finance Director in the automobile industry. As a natural “people person,” she enjoys the interaction with different people on a daily basis. Nicole is married to a former Army soldier and has the wonderful blessing of 2 daughters, Genevieve and Arianna.
Hearing the story of little Layla Grace, it was hard not to think about her own little girls. Nicole was deeply touched and inspired to join the Layla Grace Foundation.
Lauren Clements
After being inspired by a childhood friend who battled cancer, 16-year-old junior in high school, Lauren, found her passion in helping children who were fighting the disease.
Lauren was introduced to Layla Grace via Twitter, and now would like to further partake in Layla’s legacy by assisting the Layla Grace Foundation. Currently, Lauren sends care packages and gifts of support to many different children all over the United States who are fighting cancer.
Kelly Kim
Kelly Kim is the Director of Membership and Business Development at the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy in Northern Virginia. She comes with over 8 years of Marketing Communications experience in the corporate environment, and 4 years of non-profit management.
As a mother of two young children, Kelly has a passion for the fight against early childhood cancer. Stories like Layla’s have left a deep impression that inspired her to raise the awareness needed to make a difference and ensure many more years for children battling cancer.