Exciting news! We’re welcoming three new Board of Directors members to the Colon Cancer Alliance family this month. Each of these professionals brings a unique expertise, connection to the cause and commitment to our vision for a world free of colon cancer. We look forward to seeing their fresh perspectives come to life as they join our Board of dedicated leaders and take us into our 16th year of service. Meet Kitt Shapiro, Dr. Jose Mendoza and Heather Dean.
Heather Dean, Deputy Executive Director, Programs and Operations, National PTA
"I am honored to serve on a board of an organization that works every day to save lives."
Heather Dean is the Deputy Executive Director of Programs and Operations at the National Parent Teacher Association (PTA). Throughout her four year tenure at National, her responsibilities have expanded to include overseeing the Finance, IT, HR, Office Services and Programs departments.
Prior to joining the PTA in 2010, Dean’s career spanned many positions in the non-profit industry to include Senior Auditor for PricewaterhouseCoopers not-for-profit/higher-education team, Manager of Financial Reporting and Analysis for a major national association. She has also worked in the corporate sector as a Senior Financial Analyst and Sarbanes Oxley officer for a publicly traded energy company.
Dean is an Army spouse with two elementary school age children. She holds a degree in Economics and Accounting from Gettysburg College and is a Certified Public Accountant in the state of Virginia.
Jose Mendoza Silveiras, MD, Vice President of Clinical Operations, National Research Institute
"My hope is to keep the Colon Cancer Alliance at the forefront of creating awareness about colon cancer by bringing my medical background serving the Latino community, as well my scientific research experience to the Board of Directors."
Dr. Mendoza Silveiras has more than 15 years of experience managing clinical studies around the world. Currently Dr. Mendoza is the Vice President of Clinical Operations for the National Research Institute (NRI) in California, overseeing clinical operations in multiple therapeutic areas.
Dr. Mendoza was appointed by the Food and Drug Administration to serve as a Safety Representative Consultant until 2017; in this capacity, Dr. Mendoza provides insights to the advisory committee and the FDA on issues, problems and questions pertinent to patients and evaluates risks-benefits of clinical research.
Mendoza received his medical degree with a specialty in general surgery and completed his residency in infectious diseases at the Central University of Venezuela. He brings years of experience working with the United States Navy, National Institute of Allergies and Infectious Diseases and others with a focus on underserved populations. In 2008, Mendoza joined the Colon Cancer Alliance as a volunteer, later becoming its first Latino medical consultant and a member of its Medical Scientific Advisory Committee. In 2010 he received the Colon Cancer Leadership Award, largely for his work in Hispanic outreach.
Kitt Shapiro
“I am honored to have been asked to join the board of the Colon Cancer Alliance. My mother passed away from colon cancer in 2008 and I cannot think of a
better way to honor the legacy of her by supporting an organization that builds awareness about colon cancer, the importance of early screening and who provides services and support to those already battling this disease. I’m going to make talking about our colons as sexy as talking about our breasts.”
Daughter of the late international star Eartha Kitt, Kitt Shapiro is the founder and creator of the Simply Eartha™ lifestyle brand. Shapiro uses her mother’s words, wisdom and beauty in designing a line of “accessories that say something.”
Shapiro has been in and around the fashion and entertainment business all of her life. She grew up traveling the world with her mother, studying on the road as well as at Lycée Francais in Los Angeles and London, and then attended Barnard College/Columbia University before beginning a successful modeling career. She studied interior design and worked in the fashion industry before taking on the responsibilities of running her mother’s company.
As president of Eartha Kitt Productions for more than 20 years, Shapiro organized and produced Eartha Kitt shows and projects all over the world. Her work with her mother was highlighted by her own Grammy nomination as executive producer of Eartha Kitt’s CD, “Back in Business.”
When Eartha Kitt was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer, Shapiro became her mother’s caregiver and advocate. Eartha Kitt died Christmas Day 2008. She had never had a colonoscopy prior to her diagnosis. Shapiro has taken it upon herself to share her mother’s story and bring attention to the importance of screening and early detection.