BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Sara Frost Azzam, Chairperson
Kathy McGraw Bentley
Susan Hoffman
Jeffrey Mickelson
Michelina Prencipe
Peter Solomon
Phyllis Yawitt
Amanda Zarle

BIOGRAPHIES

Sara Frost Azzam has been touched by cancer through both of her parents: Her mother is a breast cancer survivor and her father died of multiple myeloma.  She is the mother of two children and joined the WCPP because of her desire to see cancer prevented in their lifetime.  She has written many articles for the Wellesley Townsman on the subject of chemicals: in pesticides, dry-cleaning, personal care products, and water.  It is her conviction that educating the public about the steps that individual people can take will bring about change in what we put into and onto our bodies, thus preventing cancer in future generations.  Sara has a Master’s degree in English Education, and she is an middle school teacher.  Her husband is in the solar energy business, another area which involves finding a better lifestyle for future generations.  Sara was recently honored for her cancer philanthropy and education activities by the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Cancer Center, which been named her to ‘the one hundred,’ a select group of 100 individuals and groups whose ‘diligence and discoveries, philanthropy and passion have helped advance the fight against cancer.

Susan Hoffman is a mother of 5 children and grandmother to 6 grandsons and she wants to protect them so that they will be able to live lengthy, healthy and productive lives. She believes that there is an intimate connection between health of our bodies and the integrity of our air, land and water. It is her conviction that increased awareness and action is the answer to preserve the well being of our environment which supports this committee’s goal and mission to prevent cancer, a disease that has challenged us all. With a background in nursing, she is passionate about wellness and she is also reminded daily of how the health of our land is inextricably tied to our own and she believes that the WCPP can be a touchstone for future generations.

Jeffrey Mickelson has worked in the field of environmental protection for more than 15 years as an attorney and a regulator.  As a result of his background, Jeff recognizes the link between exposures to various chemicals and increased health risks, including cancer.  Jeff believes it is critical to provide members of our community with the information necessary to allow for informed decisions concerning activity and lifestyle choices and their related health risks.  Jeff is an avid gardener and has lived in Wellesley with his family since 1992.

Michelina Prencipe has been an active part of the Wellesley community since 1959, when she was employed by the Wellesley Public Schools as an elementary teacher.  A resident of the town since 1971, she has always been concerned about negative effects on children from the physical environment.  She became involved with the Wellesley Cancer Prevention Project because she would like to use her time and energy to educate the public about the toxic chemicals that have been foisted upon our society.

Peter Solomon has lived in Wellesley since 1990 when attending graduate school at Babson College.  With a long time interest in environmental issues, his involvement in the organization was brought about in 2002 by concerns over his then three year old daughter’s interest in nail polish and the related health considerations.  Peter has a broad professional background covering the fields of finance and environmental services and currently works in Wellesley doing business development for AccuCOMP USA, LLC.

Phyllis Yawitt, Psy.D. has been a licensed clinical Psychologist for 24 years. Her interest in cancer, disease prevention and health promotion began with her training fellowship in Rehabilitation Psychology and Health Psychology at the University of Miami/ Jackson Medical Center. In addition to " primary prevention", her focus is on the  "Precautionary Principle". It purports that if the state of evidence is strong regarding a substance's  harm, it is withheld or withdrawn from the market. In particular, Dr. Yawitt is highly motivated to protect all children in the community, and beyond, threatened by toxic products in our midst.  She believes that knowledge is power, and that education through consciousness-raising,  advocacy, and activism is warranted to accomplish the goal of a friendlier, healthier environment.  Family incidence of various cancers have struck her grandmother, grandfather, uncle, father and husband.  Dr. Yawitt has lived in Wellesley for 25 years with her husband and West Highland terrier. She has four adult children, two adult step-children, and several grandchildren.

Amanda Zarle has spent the past 7 years living in Wellesley with her husband, two childrenand golden retriever. Her interest in cancer prevention stems from her father's diagnosis with a very aggressive form of Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma in February of 2007. What unfolded over the following months was both difficult but also very promising. Thankfully we live in a time where many forms of cancer are treatable (if not curable) but the ultimate answer will be in preventing cancer all together.  Her involvement in the organization began in 2007 with the hope that her experience as a marketing consultant will help WCPP spread the word and educate the community on how to prevent cancer where possible. Amanda works at the advertising firm, Boathouse Inc., and has a Masters in Business from the Kellogg Graduate School of Management. 

ADVISORY BOARD

Cheryl Colbert
Rev. Martin Copenhaver
Elizabeth S. Homa
Larry Kaplan, M.D.
Sarah Little, Ph.D
Richard Morse
Viola Morse
Kathy Taylor