HEAL's Board of Directors is managed by community members dedicated to fulfilling its mission.  Our board members are:

Lauren Daniels - President
Lauren graduated from Arizona State University in 1990 with a Bachelor of Science degree. She married her husband Sean the November after graduation. She enjoys raising her three children Kayli, Sam and Gracie . Lauren volunteers in many capacities from her children’s schools to her church community. She appreciates the simple pleasures in life due to a breast cancer diagnosis at the early age of 35. Her greatest joy comes from spending time with her family and friends. Her passion has always been helping others so it is very fitting that she has started the non-profit organization the Happily Ever After League which supports moms through their cancer treatment.

Melissa Clark - Secretary
After growing up in Texas, Melissa moved to Seattle with her family where she met her husband of 17 years, Wayne. Melissa graduated from Edmonds Community College in 1987 with 2 Associate Degrees and 3 certificates in the field of Legal and Administrative Secretary. She spent 22 years in the insurance industry and sold her agency in 2004 to be a full time mom to her wonderful 3 year old daughter Ashlyn. She has recently gone back to work part-time at State Farm. She moved to the Phoenix area 2 years ago with her husband who is golf pro in Glendale. She is a past member of the Board of Directors for the National Association of Life Underwriters, past member of the Professional Women's Assoc., past secretary & treasurer of National Leads Club as well as committees & youth leader through church. Melissa loves spending time with her family & friends, travel, music, writing, reading, movies and going to church. She is very excited to be a part of such a wonderful organization that Jackie Evasius introduced her to. Cancer has touched dear friends and family and she looks forward to helping make a difference in the lives of the people that HEAL is reaching out to.

Mary-Louise Hayes - Treasurer
After growing up in Michigan, Mary-Louise received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Arizona State University. An avid sports enthusiast, Mary-Louise is currently the Varsity Dive Coach at Desert Mountain High School in Scottsdale. Mary-Louise met Lauren and Sean 11 years ago when she was blessed with teaching their two oldest children how to swim. In her spare time Mary-Louise enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her two dogs; Ted and Lilly. Mary-Louise takes pride in giving back to her community and making it a better place. With breast cancer affecting family members, friends, and community members, Mary-Louise is honored to be apart of such an amazing organization.

Ruth Anne Lefkowitz - VP Communications
Ruth Anne is originally from New Jersey. She moved to Scottsdale in 1991, after marrying Michael, her high school sweetheart. Ruth Anne worked in the corporate world for 17 years prior to becoming a stay at home mom to their two children. During her corporate experience, she gained a wealth of computer, event, and marketing communications knowledge. Ruth Anne has been an active volunteer in her children's schools, serving on committees, on parent-teacher boards and in classrooms. In her spare time, she loves to read, scrapbook and most importantly spend time with her family and friends.

Joanne Mattera - VP Events
Joanne moved to Arizona from New York in 1978. A breast cancer survivor, she recently retired from working in the corporate world and running a successful jewelry business. Her biggest joy is being with her family and keeping busy with 6 beautiful grandchildren. A highlight for Joanne is cooking for her family on Sundays, which is a tradition passed on from one generation to another and is enjoyed by all. She also loves entertaining and traveling with her husband Sal. Joanne is also the patient advocate for AIBH which offers free second opinions for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.

Sean Daniels
Sean graduated from ASU in 1990 and immediately started his career with American Express. He is currently a Regional Sales Manager and has worked in many capacities for the organization. Sean also serves on the philanthropic board for American Express. Sean married his wife Lauren in November of 1990. Together they have three beautiful children, Kayli, Sam, and Gracie. Sean has always taken pride in volunteering in his community. He has coached little league and softball and has worked at local food banks and with the Salvation Army. His biggest accomplishment in life is raising his three children and seeing his wife through her battle with breast cancer.

Jackie F. Evasius
Jackie left the “corporate world” in 1995 and since then has thrown herself into volunteer work. Originally hailing from outside Philadelphia, Jackie and her loving husband Scott have been relocated through his work many times, finally landing in their dream home in Glendale. Since then Jackie has been active in community activities, presently serving in leadership positions at the local, district and state levels of the General Federation of Woman’s Clubs. She has also worked with Banner Health, Glendale Civic Pride and sits on the Board of the 500 Golf Club Women’s Association. In 2005, Jackie organized a charity golf tournament to raise breast cancer awareness and named HEAL a co-recipient of monies raised…and a wonderful relationship was born. When not enjoying time with family and friends, Jackie and Scott can most often be found on the golf course.

Dr. Neil Hay-Roe
Neil spent his early years in Peru where he learned to Speak English and Spanish simultaneously which has been a great asset his entire life. His family also lived in Connecticut and he graduated high school in Calgary, Canada, then went to the University of Edmonton where he earned his M.D. He interned in Akron, Ohio where he met his wife Joyce then did his residency at USC and they lived in Santa Monica. After 11 years in Canton, Ohio which included the birth of their 3 children they moved to Scottsdale so Neil could work in the new Mayo Clinic Hospital in the E.R. One of 5 original doctors there in 1998 it has grown tremendously in the last 10 years.

The move to Arizona was wonderful for many reasons and great new friends were made including Lauren and Sean Daniels. Working on the HEAL board is a great opportunity to experience community coming together for the benefit of others truly in need.

Veronica Leiper
Originally from Southern California, moved to Arizona in 1987. Lives in Scottsdale with her two children, Justin and Chelsea. Currently teaches science at Mountainside Middle School in the Scottsdale School District. Has a B.A. from California State University, Fullerton and a MAEd from University of Phoenix. Before going back to work, she held various volunteer leadership positions in Scottsdale Unified School District. She enjoys being active in the community and treasures time spent with her children. Began a relationship with Lauren through working together as PTO members and feels blessed to consider her a close friend. She admires Laurens commitment to helping others after turning her own battle with cancer into such a positive journey.

Candace Peterson
Candace is originally from Indiana. She moved to AZ in 1998. Candace received her Bachelor of Science Degree from Purdue University. She has her real estate license that is hung with Dan Schwartz Realty. Candace loves to run, hike and enjoys all that AZ has to offer. It is important to Candace to spend time with friends and travel to Indiana to see her parents and family. She became involved with HEAL though Mary-Louise and is honored to be a part of such a wonderful and giving organization and excited to do what she can to help make a difference.

Brad Johnson, Esq. - Advisor to the Board 
After growing up in Illinois, Brad received his Bachelor of Science Degree from Arizona State University and Juris Doctor Degree from Creighton University. Brad is founding partner of the law firm Peterson Johnson. He has passionately represented accident injury victims for more than 15 years. Brad enjoys time away from the office with his wife Marla and their children, Alyssa and Jared. His greatest joy is watching Alyssa dance and coaching Jared's baseball team.