Meet the Advocacy Council

Emily Araujo is a 37-year-old BRCA1+ Triple Negative Breast Cancer survivor. She was diagnosed at 35 with stage 2B breast cancer. Today, she is a proud mother to a 2.5-year-old daughter. Emily holds a degree in Health Sciences from Quinnipiac University and earned both her Bachelor’s and Master’s in Nursing through the Accelerated Nursing Program at the University of Connecticut. She currently works as a Nurse Practitioner (APRN) at an orthopedic hospital affiliated with a Level 1 trauma center in Hartford, CT. Outside of her professional life, Emily enjoys hiking with her family and their 6-year-old German Shepherd, Caesar. She also loves traveling, whether by car or plane, and embraces every opportunity to explore new places. In her downtime, Emily enjoys visiting museums, appreciating art, history, and culture. 

Daniel Beard is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience in national security, government contracting, and business development. As the President of Nalu Federal, LLC, an NHO-certified 8(a) small business, he leads the company’s mission to deliver high-quality professional and technical services to federal clients. With expertise spanning logistics, cybersecurity, enterprise IT, and program management, Mr. Beard ensures that Nalu Federal aligns its capabilities to support critical government missions effectively. 

Before joining Nalu Federal, he served as President of Ho’olaulima Government Solutions (HGS), the largest subsidiary within the Kina’ole Family of Companies. Under his leadership, HGS experienced a 50% revenue increase year-over-year, expanded its government footprint, and drove operational excellence in professional and technical services. 

 Previously, Mr. Beard held key leadership roles at Chenega Corporation, Windwalker Group, Tepa, LLC, and Bristol Bay Native Corporation (BBNC), where he spearheaded multi-billion-dollar government contracts, expanded corporate revenue streams, and optimized business development strategies. His deep understanding of federal acquisition processes, proposal development, and client relations has positioned him as a respected leader in the government contracting space. 

 A United States Air Force veteran (1987–2011), Mr. Beard applies his military expertise to enhance mission readiness and operational efficiency for government agencies. He holds a Master of Public Administration from Webster University and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Worcester State University. 

Outside of work, Daniel is an avid golfer, cyclist, and outdoor enthusiast who enjoys spending time exploring nature. He is engaged to Andrea Qualls and is a proud father to two children, Zach and Zoey. 

Jessenia Cisneros, also known as Jennie, is a fur mama to three dachshunds and an orange tabby three-legged kitty cat. I am a Florida native, Mexican American, Chicana. My parents are from Jalisco, Mexico. I am a licensed physical therapist assistant in the state of Florida. I am a UCF alumna. I have a B.S in preclinical health sciences and a minor in fitness training, as well as my associate’s degree in physical therapy. I have recently become certified to teach yoga, obtaining my YTT200 hour and have found the eight limbs of yoga, Ashtanga yoga helpful in becoming a better patient/advocate, connecting spirit and inner self. I’ve always been active in some type of way; I’ve always enjoyed moving my body.  

Post cancer, I have become very passionate about women’s health, mental health, breaking cultural barriers within the Mexican-American and Catholic culture communities, supporting all minorities, bridging the gap between women, education, and access to healthcare. Becoming a delegate with Livestrong is an honor and an opportunity to share my story with the lawmakers themselves hoping to implement change. I share my story to manifest better outcomes, safer spaces in the community and more love and support. Oh, and I am also a triple negative breast stage 3b cancer survivor/thriver, depresstie breastie, BRCA1(+) gene mutation. I’ve had six reconstructive surgeries and explanted breast implants. I had a prophylactic total hysterectomy to prevent from gynecological cancers, becoming a menopausal 33-year-old. That’s cancer, y’all! 

My Name is Nick DiGiuseppe and I live in the Philadelphia suburbs of Pennsylvania. So many loved ones have battled cancer or lost the fight. My father, Sam, passed from a brain tumor in 2004- just six months after his first symptom.  

In 2016, my wife, Barb, said the words no one wants to hear: “I have cancer.” It was discovered by accident during a test for celiac disease. She had follicular lymphoma. Barb underwent four rounds of Rituxan at U of Penn. Thankfully, she has been in remission for ten years. 

Barb often says we’ve been blessed, and we feel a responsibility to give back. Time is precious. That’s why I became a Livestrong volunteer in 2007.  

I combined my love of cycling with fundraising through the Livestrong Challenge, riding hundreds of miles annually. Since then, I’ve participated in different Challenge events from Philadelphia to Austin, Texas, and raised funds for the foundation.  

In 2016, I took my involvement further by becoming a Livestrong Leader: Leaders serve as community representatives, amplifying the mission to address everyday cancer challenges.  

I also had the privilege for the past nine years of advocating in Washington, D.C., through One Voice Against Cancer (OVAC). There, we met with Congress to push for increased funding for the National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, and CDC. I want to continue to push for funding at the state level in Pennsylvania starting in 2025.  

Cancer steals time, but through advocacy, fundraising, and awareness, we strive to give others more of it. 

My ex-wife was diagnosed when my daughter was an infant, and that solidified my crusade as a “Co-Survivor.” Although she survived cancer (3 times now) the marriage did not. I share that story often when advocating when I say that although “my wife survived, I still lost her to cancer.” We all know how the journey changes each of us in many ways. I now advocate for the survivors, and co-survivors to better equip individuals and families to fight and survive as a team! I am a father of 2 amazing kids who lived the journey with their mom and have continued to do so as we have all remained her support system through the now 18-year experience of her survivorship. 

Bryan Huneycutt brings over 35 years of rich experience in the performing arts field, encompassing a variety of roles in performance and leadership. Throughout his career, Bryan has managed stage shows, touring productions, music festivals, fireworks displays, and Emmy-winning parades. Bryan led the Entertainment Safety division for Disney Parks and Resorts Live Entertainment, overseeing all U.S.-based entertainment activities. His expertise spans across continents, with significant involvement in projects in the United States, Canada, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. Academically, Bryan holds a Master of Tourism Administration Degree from George Washington University and a Master of Science in Psychology from Grand Canyon University and is currently pursuing a Doctorate to deepen his knowledge in the field. 

Bryan is actively engaged in various industry initiatives, including co-founding the Safety Advisors Forum-Live Entertainment (SAF-LE) and contributing to the Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Steering Committee for the Behind-the-Scenes Foundation. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Event Safety Alliance, reflecting his commitment to improving safety standards in the industry. Furthermore, Bryan’s dedication to enhancing safety extends to his involvement with the No More 10 of 12s Working Group and his previous roles within the United States Institute for Theatre Technology. 

Driven by the personal mantra “People First, Safety Always,” his passion for inclusive leadership and a firm belief in prioritizing people’s well-being and safety, Bryan founded HuneyBadger Entertainment Consulting. Currently, he holds the position of Vice-President of Operations (North America) for Halo Solutions, where he continues to contribute his expertise to shaping safety and operations in the industry.

John Owens retired in 2023 after 45 years in the family business, Owens Companies. Founded by his late father, Bob Owens, 66 years ago, Owens Companies is a leader in the commercial and residential HVAC service and energy management business.  

John became involved in Livestrong after his brother Jim was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor in 1998. Jim passed away in 2009 but John gives much credit for his 10-year survival to the inspiration and support of Livestrong.  

A longtime Livestrong Leader and One Voice Against Cancer advocate on Capitol Hill, John has been one of the top Livestrong Challenge fundraisers for over 20 years.   

John is a lifelong Minnesotan and he and his wife of 37 years, Pat Strong, have three grown daughters and two grandchildren. He has always been active in the community and is the current Board Chair of the Minnesota North Dakota Better Business Bureau.

Sarah R. Colson, MSN, NP-C, AOCNP, is a dedicated Nurse Practitioner with extensive experience in oncology, palliative care and leadership. She holds a Master of Science in Nursing from Valdosta State University and is certified in Adult Gerontology Primary Care.  She is also an Advanced Oncology Certified Nurse Practitioner. Throughout her career, she has provided expert care in clinical, acute, and telehealth settings, ensuring high-quality patient outcomes and advocating for patient needs.

With a background as a healthcare educator, Sarah brings a unique blend of clinical expertise, leadership, and teaching experience. She has served in roles ranging from Oncology Nurse Practitioner, Palliative/Hospice Nurse Practitioner and Oncology Nurse Guide. Currently, she leads Nurse Practitioners in delivering telehealth care in the precision medicine/preventative care space.

Sarah is an active member of professional organizations, including the American Association of Nurse Practitioners and the Oncology Nursing Society. Passionate about education and community service, she has volunteered for local outreach programs and contributed to student health initiatives. Her skill set includes expertise in leadership, program development, and interdisciplinary collaboration, making her a valuable asset in any healthcare setting.

I live in Santa Cruz, California, and I am a 12-year cancer survivor. Since 2015, I have volunteered with Livestrong, advocating for those affected by cancer. I am married with three grown children and four grandchildren. Now retired, I previously worked as an architect and construction project manager. I was a founding advisory board member for Camp Kesem UC Santa Cruz – a camp that supports children whose parents have been affected by cancer – and I currently mentor fellow survivors through Imerman Angels. 

I believe advocacy is a vital part of the fight against cancer. Continued government funding for research, early detection, and prevention is essential to improving outcomes for patients and families. As a survivor, I am committed to ensuring that no one faces cancer alone. I encourage others to join me in raising awareness, supporting research, and standing up for those impacted by this disease. 

Will is a lifelong Hoosier that graduated from Ball State and continued to the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law. He is a commercial attorney at the law firm Rubin & Levin, PC in downtown Indianapolis. Survivorship is deeply personal to Will as his mother is a 3x cancer survivor and cancer has touched numerous parts of his family and friends. Will spends his free time racing his bike donning a “Team I Hate Cancer” jersey to raise awareness for the cause of survivorship and as a reminder that everyone has a cancer story. Will is an aggressive advocate for the cancer community including participating in the OVAC lobbying day in Washington, connecting with lawmakers regarding potential bills affecting survivors, and ensuring survivors’ voices are heard everywhere all of the time. Will believes we can always do better, especially for communities that need someone to fight for them.