Foundation People - Head for the Cure

Grace Rothweiler

Grace is a proud graduate of Northwest Missouri State University, with a degree in Mass Media Applied Advertising and an alumna of the Bearcat Dance Team. With a passion for creating unforgettable experiences and fostering community, Grace brings a dynamic energy to every event she plans. Outside of work, Grace channels her creativity into exploring […]

Ross Gregory

Ross is very passionate about helping the brain cancer community. His mom was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2019 and lost her battle in early 2022. During his mom’s treatment, Ross and his family learned about the gaps in access to treatments and research for brain cancer. A graduate of Friends University and Rockhurst University, Ross […]

Reaghan Wharff

Reaghan is a graduate of Bradley University with a major in Communications and a double minor in Advertising and Public Relations and Women’s and Gender Studies. Reaghan got her start in nonprofit work after an internship with Easterseals Central Illinois for the majority of 2021. After graduating in May of 2022, she is starting her […]

Nicole Lentsch

Nicole is a graduate from The University of Kansas with a degree in Communications and a minor in Business. While at KU she discovered a love for event planning through classes and various volunteer activities. She also worked with several non-profits at KU as well. Head for the Cure was the perfect balance of both! […]

Erin Stewart

In 2019, My Husband DJ was diagnosed with IV Glioblastoma. Since then, we have spent our time travelling the country in our RV meeting survivors, fighters, caregivers, and many others impacted by this disease. This journey has now led me to work alongside my husband with Head for the Cure as the Programs & Advocacy […]

Laci Bontrager

Laci is a 4-year supporter of Head for the Cure- who was introduced to the cause when her close friend was diagnosed in 2019. She attended the University of Missouri Kansas City and started her career working in health care as a Veterinary Technician and then as a Cardiology Technician at the University of Kansas […]

Tobias Walbert, MD

It is my personal vision to provide each patient and family with the best possible care, always respecting their personal needs and goals. I strive to improve the outcomes of patients with brain tumors and neurologic disorders, one patient at a time. I partner with my patients and their families to maximize the quality of […]

DJ Stewart

My name is DJ Stewart I am a 31-year-old skateboarder, business owner, and all-around life enthusiast. I also happen to be a 2-time cancer survivor including a grade 4 Glioblastoma. Since very early on in my diagnosis I have had the mindset that “if I’m rare enough to get this disease I am rare enough […]

Steven Anthony

Maggie Haynes

Maggie Haynes joined the Head for the Cure Foundation in July 2021. With a deep passion for organizing events that bridge gaps and bring communities together, Maggie is dedicated to creating memorable experiences that foster unity and support. She strongly values Hope & Joy, the pillars of Head for the Cure, and understands the vital […]

Nina Paleologos, MD

Nina A. Paleologos, MD is Director of Neurology and Director of Neuro-Oncology for Advocate Aurora Healthcare’s Medical Group for the Illinois region. AAH is one of the largest not-for-profit integrated health systems in the United States. She is a board-certified neurologist and UCNS certified neuro-oncologist, and a Professor of Neurologic Sciences, Rush University Medical School. […]

Nina Paleologos, MD

Cole Anthony

Cole grew up in Kansas City and is the son of Chris Anthony and Kirsten Lowe. Kirsten organized the first Head for the Cure race following Chris’s death from a glioblastoma in 2003, so Head for the Cure has been a part of Cole’s life from the very beginning. Cole is a Venture Capital attorney […]

Simon Khagi, MD, FACP

Dr. Simon Khagi is a medical neurological oncologist who is on faculty at the Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth. He is also the regional oncology medical director for Dartmouth-Hitchcock’s Norris Cotton Cancer Center in Southern New Hampshire. Dr. Khagi is actively engaged in clinical research and patient care. He is passionate about improving the lives of […]

Howard Colman, MD, PhD

Dr. Howard Colman is a Professor (Tenured) in the Depts. of Neurosurgery, Neurology, and Internal Medicine (Oncology) and holds the Jon M. Huntsman Presidential Chair in Neuro-Oncology. He is Leader of the Neurologic Cancers Center at HCI is also Medical Director of Neuro-Oncology at Intermountain Medical Center. Dr. Colman currently holds a number of leadership […]

Priya Kumthekar, MD

Dr. Kumthekar is a UCNS certified neuro-oncologist from Northwestern University dedicated to patient and care and moving the field of brain tumor forward primarily through her leadership on clinical trials. She is currently involved in and lead many clinical trials including being the overall principal investigator of five investigator initiated treatment trials as well as […]

Mitchel S. Berger M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.A.N.S

Mitchel S. Berger M.D., F.A.C.S., F.A.A.N.S. is the Berthold and Belle N. Guggenhime Professor and Chair of the Department of Neurological Surgery at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). He also serves as Director of UCSF’s Brain Tumor Center. Dr. Berger is a pioneer of intraoperative brain mapping — a technique used to avoid […]

Lynne P. Taylor, M.D., FAAN, FANA

Alexander M. Spence Endowed Chair in Neuro-oncology Clinical Professor, Department of Neurology Lynne P. Taylor, M.D., FAAN, FANA, is co-director of the Alvord Brain Tumor Center at UW Medical Center, the UW’s Alexander M. Spence Endowed Chair in Neuro-oncology, and a UW professor of Neurology and Oncology. Dr. Taylor is an expert in the care […]

John de Groot, MD

I am a neuro-oncologist having clinical and translational research experience in the fields of glioma angiogenesis, molecularly targeted, and immunotherapies. A broad clinical and laboratory background has given me a unique perspective on targeted therapy and the integration of novel treatments into the clinic for the treatment of patients with primary brain tumors. I have […]

Kelly Fisher

Kelly Fisher became involved with the Head for the Cure Foundation after her 3-year-old daughter, Allie “Little Owl” Fisher, died from brain cancer in 2013. Devastated and lost, Kelly and her husband, Kyle, formed Team Little Owl just weeks after Allie’s passing. Team Little Owl has been the largest team at the Head for the […]

Tom Sadowski

Tom Sadowski was born in Grosse Pointe, Michigan, grew up in Marathon, Florida and now resides in Jefferson City. Tom graduated from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor’s of Arts in accounting. He then went on to obtain a Master’s degree in Public Administration from the University of Missouri. Tom worked for the […]

Courtney Watson

In 2016, Courtney’s mom was diagnosed with brain cancer and lost her fight within the same year. It impacted her family greatly, which is why Courtney chose to change her career path to the non-profit side in 2018. A graduate of Missouri State University in Public Relations, Courtney resides near Portland, OR, with her husband […]

Mario Lichtenstein

Mr. Lichtenstein’s background includes manufacturing, distribution, fashion and other consumer products on an international level as well as, music promoter and real estate development and investment. He is the Founder and a member of the Board of Directors of Voices Against Brain Cancer. He also currently serves as one of the Vice Presidents of the […]

Brian Orrick

Brian is a long time supporter of Head for the Cure, attending his first Kansas City event in 2005. While continuing his education at Kansas State University, Brian spent time volunteering in the Hematology/Oncology unit at Children’s Mercy Hospital. This experience brought about a focused drive to enter the cancer-related non-profit field. Outside of Head […]