Our Board of Directors
Kelly Emerson - President & Founding board member - Hawaii island
About Me Business Owner, New York City Sub Shop, Hood River, OR. I have spent most of my professional career as an administrator for social service corporations and non-profit organizations.
In 2017, after several close family members and friends began and ended their personal fights with cancer, I felt compelled, obligated, and responsible to make a difference. Living with Cancer is complicated. We found our mission, realizing that this is an underserved group of people that are facing mid life challenges. We officially formed 2Live2Cure in 2018 as a way to provide a broader support network for those currently living with cancer.
Kyla Boucher, founding board member - spokane
About Kyla Kyla Boucher has worked in non-profit and public service for most of her career, including work with the Spokane Parks and Recreation Department, Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce, Inland Northwest Women’s Business Center and the Washington State Employment Security Department. She frequently volunteers including board positions on the parent teacher groups at her daughters’ school, served on the Mardi Gras all Charity Ball committee, and served multiple positions within the International Association of Workforce Professionals. Kyla lives in Spokane with her husband Jonathon, daughters Gracie and Isabelle, and their dog Trooper. She is proud to serve on the board of 2Live2Cure and support this important work.
Jessica Payton-Brown, board member - Spokane
About Jessica Jessica works professionally in business administration in Spokane, WA. Jessica has had family members and friends affected by cancer and brings this understanding of cancer’s impact to our organization.
Katy White - Secretary, Founding Board Member - rockaway beach
About Me I am a 44 year old mother, wife, sister, daughter and creative spirit. I was diagnosed with Metastatic Breast Cancer in November of 2016 at age 38. Since then, I have been dedicated to becoming well, spiritually, emotionally and physically. I have a background in business and design but found myself wanting to do something more with my time, something with purpose that I could be passionate about. My twin sister Kelly Emerson and I, started 2live2cure as a way to provide support to cancer patients with similar struggles as myself. I am proud to be a board member and founder of this foundation and look forward to continuing our work advocating for patients well being.
Liz Acebedo, board member - Patient Resource Coordinator - maui
About Liz Liz works professionally managing a contracting firm on Maui, HI. She is the administrator for her partner’s home based glass art business. Her years of professional experience managing these companies is a huge asset to our volunteer team. Liz has personal experience with cancer and is an incredible patient advocate.
Meg Rummel, board member - Hood River
Meg Rummel lives in Hood River, OR with her husband and two children. She comes from an orchardist family and works as an RN for Providence Occupational Medicine. She currently sits on nonprofit boards for the Aaron Matthew SIDS Research Guild, Safe Infant Sleep, and the May Street Elementary PTO. Meg enjoys volunteering for and participating in 2Live2Cure events and joined 2Live2Cure as a board member in 2024.
Caryl FINCH, founding Board member, grant committee - san diego
About Caryl Caryl Finch resides in San Diego, CA with her husband and 4 children. She has a B.A. in Psychology from San Diego State University and has 15+ years of experience working in the field of Research Administration. For the past 4 years, Caryl has served as the Sponsored Research Manager at Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute, a non-profit medical research foundation that is a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated Cancer Center and that is widely known for its world-class capabilities in stem cell research and drug discovery technologies.
Caryl has had many friends and family touched by cancer and is proud and thankful for the opportunity to serve on the 2Live2Cure Board of Directors. She looks forward to participating on the Board and contributing to this wonderful organization’s development and success.
IN MEMORIAM
jennifer roch, founding board member
Jenny was a founding board member and patient advocate until her passing in February of 2023. Jenny fought a long and incredibly difficult 6 year battle with breast cancer. Jenny was the embodiment of kindness and graciousness and the we are all deeply going to miss her presence in our lives.
About Jennifer - Diagnosed with stage III Her2+ breast cancer in November 2016 then with stage IIII and brain metastases in September 2017. Jennifer served her community in so many ways helping herself and others live happier better quality lives.
Jennifer is survived by her husband Eric Roch, her daughter Hannah Roch, her mother and father Sandee and John Burbank, and brother Jacob. Jennifer embodied life, love, joy. She is missed each day.
IN MEMORIAM
kathy meredith, founding board member & treasurer - desert aire
Kathy was a founding board member and our Treasurer until her passing in September of 2024. Kathy passed away from ALS after having just recovered from a difficult battle with breast cancer. Kathy was the driver behind many of our programs and ensured that 2Live2Cure was setup for success and growth. We would not have been able to achieve all that we have without her knowledge and expertise.
About Me Though I am now retired, my working life consisted of accounting. I worked for a CPA firm, the Budget Director for the City of Spokane and finished my paid working years as the Business Manager for our local school district. Being the mom of the two wonderful women that started this organization, and being touched by so many loved ones and friends with cancer, this cause is very near to my heart.